Christmas is NEXT WEEK, people – LOOK ALIVE. 😉 Things are less than merry and bright around Philly the last few days since it’s been a dreary grey mess of freezing rain outside, but that doesn’t mean you can’t cheer things up inside with your own Christmas spirit. I’ve always believed that sometimes the right swipe of lipstick can work some serious magic, in just livening up your mood and making you feel more put-together and confident no matter the season and for whatever reason. It’s the smallest gamechanger with real impact, so I’m all for a good lippy! I shared some kiss-proof lipsticks a few years back to make it through the mistletoe, but it was high time to focus on some classic reds for every Christmas party on your calendar this year. This roundup is of the best red lipsticks in my makeup bag – with six of my personal favorite formulas especially apropos for the holiday season. There’s a mix of regular lipsticks + liquid lipsticks, but each has had a place in my collection for years at this point (of course, trading them out for new tubes when necessary because stuff expires, people!). There’s ALSO a mix of drugstore/higher end – exactly half and half! – because I don’t think you have to always break the bank to get good makeup. There are DEFINITELY good affordable options out there, even for the best red lipsticks ever, so hopefully this list helps find you a new favorite formula, too.
BEST RED LIPSTICKS:
You’ve only heard me mention these lip crayons a few too many times by now – #CantStopWontStop. They apply easily + smoothly, almost like a lip balm, and the pointed tip lends itself to good control – especially around edges. But these bad boys LAST. I got Katie hooked, too, and the two of us ware always commenting on the fact that these last ALL DAY LONG on and still have pigment even after eating/drinking. Also they’re drugstore, so not only are they in the best red lipstick category, but just best lipstick in GENERAL AND they’re affordable.
One of my favorite formulas since I first tried it a years ago – a FABULOUS drugstore option under $10! They’re called “Healthy Lip” because of what’s inside: avocado oil, Vitamins A & E, hyaluronic acid, AND anti-aging peptides. So truly good for your lips and won’t dry you out, even though it’s a liquid lipstick. Bless up.
Urban Decay’s VICE lipstick formulas have long been one of my personal favorites – and my mom’s, too! My mom keeps this shade in her bag and uses as a literal lip balm, because it’s the perfect everyday shade with a HINT of color for your lips but has so much good stuff inside, too. It’s another formula packed with fabulousness: Vitamin C & E for antioxidants, aloe vera, jojoba, avocado, + babassu oils for nourishment, Malaysian illipe butter for long-lasting moisture, AND Urban Decy’s Pigment Infusion System that perfectly blends together the super-creamy textures from all of the above butters without sacrificing color stay.
Cloud Lips was a new-to-me formula, and LAQA & Co. was a new-to-me brand! It’s a matte lipstick formula that still feels soft + non-drying, which I lovelovelove. Truly feels like a super-pigmented lip balm! It actually has avocado oil inside, so it won’t dry you out, and the formula is vegan, cruelty-free, paraben-free, + gluten-free. This shade – Sunshower – isn’t a “true” red…it’s got pinkier tones to it, FYI. BUT, if you want and/or like that, it’s perfect!
Ruby Woo is probably my all-time favorite red. It’s a matte formula with bluer undertones, which help make your smile look whiter! Classic matte that does not budge. I wear this shade SO often.
Another drugstore favorite here! Unfortunately the exact shade I’m wearing, Real Red, is MIA everywhere online – keep an eye out at Target for it! My guess is it’s selling out BECAUSE it’s one of the bed red lipsticks at the drugstore especially, so everyone caught wind. 😉 But it’s the shade I’m wearing in these pictures, too!
I was just recently introduced to Lucky Chick through a PR package, and I’ve been really digging the Lip Laquer formulas! The brand is vegan + cruelty-free and paraben-free. And the formula has pretty cool ingredients inside: coffee oil to prevent dehydration, rosehip seed oil to fight fine lines, + jojoba oil to lock in moisture! It’s more like a gloss in texture since it doesn’t dry matte, so it’s a bit of a different option if you’re not into mattes!
I DID have another favorite formula lined up for my personal best red lipsticks, but I literally just found out the line is discontinued and I’m SO SAD ABOUT IT. Urban Decay Vice Liquid Lipsticks, may you RIP.
What the best red lipsticks you’ve ever tried, and which of my favorites are you adding to your makeup bag?
Let me know if you pick up any of my personal faves – lovelovelove hearing when my favorites become yours, too! 🙂
