Favorite red lipsticks

Red lipstick is my favorite, but even within my favorite shade of lipstick I have other favorites. Because it is one of my favorite shades to wear, I have quite a few and as such my favorites tend to change up every so often. I am constantly trying new formulas and whenever I try a new range of lipsticks, I will always try a red. So these are my current favorite red lipsticks.

Favorite red lipsticks

First of all I should apologize for the fact that there is only one drugstore red in here. It’s a longstanding favorite of mine, but that’s also the reason what that’s the only drugstore option that made the cut. I find that with a red lipstick, if you spend a little bit more, you also get some great quality in return. I’m sure you can find budget dupes for the more high end options here, but I think high end lipstick formulas are supreme.

Topshop Rio Rio

Yes, Topshop also sells make up and some of it is really really good. If you are looking to try a great orange toned red, then this is one of my faves. I have several: orange toned reds are my favorites. What I like about this one is that isn’t too orange, which makes it a lot more wearable than my next pick. This has a matte finish and has decent staying power.

YSL Rouge pur Couture Rouge Neon

Also an orange-toned red, YSL’s Rouge Neon is far more orange toned than Rio Rio. This is in fact, fairly similar to Lady Danger by MAC. I find them different enough to justify owning both: this is a little less bright and in your face than the MAC version. This isn’t completely matte, but it comes very close. Lasting power is fabulous and this is a great performing lipstick.

Bite Beauty Amuse Bouche Maple

When I decided to buy some Bite Beauty lipsticks, I knew I had to try a red. Their formula is a very creamy, yet highly pigmented one. This will transfer, but I find this formula to be great on staying power too. Because of the hydrating qualities, it is also super comfortable to wear. It is a darker red, with a hint of brown to it, which is stunning in the fall.

Urban Decay Vice Gash

Gash is what you may call a true blood like red. It has that blue-ish purple undertone to it and because this also isn’t matte, the color and the formula make for a unique lipstick shade. Like the Bite Beauty lipsticks, this stays put well despite being a cream formula. There is plenty of transfer, but again this is incredibly comfortable to wear. This is a red that isn’t as easy to wear as some of the others, but I like this shade especially around the holiday season.

Charlotte Tilbury Red Carpet Red

The most classic of reds in this selection is Red Carpet Red by Charlotte Tilbury. Fun fact, when I went to the Charlotte Tilbury counter in Selfridge’s to try some of the lipsticks, the lady helping me didn’t want to take this off my lips. This is one of those reds that is so perfect that it looks made for me. It has that classic, retro blue undertone. And where MAC’s Russian Red used to be my favorite classic matte red, this has taken the crown. There is no matte formula more comfortable than Charlotte Tilbury’s.

MAC Chili

But don’t think that just because Russian Red by MAC is no longer my top favorite classic red, that I wouldn’t be putting a MAC lipstick in this blog post. In fact, one of my more recent favorites for the fall is Chili. I think the name is very fitting for this warm-based brown toned red. This is the perfect brick red color and the matte finish helps with its appeal. Again, more of a fall shade, but I will wear this year round.

Swatches

Topshop | YSL | Bite | Urban Decay | Charlotte Tilbury | MAC

As you can see, despite all of these lipsticks being red, they are all different. And that is why I love reds. They are so easy to play around with. I have a color for different moods and seasons, different looks and outfits. I have a red dress that is the exact color of Rio Rio for instance, and I love wearing Gash paired with a forest green to really amp up the juxtaposition.

What is your favorite red lipstick?