Red lipsticks are a classic and reliable staple in every make-up bag, and we’ve gathered 10 that everyone should consider adding to their collections.
LA CURATES: Picks by the editor-in-chief
Like the little black dress, the red lipstick is a must-have item in any woman’s closet. Nothing makes a statement quite like the color red. After all, its bold shades and versatility that make it a go-to for many occasions. Similar to a best friend, red lipstick will always have your back and make you feel, well, amazing. Of course, one has to find the right shade for them. Yet that’s the fun part of shopping: it’s experimental, a trial and error adventure until you find The One.
READ ALSO: Lunar Luxe: Auspicious Beauty And Fashion Looks For The Year Of The Dragon
That said, the wide range of choices in the market can make the endeavor of finding a quality red lipstick rather daunting. Fortunately, Lifestyle Asia’s editor-in-chief Candy Dizon has narrowed it down to 10 particular red lipsticks that offer something great for everyone:
NARS Powermatte Lipstick in “Too Hot to Hold (133)”
Living up to its name, the NARS Powermatte Lipstick collection will truly power its wearer for a whole day with a high-intensity matte formula that’s transfer-resistant and lasts for 10 hours. A single swipe is enough to color one’s lips in the vibrant hue of their choice, resulting in a smooth, matte finish thanks to a mixture of color-locking ingredients and pure pigments.
The lipstick is also incredibly comfortable thanks to its lightweight formula, making it an ideal choice for anyone on the go. The “Too Hot to Hold” shade comes in a maple red color that’s sultry yet balanced for any time of the day.
Rare Beauty Kind Words Matte Lipstick in “Bold”
Rare Beauty’s Kind Words Matte Lipstick line offers softer, neutral shades in buttery, pigment-rich lipsticks. Its flexible formula adapts to a variety of lip shapes, ensuring that everyone gets plump lips. The lipstick stays on the whole day, hugging the lips with a weightless, moisturizing feel.
Certain lippies can look pretty unappealing after a few hours, but Rare Beauty’s Kind Words Matte Lipsticks provide a smooth look that doesn’t cake, dry, feather, or bleed, reducing the need for touch-ups throughout the day. The shade “Bold” comes in a deep berry rose color, a little between red and pink, making it a good option for more casual wear that still looks chic.
MAC Retro Matte Lipstick in “Ruby Woo”
No lipstick list is complete without MAC, which offers classy shades with its best-selling Retro Matte Lipstick line. Each lippy features a long-wearing formula that lasts for eight hours, with intense, vibrant colors that pop, all packed into a 100 percent matte finish. Lipsticks are also fade-proof and non-feathering, all without using harmful ingredients like paraben, mineral oil, formaldehyde, and coal tar.
True to its title, the line introduces shades with a retro touch. The shade “Ruby Woo” comes in a timeless red color reminiscent of old Hollywood glamor, which makes it a must-have for those who like to keep things simple yet sophisticated.
Charlotte Tilbury Matte Revolution in “Red Carpet Red”
Charlotte Tilbury’s Matte Revolution lipsticks offer one-swipe beauty with a truly revolutionary formula. Lipstick Tree & Orchid extracts provide a lush pout by protecting, softening, and hydrating lips. Meanwhile, a mix of triglycerides, oils, and waxes provides long-lasting color, while 3D glowing pigments keep the lips glowing from every angle.
What’s more, the square tips on the Matte Revolution lipsticks mimic the look and feel of a lip brush for more precise application. The shade “Red Carpet Red” also provides an old Hollywood look with its true ruby red color, providing red carpet-ready lips that’ll make anyone feel like a star.
Tom Ford Lip Color in “Scarlet Rouge (16)”
Lipsticks in Tom Ford’s Lip Color series exude refinement in their gold, angular cases that proudly show the designer’s brand. They’re simple yet elegant, jumping straight into action with a fade-resistant, full coverage formula and satin finish that feels luxurious on the lips. Keep your look intact through the day with vibrant colors that stay on for eight hours.
Tom Ford curated a vast array of stunning shades for everyone, ranging from soft nudes to more intense, fiery reds. The shade “Scarlet Rouge” offers a deep, rich red that’s striking but not overwhelming.
Guerlain KissKiss Tender Matte in “Desire Red (770)”
Guerlain’s KissKiss Tender Matte line has luminous lipsticks that truly feel as soft as a kiss, mainly due to active ingredients like hyaluronic acid, shea butter, and rose petal extract. This potent formula keeps the lips soft and shaped for up to 16 hours, and ensures that looks never compromise comfort.
There’s 15 lovely shades to choose from, all of which draw inspiration from different forms of love and tenderness. The KissKiss Tender Matte line also gives a love that will last with up to 12 hours of wear—just enough for work, play, and beyond. For a no-fail posh look, try the shade “Desire Red,” which comes in a brick red color that’s vibrant yet pleasing to the eyes.
Stila Stay All Day® Liquid Lipstick in “Sheer Sorriso”
To shake things up, we have a liquid lipstick that’s sure to get the job done, the Stila Stay All Day.® Don’t let its creamy full-coverage formula and bold colors deceive—the lipstick’s texture is practically weightless, and also prevents bleeding, feathering, and transfer. It’s also made to keep lips moisturized and pretty for up to 12 hours of continuous wear.
The Stila Stay All Day® Liquid Lipstick comes in three finishes: matte, sheer, and shimmer. The matte is a classic, with a light and smooth finish that many love. On the other hand, the sheer finish has less coverage, acting as a light tint that provides a softer, more natural look. Lastly, there’s the shimmer finish, with a metallic, glittery, and playful look. The shade “Sheer Sorriso” comes in a pinkish-red color that looks fresh and fun, which is just right for the summer.
Pat McGrath MatteTrance™ Lipstick in “Rouge 8”
Pat McGrath has whipped up yet another amazing lippy in their labs with the MatteTrance™ Lipstick line. A creamy matte texture and vivid colors keep things lively, while an oil-infused powder formula provides a subdued, soft-focus effect that ties everything together.
Both lightweight and bold, the lipstick is also great as a cheek stain. Apply it directly with the bullet tip or press it onto the lips gently; anything goes with the lippy’s versatile properties. Try the lipstick in “Rouge 8,” which provides a mellow, mid-tone brick red color that’s suitable for both work and dinner affairs.
Fenty Icon Semi-Matte Refillable Lipstick in “The MVP”
Refillable lipsticks are becoming increasingly popular as part of a more sustainable movement, and the Fenty Icon Semi-Matt Refillable Lipstick takes this to the next level. Wearers can customize their lippy any way they like with the Fenty Icon’s different cases and fills (the lipstick itself). Simply attach a chosen lipstick shade onto the base that comes with the case, then pop it into the case for a luxe look and convenient access.
The Fenty Icon Semi-Matte Refillable Lipstick in “The MVP,” with a customizable case (sold separately)/Photos from the Fenty Beauty website
Lipsticks in the Fenty Icon collection possess a creamy, matte finish that feels great on the lips thanks to a formula of moisture-plumping hyaluronic acid and conditioning vitamin C & E. Meanwhile, the lippy’s high pigment content and lightweight feel provides a stunning all-day look, with a range of shades that Fenty founder Rhianna curated herself. “The MVP” shade in a blue-red color will indeed leave you feeling like a star-player with its bold, dark shade that’s suitable for a night out.
Dior’s “Rouge Dior” Refillable Lipstick in “Red Smile” Satin Finish
Dior has everything one needs for a premium lippy experience with its comprehensive Rouge Dior collection, which offers 75 eye-catching colors in different finishes: satin, matte, metallic, and velvet. The new line of Rouge Dior lipsticks sport an elegant shell with the brand’s “CD” initials in a signature band, and much like Fenty, paves the way for a greener future with a refillable system.
One can expect the same high-quality standards from the lipstick line’s formula with Dior’s years of expertise. Each lippy features a formula with bold pigments yet zero weight. It also incorporates natural-origin ingredients, including a red peony extract that keeps lips hydrated, pomegranate flower extract that improves overall lip quality, and shea butter for added protective action. Try the lipstick in the shade “Red Smile” with a satin finish for a statement-making look that will surely turn heads.
Banner photo by Qasim Malick via Unsplash.
