If you were to ask me what my favorite makeup look is, I would definitely say the red lip. It's a truly timeless look that instantly elevates any outfit. It's bold, classic, and fashion forward. In my opinion, there is no makeup look that is chicer. I'm always on the hunt for the perfect red lipstick. It is something that is difficult to find. In the past, I've found the perfect shade, but discovered it would quickly fade, or found a long lasting one that was too orangey for my cool-toned skin. Knowing that the perfect red exists out there somewhere, I made it my mission to find it.
My style icon and queen Audrey Hepburn says, "There's a shade of red for every woman," and I have found this to be true. Some people slay in a blue-red, while others can rock an orange-red. There is not one red lipstick (at least to my knowledge) that flatters every person. I'm pale with cool undertones, so I usually look for a blue-red or a true red. I wanted to make sure I was trying the best of the best, so I scoured the internet for the best red lipsticks according to beauty editors, makeup artists, and stylists. After reading 5 articles with almost 100 recommended lipsticks, I narrowed it down to 10 that I wanted to try. I found these 10 were the most recommended across several different articles. I also wanted to cover a wide range in prices, so there is a mix of designer, prestige, and drugstore lipsticks.
The Classic Red: Rouge Dior 999 Satin
This very shade was the same one used in Christian Dior's first ever fashion show in 1947, so when wearing this shade, you're wearing a piece of fashion history. A lipstick that has stayed in style for over 70 years is definitely on the top of my list of lipsticks to try, and I could not wait to wear it!
Perfect For: Sitting Front Row at Fashion Week, or, in my case, working backstage at Fashion Week
Rating: 9/10 Kisses. When I put on this lipstick, I instantly felt so much more glamourous. Truly, I felt like I could go walk the runway at Paris Fashion Week. It was the perfect blue-red shade that wasn't too matte or too glossy. I would have given this one a ten out of ten if it weren't for the fact that the color came off somewhat easily. Nonetheless, I will be wearing this as I watch all the upcoming virtual Fashion shows for Fashion Month.
The Trendy Red: Fenty Beauty by Rihanna Stunna Lip Paint Longwear Fluid Lip Color in Uncensored
Rihanna has truly done it all. She revolutionized the music and fashion industries. She did the same for beauty when she launched Fenty Beauty. Rihanna's line was created to flatter all skin tones, and that's exactly what this red is supposed to do.
Perfect For: Rocking your trendiest #OOTD on Instagram
Rating: 5/10 Kisses. I wanted to love this lipstick so badly, but sadly, it just did not work for me. The red was about a shade too dark for my white as snow skin, and even after blotting multiple times, it kept getting all over my teeth. I could see, however, that this lipstick would most definitely flatter a large variety of darker skin tones. Plus, anything by Rihanna can make your inner bad girl shine through.
The Most Sought-After Red: M.A.C. Cosmetics Lipstick Matte in Ruby Woo
This blue-red shade was the most recommended red lipstick on the internet. Seriously, I read five different articles and it was the only lipstick featured on each one, so I knew it was a must try.
Perfect For: Stunting on people at work (or on your WFH Zoom Meeting)
Rating: 8/10 Kisses. At first, I had a hard time applying this lipstick due to the fact that it was matte, but once I finally nailed the application, I understood the hype. This blue-red shade was one of the most flattering reds I have ever put on. The matte finish allowed for a bold look, but one you could rock every single day. Just like every single makeup artist, I will be recommending this product to everyone I know.
The Most Luxurious Red: Chanel Rouge Allure Luminous Intense Lip Colour in 99 Pirate
I can happily say this is the first Chanel Product that I have ever purchased. (I mean it's the only one that I could afford.) I had a feeling that this darker red would make me feel as chic, as expensive, and as fashion forward as the brand itself.
Perfect For: Adding a bit of glamour to your everyday life
Rating: 8/10 Kisses. Due to the fact that this was a darker red, it wasn't quite what I was looking for. The glossy finish allowed the deeper tone to be more flattering on my pale skin. Even though it wasn't quite the shade I was looking for, putting on this lipstick was a transformative experience. As my favorite judge on Australia's Next Top Model, Alex Perry, says, "it looked expensive." I loved this lipstick and will definitely be using it anytime I want to feel more extravagant.
The Most Precise Red: Nars Velvet Matte Lipstick Pencil in Dragon Girl
I can't say I'm usually one who goes for a lip crayon, but with this product being highly recommended I knew it was time to try one out. The point on this cool-toned lipstick is supposed to allow for nearly perfect application.
Perfect For: For a close-up beauty editorial a.k.a. a selfie
Rating: 6/10 Kisses. I loved this color as the blue-red shade was perfect for my skin-tone. I also loved the matte finish. My inner perfectionist loved how the sharp point allowed for a precise application. However, I found it took a few coats to get to the desired color, and as someone who is very busy, I don't have the patience to spend so much time applying it.
The Long-Lasting Red: Maybelline Superstay Matte Ink in Pioneer
Maybelline, as a brand, was the most highly recommended of the drugstore brands with this long-lasting, blue-red liquid lipstick being the most recommended of its products. I've been looking for a red lipstick that doesn't smear or fade, and was excited to try this one.
Perfect For: For those long to-do list days
Rating: 5/10 Kisses. This lipstick did exactly what it advertised. It lasted all day and the color never faded. This would have been great if it didn't feel sticky all day long, and didn't take so many coats to get to the desired shade of red. The brush shape also didn't allow for the best application. Though I wasn't too impressed, I might try this again in a more neutral tone.
The Photo Ready Red: NYX Lipstick in Perfect Red
I have to say, given the name of this lipstick, I set my expectations fairly high. I have quite a few NYX lipsticks myself and have always loved them. Truly, this brand gives any prestige brand a run for its money, and I couldn't wait to see if "perfect red" was really perfect.
Perfect For: Your self-timer fashion shoot
Rating: 9/10 Kisses. This lipstick matched my expectations! I shouldn't be too surprised though. NYX, as a brand, never lets me down. It was the perfect blue-red shade for my skin tone, and although it was matte, it wasn't drying. It even had a subtle hint of shine. It's great for both every day and when you want to look glamourous. Of course it's named "Perfect Red" because it can do it all. This was the cheapest product on the list, so I will be buying it in bulk because I will be wearing it all the time.
The Shimmery Red: Revlon Super Lustrous Lipstick in Wine w/ Everything Pearl
I'm not going to lie, the recommended color of this lipstick was Fire & Ice, but it was too orangey for my liking (and my very pale skin). I still wanted to give this lipstick a try which is why I chose the more true red shade.
Perfect For: Moments when you want that #extra bit of sparkle
Rating: 7/10 Kisses. This shade was not quite the red that I was looking for, and, honestly, completely different from how it looked online. However, I liked this product. It had a glossy finish that added a bit more shine to my day. Even though the color was more pink than red, I found it to be flattering. I'll continue to use this product just not for those bold red moments.
The Marathon Red: Covergirl Outlast All-Day Lip Color With Topcoat in Ever Red-Dy
I've been practicing saying, "easy, breezy, beautiful, Covergirl," ever since the first time I watched America's Next Top Model, so obviously one of their products made my list. Supposedly this red is so long lasting it can survive all day, so I made sure to put it to the test.
Perfect For: Binge-Watching America's Next Top Model
Rating: 4/10 Kisses. Looks like I won't be hired to say that iconic Covergirl slogan anytime soon. This product was so disappointing. It took about four or five coats to get to the desired look, and then I had to use a separate topcoat that supposedly makes it last all day. As I already stated, I'm busy. I don't want to spend that much time on my lips. The actual shade was fine, but not the most flattering of the reds that I've tried. Even though it was supposed to last all day, it gradually got flaky (which is not a look) and came off only a few hours in. The only time I would recommend wearing it is if you're practicing along the models on America's Next Top Model when they film their Covergirl commercials.
The Satin Red: Milani Amore Satin Matte Lip Cream in Satin
Honestly, I had zero expectations for this lipstick. I just knew I wanted to add a drugstore true red into the mix. Milani is one of those brands I always passed in a Walgreens, but never even though about buying, but I figured it was worth a try. After all the packaging is super cute, and I love finding cheaper brands that work just as well as the prestige ones.
Perfect For: Outdoing your friends at casual get-togethers
Rating: 7/10 Kisses. The thing about having zero expectations is that no matter what I was going to be surprised by the result. Luckily, it was a nice surprise. Even though it was not my favorite shade of red, I still liked the color. It was easy to apply, and I loved the satin finish. Like many liquid lipsticks, I found it got on your teeth easily, but, in this case, that was resolved with a little bit of blotting. It looks like I'm going to have to give Milani more of a chance because I liked this product. Who knows? Maybe I'll find another shade of red that I love even more.
So my perfect red is... NYX Lipstick in Perfect Red
Given the name of this product, I feel like this would obviously be the winner. It was the most flattering color on my skin tone out of all the products I tried. I will be rocking this color anytime I want to make a bold, red statement. Of course, right now, that will probably be zoom, but nonetheless, I'll be feeling glamourous.
Of course, as mentioned, this is my perfect red, but it's probably not the perfect red for everyone, so below are the articles I used to start my hunt that provide great options if these lipsticks don't work for you;
Happy Hunting!
XOXO,
Kristin
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