Find your perfect lipstick in time for Valentine's Day
Red lipstick? For Valentine’s Day? Groundbreaking.
Products are chosen independently by our editors. Purchases made through our links may earn us a commission.
If you have yet to find your perfect red lipstick shade, have ye some faith. Whether you want a bright, fiery red that rivals Taylor Swift’s “Red” era or a burnt, brick shade of red like those worn by Marilyn Monroe, there’s a shade for you. From pink-reds that suit cool-toned complexions to orange-reds that pop against warmer skintones, and metallics to mattes, these are 10 popular red shades for you to try out this Valentine’s Day.
1. Mac Cosmetics Retro Matte Lipstick in Ruby Woo
The Mac Cosmetics Retro Matte Lipstick in "Ruby Woo" is a fan-favorite.
If you google search “red lipstick”—err, maybe you did to get here—you’ll undoubtedly call up a photo of Mac Cosmetics’ “Ruby Woo.” The long-wearing, classic red lipstick gives a punch of pigment and dries completely matte.
Get the Retro Matte Lipstick at Mac Cosmetics for $19
2. Wet n Wild Megalast Liquid Catsuit Matte Lipstick in Missy and Fierce
The Wet n Wild Megalast Liquid Catsuit Matte Lipstick is the best liquid lipstick formula we've tested.
For a super-affordable liquid lipstick that’ll last all day, we love the Wet n Wild Megalast Liquid Catsuit. We crowned it our Best Overall because you only need one swipe to get an intense wash of color. It comes in several shades, including a pink-toned, deep red called “Missy and Fierce.”
Get the Wet n Wild Megalast Liquid Catsuit Matte Lipstick at Ulta for $5.49
3. Sephora Cream Lip Stain Liquid Lipstick in Metallic Cherry
The Sephora Cream Lip Stain Liquid Lipstick gives you a shimmery sheen.
Want to add some shimmer to your look? The popular Sephora Cream Lip Stains come in 12 metallic shades, including a cherry red. The formula claims to glide on and transform from a creamy texture into a lightweight stain that lasts for hours without drying the lips or needing touch-ups.
Get the Sephora Cream Lip Stain Liquid Lipstick at Sephora for $15
4. Fenty Beauty by Rihanna Stunna Lip Paint Longwear Fluid Lip Color in Uncensored
The Fenty Beauty by Rihanna Stunna Lip Paint Longwear Fluid Lip Color in Uncensored claims to be universally flattering.
Fenty Beauty is helping us find our perfect lip shade with a “universally flattering” red called “Uncensored.” The “weightless” liquid lipstick dries to a semi-matte finish and claims to be long-wearing.
Get the Fenty Beauty by Rihanna Stunna Lip Paint Longwear Fluid Lip Color at Sephora for $25
5. NYX Soft Matte Lip Cream in Amsterdam
The NYX Professional Makeup Soft Matte Lip Cream has a non-drying matte finish.
If you don’t enjoy liquid lipsticks but aren’t quite a bullet lipstick fan either, the NYX Soft Matte Lip Cream could be your perfect in-between. As the name suggests, the formula is creamy and sits comfortably on the lips even after drying to a matte finish. For a true red, try the shade “Amsterdam.”
Get the NYX Soft Matte Lip Cream at ULTA for $6.50
6. YSL Rouge Volupté Shine Oil-In-Stick Lipstick in Rouge Cape
You can have your bold lip and the nourishment of a balm with this Yves Saint Laurent Rouge Volupté Shine Oil-In-Stick Lipstick.
Want a high-shine lip for your V-day? YSL’s Rouge Volupté Shine Oil-In-Stick conditions the lips with hyaluronic acid and oils, which also leave the color looking shiny. For a unique shade, go with “Rouge Cape,” a muted red described as “blue-rose.”
Get the Yves Saint Laurent Rouge Volupté Shine Oil-In-Stick Lipstick at Sephora for $38
7. Anastasia Beverly Hills Liquid Lipstick in American Doll
The Anastasia Beverly Hills Liquid Lipstick is comfortable to wear and doesn't budge.
For a deeper, slightly berry-toned red, go with Anastasia’s “American Doll.” In our tests, this liquid lipstick won us over because it was comfortable to wear and didn’t budge at all. The applicator is also flexible, making it easier to apply, regardless of your skill level.
Get the Anastasia Beverly Hills Liquid Lipstick at Sephora for $20
8. Maybelline New York Color Sensational Red Lipstick in On Fire Red
The Maybelline New York Color Sensational Satin Lipstick is moisturizing on the lips.
If you’re already a fan of the ultra-popular Maybelline Sensationals lipstick line, you’ll be happy to hear that they have your perfect Valentine shade with “On Fire Red.” The classic bullet lipstick is creamy and moisturizing with shea butter, and it dries to a satin finish to keep your lips looking smooth.
Get the Maybelline New York Color Sensational Satin Lipstick on Amazon for $5.64
9. Pat McGrath Labs Lust Lip Gloss in Blood 2
For someone who prefers a juicy gloss, the Pat McGrath Labs Lust Lip Gloss is perfect.
For anyone out there in a committed relationship with lip gloss, your hot date is with Pat McGrath’s Lust Lip Gloss in the “Blood 2,” a deep red shade. The lip gloss claims to never feel sticky with its light-feeling formula and it brings quite the shine.
Get the Pat McGrath Labs Lust Lip Gloss at Sephora for $30
10. Glossier Balm Dotcom in Cherry
It's technically not a lipstick, but Glossier's Balm Dotcom gives you a cherry lip.
Not much of a lipstick person but still want that red-lip, classic thing that Taylor Swift likes? Try Glossier’s Balm Dotcom in the shade “Cherry,” which gives you a subtle hint of color while it moisturizes with castor oil, beeswax, and lanolin.