The Prettiest Red Lipstick for Your Skin Tone

Maybelline New York's Color Sensational Made for All Lipstick in Ruby for Me, our 2020 Best of Beauty winner, is a blue-toned red that has a satin finish that looks absolutely stunning on any complexion. And if our seal of approval isn't enough, take it from our audience — it won an Allure Readers' Choice Award this year, too.

$6 (Shop Now)

If the Radio City Rockettes know anything, it's Christmas, high kicks, and red lipstick. Sephora Collection's Liquid Lipstick in 01 Always Red is a favorite of the group because it's the perfect blue-red hue, lasts forever on the lips, and just looks damn good on everyone.

$15 (Shop Now)

New York City-based makeup artist Delina Medhin loves how Dominique Cosmetics's Creme Matte Liquid Lipstick in Heartbeat looks on a range of skin tones, though she does note that she is partial to its look on medium and deep complexions.

But besides looking good on everyone, this lipstick also doesn't budge. "[There's] no transfer on a mask," Medhin notes, which, these days, is an absolute must.

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They don't call it "Holy Grail" for nothin'. The aptly-named lipstick by Persona Cosmetics, another favorite of Medhin's, has a blue undertone, which is what makes it so appealing on such a wide range of complexions.

$16 (Shop Now)

Shiseido's most-popular lipstick, the Visionary Gel Lipstick in Shizuka Red, is a long-lasting, full-coverage lipstick that features a special gel technology that makes the pigment weightless on the lips and gives you full-coverage color. The shade name is really something special to the brand too; Shizuka translates to "quiet" or "calm" in Japanese.

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Though Revlon's Fire and Ice lipstick launched 66 years ago, it still sells once every four minutes. If that's not proof that it's a great buy, we don't know what else could convince you.

$6 (Shop Now)

This must-have red from Dubai's beloved Huda Beauty is the ultimate long-lasting lipstick. Wear the Liquid Matte Lipstick in Icon for a Zoom meeting, to socially distanced cocktails, or around the house, if you're feeling fancy and have nowhere to go.

$20 (Shop Now)

When it comes to universal beauty, Fenty Beauty is the absolute truth. One of the brand's early launches was Uncensored, this long-lasting liquid lipstick that doesn't dry out your lips or make them look all cracked. The vibrancy and high pigmentation of this hue make it a favorite in Lagos, says Nigerian makeup artist Joyce Jacob.

$24 (Shop Now)

If you're a fan of a velvety finish, Espoir's Couture Lip Fluid should be right up your alley. It's available in seven colors, but K-Pop star Tiffany Young loves this hue, Chilling, a super-bright fruit punch red.

$19 (Shop Now)

This luxurious lipstick doesn't come cheap, OK? But it's highly-pigmented and comfortable formula make it Net-a-Porter's best-selling red in Paris, the city of red lipstick. Plus, the 2019 Allure Best of Beauty winner comes in the kind of packaging you want to display — put this lipstick on a chain and wear it around your neck. You'll never be caught digging through your purse again.

$90 (Shop Now)

Few lipsticks have earned the instant name recognition that MAC's Ruby Woo (which was reimagined as "Riri Woo" because Rihanna loved it that much) has. "There are a few shades that are universally flattering because of their bold colors," Murphy says. "They break all of the rules because they're so saturated and eye-catching that they're good for all skin tones."

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Fair skin tends to have a naturally pink flush to it, explains New York City-based makeup artist Daniel Martin, whose clients include Jessica Alba and Elisabeth Moss. Complement it using cool-toned red lipsticks with hints of blue and purple instead of warm-toned ones with orange hues. These kinds of colors not only make fair skin look brighter but they also make teeth look whiter.

Lisa Eldridge describes her Velvet Ribbon as "a bold, pillar box red with a touch of blue." And while this lipstick is nice on a wide range of skin tones, fair-skinned folks will wear the heck out of this. "The pigment is intense so you get incredible payoff from one swipe."

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"This is a classic brick red lipstick, with like a burnt cinnamon tone," says makeup artist Jenny Patinkin of the RMS Beauty Wild With Desire Lipstick in Rebound. It's also a great hue for fall. "It'll make you think of pumpkin spice lattes and being cozy by the fireplace."

$28 (Shop Now)

Anyone looking for a classic bright red can look to Pirate from Chanel's Rouge Allure Luminous Intense Lip Colour range. "[It] was apparently formulated to imitate the same shade of red Coco Chanel wore," notes Eldridge. "It has a beautiful satin finish with a tiny touch of pearl for a luminous effect."

$38 (Shop Now)

Spiked with vitamins C and E, Rodin Olio Lusso Luxe Lipsticks aim to give you that soft-matte look without that icky dry feeling. Red Hedy was named after the ‘40s film actor Hedy Lamarr, whose signature lip color was similar to a red like this. "I love this classic red hue because it’s easy to wear and not too extreme, which is ideal for those with fairer coloring," explains makeup artist Tricia Turner.

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"In general, the lighter your skin, the lighter the hue of red," explains Murphy. "Light and dark don't only refer to skin tone, but also hair color and eyes; think of the overall impression." If your skin is on the paler end of the spectrum, look for a red with a touch of pink, like the Colourpop Crème Lux Lipstick in On Display, for a playful take on a crimson lip.

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One of Murphy's go-to reds for paler skin tones is Tatcha's Kyoto Red Silk Lipstick, which looks like a garnet in lipstick form. "It's a balanced, bright, perfect red," he says. "It's classic yet modern, and works on light-to-medium skin tones."

$55 (Shop Now)

Nars's best-selling tube of red, the Semi Matte Lipstick in Jungle Red, is a mainstay in makeup artist Tobi Henney's kit. "Light skin tones always look amazing in a classic blue-toned red or even with a bit of a dark red," she says. "As long as it's on the cooler side, it's bound to suit anyone with fair-to-light skin."

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Another favorite of Henney's is Charlotte Tilbury's creamy satin lipstick in Love Bite, a vivid, true red with a hint of warmth.

$34 (Shop Now)

Everything about Tom Ford's limited-edition red lipstick, reimagined in a sleek noir tube, is impossible to ignore. The intense color payoff, the decadent texture, the bold name — it's no wonder it's a makeup artist's favorite.

$60 (Shop Now)

Colourpop Matte Lux Lipstick in Hi Striker is the epitome of a blue-red lipstick. The opaque stick coats lips in a flattering fire-engine hue with just one coat.

$7 (Shop Now)

Flesh Beauty Proud Flesh Matte Liquid Lipcolor in Brazen has become a go-to for New York City-based makeup artist Ingeborg. The scarlet hue has a hint of warmth to it that won't wash you out, and Ingeborg says the long-wearing formula doesn't make your lips dry either.

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Prefer a less vibrant red? Try TPSY's Absoliptly Lipstick in Cherry On Top, which is a cool-toned berry despite what its fruity name implies. The more you layer on this K-beauty pick, the shinier it becomes (less gives it a more subtle, satin finish).

$21 (Shop Now)

When picking the right shade of red lipstick, "I often think of colors I see in nature," New York City-based makeup artist Vincent Oquendo says. For medium skin tones, he reaches for an orange-red shade because sunsets come to mind. Just as oranges mix with reds and taupes in the sky, the same hues work in harmony with medium complexions. Poetry aside, a poppy red also helps cancel out any sallowness you may have in your skin.

Milani's Amore Matte Lip Crèmes are a drugstore favorite among beauty lovers because the formula stays put, they're inexpensive, and they've got quite a nice range of color options. Striking is a rich, brick-red that is a blessing to all skin tones, though we particularly love it on medium complexions.

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The Yves Saint Laurent Volupte Rock'n Shine in Orange Speaker is an orange-red so loved by our staff, we had to give it a Best of Beauty Award. Besides the richness of the hue, we also love the touch of sparkle that glittery, star-shaped core gives this high-impact color.

$38 (Shop Now)

By now, we all know that Pat McGrath's lipsticks are of elite quality. Medhin loves to use Elson 2, a gorgeous orange-red on her medium-skinned clients. This one (like all of Pat McGrath Labs's Matte Trance Lipsticks) packs a powerful pigmented punch with just one swipe.

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Maybelline New York's Color Sensational Cremes Lipstick in Coral rise is an orange-red that looks fabulous on medium skin tones. Eldridge loves this bold, bright hue. "[It's] perfect for anyone who wants to make a serious red lip statement," she says.

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L'Oréal Paris's Colour Riche Original Satin Lipstick in True Red is a fabulous drugstore option for medium skin tones. While yes, we love a matte lipstick, this one has a moisturizing, satin finish that goes on smooth without those dreaded flakes.

$8 (Shop Now)

While we love a good splurge, the fact is you don't have to spend a bunch of money to find a good red lipstick. "There are some great drugstore lipsticks around, and Nyx ones are inexpensive but long-lasting and highly pigmented," notes Eldridge. "Pure Red is a hot tomato that pops on medium skin tones."

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"Nars Mysterious Red is a full-throttle, punchy blue-red," describes Murphy, who recommends it for clients with medium skin because of its highly pigmented depth and wear time.

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Another formula with the makeup artist stamp of approval is Giorgio Armani's Rouge D'Armani Lipstick in 400, a high-octane red with a velvety matte texture. "It's a perfect red," Murphy says. "[It has] a great balance of blue and orange, the formula lasts a long time, and is sumptuous."

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If you've got golden or warm undertones, a fiery orange-red will be your new calling card. Rimmel London's Kate Lipstick in 001 (made in collaboration with iconic supermodel Kate Moss) costs roughly the same as a chai latte and delivers a seriously bold finish.

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"Medium skin tones look incredible in [everything from] a classic, blue-toned red to a warm, fiery red lipstick," Henney explains. "I tend to suit either one to the season as medium skin tones have more flexibility with the shade." Nars's Audacious Lipstick in Lana is borderline fluorescent, yet is surprisingly wearable for any occasion.

$34 (Shop Now)

As if Rihanna would ever do us wrong. Fenty Beauty's range of Mattemoiselle Plus Matte lippies includes everything from black, forest green, and Ma'Damn, a brilliant, royal red that looks incredibly rich on medium skin tone.

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In its tube, MAC Matte Lipstick in Lady Danger, a favorite of Oquendo's, may seem more cherry-red than orange-red. However, when it's swiped onto lips, its touches of tangerine shine through on olive skin tones.

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Ingeborg swears by the Best of Beauty-winning RMS Beauty Wild With Desire Lipstick in RMS Red for medium complexions. Paired with a bronzed glow, she says it helps illuminate the whole face.

$28 (Shop Now)

Oquendo admits he's "kind of nuts about" Charlotte Tilbury's Hot Lips Lipstick in Tell Laura, a tangerine-tinged red. Its orange undertones help counteract the green in medium complexions.

$34 (Shop Now)

On dark complexions, Martin loves a deep, bright, matte red. Look for true, candy-apple reds. They don't have a white base, so they won't look chalky or ashy. Alternately, chocolate-cherry lipsticks work, too, because they mimic the richness and depth of deeper complexions, Oquendo adds.

Pat MacGrath Labs's MatteTrance Lipstick in Elson was named after model Karen Elson, who is very fair-skinned, but Medhin loves this rich, blue-red lipstick on deep skin tones, too.

$38 (Shop Now)

We've never seen this lipstick look bad on anyone, but it's especially stunning on melanated complexions. Coloured Raine's Liquid Lipstick in Cherry Blossom is a rich, blue-based red a tad deeper than some of its other popular counterparts (like MAC Ruby Woo), so it really comes alive on brown skin.

$17 (Shop Now)

Kosas's Weightless Lipstick in Thrillest is what Eldridge calls "an energetic red with tangerine undertones." And don't worry about having to deal with dry, chapped lips when you're wearing this one. "The hydrating formula has shea and cocoa seed butter, as well as rosehip and jojoba oils, leaving lips with a healthy sheen."

$28 (Shop Now)

Who doesn't love a deep, rich red color, especially in the fall? Mask or no, you're going to want to take the Nars Audacious Lipstick in Bette for a spin. "[This] plum-red, Bordeaux shade [has a] vintage glamour," says Eldridge. "It also has a hydrating, buttery formula with great staying power."

$34 (Shop Now)

Uoma Beauty's Badass Icon Matte Lipstick bears the name of one of the most iconic singers — Sade. Her signature red lip is one that we've been obsessed with for ages, and it's one that Eldridge favors on melanin-rich skin tones. "[This is] a beautiful, bright poppy red with a creamy formula that delivers a hefty dose of color in one swipe."

$24 (Shop Now)

"Rich skin tones need reds with substantial depth," says Turner, and Kjaer Weis's Lipstick in KW Red is just what the makeup artist ordered. Our environmentally friendly beauty friends will love this one especially since "it's also certified-organic and refillable, which creates less waste."

$56 (Shop Now)

Oquendo calls the Nars Velvet Matte Lip Pencil in Dragon Girl an "all-American" red. It doesn't skew too orange or blue. Instead, its intensely pigmented formula is a true red through and through.

$27 (Shop Now)

"MAC's Lip Pencil in Burgundy is a great liner or allover color," recommends Murphy. Try it out for a muted, dark take on a traditional red lip.

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"Darker skin tones can play with deeper, warmer reds," says makeup artist Morgane Martini. "But I believe that ultimately you can rock any red because it also depends on the desired lipstick application and texture – for example, sheer or very defined." Case in point: A glossy tinted balm that gives red lipstick a casual, versatile twist.

$28 (Shop Now)

In December 2018, CoverGirl launched Full Spectrum, a full range of color cosmetics formulated with women of color in mind. Needless to say, the range of lipsticks (including the rich berry red Knockout) are some of the best for darker skin tones.

$9 (Shop Now)

When Oquendo called out a chocolate-cherry lipstick for deeper skin tones, we immediately thought of the Nyx Pin-Up Pout Lipstick in Revolution. The burgundy shade has gorgeous hints of brown that make it a perfect match for a smoky eye look. Najor adds that warmer red lipsticks like this one "tend to feel a bit more soothing and subtle since they aren't considered 'bright.'"

$8 (Shop Now)

For deeper skin tones, Oquendo recommends taking inspiration from the red carpet for your perfect red lipstick shade. The Lip Bar Matte Liquid Lipstick in Red fits the bills with its lush, stay-put formula. And a major plus — it's from a Black-owned beauty brand.

$13 (Shop Now)