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The best red lipsticks, according to a loyal wearer
From MAC's legendary bullet to a game-changing new liquid formula, these are the best reds of all time
It'll surprise no one to hear that, since the pandemic, make-up sales have taken a hit across the globe. In the past four years, we've shifted to working from home, grown accustomed to a stripped-back beauty regime, and learned to celebrate our natural, unmasked beauty, leaving hefty eyeshadow palettes and bold lipsticks lingering at the back of the cupboard.
But as someone who has long called a bold swipe of red their beauty signature, my go-to lipstick never really left my side – even on days when the only interaction on the cards was via Zoom.
That’s precisely the power of a a great red lipstick: it can transform your mood, wherever you're going and whatever you're doing. We’ve all heard the clichéd concept of wearing make-up ‘for yourself', but really, red lipstick is all for the wearer. No other beauty move can signal a shift in confidence quite like it (although I'll admit, a perfect feline liner does come pretty close).
If the transformative powers of a red lip sound trite to you, you simply haven’t found the right one. The best red lipstick is a short-cut to feeling put-together. It's the difference between a daytime outfit and a nighttime one – or a low-key look and one ready to make an impact. It can lean punk (team with leopard print), pretty (with florals) or completely classic with jet-black leather. Even a white T-shirt and jeans takes on Parisian levels of coolness when paired with a slick of pillarbox paint.
As with most things in make-up, there are plenty of red lipstick rules out there, should you wish to follow them – but really, I think we’re past all that now. Generally speaking, orangey reds complement paler skin tones, while darker tones come alive against a blue-toned red, but that’s about as far into the red rulebook as I recommend you venture. If you like it, wear it.
And if you're wondering how a swipe of crimson will work with your newly stripped-back beauty look? Actually, pairing a bold red with nothing but a clean, moisturised face is perhaps the chicest make-up move of them all.
Ready to embrace red? Discover how to apply lipstick like a pro, then dive into my verdict on the very best red lipsticks out there today.
The 10 best red lipsticks of all time
MAC's inimitable Ruby Woo has been my go-to red lipstick since I was a teenager – and I’m not the only one. First launched in 1999, it remains a best-seller for the brand today, with one selling every 15 seconds across the globe.
The secret to its success lies in the vibrancy: it’s the boldest, most postbox-bright red possible, and leans only slightly blue in undertone, meaning it genuinely pops on every single skin tone.
Don’t faff around with a liner or brush – it applies perfectly from the pointed bullet – and is long-wearing enough to sharply line the lips without bleeding or smudging.
The only downside (if you're really looking for one) is its tendency to feel dry after a few hours of wear – but dab a creamy balm beneath and the problem is solved.
A Hermès lipstick is a serious thing of beauty, from the weighty colour-blocked case, complete with golden crest, to the bold bullet housed inside.
This season, the brand has revealed a trio of limited-edition shades, each one with the saturation set to blinding. Alongside the skin-enlivening orange and fuchsia sits this flawless true red. Only lightly matte and loaded with moisturising extracts, it offers comfort and impact in one.
A master of colour, Byredo's make-up artist in residence, Lucia Pica, knows exactly how to create a winning red. Her new line of matte lipsticks is creamy, rather than powdery, and the pigment packs a serious punch. For maximum impact try Red Coma: a bold true red that looks beautiful when blurred softly with a finger.
An entirely luxurious choice, this weighty palette contains four shades that can be worn alone or blended together to create a custom hue.
The texture is unusual – imagine a spongy, cushiony balm – yet the pigment is surprisingly punchy. Dab it on with your ring finger for a romantic, blurred effect, or employ a lip brush for sharp precision. Infused with plant oils, it's a supremely comfortable one to wear, too.
This satiny version of Dior's beloved Rouge Dior lipstick is the ideal halfway point between a gloss and a matte finish. It's generously pigmented, yet light as a balm, and makes lips look fuller with a light-reflecting finish.
Yves Saint Laurent Rouge Pur The Slim in Corail Antinomique
A seriously underrated formula, YSL's The Slim lipsticks work brilliantly to plump and smooth lips, leaving behind a smooth stamp of bold, matte pigment. This one is the perfect orange-leaning hue: perfect for brightening up winter-weary complexions.
Lisa Eldridge Velveteen Liquid Lip Colour in Dragon
I personally tend to avoid liquid lipsticks, as I find them uncomfortably drying with a tendency to crack and flake. Not Lisa Eldridge's though: the iconic make-up artist has got the balance just right with these velvety formulas. Dragon is a warm rust-red that feels less of a statement than a classic Hollywood hue: ideal for easing yourself into wearing colour.
The trick is to apply with a light hand – the payoff is high, so there's little need for a thick layer. Once dry, it'll last all day, and won't transfer to your collar or teeth.
Chanel knows exactly how to deliver a chic dark-red lipstick. There are now plenty of variations in the brand's lip category, but this powdery matte is perhaps the best: it's light, comfortable, and smudge-proof without feeling aggressively long-wearing.
Hourglass Confession Ultra Slim High Intensity Refillable Lipstick in Red 0
Hourglass is working to become a wholly vegan brand, and this new red lipstick is one of its most impressive feats. It's tricky to formulate a good, vivid red that's vegan-friendly, as the red pigment traditionally comes from beetle-derived carmine.
This blue-toned red sets the bar high: it's rich, indulgently creamy, and delivers bold yet satiny colour with a single swipe. Bonus points for the refillable (and very glamorous) case, too.
