An Ode to a Dark-Red Lip—Editors Will Wear These 12 Shades Until the End of Time
As beauty editors, we're constantly hoarding new shades of lipstick (not surprising). Although it's fun to keep a rotation of colors (from pink and brown all the way to red), there's one shade we always come back to—a deep, rich red. A bold lip shade like this one can really take your makeup from zero to 100 in a minute. It instantly polishes a look up and looks good on every single skin tone. It's also equal parts dramatic, vampy, and powerful. If you're curious about which dark-red lipsticks we reach for most, keep scrolling. The Who What Wear beauty team is sharing all their favorites ahead.
Best Overall Dark-Red Lipstick: Merit Signature Lip Lightweight Lipstick in Tiger
This is one of the most comfortable lipsticks I own. Although it does have a bit of a brown undertone to it, I love the satin finish and how the shade is extremely buildable. Additionally, it offers the benefits of a hydrating lip balm with squalane, sunflower-seed oil, papaya-fruit extract, and raspberry oil.
Glossier G Suit Soft Touch Lip Crème in Shift
"Normally, I opt for a true red when I want to wear red lipstick. If I want something a little deeper, however, I reach for this burgundy shade from Glossier's new liquid-lipstick line. It's still super wearable but has a little bit more depth to it than my typical red. I wore this to the Eras tour and have never gotten so many compliments on a lip color—it's really flattering. Plus, it's comfortable and doesn't flake, so I only had to reapply once during Taylor's set." — Katie Berohn, beauty editor
Violette_FR Petal Bouche Matte in Amour Fou
"The color of this lipstick calls to me like a siren song. It was formulated to look like a crimson rose petal, so it's deep and dark and pretty much perfect. Sometimes, I'll apply one swipe and blend it out with my fingers for a light wash of color. Other times, I'll layer it until it's bold and opaque. Either way, it creates the prettiest effect. It does dry out my lips if I wear it long enough, but the color is well worth it in my opinion." — Kaitlyn McLintock, associate beauty editor
Maybelline SuperStay Matte Ink Liquid Lipstick in Voyager
"This liquid lipstick is so easy to apply thanks to its applicator and smooth formula. The super-saturated lip color lasts for 16 hours, so you don't have to worry about smudging or having to touch it up throughout the day." — Hudson
Hermès Rouge Hermès Matte Lipstick in 85 Rouge H
"This dark red is the perfect French-girl take on matte lipstick. The wine-stained color is bold yet effortless, and the formula feels incredibly comfortable on the lips, unlike other matte lipsticks I've tried. It's expensive, but it's worth it." — McLintock
Milani Color Statement Lipstick in Matte Confidence
Associate beauty editor Kaitlyn McLintock in Milani's Color Statement Lipstick.
"I've been a fan of Milani lipsticks for years. They're super creamy and blendable, they deposit bold color, and they never dry out my lips. Plus, they're super budget friendly." — McLintock
Kosas Weightless Lip Color in Deep Talks
"I've never been one to naturally gravitate toward highly pigmented red lipstick shades, but when I do, there's a good chance it promises a smooth, satiny finish with a weightless feel. Kosas's Weightless Lip Color in Deep Talks in has been at the top of my to-try list for a while because it's packed with all of the nourishing ingredients I love (mango butter, cocoa butter, and rosehip oil) while also offering all-day hydration. Its neutral brick-red shade is also extremely flattering on all skin tones." — Maya Thomas, assistant beauty editor
Rose Inc. Satin Lip Color Refillable Hydrating Lipstick in Poised
"It's no secret that I've been a longtime fan of Rose Inc's incredible line of products, including its ultra-hydrating lipsticks. The shade Poised stands out to me the most. It's a deep brick red that I can imagine myself wearing all fall long. The lipsticks are incredibly hydrating and long-wearing and have a unique formula powered by a medley of swertia chirata extract, hyaluronic acid, and, most surprisingly, mustard sprouts to keep the lips looking full." — Thomas
Armani Beauty Lip Maestro Liquid Matte Lipstick in 400 Red
This lip stain has a velvety matte finish. The shade is a deep red with a hint of wine for extra vibrance. It also has a creamy texture and applies really beautifully.
Revlon Super Lustrous Lipstick in Black Cherry
Revlon's Super Lustrous Lipstick in Black Cherry isn't just your average red. It's a deep burgundy that works perfectly for fall or any time you want to add extra vibrance to a look.
Lisa Eldridge True Velvet Lip Colour in Velvet Myth
"I'm obsessed with all of the Lisa Eldridge reds and her dark reds in particular," celebrity makeup artist Quinn Murphy says. "Velvet Myth is an unapologetic blackened red. It's deep, rich, and smooth. It's a balanced blue-red but not too cool that it gets vampy. It's very universal."
Shiseido Modern Matte Powder Lipstick in Velvet Rope
For a luxe velvet look, Shiseido's matte lipstick will do the trick. The product doesn't feel too heavy, and it gives your lips a bit of an airbrushed look.
Shawna Hudson is a beauty, wellness, lifestyle, and travel writer with over 10 years of experience. She graduated from California State University, Fullerton, with a degree in journalism and has written for other publications such as Bustle, The Zoe Report, Byrdie, Elite Daily, and more. She is currently a beauty writer at Who What Wear and hopes to continue feeding her (completely out-of-control) beauty obsession as long as she can. Stay up to date on her latest finds on Instagram @shawnasimonee.
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