The 18 Best Red Lipstick Shades, Chosen from the 100 We Tested

For a quick way to determine whether you have a cool, warm, or neutral palette, think of how you feel and look in the color orange—an undeniably “warm” shade. If you like yourself in orange, you’re probably warm and should consider warm shades like brick red, cherry red, and coral tints, as noted above. If you don’t, you could be cool and might want to try vivid blue-reds, cranberries, crimsons, and plum shades.

More of a visual learner? Take Priyanka Chopra Jonas, who has cool undertones and dazzles in cool tones like purple-tinted crimson and plum. Kerry Washington, on the other hand, has warmer tones and tends to opt for warm cherry, orange, and brick reds.

Barber’s ultimate tip, however, is to test IRL. “You’ve got to try it on. As a makeup artist, I always say that, because I don’t like gimmicky theories about finding the right colors,” he says, explaining that you simply have to see what happens to your face upon application. “When you try on the right red, you’ll know: all of a sudden your skin becomes fresher, your eyes become brighter, your teeth become whiter, whatever you need.”

While Glamour editors can’t necessarily try on the best red lipstick shades for you, we did the next best thing, which is try them on ourselves so you can see what they look like on. Ahead, see the best red lipstick shades that Glamour editors—and some celebrities—actually use IRL.

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“It’s hard to talk about a red lip without mentioning MAC’s Ruby Woo,” says Amick. “This opaque, waxy, matte lipstick is a forever staple in makeup artist kits and it’s flattering on just about everyone.” It’s true: Everyone from Rihanna to Taylor Swift to Tracee Ellis Ross has worn the shade with blue undertones, and it’s nearly universally considered to be the one true red lipstick as a result. It’s so well known as the perfect red, in fact, that it’s the one red lipstick shade Quinn’s husband knows. “I recently asked my husband to name a lipstick and his response was Ruby Woo,” she tells Glamour. It’s also one of the lipsticks Taylor Swift is alleged to wear, she adds.

As for why that is? “We’ve seen so many people use it, it’s become one of those shades that is so famous you can clock it from across the room, and immediately know what it is,” she explains. That said, Barber is torn, and not sure whether Ruby Woo or Russian Red is the true, classic red shade. I suppose it never hurts to have a backup.

Best Taylor Swift-Approved Red Lipstick: NARS Velvet Matte Lip Pencil in Dragon Girl

Look, you can’t write a “best red lipsticks” story in 2024 without acknowledging Taylor Swift, OK? So while Swift has been rumored to wear the aforementioned Ruby Woo, she has also definitely worn NARS Red Lipstick in shade Dragon Girl, warranting its mention. Swift was even photographed holding it ahead of the 2014 Met Gala. As proven by the singer, Dragon Girl is an ideal bright choice for fair skin tones.

Best Cherry Red Lipstick: PATRICK TA Major Headlines Matte Suede Lipstick in That’s Why She’s Late

Senior beauty editor Ariana Yaptangco‘s favorite shade of red? Patrick Ta’s Major highly pigmented Headlines Matte Suede Lipstick in That’s Why She’s Late: a bright, cherry red with a matte finish that dazzles on deep skin tones.

Best Classic Red Lipstick: Guerlain KissKiss Tender Matte Lipstick in Kiss Rouge

“When I hear the word ‘classic’ for red lipstick, my brain immediately goes to Marilyn Monroe,” says Amick. “For me, a ‘classic’ red lip will always conjure up images of 1950s glamour.” Intrigued, I set out to identify which red lipstick the starlet wore. According to The List, Guerlain’s KissKiss Tender Matte Lipstick in Kiss Rouge is nearly an identical dupe of the Rouge Diabolique color Monroe wore.

Best Drugstore Red Lipstick: Maybelline Super Stay Matte Ink Liquid Lipstick Makeup in Exhilarator

Commerce writer Andrea Navarro swears by the long-lasting power of Maybelline Super Stay Matte Ink Liquid Lipstick Makeup in Exhilarator, proving that you don’t need to splurge to get your hands on some on the best red lipstick. This luxe shade is ideal for deeper skin dones.

Best Cruelty-Free Red Lipstick: Hourglass Unlocked Lipstick in Red 0

Hourglass Cosmetics; Unlocked Lipstick in Red 0 is one of the best bright red lipsticks for warm skin tones, as proven by Emily Ratajkowski, who loves to wear the shade. Other pros? Its semi-matte finish, staying power—it truly doesn’t budge after hours of wear—and the fact that it doesn’t wash out fair skin like mine. But the best part? It’s 100% vegan and cruelty-free.

Best Luxury Red Lipstick: Charlotte Tilbury Hollywood Beauty Icon Lipstick in Hollywood Vixen

Glamour editor-in-chief Samantha Barry has been wearing head-to-toe red for New York Fashion Week—lipstick included. Her go-to? Charlotte Tilbury’s Hollywood Beauty Icon Lipstick in Hollywood Vixen.

Best Blue Red Lipstick: Fenty Beauty by Rihanna Fenty Icon Velvet Liquid Lipstick in the MVP

Glamour editors are huge fans of Fenty lip products, and the brand’s cult-favorite liquid lipstick is no exception. Social media manager Jazmin Gathers’ vote for best red lipstick? Fenty’s Velvet Liquid Lipstick in the MVP; a gorgeous blue-based red shade with a velvet matte finish.

Best Ruby Red Lipstick: CHANEL Rouge Allure L’Extrait High-Intensity Lip Colour in 854 Rouge Puissant

Wondering which red lipstick Barbie would wear? Well, we have the next best thing: Celebrity makeup artist Pati Dubroff used CHANEL Rouge Allure L’Extrait High-Intensity Lip Colour in 854 on Margot Robbie for the red-carpet premiere of Barbie.

Best Brick Red Lipstick: Dior Addict Refillable Shine Lipstick in Dior 8

Senior trending news and entertainment editor Sam Reed exclusively wears Dior Addict Refillable Shine Lipstick in Dior 8, due to its long-lasting shine, pigment, satin finish, and added hydration.

Best Orange Red Lipstick: Glossier Ultralip in Coup

Looking for the best orange red lipstick? Look no further than Glossier’s Ultralip in High Shine Lipstick in Coup. Formulated with hyaluronic acid to keep your lips hydrated, commerce editor Malia Griggs is a major fan.

Best Matte Red Lipstick: GXVE BY GWEN STEFANI Original Me Clean High-Performance Matte Lipstick in Original Recipe

Gwen Stefani is yet another red lipstick pioneer, so it’s no surprise that senior commerce editor Jenifer Calle prefers her brand’s take on a matte, true red.

Best Liquid Red Lipstick: NARS Air Matte Liquid Lipstick in Power Trip

If you’re looking for the best red lipstick for pale skin tones that’s longwear, smudge-proof, and seamlessly glides on, look no further. This deep red is always flattering and never washes me out (despite literally never letting my skin see the sun). Plus, it stays put all day long without drying my lips out. It’s the one red lipstick I truly can’t live without.

Best Dark Red Lipstick: MAC Lustreglass Sheer-Shine Lipstick in Spice It Up

For a more goth-glam take on red lipstick, consider MAC Lustreglass Sheer-Shine Lipstick in Spice It Up! It’s a deep, brown-tinted brick red ideal for warm skin tnees that’s not too dark for daily wear but still makes a serious statement, as proven by video development producer Anastasia Sanger.

Best Coral Red Lipstick: Revlon ColorStay Suede Ink Lipstick in Feed the Flame

For something bright, warm, and with serious color payoff, take art director Allie Folino’s advice and opt for Revlon’s ColorStay Suede Ink Lipstick in Feed the Flame. It’s long-lasting and moisturizing, and it certainly doesn’t hurt that you can get it at your local drugstore.

Best Cranberry Red Lipstick: MAC Retro Matte Liquid Lip Color Dance With Me

Commerce editor Malia Griggs’s must-have cranberry lippie? MAC Retro Matte Liquid Lip Color in Dance With Me, due to its long-lasting matte formula and serious color payoff.

Best Pink Red Lipstick: Dior Couture Color Satin Lipstick in Feel Good

A cool, pink-ish red, Dior’s Couture Color Satin Lipstick in Feel Good is one of the best satin finish red lipsticks for cool skin tones. In fact, it’s Glamour visuals director’s Kathryne Hall favorite: “The amount of pink in the red makes it pop in a way that is striking and fun,” she says.

Best Matte Liquid Red Lipstick: Violette_fr Petal Bouche in Amour Fou

Contributing editor Emily Tannenbaum swears by Violette_fr’s Pet Bouche in Amour Fou, and it’s not hard to see why. Highly pigmented, dramatic, matte, and long-lasting, if you want to make a serious statement, this lipstick will do the trick.