The 9 Best Red Lipsticks of All Time for Christmas and Beyond

Christmas Day calls for merrymaking, plenty of family time—and, most importantly, a zero-maintenance beauty strategy. Whether the holiday warrants formal social gatherings or a friends-only dim sum feast, there’s truly no better time to swipe on a crimson lipstick. After all, the timeless makeup staple requires no work but delivers a buoyantly joyous payoff. That’s why, in the spirit of the day, we’ve rounded up the best red lipstick shades—one for every possible occasion.

Ranking high on the list, there are tried-and-true classics and bold new innovative formulas. Sipping mulled wine and contemplating a sprig of mistletoe? Swipe on Fenty Beauty’s Stunna Lip Paint, guaranteed (and editor-tested) to last up to 12 hours and between bites without budging. Couch surfers and winter movie marathoners will up the chic factor with Chanel’s Rouge Allure Velvet lip color, housed in a crisp red case that looks good with a new set of Olivia von Halle pajamas or, bonus points, a party clutch. And for tearing into ribbon-wrapped gifts, there's a quick slick of Tom Ford’s sheer lip oil that feels as good as it looks. Because when it comes to red lipstick, can you ever really have enough?

Chanel’s newest and possibly best red yet is named after Coco's iconic No.5 perfume—and provides lips with an equally legendary intense velvet finish.

Aptly named “Uncensored,” Rihanna’s first liquid lipstick goes on slick, then dries to a budge-proof, universally flattering matte finish. Because no Bad Gal worth her name has time for endless applications.

Quite possibly one of the most famous lipstick shades ever created, MAC’s timeless cherry is a perfect vivid red-blue matte that’s been seen on everyone from Gwen Stefani to Rita Ora. Most recently, it became the unofficial lipstick-color-meets-war-paint of the Women’s March in Washington, D.C., solidifying its place as a feminist calling card.

This pencil-and-lipstick-in-one is formulated with vitamin E for a smooth application that fits effortlessly into any glittering party clutch.

Bite Beauty's creamy matte crayon glides on for major, full-coverage impact—because dark berry stains are best worn on lips, not on the rim of a wine glass.

There’s a reason RMS founder Rose-Marie Swift’s all-natural lipsticks took almost four years to make—the lightweight, highly pigmented shades are that good. Our pick: Rapture, a tawny brick red that looks that much better against a snowy backdrop.

Kendall Jenner’s cult-favorite red is a tangerine-infused rouge created with multifaceted pigments that seem destined for Christmas with Kim and Kanye in Calabasas.

A top lipstick list would not be complete without legendary makeup artist Pat McGrath’s latest ultra-matte, blue-red creation, now available in a mini, ornament-colored tube and named for friend and supermodel, Karen Elson.