Much like a little black dress or sleek low bun, a swipe of the best red lipstick is a timeless look. In our humble opinion, a vibrant cherry or bold crimson lip is equally well-suited for weddings and late-night dancing, as it is for workdays and weekend brunches with the girls. (TikTok has even coined the “Red Lip Theory” that claims a swipe of red lipstick can brighten up your entire face.) And now more than ever, there are infinite shades, finishes, and undertones to find your perfect match.

Allure editors have swatched and applied on too many red lipsticks to count—which is to say, we’ve found quite a few enduring favorites along the way. Ahead, our editors share everything from drugstore must-haves to high-end shades that fit any occasion, any time of year.

Our Editors’ Favorite Red Lipsticks

• Jessica Cruel, editor in chief: Anastasia Beverly Hills Liquid Lipstick in American Doll, $23
• Sarah Felbin, senior commerce editor: Trinny London Just Joyous Lipstick in Poppy, $34
• Ingrid Fowler, senior art director: Nars Powermatte Lip Pencil in Dragon Girl, $32
• Nicola Dall’Asen, senior news editor: Violette_FR Plume Lip in En Feu, $31
• Kara McGrath, former content director: Tom Ford Slim Lip Color Shine in Scarlet Rouge, $45
• Sarah Han, commerce editor: Maed Signature Lip Pigment in Ritual Red, $36
• Sarah Kinonen, associate beauty director: Poundcake Cake Batter Liquid Lipstick in Red Velvet, $24
• Angela Trakoshis, former shopping market editor: Dior Rouge Dior Forever Transfer-Proof Lipstick in Forever Dior, $48
• Lexi Herrick, senior director of audience development: Stila Stay All Day Liquid Lipstick in Beso, $24

Jessica Cruel, editor in chief: Anastasia Beverly Hills Liquid Lipstick in American Doll

Why we love it: With 10 shades of Even though Anastasia Beverly Hills’s Liquid Lipstick runs 10 shades deep, to choose from, finding your new go-to is practically guaranteed—but the bold red hue called American Doll is a clear editor favorite. The formula’s staying power is seriously impressive, holding up flawlessly from morning to night, and the paddle-shaped applicator makes lining and filling in color a one-swipe job. The finish is soft and powdery, but never so matte that it veers into dry, cracked, or cakey territory.

Sarah Felbin, senior commerce editor: Trinny London Just Joyous Lipstick in Poppy

Why it’s worth it: In all of our years of testing lipsticks, we’ve found that most formulas don’t usually offer a glossy sheen and intense moisture, but that’s not the case with Trinny London’s Just Joyous Lipstick. Not only does it provide high color payoff with buildable coverage, but it’s also hydrating and plumping thanks to hyaluronic acid, moringa and maracuja oils, and palmitoyl tripeptide-1. Outside of the two red shades (one leans pink and the other leans orange), we also love its other neutral color options, like Martha, a rosy nude, and Mitra, a nude brown that’s perfect for fall.

Ingrid Fowler, senior art director: Nars Powermatte Lip Pencil in Dragon Girl

Why it’s worth it: A modern twist on the brand’s beloved Velvet Matte Lip Pencils, the Nars Powermatte High-Intensity Lip Pencil (a Best of Beauty winner) packs bold pigment into a creamy, long-wearing formula that sets to a soft matte finish and lasts up to 12 hours. The chunky crayon design makes it easy to swipe on full color in seconds, yet precise enough to double as a liner, making it the ultimate multitasker to stash in your bag. And true to Nars form, the shade names are just as memorable as the formula—think American Woman, Born to Be Wild, and Dragon Girl.

Nicola Dall’Asen, senior news editor: Violette_FR Plume Lip in En Feu

Why it’s worth it: If bold, long-wearing lipsticks feel too intimidating, there’s a new kid on the block. Meet Violette_FR’s Plume Lipstick, an airy, whipped formula that feels more like a silky stain than a traditional liquid lipstick, blending seamlessly to soften edges and blur lines. It glides on so smoothly, you can practically apply it without a mirror (yup, even in the Fiery Red shade). Once it sets, the color stays put for up to 12 hours while still feeling featherlight, thanks to emollients that keep your lips comfortable and kissable all day.

Kara McGrath, former content director: Tom Ford Slim Lip Color Shine in Scarlet Rouge

Why it’s worth it: What makes a slim lipstick so great? The thinner tip makes it easy to trace the corners of your mouth and define your cupid’s bow—no liner or brush needed. That’s exactly why Tom Ford’s Slim Lip Color Shine is a permanent fixture in our makeup bags. Sure, it’s not the longest-wearing formula out there (that glossy finish comes with trade-offs), but it earns its spot as both a luxe lip balm and gloss in one. Packed with hydrating waxes and emollients like beeswax and avocado extract, it glides on like butter and somehow still delivers rich, even color. It’s a splurge, but the kind you’ll reach for so often, it basically pays for itself.

Sarah Han, commerce editor: Maed Signature Lip Pigment in Ritual Red

Why it’s worth it: If you can’t stand a chalky lip that settles into every line and somehow makes your lips look even drier, meet your match. Maed’s Signature Lip Pigment delivers the lasting power of a matte without the dreaded dryness or weight. The flexible formula moves with your lips, feels practically undetectable, and is packed with hydrators that keep them soft and smooth all day. The star ingredients do the heavy lifting: maca root adds dimension and a subtle glow (no flat, matte finish here), tucuma butter—a natural silicone alternative—locks in moisture and smooths texture, jojoba esters lend that buttery glide, and cherry coffee seed oil helps firm and support elasticity. Basically, it’s a long-wearing lip that feels like a gloss but performs like a liquid lipstick.

Sarah Kinonen, associate beauty director: Poundcake Cake Batter Liquid Lipstick in Red Velvet

Why it’s worth it: Just about every Allure editor has the Poundcake Cake Batter Liquid Lipstick in their makeup bag. This two-time Best of Beauty Award winner is a staff favorite for its rich pigment, staying power, and impressive conditioning properties (thanks to avocado oil and vitamin E). If lip liner feels like a chore, its easy-to-maneuver doe-foot applicator makes crisp, precise lines, so it acts as a two-in-one. It’s also super buildable—dab it on with your finger for a soft, just-bitten tint, or swipe it straight on for a bold, full-coverage lip that looks effortlessly polished.

Angela Trakoshis, former shopping market editor: Dior Rouge Dior Forever Transfer-Proof Lipstick in 999 Forever Dior

Why it’s worth it: Dior’s Rouge Dior Forever is the luxury brand's first-ever transfer-proof lipstick, which is reason enough to swoop it up. Think: intense pigment and all-day comfort that lasts up to 16 hours, which is why Allure editors wax poetic about it. Los Angeles-based makeup artist Robin Black is another fan, attesting that this pigmented formula is totally smudge-proof, an impressive feat, especially for a vibrant red hue like this one.

Lexi Herrick, former director of audience development: Stila Stay All Day Liquid Lipstick in Beso

Why it’s worth it: The Stila Stay All Day Liquid Lipstick Matte in Beso is another Allure Best of Beauty Award Hall of Famer that offers bold, stop-in-your-tracks pigment. Its bright candy-red shade, matte finish, and creamy formula are so good that one swatch is enough to make you a die-hard fan of this long-lasting lipstick. While most liquid lipsticks need an added layer for vibrancy, one coat of Stay All Day is all you need for an opaque finish.

More red lipsticks we love

Best Lip Definer: Pat McGrath Labs Dramatique Mega Lip Pencil in Elson

Why it’s worth it: If you’ve ever seen Pat McGrath apply lipstick in person, you know it’s pure magic. In just seconds, she creates a stunning, high-impact lip that looks practically airbrushed. Now, with the 2025 Best of Beauty-winning Pat McGrath Labs Dramatique Mega Lip Pencil, we get to channel that same artistry. The creamy formula glides on smoothly, the tapered tip makes defining effortless, and the shade range delivers on its name (dramatique, quite literally). You’ll have a few minutes to blend and perfect your look before it sets, and once it does, expect serious staying power (as in, you’ll need a washcloth and remover to take it off).

Best Drugstore: Essence The Slim Stick in Nice Spice

Why we love it: A single swipe of Essence’s The Slim Stick delivers rich, velvety color that rivals high-end formulas, at a fraction of the price. A 2025 Best of Beauty Award winner for Best Matte Lipstick (no small feat), this ultra-slim bullet is loaded with pigment for full coverage in one go, while a blend of jojoba, coconut, and macadamia oils keeps it feeling light and comfortable. Despite its airy texture, it doesn’t budge easily—our testers were impressed by how long it lasts. It’s a drugstore gem that truly overdelivers for the investment. Case in point: During Best of Beauty testing, our editors reported up to eight hours of wear with zero signs of fading.

Frequently Asked Questions

How do I choose the best red lipstick for my skin tone?

Anyone can wear whatever red lipstick they like, full stop. "The right red is the one that makes you feel good," says Los Angeles-based makeup artist Fiona Stiles, whose clients include Margot Robbie, Gabrielle Union, and Lily Collins.

However, you can expedite finding a red lipstick you love by considering your skin tone and your skin's undertone. New York City-based makeup artist Diane Kendal previously told Allure that red shades with blue undertones give cool-toned, fair-to-light-medium complexions a more radiant appearance and even make teeth look whiter. For warm, medium skin tones, Kendal suggested orange-red shades—"Intense, yes, but they make olive skin glow by bringing out its golden tones," she says. As for deeper skin tones, she recommended red hues "with a lot of pink," which she said works beautifully against dark complexions.

How do you make red lipstick last?

We all love the look of freshly-applied lipstick, but after a few hours (or drinks), things can start to look messy. But don't fret, because there are quite a few ways to make your look last for hours on end. Back in the day (2010 to be exact), New York City-based makeup artist Peter Phillips previously gave Allure editors a few tips on ensuring any lip look stays put—and these hacks are still used by our staff to this day.

• Prep your lips: Your results will only be as smooth and seamless as the actual skin on your lips. To smooth your skin pre-lipstick, try using a lip scrub or a damp washcloth to buff dry flakes. "Pat on a clear lip balm and give it a few minutes to sink in, then blot with a tissue," said Phillips.
• Use setting powder after applying your lipstick: Makeup artists and Allure editors alike abide by this tip, especially when it comes to smudge-prone shades like red. Phillips recommended dabbing a light amount on the lips to secure your lipstick in place without drying out your skin. "Close your mouth, smile, and then dust a little face powder on your lips with a fluffy brush," he says. “Don't reapply lipstick, or it could get cakey.”
• If matte lipsticks are too dry for your lips, use a satin-finish option instead: Since many long-wearing lipsticks are matte and can dry out your lips, Phillips prefers satin-finish, pearlescent lipsticks. "The shine is created by pearl pigments and not by the texture; it's not as moist as a creamy lipstick and will therefore stay on longer," he said.

Meet the experts

• Fiona Stiles is a Los Angeles-based makeup artist
• Robin Black is a Los Angeles-based makeup artist
• Diane Kendal is a New York City-based makeup artist
• Peter Phillips is a New York City-based makeup artist

How we test and review products

When Allure tests a product, our editors look at it from every angle in an effort to best serve you. We review ingredients, scrutinize brand claims, and, when necessary, examine peer-reviewed scientific and medical studies. In addition to testing every product that’s included in each and every review, we rely on experts who shape their fields, including dermatology, cosmetic chemistry, and medicine, to help us vet the ingredients and formulas.

For our list of the best red lipsticks, we considered each product’s performance across five primary categories: product ingredients and efficacy, packaging, fragrance, texture, and product wear. Every product was determined to have excelled in each category by our editorial team, which is composed of in-house writers and editors as well as contributors — along with special consideration from makeup artists. To learn more information on our reporting and testing processes, read our complete reviews process and methodology page.

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