Whether you are embracing that no-makeup makeup look or going full glam, throwing on a shade of red lipstick is a perennial winner especially in the festive season.
Keep reading to see some of the most iconic celeb-inspired red lipstick looks (with tips on how to achieve them!), and then shop lipsticks you can try out for Chinese New Year, Valentine’s Day, and really, any time you wish to add a pop of colour to your look.
Chinese model Mingxi proves that you don’t need a bright red lip to make a statement; we are in love with this vampy L’Oreal Paris lipstick that she’s wearing.
Get the look with: L’Oreal Paris Rouge Signature in Armored ($17.50)
This brand doesn’t disappoint when it comes to lipsticks that deliver in colour payoff.
When working with high-gloss reds like Blackpink’s Lisa’s shade, apply the product with a dense synthetic lip brush for more precision and control.
(Read also “13 Must-Know Beauty Tips From Blackpink’s Lisa, Jennie And Other Asian Celebs“)
Get the look with: Stila Beauty Boss Lip Gloss in In The Red ($24)
Prefer a glossy finish? Stila’s lippy imparts incredible shine with its unique light-reflecting crystals infused formula. It gives solid colour so you can choose to wear it on its own or over another lipstick. Made with hyaluronic filling spheres and rich oils, this lipstick does a great job in creating the appearance of fuller, luscious lips.
Red lipstick can accentuate a ruddy complexion. When sporting a bright red lipstick like Angelababy, mask any serious redness in the skin with a colour-correcting concealer.
Get the look with: NARS Cream Lipstick in Jungle Red ($40)
This semi-matte bestseller from NARS drenches lips in a vivid red that feels velvety smooth.
A warm-toned red was Chinese actress Fan Bing Bing’s lip colour of choice when dialing into the virtual Ralph & Russo Spring/Summer 2021 show. When rocking a red pout, take your face makeup into account. If your complexion is dewy, choose a subdued finish to avoid looking too shiny in pictures. Fan Bingbing strikes a perfect balance with her matte skin and soft-matte lips.
Get the look with: Lancome L’Absolu Rouge Hydrating Shaping Lipstick in Caprice ($49)
Spiked in vitamin E, this lipstick from Lancome aims to give you that soft-matte finish minus the uncomfortable dry feeling.
Singer Jessica Jung just gave us proof that you don’t have to forgo statement eyes just because you’re wearing bright, bold lips. Elevate your look by pairing an eye glitter topper with your red lipstick.
Get the look with: Clarins Water Lip Stain in Red Water ($36)
This lip stain from Clarins imparts a wash of long-lasting colour with its water-like formula (77 per cent water).
You don’t have to wear red lips on its own. Pull off two trends at once like Korean idol Hyuna and pair your orange-red lips with a well-defined liner.
Get the look with: YSL Beauty Rouge Pur Couture in Le Rouge ($52)
Hyuna’s orange-red pout was created with the YSL Beauty Rouge Pur Couture lipstick. This lippy not only imparts a gorgeous satin finish, but also moisturises your pucker with nourishing hydrospheres and natural extracts.
When MAMAMOO’s Hwasa steps out in red lipstick, she makes a statement. Before applying her scarlet lippy, Hwasa outlined her pout with a lip liner in a slightly darker but complimentary shade. And of course, the volumising mascara finished off the sultry look.
Get the look with: MAC Retro Matte Lipstick in Ruby Woo ($33)
This universally flattering cherry red matte lipstick creates the illusion of whiter teeth with its blue undertones. It lasts all day (even through a day of feasting) and never sucks the moisture from your lips.
The “Ramen Shop” star accented her subtle smokey eye with a deep, rich rouge with blue undertones. The key to recreating Jeanette’s look is to keep the rest of your makeup minimal. Choose a lightweight foundation instead of a full-coverage base product. Also, avoid candy pink blushers for this look as they have a tendency to look too doll-like. Instead, look for a blush with a warm undertone to enhance your skin’s glow.
Get the look with: Dior Rouge Dior in 999 ($52)
Jeanette’s go-to red lipstick is the iconic Dior Rouge Dior lipstick in 999. This lip colour first made its debut at Dior’s fashion show in 1947 and is still just as well-loved more than seven decades later. Rouge Dior packs a pigment punch without drying out the lips. This iconic shade comes in two finishes — matte and satin.
You can rock bright red lips, even if you’re short on time. Just go barefaced like singer Lee Hi. If you don’t have time for eye makeup, red lips are the perfect way to still look put together in a pinch. Pro tip: after toning your face with a textured cotton pad, gently exfoliate your lips with the same cotton pad to buff away dead skin cells before applying your lip colour.
Get the look with: Tom Ford Lip Colour in Cherry Lush ($76)
Tom Ford’s cherry-hued offering aptly named “Cherry Lush” delivers intense pigment and long-lasting colour.
Korean idol Sunmi’s fiery red eye makeup is the focal point of this red hot monochrome makeup. To emulate her look, start with an eyeshadow primer. Next, apply a neutral beige or peach shadow on the entire lid. With a small blending brush, apply red eyeshadow onto the entire lid, focusing on the outer corners of the eyes.
As a rule of thumb, opt for a warmer deeper red rather than a bright one. Line your lower lash line with the same eyeshadow. As a finishing touch, apply glitter eyeshadow in the centre of your eyelid. Complete the look with a bold red lip, mascara and a flick of eyeliner.
Get the look with: Nars Velvet Lip Pencil in Dragon Girl ($38)
Said to be a favourite of red-lipstick queen Taylor Swift, this vibrant lippy falls somewhere between timeless red and pink. Its thick but soft tip makes it perfect for getting into those hard-to-reach spots. The best part? This cult-favourite product also doubles as a lip liner.
