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One of the best pieces of beauty advice I’ve ever gotten was also one of the most simple. A friend once told me that if I was ever feeling tired or “bleh,” I should swipe on a bold lipstick, and it would draw the attention away from my puffy or bloodshot eyes while simultaneously boosting my mood. It’s a tidbit that has always stuck with me—in fact, most days, you can find me in a traffic-stopping lipstick shade, tired or no tired. When it comes to wearing red, however, it requires a bit more than a swipe of the old tube. That’s because the absolute best red lipstick varies from person to person based on their skin tone, finish preference and even time of year.

That means that the bright crimson lippie Taylor Swift rocked to every Chiefs game may not be your perfect match. (And honestly? that’s OK, because her faves have been selling out at record speed, anyway.) See, while Taylor is a bit of a color chameleon—she reportedly has warm undertones in her skin, but cool undertones in her hair and eyes, giving her more of a neutral base (truth be told, there aren’t too many red lipsticks that don’t look fantastic on her), you may not be. Which brings us to the question below.

What Red Lipstick Is Best for Me?

As anyone who’s ever tried red lipstick on knows, there are an infinite number of crimson shades. There’s true red. Brick red (see: the first swatch in the photo above). Orange red (see: the second). Cool red (the third). And lest you want to waste your money and your time scrubbing away at your pucker because you chose an unflattering hue, it’s best to figure out which one will look best on you ahead of time.

According to the professionals at Clinique, the science to really nailing a red lip comes down to knowing your colors. Generally, people with cool undertones (a.k.a. fair-skinned gals with pinkish skin or blue-ish veins) will look best in lipstick shades with cool pink or blue-ish undertones to match, while people with warm undertones (peach to yellow or golden skin tones with veins that appear more green) may look better in orange or golden lipsticks.

I like to experiment with both in different seasons: While I might choose a bright orange-red in the summer, I typically go for a cool, berry red in the winter.

How to Wear Red Lipstick in 2024

When it comes to wearing red lipstick in 2024, there are generally two camps (at least on TikTok): the American way and the French way.

The American way involves first lining the lips with a liner and then filling them in with a stick, requiring a bit more product and precision. The amount of liner and the shade varies according to the look you’re going for. For instance, if you’re looking for a Kylie Jenner pout, you’ll want to overline your lips in a similar shade. For something more subtle or with more dimension, you may choose to be more judicious with your liner or opt for a lighter or darker shade than your actual lipstick. (See: Looks 1 and 3 in this video.)

The French way, by contrast, known as Bouche Mordue (“just bitten lips”), involves adding lipstick only to the center of the lip and fanning it out to the sides with a finger or brush for a hint of color that looks far more natural.

Of course, there is a third camp that seeks to combine the two, lining the lip before applying lipstick just to the center of the mouth and fanning it out inside the lip liner. (See the technique at the end of this video).

After trolling countless sites and reviews for the best red lipsticks around (and testing out 10 for myself), I’ve narrowed it down to 20 luscious formulas that just might be your perfect match.

Best Cool Red Lipstick

1. Chanel Rouge Allure Velvet Lipstick

• Shade: Rouge Charnel

For years, my signature shade was Chanel’s Rouge Allure Velvet lipstick in shade 37—L’Exuberanté. (Think the hottest of pinks.) It had a nice bright color, the tube was designed with a very satisfying push-up button at the bottom that clicked the lipstick into place for use and it was neither drying or overly slick. (I still have several tubes.) Since it appears to have been discontinued, I’ve branched out into new, red territory with Chanel’s virtual try-on tool and found my new obsession: no. 56— Rouge Charnel. Gently toeing the line between cool and warm, this lipstick has a subtle strawberry undertone that makes me feel like a Hollywood starlet the instant I put it on. Its feather-light texture strikes just the right balance between being moisturizing yet still highly pigmented, and it stays on long enough to last me through nearly a full day of Zoom calls. In short? It’s my holy grail of reds, price tag be damned.

2. Yolaine Paris Mousse de Rouge

• Shade: Garance

I reviewed the Yolaine Paris line in full and found this shade to be the perfect “French” red. It’s not shiny, über-bright or garish, like the red you might conjure up in your mind when you picture Gwen Stefani’s smacker, but more of a deep, moody red that looks like actual velvet. Better yet, it feels like velvet (hence the “mousse”). Housed in a paint-like tube, it’s best smoothed across your lips with the brand’s chic little retractable lip brush. (How much more old school glam can it get?).

3. Violette_FR Petal Bouche Matte Lipstick

• Shade: Amour Fou

I’ve been following Violette Serrat’s Instagram long enough to know that she often sets out to recreate colors she sees in real life through her (highly underrated) product line, Violette_FR. For her Petal Bouche Matte, her inspiration was a red rose, and honestly? She came pretty damn close. This cool red hue has a blue undertone that’s reminiscent of the underside of an actual rose petal and the pigment to match. On my lips, it reads like a dark pink (I’m wearing it in the top left photo above), which is a nice change of pace from the classic in-your-face cherry red and looks way better on my ultra-cool skin. It can be a little messy (I definitely recommend using a lip liner with this one), and you’ll leave a few lip prints behind, but it’s worth it for the color payoff.

4. Olivia Palermo Beauty Matte Lipstick

• Shade: Runway Red

This is definitely in my top five for an everyday red. The only reason it’s not top three? It’s not *quite* as luxurious as the Chanel and Yolaine, nor as pigmented as the Violette_FR, and I’m a sucker for a good pop of color. That said, it’s rich while gliding on, and the cool red berry hue seems to be flattering no matter what I’m wearing. I’m also a big fan of the weighty gold tube that makes it feel like it’s worth its near $40 price tag.

5. Glossier G-Suite

• Shade: Jet

This can only be described as “creamy.” It’s not shiny, but not uncomfortably matte, either—more feathery, I would say. making for one of my favorite lip textures of all time. The lipgloss-like applicator glides on nice and smooth, filling in lip lines with its rose wax silica, which I can confirm delivers on the company’s claims to deliver a blurring effect. Though it’s purported to be a “true-blue red,” it borders on a dark bright pink, making it another good alternate to a classic scarlet. My one qualm is that the tube is on the smaller side and seems to go quickly, making its $22 a pop price tag less reasonable than it seems.

6. Revlon Super Lustrous Lipstick

• Shade: Uncut Ruby

Revlon released its Super Lustrous holiday line last winter, and it took TikTok all of two seconds to hop on one shade in particular—Uncut Ruby. The hype is warranted: For less than $10, you get a super pretty cherry hue that feels surprisingly great on. While most budget brands are drying or rough, this one actually feels quite nourishing. Its secret? Avocado oil and vitamin E, both of which contribute to its ultra-moisturizing formula.

7. MAC Retro Matte Lipstick

• Shade: Ruby Woo

As any good Swiftie knows, this has long been Taylor Swift’s red of choice, and I’m ashamed to say I actually haven’t tried it. *Cringe.* Despite the fact that they smell delicious (like cupcakes!), MAC lipsticks have never particularly impressed me. The texture, shades and staying power have always struck me as “OK” at best. Still, I can’t ignore the fact that this color is reportedly beloved by everyone from Taylor and Angelina Jolie to Tracee Ellis Ross. It’s a matte, which means it’s more likely to stay put (always a good thing when dealing with a potentially messy color, like red), and experts say this one is more of a neutral that can flatter all skin tones despite its blue undertones.

8. Nars Powermatte Liptick

• Shade: Dragon Girl

All it took to pique my interest in this powerhouse hue was a nod to the fashion girlies of the 2010s by Refinery 29. I suspect most will be far more interested to know that (guess who?) Taylor Swift is also a fan, however. Described by the brand as a “vivid siren red,” it’s on the cooler side, though Refinery claims it’s a stunner on just about anyone—a theory I’m excited to test! While it’s typically worn in pencil form (NARS pencils are chubby enough to fill in the whole lip), it also comes in this matte stick in case you’re more of a traditionalist. And even if you’re not, the pencil is sold out, so this will have to do.

9. Pat McGrath Liquilust Lipstick

• Shade: Elson 4

If you’ve seen Swift’s “Bejeweled” video, you’re already familiar with Pat McGrath’s LiquiLUST Elson 4. It’s the exact shade of romance she was spotted in throughout the clip (which explains why it’s permanently sold out). While I can’t speak to its wear, Mother McGrath claims it’ll stay put for up to 12 hours with nary a smudge—and if Taylor trusts her works of art to it, I’d be willing to guess that’s not an inaccurate assessment. Naturally, it’s also rumored to be velvety smooth.

10. Ilia Color Block Lipstick

• Shade: True Red

Ilia is perhaps most famous for its Super Skin Tint serum (which, might I add, is very good, if a little heavy on the sunscreen), or, more recently, its blush, as seen on Natalie Portman and Julianne Moore in May December in Tenderly (also good). While I haven’t tried its lipstick, it seems to be another hit for the company with more than 50 5-star reviews from shoppers who say it’s “gorgeous, luscious and hydrating.” It’s also chock-full of castor and apricot seed oil (for softness and elasticity), plus mango seed butter that’s supposed to help plump your pucker up. It’s also vegan-friendly.

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Best Warm Red Lipstick

11. Yolaine Paris Mousse de Rouge

• Shade: Tulipe

This is my favorite warm red of the moment. Though it goes against the rule that cool-skinned women will look best in cool lipstick shades — this is about as warm as it gets and looks great on my ultra-white skin — it provides such a gorgeous red-orange pop I find myself reaching for it over just about any color I own. It has the same velvety texture as the brand’s Garance tint, albeit with a far more bolder effect, and it has decent staying power, too.

12. Gucci Lipstick

• Shade: Goldie Red

This vegan pick is every bit as luxe as you’d expect a Gucci lipstick to be. A highly flattering shade of orange-y red (even for the cool-toned, as I can attest, having tried it via a magazine sample), It’s hydrating without being too shiny and has a nice, mid-weight texture. While I didn’t notice it, there’s reportedly an extra touch of luxury courtesy of its subtle scent. (Peonies and freesia, dahlings.)

13. Meloway Hi-Rise Matte Lipstick

• Shade: New York Sunset

If I was judging based on the color alone, this would be at the very top of my warm red lipstick list: Its orangey-red hue is traffic-stopping gorgeous. (I’m wearing it here.) I’m also a huge fan of the innovating packaging. Unlike a typical lipstick case, which requires you to take the top off to apply it, this one’s built-in lid opens with a twist of the fingers. (Seriously — you can open it and put it on with one hand, which comes in clutch while driving.) It’s also vegan and cruelty-free. The one and only drawback — and it’s a big one — is that it’s one of the most drying lipsticks I’ve tried — my boyfriend actually commented on how parched my lips felt after kissing me in it. Paired with a dab of high-quality clear gloss, like Marin’s lip treatment ($20), however, it’s an absolute dream.

14. Kylie Cosmetics Matte Lip Kit

• Shade: Boss

I’m unsure exactly how to describe this shade. Though it leans toward orange, there’s also a hint of pink. The result is a bright, commanding shade that’s easily one of my favorite warm reds. The color payoff—and staying power—is unrivaled. That said, it’s not exactly the most comfortable wear. This thing is matte to the point of being drying, but for its kiss-proof vibrant color, it’s a minor inconvenience I’m willing to endure.  It’s currently sold out, but it’s worth the wait.

15. Trinny London Lip2Cheek

• Shade: Rossy

This potted pick is a great example of a shade that looks better on some than others. While it’s absolutely gorgeous on Trinny London founder Trinny Woodall—and I suspect most with warm skin tones—it’s just OK on me. A brickish tint, it’s a bit on the dry side, but it comes in a pot that can conveniently be connected to other potted Trinny London products, making it great for for travel. It’s definitely one you’ll want to apply with a brush, however, as it’s quite messy on your finger.

16. Sephora Collection Cream Lip Stain Liquid Lipstick

• Shade: Always Red

Makeup guru Violette Serrat was serving up French girl beauty inspo long before she had her own makeup line—which means she once used other products. And as she told Glamour in 2016, one of her favorite shades for a classic red lip was this affordable beauty store find, with Serrat calling it her “new crush.” “The red is so intense, the texture is absolutely matte and it stays on all day (and all night!). I am obsessed!” she said. According to Serrat, it’s also perfect for olive-skinned girls like her. “Bright reds wake up my face. They help a lot when I’m tired!”

17. Christian Louboutin Rouge Louboutin Velvet Matte Lipstick

• Shade: Diva Fire

Truthfully, there’s not much I know about this lipstick other than the fact that it’s packaged in the most striking tube I’ve ever seen, which is good enough for me. While the $100 price tag has long kept me from pulling the trigger on it (I can’t imagine it being life-changing enough to warrant it), this orange-based color does appear to pack a punch. While it’s “ultra-velvety” texture is reported to last for six hours, its real draw is the hyaluronic acid and vitamin B5 found within that Louboutin claims will keep your pucker hydrated for an extra six hours after the color has faded away.

18. RMS Wild With Desire Lipstick

• Shade: RMS Red

Forget the name—RMS Red borders on orange. It’s also a staple of Miranda Kerr’s. (You know, the Victoria’s Secret angel who replaced Gisele Bündchen.) “I like RMS Red because it’s from a natural brand that uses just organic ingredients. It’s] so bright and almost an orange-red, which I like,” she told InStyle in 2022.

While it’s not a great match for my Casper-worthy complexion—I feel like it washes me out, if anything, and it’s also a little dryer than I’d like, particularly for a natural beauty product.—it looks beautiful on the supermodel, who has been called a “neutral.”

19. Charlotte Tilbury Hot Lips Lipstick

• Shade: Tell Laura

For warm-skinned gals looking for a lipstick with real “wow” factor, there’s Charlotte Tilbury’s Tell Laura.Though it borders more on orange than red, there’s still a hint of warm cardinal red underneath. Made in Italy, it has “light-diffusing pigments” that are designed to make the color look more dimensional. The brand claims it also has antioxidant ingredients that can help prevent UV damage. Not bad for $35 bones!

20. Christian Dior Diorific Lipstick

• Shade: Dolce Vita

Long before Swift made a red lippie her signature, Dita Von Teese was reigning on high as the undisputed queen of the red lip. (Still is—peep that “Bejeweled” video again.) And naturally, only a luxury brand like Christian Dior is fit for royalty. Dita, who was once quoted as saying she had “an entire drawer” in her vanity for red lipsticks, told Vogue that she counts the brand’s Dolce Vita, which has a gorgeous geometric tube—something else the burlesque star has an affinity for—among them. It’s a matte, of course—a performer like Dita needs her lip color to stay, after all—and it’s said to feature subtle hints of orange and copper.

What’s your favorite red lipstick shade? Let me know in the comments below.

Xo, Nicole