One swipe of red lipstick, and suddenly, you’re the main character.
Red lipsticks are iconic. The shade of queens, screen sirens, and every woman who wants to feel like that girl. Cleopatra popularly used crushed beetles to create red dyes for her lips(talk about dedication!), Marilyn Monroe made it iconic, and Rihanna built an empire around it. But the real challenge? Finding your perfect red lipstick! Not all red lipsticks are created equal—one swipe can make you feel unstoppable, while the wrong one can leave you questioning your beauty choices.
The ultimate red lipstick depends on three key factors: your undertone, your preferred finish, and, most importantly, attitude. Let’s break it down.
Cool, warm, or neutral? How to find your shade
If red lipsticks have ever felt wrong or off on you, there’s a high chance that the undertone was the culprit. Here’s how to crack the code:
Cool-toned red lipsticks
If your skin has pink or blue undertones, blue-based reds work best. Think MAC Ruby Woo, Fenty Beauty The MVP, or Chanel Pirate—these shades brighten your complexion and make your teeth look whiter. An instant win!
Warm-toned red lipsticks
Golden, olive, or yellow undertones? Go for orange-red or brick-red. Charlotte Tilbury red lipstick in the shade Mark Of A Kiss and Pat McGrath’s Elson 2 will make your complexion pop.
Neutral red lipsticks
If both gold and silver jewellery flatter you equally, congratulations—you can pull off any red shade. Dior’s 999 and Lisa Eldridge’s Velvet Ribbon are your new best friends.
Still unsure about your undertone? Check your wrist. Blue or purple veins mean cool-toned, green means warm-toned, and a mix means you’re neutral.
Matte, satin, or glossy? Picking your power finish
Now that you’ve found your perfect shade, let’s talk about texture. This is vital because your red lipstick’s finish sets the entire vibe:
Matte reds
Bold, long-wearing, and unapologetic. Perfect for when you need your lip colour to survive meetings, cocktails, and questionable decisions. Try Charlotte Tilbury Red Carpet Red or Kilian Le Rouge red lipstick in the shade Intoxicated Rouge.
Satin reds
Sophisticated, polished and pure old-Hollywood glam. If you love a rich, classic feel, Chanel Rouge Allure or Lancôme L’Absolu Rouge are must-haves.
Glossy reds
Playful, flirty, and effortless. For a “just-bitten” look, YSL Rouge Volupté Shine or Dior Lip Glow in Red provides a fresh, easy glam.
Pro tip: A red lip liner keeps everything sharp and in place because nothing kills a power move faster than lipstick on your teeth.
When to wear red lipsticks? Always. But also…
You don’t need a special occasion to wear red lipstick, but if you’re looking for the right match for your day (or night), here’s your cheat sheet:
For work: A soft matte or satin red says, “I’m in charge, and I know it.” Charlotte Tilbury’s Walk of No Shame transitions effortlessly from boardroom to happy-hour.
For a night out: Go bold or go home. Fenty Beauty’s Uncensored and MAC’s Russian Red guarantee attention.
For casual days: A sheer, balmy red is the low-effort, high-impact move. Glossier’s Generation G in Zip nails the “red lipstick, but makes it chill” mood.
For special events: For special events requiring drama, reach for a deep, vampy red like Guerlain’s Rouge G.
The real secret? Red lipstick is never too much. Pair it with denim and a white tee for effortless cool or swipe it on when you need to pick-me-up. It’s magic in a tube.
Red lips isn’t just makeup–It’s a mindset, and a power move. It’s for the woman who enters a room like she owns it, silently turning heads. The best red lipsticks aren’t about trends or rules but how they make you feel.
Maybe your power red is a deep oxblood. Maybe it’s a fiery scarlet. Maybe it’s a barely-there tint that adds just a hint of colour. When you find “the one”, you’ll know.
Swipe it on. Stand tall. Own the room.
