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There’s a perfect red lipstick out there for everyone, but with thousands of shades and formulas to consider, finding the one that’s best for you — a shade that works with your skin tone combined with a formula that checks off all the boxes on your personal wishlist — can take some trial and error. Do you want a high-shine gloss or a velvety matte finish? A bold pop of color or a subtly sheer tint? Stay-all-day longevity or easy on-the-go application?
To help narrow the choices, I surveyed more than a dozen makeup artists, beauty editors, and red-lipstick enthusiasts, including one who even went so far as to describe theirs as “an essential to my daily routine and identity.” The ones below stand out as the absolute best — from famous reds like M.A.C’s Ruby Woo to newer favorites like Fenty’s Stunna Lip Paint. I’ve organized them all by color profile, from cool blue-reds to warm orange-reds to true neutral reds. Then I noted the format for those who prefer a high-pigment solid or liquid lipstick versus a more sheer, balmy tint. And if you’re looking for something to prime and moisturize your lips before putting on lipstick, you should also check out our guide to the very best lip balms.
Update on November 5, 2024: Updated prices and checked stock for all products.
What we’re looking for
Format
Red lipsticks come in either solid or liquid form. Solid lipsticks are often packaged within a twist-up tube and smeared directly onto your lips, while liquid lipsticks are often painted on with an applicator. There’s more variety within the solid-lipstick category, however: Bullet lipsticks, with their compact casing and pointed tip, are the traditional red lipstick shape; balms have a less molded shape and offer more tinted coverage; and crayons have a thick marker-esque tip that you can use to draw more precise lines.
Finish
The finish of a lipstick can be matte, satin, or glossy. A matte finish is flat, velvety, and without shine; matte lipsticks are usually more long-wearing than other finishes, but they can sometimes feel a bit drying. A satin finish is smooth, creamy, and has a slight sheen to it, and will often feel more hydrating, but have a tendency to smudge or fade more quickly. A glossy finish has lots of shine and shimmer, but generally won’t last as long as either a matte or satin.
Price
You can get a great red lipstick at a variety of price points, from accessible drugstore products to high-end options sheathed in ultra-luxe packaging. I’ve denoted lipsticks that cost $15 or less with one $; lipsticks that cost between $15 and $30 with two $$; and anything over $30 with three $$$.
Best red lipstick overall
Format: Liquid | Finish: Matte | Price: $$
After much deliberation, the Sephora Collection cream lip stain in Always Red earned the title of Best Red Lipstick Overall thanks to its easy application, long-wearing formula, and chameleonic ability to look amazing on a wide range of skin tones. Strategist writer Tembe Denton-Hurst owns four tubes of it and reports that the shade is “a true red, not too orangey or purplish” that “looks good on absolutely everyone — from my fair-complexioned roommate who was also red-lipstick shy to other beauty writers with skin a few shades darker than mine.” Elle beauty director Kathleen Hou adds that Always Red is “used all the time on Vogue China covers. It’s like Ruby Woo in liquid form.” The lip stain was called out by multiple professional makeup artists as well: Makeup artist Molly Fredenberg likes it because it goes on “really smooth and opaque, and never gets crusty. It doesn’t feel shellacked on the lips.” That’s because the formula is infused with avocado oil, which contributes to its creamy texture and delivers extra hydration, explains makeup artist Amy Zdunowski-Roeder. It comes in 50 different shades, from hot pink to lilac blue, so even if Always Red isn’t for you, you’re guaranteed to find a color you love — and because it’s just $15, it’s easy to experiment until you find the one that’s exactly right.
Best drugstore red lipstick
Format: Solid — Bullet | Finish: Satin | Price: $
With its sleek packaging, classic bullet shape, and cornucopia of vibrant red shades, Revlon’s Super Lustrous lipstick is likely what you envision when you think red lipstick. Though with a whopping 91 shades to choose from, it’s difficult to recommend just one red: The Cut named siren-red Fire & Ice one of the most classic lipstick colors of all time; makeup artist Emma Elizabeth likes Cherries in the Snow, a “beautiful pink-red” that’s she says is very wearable; and Strategist contributor Diksha Basu has been wearing the deep, vampy Black Cherry since she was 21 and likes how it gives her a “sexy, mysterious effect that’s made-up but not dramatically so.” No matter what shade you go for, Revlon’s glossy, moisturizing formula is very comfortable on the lips and “would work great for someone who says they hate red lipstick,” Elizabeth says.
Best cool-toned red lipsticks
Best cool-toned solid lipsticks
Format: Solid — Bullet | Finish: Matte | Price: $$
“If you’re a lipstick person, I’d bet money that Ruby Woo is currently in your makeup bag,” Strategist beauty columnist Rio Viera-Newton wrote in 2023, explaining that the beloved M.A.C shade’s bright blue-red pigment, velvety matte finish, and long-lasting wear made the lipstick “a cult favorite and then a staple.” (The brand claims it sells four tubes of the shade every minute.) It’s also been recommended to us by two different drag queens: “Every good ho has a good red lipstick, and Ruby Woo is a staple ho lipstick,” declares Vanessa Vanjie Mateo, and Bianca Del Rio says that the matte formula “doesn’t get all over the microphone when I’m talking. It’s really the best lipstick I’ve ever used for what I do.” Makeup artist Natalie Dresher adds that it was the first lipstick she ever purchased with her own money: “It’s the perfect cool-toned red, and makes everyone’s teeth look whiter and brighter!” she says.
Format: Solid — Bullet | Finish: Satin | Price: $$$
Chanel’s cult-favorite shade Pirate, which was formulated to imitate the shade of red that Coco Chanel wore, is similarly universal. Makeup artist Georgina Graham has been using it for years and thinks it looks marvelous on all skin tones, noting that “the formula is long-lasting but comfortable, and you can’t fail to feel chic using it.” The festive red shade is also Radio City Rockette approved: Dancer Sophie Silnicki says it’s “a beautiful cool-toned blue-red color with great pigment. Very classy and chic — perfect for the holiday season.”
Format: Solid — Crayon | Finish: Matte | Price: $$
NARS Dragon Girl “is the best red, like a real 1950s red,” Elizabeth declares, describing it as a “bold, bright color that looks good whether you’re wearing a full face of makeup or just some mascara.” It also has a blueish tone to it that makes your teeth look white and bright, and the pointed crayon tip allows for more precision when outlining and filling in your lips, creating a picture-perfect pout.
Best cool-toned liquid lipsticks
Format: Liquid | Finish: Matte | Price: $$
After years of trial and error, Strategist contributor Mbiye Kasonga found her perfect red lipstick in M.A.C.’s Retro Matte Lip Colour. The shade Dance With Me has “cranberry undertones that were a deep enough red to ensure it actually looked like a true red against my skin,” Kasonga writes. The formula is long-lasting and doesn’t transfer, even without a lip liner — Kasonga says the trick is to use the angled applicator to apply it like lip liner first, so the color doesn’t bleed. “Upon further wear, I only became more enamored with it,” she says. “I haven’t used another red since I first tried this one, and I never intend to let it go.”
Format: Liquid | Finish: Matte | Price: $$
Another good liquid option is the Always On Matte formula by Smashbox, recommended by makeup artist Karol Rodriguez. It’s especially good for beginners, they say, because it feels similar to a cream lipstick but lasts like a liquid, adding “it’s very creamy and almost feels whipped.” This deep blue-based red was also created in collaboration with Lilly Singh and designed to work well on deep and olive skin tones.
Format: Liquid | Finish: Matte | Price: $
For an extra-long-lasting formula, makeup artist Kasey Spickard recommends Maybelline Superstay Matte Ink in Pioneer, another bright red that looks good on a wide range of skin tones. Rodriguez likes it too, calling it the “best liquid lipstick formula the drugstore has to offer.” They did note that it can take a little while to dry, but once it’s set, it doesn’t move; plus, the teardrop-shaped wand makes it easy to create precise, crisp lines.
Best cool-toned lip tint
Format: Solid — Balm | Finish: Sheer matte | Price: $$
Even though Strategist editor Kiki Aranita isn’t a lipstick person, she’s “utterly and completely smitten” by Bisou Balm. “I hate the feeling of heavy products on my face,” she says, so she wanted a product that she’d be able to apply and “simply get bright-red lips without having to look in the mirror.” With its just-there flush of color, Aranita says she can put on the Bisou balm without “looking like a clown” and reaches for it both as her daily go-to lip balm and for special formal events. “They managed to get it to feel so light but have such a noticeable punch of color. I think the intention is for it to have a just-kissed effect, and it’s very effective in achieving that,” Aranita says.
Best warm-toned red lipsticks
Best warm-toned solid lipsticks
Format: Solid — Bullet | Finish: Satin | Price: $$$
Multiple makeup experts recommended the creamy Matte Trance lipstick from legendary makeup artist Pat McGrath. It’s become Hou’s favorite tube lipstick for its super-creamy formula and matte finish: “It’s so pigmented that I think a tube could last you for years!” She also notes that it stains your lips nicely and wears well throughout the day. Makeup artist Elika Hilata is a fan, calling out the Elson shade as “very unique” and “un-duplicateable” — she hasn’t managed to find a similar shade from any other brand and can’t even mix products together to replicate the color. (It’s also rumored to be Taylor Swift’s shade of choice for her signature red lip onstage during the Eras tour, which, if true, would be a very compelling testament to its staying power.)
Format: Solid — Balm | Finish: Glossy | Price: $$$
Strategist writer Ambar Pardilla owns seven Gucci lipsticks, but says she reaches for the punchy coral shade Virginia Scarlet the most. “It’s deliciously creamy, like a zhuzhed-up balm. You get a nice shine that’s hydrating. It’s very good for pouty lips,” she says. For Pardilla, the gorgeous packaging is also part of the appeal: “Gucci makes some of the prettiest products in the makeup market. I think the tube on this one is inspired by vintage brooches. Obviously not the most important thing, but when you’re paying close to $50, you want a nice–looking tube of lipstick!”
Format: Solid — Balm | Finish: Matte | Price: $$$
Even though I don’t consider myself a “lipstick person,” everything about this tube of Byredo lipstick is satisfying: the way it glides smoothly over my lips; the Byredo “B” imprinted on top; the solid tube that feels hefty in my hand. I have the shade Divorce, a spirited orange-red that always puts a pep in my step. The best part is that even though the formula is very pigmented, it’s buildable as well — one pass is enough to provide a pop of color without being overwhelming, while two or three passes creates a definitive statement lip.
Best warm-toned liquid lipsticks
Format: Liquid | Finish: Matte | Price: $$
Two beauty editors named NARS’s Powermatte Lip Pigment their favorite, specifically in the orangey-red shade Don’t Stop. Jenna Rosenstein, beauty director at Harper’s Bazaar, loves that it lasts for the entire day without migrating: “It’s the only formula I trust to wear on days I won’t have time to peek in a mirror.” And the color works on pretty much everyone. “It’s unapologetically bright and looks fun on anyone who dares to wear it.”
Former Allure beauty editor Sable Yong also mentioned the formula’s longevity. “This stuff is like house paint for your lips,” she says, with supersaturated pigments that cling to your lips and no flaking.
Format: Liquid | Finish: Matte | Price: $$$
Spickard is also a fan of this liquid lipstick from Armani. “I adore this punchy, vibrant shade of bright red,” he says. “The velvet finish gives your lips a full, luscious look, and it happens to have great staying power.”
Format: Liquid | Finish: Matte | Price: $$
Makeup artist Susie Sobol fell in love with this Stila Stay All Day lipstick in a classic red shade called Fiery when she spotted it on someone in Sephora. “It stopped me dead in my tracks!” Though the shade pulls slightly warm — its name is Fiery, after all — Sobol says she can reliably match it to “the fairest of the fair and the deepest, darkest skin tones with equally amazing results.”
Best warm-toned lip tints
Format: Solid — Balm | Finish: Sheer matte | Price: $$
For more natural, sheer coverage, many beauty-obsessed women turn to Glossier’s Generation G lipsticks. The price point is super-accessible, and everyone has their go-to shade. Graham uses Zip, a poppy red, “for a more relaxed, modern approach and fresh look.”
Format: Solid — Balm | Finish: Sheer | Price: $$$
I’ve been bringing Bobbi Brown’s lip tint with me on all my nights out this summer because I know I don’t need bright lights and a mirror to put it on. It provides a very lovely, sheer tint that’s impossible to mess up, the benefit of which cannot be overstated when I’m trying to apply it in a moving Uber or a dimly lit bar bathroom. I also love how the packaging is so compact that I can tuck it into my pocket or the back of my Utiliti phone case and forego carrying a purse.
Best neutral-toned red lipsticks
Best neutral-toned solid lipsticks
Format: Solid — Bullet | Finish: Matte | Price: $$$
Lisa Eldridge’s True Velvet lipstick is makeup artist Lindsay Kastuk’s favorite lipstick formula of all time. “This doesn’t budge on my lips,” she says. “I wore it to a Fashion Week show one time, and it was literally on for seven or eight hours, but it still had full coverage. It was wild.” Hou loves how the lipstick looks textured in the tube, like actual velvet. “They should probably be studied as a cosmetic and formulation marvel,” Hou says. “These are somehow creamy, pigmented, lightweight, hydrating, matte, and a tiny, tiny bit shiny all at the same time. Best of all, despite being long-wearing, they don’t leave a ring on your lips, but wear off prettily and evenly over time. In other words, they’re perfect.”
Format: Solid — Bullet | Finish: Glossy | Price: $$$
Dramatically shine-free lipstick has its place, but for those who prefer something more moisturizing, Ayla Igityan, makeup artist at G20 Spa & Salon, recommends Chanel Rouge Coco Lipstick in Gabrielle for its hydrating, glossy, and lightweight finish. She’s not the only one in love with this shade: Writer Elyssa Goodman discovered it in Bloomingdale’s when she “pointed to the reddest and shiniest of reds” behind the Chanel counter. Its luscious color made her feel like Marilyn Monroe, and the texture is even better, she says: “It had a slick, glossy finish, but magically, my lips didn’t feel sticky. Instead, they felt as moisturized as if I had applied Chapstick.”
Format: Solid — Bullet | Finish: Matte | Price: $$
For Nordstrom beauty director Autumne West, red lipstick is the perfect “lazy day” makeup: “I don’t reserve reds for special occasions. It’s a power color I enjoy wearing regularly,” she says. She was already a fan of the brand CTZN for its nude-tone shade range, so she was very excited when it launched a line of reds. She bought her first red lipstick from CTZN a year ago and has since added a few more shades because “they’ve nailed the different red tones.” The matte finish has a bold, pigmented color, but it isn’t drying on the lips either, West explains. The shade Laal is a true red with a touch of cool undertones.
Best neutral-toned liquid lipsticks
Format: Liquid | Finish: Matte | Price: $$
Viera-Newton deemed the Fenty Stunna Lip Paint in Uncensored the new Ruby Woo because it “looks good on everyone, no matter their age or skin tone. Though it’s similar to Ruby Woo in matte finish and color, the Fenty “feels like you’re wearing nothing at all.” Graham agrees that “it’s a new classic for sure.” Rodriguez likes how the formula is incredibly thin — “you never need more than one coat to reach full opacity,” they say. They also dubbed it “the most comfortable lipstick they’ve ever tried,” adding that it can easily be reapplied without cracking or getting flaky and thick.
Format: Liquid | Finish: Matte | Price: $$$
“For any lipstick, my choice always tends to be Charlotte Tilbury,” says makeup artist Amanda Thesen. “I find them to last, but also not feel so dry.” Dresher also likes that the matte liquid formula “doesn’t accentuate lines on the lips” and that the diamond-tip applicator makes it easy to apply. The shade Ruby Blur is a vivid ruby red that doesn’t skew too warm or too cool.
Best neutral-toned lip tint
Format: Solid — Balm | Finish: Glossy | Price: $$$
Whenever someone asks me what makeup products I’m loving lately, I start singing the praises of the Phantom Glossy Balm from Hourglass. I’m generally more of a gloss girl than a matte girl when it comes to lip products, and the balm gives me the loveliest, shiniest, juiciest wash of color. It also feels amazing when applied thanks to the menthol in the formula, which imparts a faint tingling sensation that I really enjoy. Admittedly, I go through it quickly because I reapply fairly frequently, but it’s gotten to the point that I can’t leave the house without my Phantom balm in my bag. My favorite shade is Haze, a rosy mauve, but because the balm’s color payoff isn’t quite as high-intensity as a bona fide lipstick, I think most of the 16 shades could work on pretty much any skin tone.
Our experts
• Kiki Aranita, Strategist editor
• Diksha Basu, Strategist contributor
• Bianca Del Rio, drag queen
• Tembe Denton-Hurst, Strategist writer
• Natalie Dresher, makeup artist
• Emma Elizabeth, makeup artist
• Molly Fredenberg, makeup artist
• Elyssa Goodman, writer
• Georgina Graham, makeup artist
• Elika Hilata, makeup artist
• Kathleen Hou, beauty director at Elle
• Ayla Igityan, makeup artist at G20 Spa & Salon
• Mbiye Kasonga, Strategist contributor
• Lindsay Kastuk, makeup artist
• Ambar Pardilla, Strategist writer
• Karol Rodriguez, makeup artist
• Jenna Rosenstein, beauty director at Harper’s Bazaar
• Amanda Seales, actress and comedian
• Sophie Silnicki, dancer
• Susie Sobol, makeup artist
• Kasey Spickard, makeup artist
• Amanda Thesen, makeup artist
• Vanessa Vanjie Mateo, drag queen
• Rio Viera-Newton, Strategist beauty columnist
• Autumne West, Nordstrom beauty director
• Sable Yong, writer and former Allure beauty editor
• Amy Zdunowski-Roeder, makeup artist
Additional reporting by Lori Keong and Tembe Denton-Hurst
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