Frequently Asked Questions
How do I choose the best red lipstick for my skin tone?
Anyone can wear whatever red lipstick they like, full stop. “The right red is the one that makes you feel good,” says Los Angeles-based makeup artist Fiona Stiles, whose clients include Margot Robbie, Gabrielle Union, and Lily Collins.
However, you can expedite finding a red lipstick you love by considering your skin tone and your skin’s undertone. New York City-based makeup artist Diane Kendal previously told Allure that red shades with blue undertones give cool-toned, fair-to-light-medium complexions a more radiant appearance and even make teeth look whiter. For warm, medium skin tones, Kendal suggested orange-red shades—”Intense, yes, but they make olive skin glow by bringing out its golden tones,” she says. As for deeper skin tones, she recommended red hues “with a lot of pink,” which she said works beautifully against dark complexions.
How do you make red lipstick last?
We all love the look of freshly applied lipstick, but after a few hours (or drinks), things can start to look messy. Don’t fret, because there are quite a few ways to make your look last for hours on end. Back in the day (2010 to be exact), New York City-based makeup artist Peter Phillips previously gave Allure editors a few tips on ensuring that any lip look stays put—and these hacks are still used by our staff to this day.
Prep your lips: Your results will only be as smooth and seamless as the actual skin on your lips. To smooth your skin pre-lipstick, try using a lip scrub or a damp washcloth to buff dry flakes. “Pat on a clear lip balm and give it a few minutes to sink in, then blot with a tissue,” said Phillips.
Use setting powder after applying your lipstick: Makeup artists and Allure editors alike abide by this tip, especially when it comes to smudge-prone shades like red. Phillips recommended dabbing a light amount on the lips to keep your lipstick in place without drying out your skin. “Close your mouth, smile, and then dust a little face powder on your lips with a fluffy brush,” he says. “Don’t reapply lipstick or it could get cakey.”
If matte lipsticks are too dry for your lips, use a satin-finish option instead: Since many long-wearing lipsticks are matte and can dry out your lips, Phillips prefers satin-finish, pearlescent lipsticks. “The shine is created by pearl pigments and not by the texture. It’s not as moist as a creamy lipstick and will therefore stay on longer,” he said.
Is there a red lipstick that looks good on everyone?
Both experts agree that anyone can wear a red lip, but no single shade looks the same on everyone, since skin undertone, natural lip color, and finish all change how a red reads. “MAC Ruby Woo is absolutely a classic; that crisp blue-red can be beautiful across a wide range of skin tones,” explains Tim Quinn, a makeup artist based in West Palm Beach, Florida. Jalia Pettis, a makeup artist based in Phoenix, Arizona, relies on the range of reds from The Lip Bar and Charlotte Tilbury.
Rather than stick with one go-to shade, both makeup artists switch it up. Choose a liner that matches your lipstick keeps red crisp and helps it last longer, while one closer to your natural lip color softens the edges. You can skip liner altogether with sheer balms and stains, since the point is a blurred, diffused look.
“On one person, a bright blue-red is magic; on another, a warmer red or a deeper, softer shade brings their whole face to life,” says Quinn. He also considers how the shade works with the rest of their makeup, noting that someone who feels overwhelmed by a bold matte lip might love that same look, just in a sheerer texture.
Meet the experts
- Fiona Stiles is a Los Angeles-based makeup artist
- Diane Kendal is a New York City-based makeup artist
- Peter Phillips is a New York City-based makeup artist
- Jalia Pettis is a Phoenix-based makeup artist
- Tim Quinn is a West Palm Beach-based makeup artist
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When Allure tests a product, our editors look at it from every angle in an effort to best serve you. We review ingredients, scrutinize brand claims, and, when necessary, examine peer-reviewed scientific and medical studies. In addition to testing every product that’s included in each and every review, we rely on experts who shape their fields, including dermatology, cosmetic chemistry, and medicine, to help us vet the ingredients and formulas.
For our list of the best red lipsticks, we considered each product’s performance across five primary categories: product ingredients and efficacy, packaging, fragrance, texture, and product wear. Every product was determined to have excelled in each category by our editorial team, which is composed of in-house writers and editors as well as contributors — along with special consideration from makeup artists. To learn more information on our reporting and testing processes, read our complete reviews process and methodology page.
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After all, can we really say a skin-care product is the “best” for people over 50 if the only testers we’ve solicited opinions from are folks who have yet to hit 30? Can we honestly deem a high-end diffuser worthy of your hard-earned cash if it’s never been tested on curls? We’re proud that our staff spans a wide range of ages, skin tones, hair textures, genders, and backgrounds, which means that we are able to fairly assess any beauty product that comes into the beauty closet.
