Gwyneth Paltrow knew a thing or two about making an impact when she said: “Beauty to me is about being comfortable in your own skin. That, or a kick-ass red lipstick.” There ain’t nothing like a trusty red lippie that can take you through the paces, from day to night, from sexy edgy to sheer elegance – it’s the ultimate makeup power move.
“Beauty to me is about being comfortable in your own skin. That, or a kick-ass red lipstick.”
– Gwyneth Paltrow
Out of the multitudes of practically identical red lipsticks out there, we bring you our top 10 of all time – from top-rated newcomers to bestselling OG classics.
Maybelline New York Color Sensational Made for All Lipstick in Ruby for Me, $14.90
A truly versatile red to suit all seasons and moods, this ruby hue has been tested on up to 50 different skin tones to ensure a flattering colour fit for all types of complexions.
Now this is what we call a Swiss Army lipstick – one to keep handy in the purse for all occasions. A quick slick goes on with a creamy matte texture and gives great coverage even with one application.
Shiseido VisionAiry Gel Lipstick in Ginza Red, $36
Its unique, airy lightweight texture feels incredibly like wearing nothing at all, and stays put for up to 6 hours without losing any of its high-pigment intensity. Featuring triple gel technology and vivid, high-coverage pigments, you’ll love both the creamy texture and the bold, saturated colour of this lipstick.
Yves Saint Laurent Beaute Vinyl Cream Lip Stain in No 406, $50
The promise of full coverage and high vinyl shine is difficult to resist, especially when it comes looking luscious. This liquid lip stain glides on with vivid intensity, and gives up to 10 hours of rich, creamy color, superior comfort, and ultimate shine that won’t feather or fade. It also leaves lips feeling plush and hydrated even after a whole day and night.
Chanel Rouge Allure Luminous Intense Lip Colour in 99 Pirate, $49
Much beloved of celebrities, makeup artists and beauty editors (here are the red lipsticks that beauty editors love) the world over, this show-stopper gives a deep, radiant satin finish in a true red hue that looks gorgeous on all skin tones.
The high concentration of ultra-fine pigments ensures high intensity coverage from the get-go, and its blend of sweet almond oil helps protect lips with long-wearing moisture.
Unny Club Talk That Tint in Night Kiss, $22.90
Korean lip tints are all the rage, popularising a more natural look that is “diffuse” (read: blurry and sexy), like you’ve just been through a punnet of overripe strawberries.
Unny Club nails the glassy high shine that goes on like a juicy lacquer, and stays moist and shiny the entire day. The buildable layers are also super versatile so you can wear it as a thin, ombre glaze or a full vivid pop of colour.
Dear Dahlia Paradise Moisture Veil Lip Glaze Lip Tint in Carnival, $46
One of the hottest Korean brands around, Dear Dahlia is raved about not only for its 100% vegan and cruelty-free credentials, but also its high-impact oomph.
This high pigment liquid lip tint glides on like a dream, and the handy applicator comes with a pointy end that gives “calligraphy-fine” precision. The nature of the tint allows for a juicy “just-bitten” effect that goes on as a watery glaze and builds in intensity with layering.
Nars Velvet Matte Lipstick Pencil in Dragon Girl, $30
Super saturated lip colour all with the convenience of a chubby artist’s pencil that allows for quick full coverage as well as pointy-tipped precision.
This non-drying formula is enriched with vitamin E and emollients for a creamy texture, while a blend of unique silicones ensures long-lasting, seamless, matte colour for hours – no wonder Taylor Swift is a big fan. The only downside is you’ll need a Nars pencil sharpener to keep this lipstick pencil fresh.
Lancôme L’Absolu Velours in 197 Velours de Grenade, $44
A liquid matte lipstick with a beautiful velvety finish, containing a unique combination of soothing oils, waxes, gel and matte pigments, which give it its intense color and six times more pigment than a gloss.
The whipped cream texture feels lush and smooth on the lips, and stays on for up to 8 hours at full volume. Used flat, the applicator generously coats the lower lip, while the thin upper section redefines the lip contour with precision.
Shu Uemura Rouge Unlimited Supreme Matte Lipstick in RD 163, $42
Crammed with at least 135 percent more pigments compared to its original Shu Uemura Rouge Unlimited range, the Rouge Unlimited Amplified features a new mega-loaded pigment technology that is the result of a long collaboration with leading Japanese ink manufacturers.
The super-pigmented matte texture gives a flat, ultra-luxe velvet lip colour that has been tested on diverse Asian skin tones to ensure a flattering hue.
Stila Stay All Day Liquid Lipstick in Beso, $34
A long-lasting, highly-pigmented, weightless, matte, liquid lipstick that absolutely lives up to all its rave reviews – this baby doesn’t stain, smudge or fade! Who could ask for more than a kiss-resistant drop-dead red beauty to see you through Valentine’s Day?
Enriched with Vitamin E and avocado oil, it promises to keep lips lush and kissable with stay-put colour that doesn’t feather or bleed.
