It's Unanimous: These Are Officially the Best Red Lipsticks That Money Can Buy
Our editors have tried every red lipstick out there, but we consider these the very best.
Eleanor Vousden
Few makeup products out there are as powerful as a great lipstick. In times of economic dismay, sales of lipsticks soar. We think that's because a small splurge on a single lipstick, whether it's luxury or more affordable, has the power to make us feel really good about ourselves. Without a doubt, lipstick is far more than what meets the eye. And this power is especially evident in red lipstick.
Red lipstick is widely regarded as the foundation of every makeup collection. Makeup artists are always telling me that no matter how lazy you're feeling, a single swipe of red lipstick could be all you need to make yourself feel pulled together. Don't fancy applying a full face? Just keep things bare and apply a long-lasting red lipstick—that really is all it takes.
Having said that, the glaring issue with red lipstick is that so many of us struggle to find the right one. If I had a pound for every time someone told me they don't suit red lipstick, I'd be a very rich beauty editor. But there is a red out there for everyone—you just need to know what to look for.
International pro makeup artist at Dior, Jamie Coombes, tells me that shopping for the perfect red comes down to two simple things: undertone and texture. The best way to find your skin's undertone is to look at the colour of the veins on the back of your wrist. If the veins appear blue-ish purple, your undertone is cool. If they appear blue-ish green, you have a neutral undertone. Veins that present a more olive shade of green imply you have a warm undertone. "The best shades for people with cool-toned skin are those with a pink or blue undertone; blue-based cherry and berry shades will suit well. Neutral-toned skin is best suited to oranges, terracottas and brick reds. Finally, warmer tones need more depth, so try a deep cranberry or plum shade," advises Coombes.
Once you've identified the best tone of red for your skin type, it's time to think about your ideal texture. As a general rule, most lipsticks come in either a balm, stain, satin or matte finish. "When choosing the right texture for you, take into consideration your lifestyle, habits and lip condition. I see lipstick like wearing your favourite pair of shoes: We model the ones that make us feel most comfortable," says Coombes. So now that you're armed with all the information you need to select the perfect red, keep scrolling for the best red lipsticks money can buy, according to team Who What Wear UK. (We have tried them all.)
Best Red Lipsticks, Tried & Tested
- Best Overall: Merit Beauty Signature Lip Blush in September (£25)
- Best Matte Red Lipstick: MAC Retro Matte Lipstick in Ruby Woo (£22)
- Best Liquid Red Lipstick: Violette_FR Petal Bouche in Cerise Désir (£32)
- Best Glossy Red Lipstick: Maybelline Superstay Vinyl Ink in Royal 55 (£12)
1. Merit Beauty Signature Lip Blush in September
Pros
- Sheer, blurred finish
- Can be layered for more intensity
- Low-maintenance and easy to re-apply
- Perfect for those who find red lipstick to be intimidating
Cons
- Not the best choice if you want an opaque finish
"I am going to be honest, I usually hate red lipstick," says Who What Wear UK junior beauty editor, Grace Lindsay. "Not only because I don’t think it suits me, but because I usually find the formulas super drying, and the upkeep throughout the day is just too much. That was, of course, until Merit’s lipstick landed on my desk," she says. "Behold, one of the only red lipsticks that I think actually feels wearable. The Signature Lip Blush is new from Merit Beauty (I am wearing the shade September), and the lightweight matte formula creates a blurred, almost bitten-lip effect, so it doesn’t feel too dramatic. Even though it’s matte, it’s surprisingly hydrating, with a balmy texture that’s a dream to apply. The slim, angled bullet makes this easy enough. This is one of the only formulas I’ve tried that I haven’t been afraid to wear all day, as it feels so comfortable, and I think it might have actually converted me to trying a bold lip more often."
2. Violette_FR Petal Bouche in Cerise Désir
Pros
- Long-wearing
- Velvety matte finish
- Non-drying
- Food and drink-proof
Cons
- Takes a good makeup remover to take off
"Inspired by the velvet-like petals of roses, this matte liquid lipstick glides onto the lips, drying into a matte finish that is truly stunning, but also incredibly long-wearing," says Who What Wear UK beauty editor, Eleanor Vousden. "You can apply a dot in the middle of the lips and blend for a soft-focus blur, or apply all over the lips for a Parisian-inspired red lip. In the photo, I'm wearing Cerise Désir, a deep burgundy red that is totally timeless and sophisticated. It's one of Violette_FR's best products," she says.
3. Maybelline Superstay Vinyl Ink in Royal 55
Pros
- Glossy finish
- Long-wearing and transfer-proof
Cons
- Takes more effort to remove
"Maybelline SuperStay Vinyl Ink in Royal 55 is my new ultimate statement red," says Who What Wear UK Email Marketing Manager, Vicky Vasiliauskaite. "As someone with a cool undertone, I struggle to find reds that don’t pull warm against my skin, but this deep, blue-based shade is perfect. It complements cool undertones and looks rich rather than harsh. On top of that, the formula truly lasts, and it doesn’t budge easily, which makes it my go-to when I want a bold lip without worrying about touch-ups all the time. It feels confident, polished and completely magnetic," she says.
4. Dior Rouge Dior Forever Lipstick in Forever Dior
Pros
- Universally-flattering red
- Comes in both satin and matte finishes
Cons
- On the expensive side
"When it comes to suits-all red lipsticks, you'll be hard pressed to find a better shade than Dior's 999 shade," says Eleanor. "It's a true, classic red (although I'll admit, it leans a touch warmer rather than cool), and I've not met anyone who doesn't suit. What's great is that it also comes in both matte and satin finishes, so you can enjoy the shade regardless of your preferences. The satin formula is buttery and hydrating, whilst the matte leaves lips looking suede-like, but never dries my lips out," she says.
5. Hermès Rouge Hermès Matte Lipstick in Rouge Casaque
As someone with particularly dry lips, I find matte lipsticks a nuisance. Their long-wearing nature and velvety-finish tend to go hand in hand with exacerbating dryness. The problem is I adore the way they look—particularly with bronzed, glowing skin. Believe me when I say this lipstick is the best cool-toned matte out there. It's silly expensive, but whenever I'm feeling down, this is the lipstick I reach for. It makes lips pop unlike anything else, receives countless compliments and doesn't leave annoying smudges all over my chin.
Pros
- Luxe formula and packaging
- Cool-toned
- Matte, non-drying finish
Cons
- Eye-waterlingly expensive
- May not suit warm-toned complexions
6. MAC Retro Matte Lipstick in Ruby Woo
I couldn't possibly do a round-up of the best red lipsticks without including MAC's iconic Ruby Woo. It's commonly regarded amongst beauty experts as the single most universally flattering red—and I think they're right. I've never met a soul who doesn't look great in Ruby Woo. Since its launch, matte-finish lipsticks have come on a bit, but with a comfortable, creamy finish (as opposed to the velvet, powdered finishes we're used to seeing nowadays), it still deserves its place in the red-lipstick hall of fame.
Pros
- Iconic, suits-everyone shade
- Buttery matte finish
Cons
- Not for you if you want a satin finish
7. Victoria Beckham Beauty Posh Lipstick in Fire
There are few lipsticks that sit as comfortably on lips as Victoria Beckham Beauty's Posh. While the creamy, buttery nudes are divine, this popping red is the real standout. Kind of orange, sort of red but undeniably bright, it's the perfect lipstick for when you want to brighten up an otherwise monochrome look. And as for the finish, it's packed with lip-nourishing oils and waxes, so the creamy, satin texture leaves lips looking full and plump.
Pros
- Warm red suits warm-toned complexions
- Hydrating and softening formula
Cons
- Expensive
- May not suit cool-toned complexions
6. Revlon Colorstay Matte Lite Crayon in Air Kiss
If it's affordability you're after, this Revlon crayon is a must-try. Red lipstick is infamous for bleeding over the lip line and showcasing wobbly application, but this pointy-tipped crayon makes for perfectly precise edges. The matte-finish formula is truly long-lasting, takes hours to fade and doesn't leave lips feeling as though they're on the verge of cracking.
Pros
- Affordable
- Long-lasting matte finish
Cons
- Not the most luxurious packaging
8. Lisa Eldridge True Velvet Lip Colour in Velvet Jazz
Trust me when I say no one creates lipsticks quite like makeup artist Lisa Eldridge. The bullets are luxurious, stunning to look at, and even prettier on the lips. And it's for this reason that Who What Wear UK fashion editor Remy Farrell can't get enough of this one. "I have a lot of experience with red lipstick because I've been experimenting with shades for as long as I've been wearing makeup. As a picky shopper, I have quite an extensive list of what I do and don't like in a lipstick. I can instantly tell from the look of a formula if it's going to work (satin finishes are a no) and if the colour will suit me. (Cold, bluish reds are my go-to.) The only lipstick that I reach for time and time again is a long-wearing matte that doesn't dry out and crack. Lisa Eldridge's True Velvet lipstick in Velvet Jazz is a work of art. (I mean, just look at it.) It's surprisingly creamy, luxuriously decadent and impressively pigmented. There's an impressive shade range, too, if deep red isn't your style," she says.
Pros
- Luxurious, velvet finish
- Beautiful packaging
- Creamy and non-drying
Cons
- Requires topping up after eating or drinking
9. Charlotte Tilbury Matte Revolution Lipstick in Walk of No Shame
Charlotte Tilbury might be a brand best known for its iconic nude lipstick (hello, Pillow Talk), but this iconic red is equally adored. There's no one who loves a Charlotte Tilbury lipstick more than Who What Wear UK deputy editor, Maxine Eggenberger. "There was a time when I would wear red lipstick every single day. Over the past couple of years, however, I've become loyal to more neutral-looking pinks and taupes. But a few weeks ago, I wore a cream outfit that really needed an injection of colour. Rummaging around in my beauty stash, I happened across an old favourite: Charlotte Tilbury's Walk of No Shame. The formula is matte without feeling dry or looking cakey, glides on like a dream and easily navigates the contours of my lips. The colour is perfect, too. I have alabaster skin, and rather than looking stark, the berry hue complements it. I have naturally darker teeth and find this specific shade makes them look whiter, which is an added bonus. The moisture-rich formula also lends itself well to smudging, should you want a more relaxed finish. I hadn't worn it for a while, but you best believe I've worn it nearly every day since rediscovering it," she says.
Pros
- Luxury formula
- Moody, berry-red hue
Cons
- On the expensive side
10. Celine Le Rouge Celine in 01 Rouge Triomphe
Pros
- Buttery, satin finish
- Luxurious packaging
- Refillable
Cons
- An investment purchase
"As satin lipsticks go, it doesn't get much better than Celine's formulas, IMO," says Eleanor. "This was the very first product that Celine launched for its beauty line, and they specifically chose this shade to honour the brand's Parisian roots. Aside from being the most perfect red, it has a buttery finish that cloaks your lips in moisture (lots of lipsticks dry out my lips. Somehow, this formula actually leaves them feeling better after I've worn it). And, of course, it would be remiss of me not mention the gold case it's housed in, which is an object d'art in itself," she says. "The lipsticks are also refillable, making them a great sustainable choice. Yes, they're more expensive than most red lipsticks, but I know I'll treasure this forever."
11. Hourglass
Pros
- Glossy and expensive-looking shine
- Easy to apply
Cons
- Needs topping up
- Some might not like the minty tingle
"If you favour the mirror-like shine of a lip gloss but in the bullet applicator of a lipstick, then the Hourglass Phantom Glossy Balms might be for you," says Eleanor. "These lipstick-gloss hybrids bestow the most juicy, lacquered shine upon the lips. I've long worn many of the neutral shades, but the Red 0 hue has become a favourite when I want a hint of red, but without the intensity of a traditional red lipstick. It packs just the right amount of red pigment in a sheer, glossy formula that I continue to obsess over. Once you try them, you'll never go back," she says.
How We Tested
As beauty-obsessed editors, we've all tried a lot of red lipsticks over the years. We put the tried-and-tested classics to the test, as well as newer icons, to find the definitive list of the best red lipsticks on the market. We tried matte, satin, glossy and liquid lipstick formulas, noting how well they lasted, the shades and pigment payoff. We've been wearing these lipsticks for years, so we've put them through their paces to ensure they're truly the best of the best.
Why Trust Us
At Who What Wear UK, we know that beauty isn’t one-size-fits-all. Our editors have tested thousands of products, including some skincare, makeup, hair and nails, over the years and work closely with trusted experts—dermatologists, make-up artists and leading industry insiders—to ensure every guide is well-researched, inclusive and relevant to you.
We focus on formulas that deliver, whether they’re affordable favourites or luxury investments. Our product selection is based on tangible results, ingredient know-how and what we’d truly recommend to a friend.
