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Not all red lipsticks are created equal, and after years of trying out different products I’ve found some of the best red lipsticks for fair skin. Whether you’re looking for a long-lasting liquid lipstick or a good drugstore lipstick that’s a little easier on the budget, I’m sharing the red lipsticks that have worked best for me.
Red lipstick is appropriate for nearly any occasion, from holiday photos to Valentine’s Day dates to makeup for a 1920s party. But you don’t need a special event to rock a red lip; I love wearing red lipstick to add a pop of color to daytime looks as well. Whether you have a more romantic vision in mind or are channeling your favorite retro bombshell, a classic red lip can pull it all together.
Finding the right shade of red lipstick can be tricky for anyone. As a redhead with fair skin I know the struggle all too well. Go too warm and the lipstick will bring out any redness in your complexion, but go too dark in the wrong shade and you end up looking completely washed out. I once went to Sephora and tried on every shade of red in the Kat Von D Everlasting Liquid Lipstick line only to walk out empty handed. Oh, the struggles.
However, I’m not one to give up easily. After hours of research, reading countless reviews, testing out different shades in the awful lighting of retail stores and agonizing over which one to purchase (because I’m one of the most indecisive people on the planet—I’m working on it), I finally found some that are a great match. Here are my picks for the best red lipsticks for fair skin.
The best red lipsticks for fair skin
Best classic red lipstick for fair skin:
Bésame Cosmetics Classic Color Lipstick in “Forever Red”
“Forever Red” from Bésame Cosmetics is a replica of a shade from 1925. I can imagine flappers reaching into their Whiting & Davis handbags to reapply this shade after sneaking into a speakeasy! It works just as well with 1940s and 1950s looks. Described as a “deep, neutral-toned red,” it looks great on many different skin tones, not just fair skin. It has a beautiful satin finish and is long-lasting without becoming flaky.
The lipstick has a unique square tip different from standard bullet-shaped lipsticks. It takes some practice to apply at first, but each lipstick comes with instructions on how best to apply it. The pointed ends actually make it easier to outline the shape of the lips before filling in with more color. Besame Cosmetics Classic Color Lipstick in “Forever Red,” $29 on Amazon
MAC Retro Matte Lipstick in “Ruby Woo”
Since launching in the late 1990s, this MAC lipstick has achieved a cult following. Ruby Woo is a super matte blue-red, though it is brighter and more vivid than other blue-red shades that can look deeper in color. The universally flattering shade is a favorite of celebrity makeup artists and Harpers Bazaar UK reported that seven tubes are sold every minuted, globally. While I do like the matte finish, occasionally, I’ll top it with a lip gloss for a different look (as pictured above). MAC Retro Matte Lipstick in “Ruby Woo,” $23 at Nordstrom
Julie Hewett Los Angeles Lipstick in “Rouge Noir”
Julie Hewett is a professional makeup artist who has worked on film and TV sets, so you can trust her line of lipstick is going to be movie star quality. The shade “Rouge Noir” is a gorgeous 1940s-inspired shade that’s not only highly pigmented but also feels creamy and comfortable on lips because it’s made with camellia oil. Julie Hewett Los Angeles Lipstick in “Rouge Noir,” $30 on Amazon
Best red liquid lipstick for fair skin:
Stila Stay All Day Liquid Lipstick in “Beso”
Stila’s Stay All Day Liquid Lipsticks have earned a reputation for well, staying all day. I have many shades but my favorite is “Beso,” is a true red. It has a creamy formula that glides on easily and delivers bold, even color. One coat is all you need for this beauty. Plus, it feels comfortable and has a matte finish that makes lips appear softer. Stila Stay All Day Liquid Lipstick in “Beso,” $24 at Ulta
Beauty Bakerie Matte Lip Whip in “Mon Chéri”
Beauty Bakerie Matte Lip Whip in “Mon Chéri” is a true red that’s a tad brighter than the other red in the line (“Bowl of Cherries”). The thin wand and small applicator make it easy to apply, although, as with most liquid lipsticks, you need to be careful about it building up too much around the edges and leaving a crusted line. That is not sexy, dears! I suggest going in with a light hand, letting it dry, then adding another coat if needed.
I wore this red liquid lipstick for Halloween and can confirm that it is cocktail- and kiss-proof! However, I cannot advise eating a full meal while wearing this one because it did wear off in the center of my lips after a particularly sloppy sushi dinner. Beauty Bakerie Matte Lip Whip in “Mon Cheri,” $20 at Nordstrom
Best budget red lipstick for fair skin:
Revlon Super Lustrous Lipstick in “Cherries in the Snow”
Revlon’s “Cherries in the Snow” is one of the brand’s classic shades. (For anyone who has watched The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel, you’ll remember this is the shade she suggests to a customer while working at the Revlon counter at B. Altman department store.) This fuchsia-red flatters many skin tones but can look more red or more pink depending on who’s wearing it and the creamy formula offers beautiful shine.
This Revlon Super Lustrous shade earned a spot on list because of its serious staying power. Surprised? Me, too. One reason I picked up this shade is because it’s one of the retro Revlon lipstick colors that’s still made today. I haven’t worn drugstore lipstick in years and when I first applied this, I was scared it would end up everywhere. However, this lipstick had neither an odd odor nor an affinity to wander. It lasted all day without wearing off in a weird way that made me look like a crazy clown.
After applying, I had a snack, (carefully) ate pasta, went on a Target run and did some grocery shopping and this was still there after about eight hours of wear. There was very slight feathering on my bottom lip but nothing too noticeable. Applying a lip liner first could help prevent this. This has become one of the red lipsticks I wear the most and one I always travel with. Revlon Super Lustrous Lipstick in “Cherries in the Snow,” $6.49 at Target
Revlon Super Lustrous Lipstick in “Certainly Red”
Revlon Super Lustrous Lipstick in shade 740, “Certainly Red,” is one of the original Revlon shades of lipstick that is still made today. It’s been around since at least 1955, as this advertisement for this shade reveals. Revlon describes the modern iteration as a “creamy strawberry red.” On fair skin, it applies as a bright, cool-toned red that leans more pink than orange or brown. You can ready my full review of “Certainly Red” here. If you like a shade with a lot of shine, this one is for you. Revlon Super Lustrous Lipstick in “Certainly Red,” $6.49 at Target
Best red lip crayon for fair skin:
Nars PowerMatte High-Intensity Lip Pencil in “Cruella”
Described as a “Scarlet Red,” this shade is the deepest red in the line by Nars. It applies smoothly and definitely feels less drying than a liquid lipstick during wear, thanks to the addition of vitamin E in the formula. Plus, the crayon can be sharpened so you can forgo lip liner. Even supermodel Rosie Huntington-Whiteley is a fan. Nars PowerMatte Lip Pencil in “Cruella,” $30 at Sephora
More red lip colors for fair skin
I have not tested these products so I can’t give them my stamp of approval, but I’ve seen them time and time again on other lists of the best red lipsticks:
Sephora Cream Lip Stain Liquid Lipstick in “Always Red”
A staple in makeup artist bags, it’s always on set for Vogue China photo shoots, makeup artist Christian McCulloch shared with The Cut. Sephora Cream Lip Stain Liquid Lipstick in “Always Red,” $15 at Sephora”
Hourglass Confession Ultra Slim High Intensity Refillable Lipstick in “My Icon Is”
This blue-based red with a satin finish won Allure’s Best of Beauty Award for Red Lipstick in 2018 for being universally flattering and easy to apply thanks to the slim tube. Hourglass Confession Ultra Slim High Intensity Refillable Lipstick in “My Icon Is,” $39 at Hourglass
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