The Best Red Lipsticks to See You Through Tough Times

When the going gets tough, the tough go red. As in bold, bright and badass red lipstick. Our correspondent Julie Chang Murphy has done the research. And these are the best expert recommended empowering and flattering red lipsticks from luxury beauty brands for tough times. Like now.

never underestimate the power of red lipstick

We’re not gonna lie- going on day 16, 17, or is it 18 (?) of embracing our bare faces without a trace of makeup feels GREAT. So does relinquishing the chore of picking out the perfect day to night outfit and instead, pulling on our favorite sweat pants (again.) With our morning routine cut in half, there’s more time to set up a proper WFH office or spend some quality time puzzling with the family.

But as unabashed beauty and fashion lovers, we still need a dose of enjoyment and pleasure while we wait this out. And no, another sheet mask will not cut it. The easiest pick-me-up may very well be what legions of women have turned to when times are tough: bright, bold red lipstick.

Whether you want to instantly light up your face for that video conference or just need to feel optimistic and powerful while trying to score an Instacart time slot, it’s red lipstick to the rescue.

the best red lipsticks to see you through tough times

We’ve sorted through the top recommendations from those on the beauty beat: magazine editors, makeup artists and our own staff here at Dandelion Chandelier. And these are the 12 most flattering scarlets for every skin tone in a variety of formulas from light, luminous veils to vampy, velvety mattes. You cannot go wrong with an expert recommended red lipstick at a time like this!

As the inimitable Elizabeth Taylor once said, “Pour yourself a drink, put on some lipstick, and pull yourself together.”

1.

Classics are classics for a reason. MAC’s Ruby Woo has been consistently ranked by publications like Vogue, Elle, Cosmopolitan, Glamour and Allure as one of the most easy-to- wear retro reds. And we love the subversive connotations as it became the unofficial lipstick of the Women’s March.

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2.

Dior’s 999 is an iconic and luxurious red, dating back to 1953 when Christian Dior created the shade for his models to wear on the runway. A few fashion publications have put it to the test to see if it really lives up to the hype of flattering every skin color. We found this one most convincing.

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3.

For lipstick crayon fans, Nars’ Dragon Girl is a cult favorite of the fashion set. The creamy, matte texture is easy to control, long-lasting and has a beautiful blotted look.

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4.

Sisley’s Phyto Lip Twist in Poppy is a fantastic option for the red lip skeptics. The pencil goes on easy for a sheer wash of color but is buildable for more intense color. Plant-based ingredients keep your pout smooth and plump.

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5.  

We love Rihanna’s revolutionary Fenty beauty line, which has disrupted the entire beauty industry by creating products for women of all skin tones. The Mattemoiselle Plush Matte Lipstick in Ma’Damn is a high octane pigment that goes on light-as-air and finishes with a velvety-soft matte finish.

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6.

Glamour Magazine staffers tried 100 crimson lipsticks to whittle down to one clear favorite for their annual beauty awards: Urban Decay’s F-Bomb. It looks effortless and seriously gorgeous on a diverse spectrum of women.

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7.  

This oldie but goodie- Lancome’s L’Absolu Rouge in Absolute Rouge – is still a staple in many makeup artists’ kits for its glamorous Hollywood starlet vibe. It’s been used on A-listers with fair skin like Rachel Weisz to dark skin beauties like Lupita Nyong’o. We also love the hint of shimmer and shine.

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8.  

Does a casual red exist? Leave it to millennial favorite beauty brand, Glossier to give us a juicy, dialed-down red in Generation G Lipstick in Zip. The vegan and paraben-free tube adapts to your natural lip color, giving you a uniquely customized apple red pout.

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9.  

Legendary makeup artist Charlotte Tillsbury knows a thing or two about flattering red lipsticks. Her Matte Revolution Lipstick in Red Carpet Red is the pick-me-up you need to feel instantly sexy and bold. The lightweight and creamy lipstick features 3D glow pigments that help lips appear wider and fuller.

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10.

Chantecaille’s Lip Veil in Protea is a warm and rich ruby color that is formulated with organic baobab oil. A cross between lip balm and lipstick, the color glides on effortlessly and imparts a healthy shine to your lips. Also, every makeup purchase helps support an environmental charity near and dear to founder Sylvie Chantecaille’s heart. This particular lipstick will help preserve the migratory path of African elephants.

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11.

Among the flattering deep, rosy red lipsticks, we love the surprising wearability of Shiseido’s Modern Matte Powder Lipstick in Exotic Red. It makes a statement without trying too hard and a unique blend of waxes and oils melts into the lips to create an ultra-thin, featherweight powder-like finish.

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12.

In the annals of empowering red lipsticks, save a place of honor for Guerlain. Our glamorous founder and CEO, Pamela Thomas Graham, swears by Guerlain’s Rouge G Customizable Lipstick in N°27. The matte-finish shades have a blend of black seed oil and intense pigments for a winning combo of hydration and vivid color. And the customizable cases have secret agent vibes that are fun to whip out and apply.

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the best red lipsticks to see you through tough times

There you have it! The best expert recommended empowering and flattering red lipsticks from top luxury beauty brands for tough times. Like these.

Every woman needs a secret weapon when the going gets tough. We hope this list guides you to an empowering, signature red to tuck in your arsenal. Let us know what shades work for you!

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Crediting her training as a cultural anthropologist at Wellesley College, Julie has immersed herself in various industries in the last 15 years including fashion design, event planning, and fitness. Julie lives in New York where she loves trying every ramen and dumpling restaurant with her husband and three children. She finds joy in bold prints, biographies of fierce women, kickboxing. And spending way too long finding the perfect polish color to express her mood.

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