July 23, 2021
NewsRed lipstick is one makeup item that will never go out of style. While pink is feminine and flirty, nude is a subtle elegance, and coral orange is a quirky twist. Red lipstick is the only colour that works for every occasion. Whether you’re going to a coffee shop, attending a wedding, or going on a date, red lipstick is a must-have for every woman’s makeup bag.
While red lipstick will always be an iconic moment, there are some shades that are so famous within the beauty industry that they have become legend. If I said ‘Ruby Woo’, any beauty lover would know that it’s the name of MAC’s signature red shade. The same goes for Dior’s 999 or Uncensored by Fenty Beauty.
Not all red lipsticks are made equal, even more so when you consider their different undertones. If you’re a fan of red lipstick, you’ll know that there is a difference between scarlet red, burgundy, and rainbow red.
This article is the ultimate guide for everything you need to know about red lipstick. We’re covering the most iconic shades of all time – the ones that every woman needs to own – and how to perfect the art of applying red lipstick. Warning: these lipstick shades are all an instant ‘add to cart’. Whether red lipstick is your signature, or you want to give it a try, you’re guaranteed to learn something new from this guide.
Unlike pink lipstick or a berry tinted gloss, red lipstick can be daunting to wear. While it adds an instant ‘wow factor’ to your outfit, it’s easier to see mistakes in your application. We’ve all smudged red lipstick onto our teeth at least once. Before we jump into our top red lipstick recommendations, we wanted to share our secrets on how to achieve an effortless red lipstick application.
Before you add your red lipstick, you want to stop and consider the rest of your makeup. You want to avoid wearing blush that is too dark against your skin if you’re also wearing a red lipstick colour. It’s best to balance our red lipstick with a lighter pink blush.
Before you go anywhere near your lips with a lipstick, you want to stop and add a lip balm. The last thing you want is to be applying red lipstick onto cracked lips. If you apply a lip balm first, your lips will be hydrated and plumper, making it easier for you to apply your lipstick and giving you a smoother finish to your look.
If you want to achieve the most even and perfect red lipstick application, you need to be using a lip liner. You might think of them as an unnecessary add-on, but they’re a gamechanger for helping you get a smooth finish and will boost the longevity of your red lipstick. You can also use a blot of foundation or concealer over your lips to help cancel out your natural lip shade to make the red pop.
It’s a good idea to keep some micellar water and cotton buds on hand to help clean up any mistakes you make during the application process. You can also touch-up your lips by applying concealer underneath your lip line to give you a bolder line.
Every red lipstick is a different colour, the undertones and brightness impact how the shade looks on your lips. You want to consider your complexion and skin tone when you’re choosing which red lipstick you want to make your signature.
When it comes to buying your red lipsticks, there are fifteen shades that every woman should try. Grab your credit card, all of these need to be added to your makeup bag.
Ruby Woo is perhaps the most iconic red lipstick shade of all time. It has a semi-matte formula that is so popular that Rihanna even had a custom shade made for a collaboration with the brand called Riri Woo.
The first red lipstick from Rihanna’s beauty brand, Fenty Beauty, is universally flattering and is opaque with just one swipe. The matte formula will last all day long, taking you from day to night. This red lipstick shade will stay on until you remove it at the end of the night.
You can get an iconic red lip colour without using a traditional lipstick. The velvet matte lip pencil from NARS gives you the same colour as a lipstick but with the versatility of a pencil.
Dragon Girl is an unapologetically bright shade of red that has a pink undertone, making it perfect for those trying to transition from wearing pink colours to red. Did you know that Dragon Girl is the go-to shade of Taylor Swift?
What we love about Hot Mama is that it’s a fiery matte red shade that works with every skin tone, giving you a pop of colour. As this lipstick dries down, you can be guaranteed that the colour won’t move until the end of the night.
While Gucci’s makeup brand is relatively new, it’s no surprise that their signature red shade has already made it onto this list. The formula is ultra-soft with a matte finish. You get the ultimate flexibility of choosing between a just-there red tint to your lips or layering it for an opaquer look.
The name ‘Fire & Ice’ was synonymous with red lipstick long before Game of Thrones hit our TV screens. This classic red shade dates back to 1952 and is still available today. If you want to wear the same shade as some of Hollywood’s most iconic legends, this is the red lipstick for you.
For a hydrating and moisturising formula, look no further than Guerlain’s Rouge Kiss shade. What we love about this colour is that it has a blue-red tone, meaning that it helps to brighten the appearance of your teeth and give them a whiter look.
If you want a weightless red lipstick, look no further than the Ginza Red shade by Shiseido. You get a classic red shade that will stay on all day, whether you swipe it over your lips or dab it on for a more natural look.
The iconic 999 shade from Dior is a fan-favourite amongst celebrities and influencers alike. It flatters every skin tone and is a must-have for all fans of luxury makeup.
Beauty Bakerie is fast becoming one of our favourite makeup brands. With its waterproof and smudge-proof formula, the Matte Lip Whip is one of the most talked about lipstick formulas. No matter what you put it through, this lipstick colour won’t move.
Another luxury red lipstick that you should consider is Pirate by Chanel. While the brand has over a dozen red shades for you to choose from, Pirate is one of the most famous shades of all-time from Chanel.
Pat McGrath is a leading brand within the industry, making it no surprise that her brand makes an appearance on this list. If you’re a fan of an orange-red lipstick shade, this colour will be your go-to. It has one of the best matte formulas on market and gives you a creamy and smooth application process that won’t dry your lips. The colour is long-lasting and scentless, making it ideal for all-day wear.
Maybelline’s pigmented formula is a go-to drugstore dupe for those who don’t want to spend the price of a MAC or Chanel lipstick. You might find that the color is an exact dupe for other shades on this list.
Red is a colour synonymous with Christian Louboutin and his red bottom shoes. In fact, you’ll usually hear Louboutins being referred to simply as ‘red bottoms’. When the shoe designer launched his beauty brand, it was no surprise that red was one of the focal colours of his products. The shade ‘Rouge Louboutin’ is an exact match to the red of his shoes, making this colour a must-have for any shoe fan.
Nothing looks better than a red lipstick bullet in one of YSL’s statement gold cases. It’s a classic old Hollywood inspired colour that is universally flattering and works for every skin tone and complexion.
Do you wear red lipstick or are you considering taking the plunge? Let us know in the comments below!
Lipstick is a girl’s best friend. With just one coat, you can change your makeup in the blink of an eye. Whether you’re a fan of liquid lipstick or like to keep it natural with a pale pink shade, it’s usually the last part of your daily makeup routine. Your lipstick will only look as good as your application. If you’re wearing a darker or bolder shade, you want to be careful to make sure you don’t end up making your lips look lopsided. If you overline your lips too much, you could end up making them appear too superficial.
If there’s one 2021 makeup trend that we can get on board with, it’s pink makeup. The shade is universally flattering and gives your skin a healthy flush, while warming up your complexion. When we think about pink makeup, the first products that usually come to mind are lipsticks and blushes. The world of pink makeup goes beyond this – there are highlighters, eyeshadows, and even eyeliners to choose from.
Summer is right around the corner. It’s time to give your makeup bag a refresh. Summer makeup is in a league of its own. Everything changes. Everyone is chasing the ideal of a ‘hot girl summer’, meaning that we all have to step up our makeup game. It’s time to dig around for your favourite bold lipstick, book in for a lash lift, and splurge on a new eyeshadow palette. With the end of lockdown coming just in time for summer, you can expect this summer to be unlike any other. While this list focuses on makeup trends, you don’t want to forget about your skincare. During the summer, it’s more important than ever to be on top of your skincare routine. You need to protect your skin from sun damage, which means touching up your sunscreen throughout the day.
Grab your makeup bag – there’s a new TikTok trend and we’re already all over it. The resurgence of the 60s mod eye makeup look is proof that makeup trends always come back in vogue – even if it takes a few decades. When the trend comes back around again, we’re all wondering “why did we ever let this trend die?”. The mod eye makeup is the latest trend to come back with the bag. Like most of today’s trends, you can thank TikTok for fuelling its comeback moment. The ‘60s mod makeup is all about using pastel shades, dark creases, and over-the-top lash lines that were beloved by stars of the era, like Cher and Twiggy. If you take a scroll through TikTok, you’ll see almost every twenty-something girl rocking this eye makeup look.