A bold red lipstick is a timeless classic that can be paired with many different makeup styles. It’s also a well-known beauty trick for looking polished on the fly — swipe on a bit of rouge, et voilà, no one will even suspect you popped out of bed ten minutes ago. Read ahead to learn how you can find your perfect shade of red lipstick with guidance and pro tips from the experts at Lancôme.
How Makeup Artists Choose Red Lipstick
When selecting the best red lipstick for you, we tapped our National Makeup Artist, Jasmine Ferreira for her expert advice. “Match the undertone of the lipstick to your skin’s undertone. Cool with cool. Warm with warm. Cool tones have more of a blue base and warm tones have more of an orangey-red base. For neutral skin tones, true reds work best, which are a mix of both blue and orange red.” – Jasmine Ferreira. Red lipstick can look great on anyone, you just need to find the right rouge for your skin tone. Here’s a quick guide:
- Red Lipstick for fair skin tones, try: Cool red or berry shades with blue undertones
- Red lipstick for medium or olive skin tones, try: red lipstick with orange or coral undertones
- Red lipstick for darker skin tones, try: Cool or warm red lipstick, from true cherry-red to deep berry
How to Choose the Best Red Lipstick for Fair Skin
Also referred to as blue reds, cool reds won’t clash with the cool undertones that are common in those with fair skin — so as not to look shocking or bring out imperfections. Fairer skin types can often show more redness in the skin so it’s a good idea to even out your skin tone with a fuller coverage foundation. Fair skin can go for a more muted red lipstick shade as there is already contrast against the skin -- but it’s also able to pull off a super bright red lipstick shade without any hassle. Try L’Absolu Rouge Cream Lipstick in 148 Bisou Bisou for a cool ruby red shade or go bold with 132 Caprice De Rouge, a cool fiery red. For a soft matte finish, try L'Absolu Rouge Intimatte’s blue-red shades, like 525 French Bisou, a cool strawberry red, or 130 Peau Contre Peau, a cool bright red.
MUA Tip: Wearing red lipstick with a blue base can make your teeth look whiter!
L'absolu Rouge Cream Lipstick
18 HR Comfort & Cream Finish
L'absolu Rouge Cream Lipstick
18 HR Comfort & Cream Finish
L'ABSOLU ROUGE INTIMATTE SOFT MATTE LIPSTICK
Up to 12 HR comfort & soft-matte finish
L'ABSOLU ROUGE INTIMATTE SOFT MATTE LIPSTICK
Up to 12 HR comfort & soft-matte finish
How to Choose the Best Red Lipstick for Medium or Olive Skin
For a medium skin tone or olive skin tone, it’s recommended that you lean towards red lipsticks that are warmer, with hues of orange in them, like coral shades. This range of skin tones tends to have more warmth in their undertones, so any red lipstick with orange, yellow, or even gold is fair game. L’Absolu Rouge Drama Matte Lipstick in 505 Attrape Coeur is a warm scarlet red that could be perfect for you. For a more orange-toned red lipstick, try the shade 196 French Touch a warm orange red available in both a cream and matte finish. If you have medium skin with neutral undertones, a cool brick red like L’Absolu Rouge Cream Lipstick in 888 French Idol, could be your perfect shade.
L'absolu Rouge Cream Lipstick
18 HR Comfort & Cream Finish
L'ABSOLU ROUGE INTIMATTE SOFT MATTE LIPSTICK
Up to 12 HR comfort & soft-matte finish
L'absolu Rouge Cream Lipstick
18 HR Comfort & Cream Finish
How to Choose the Best Red Lipstick for Deep Skin
The sky is the limit for those with deep skin tones. “You can wear such a range of reds from true cherry to fiery reds, to berry shades” explains Jasmine Ferreira. This means you can choose either a red lipstick with warm undertones or a red lipstick with cool undertones. A true red lipstick is a staple pick, although you can easily play with intense reds, berry shades, purple and wine reds, and even chocolate brown reds. Below are just some of our top picks:
- L’Absolu Rouge Cream Lipstick in shade 118 French Cœur is a warm reddish-brown shade.
- L’Absolu Rouge Drama Matte Lipstick in shade 507 Boom Badaboom is a cool berry red.
- L’Absolu Rouge Intimatte Soft Matte Lipstick in shade 282 Tout Doux is a warm pinky brick shade.
For a showstopping look, opt for a bright red shade, like L’Absolu Rouge Intimatte Soft Matte Lipstick in shade 130 Peu Contre Peu, which contrasts with deep skin to make a red lip really pop.
MUA Tip: With our recommendations based on skin tone, keep in mind that there are no rules when it comes to selecting your preferred red lipstick shade!
L'absolu Rouge Cream Lipstick
18 HR Comfort & Cream Finish
L'ABSOLU ROUGE INTIMATTE SOFT MATTE LIPSTICK
Up to 12 HR comfort & soft-matte finish
L'ABSOLU ROUGE INTIMATTE SOFT MATTE LIPSTICK
Up to 12 HR comfort & soft-matte finish
How to Choose a Red Lipstick Finish
Once you’ve found the most flattering shade of red for your skin tone, it’s time to choose your finish, as there are sheer, cream, and red matte lipsticks out there. To find your match, consider your lifestyle and what you’ll be doing while wearing your most flattering shade of red lipstick.
Glossy Finish Red Lip: If you’re searching for a red lip that isn’t too bold, try a red lip gloss like Lancôme L’Absolu Lacquer Gloss in Be Brilliant which tends to be the most forgiving and low-maintenance. However, you may have to reapply it if you want to keep the color looking fresh. A red lip gloss is a great way to add shine and gloss to the lips and is perfect if you’re not quite a fan of a super bold red lip. You can easily customize between a sheer red lip gloss or a high shine red lip with vivid color payoff as the formula is buildable from sheer to full coverage in 1-2-3 coats.
Cream Finish Red Lipstick: If you like a classic cream finish lipstick our L’Absolu Rouge Cream Lipstick is the answer — enriched with a 30% moisturizing rose balm this creamy lipstick provides up to 18 hours of comfort and up to 8 hours of hydration with a luminous cream finish and silky feel. Despite having an ultra-creamy texture the lipstick sets a smudge resistant lip color with no bleeding into the lip line so it’s ideal if you love a cream lipstick and are looking for a luxurious red lip that feels comfortable and has a hint of shine it’s the ideal red lipstick formula for you.
Matte Finish Red Lipstick: If you know you won’t have time for touch-ups, the upside of matte lipsticks is that they tend to adhere well to lips — versus super-shiny glosses, satin finishes, and sheer tints — so they’ll last all day (though you may have to check for smudges). And while they have a reputation for being a little drying, that’s not the case with our lipstick. Take the L'Absolu Rouge Drama Matte Lipsticks. These matte, velvety texture lipsticks with hyaluronic acid and grand rose extracts moisturize lips and do not smudge, meaning they go on your lips and stay put. Powdered by pure pigments for intense bold color in just one swipe and leaving lips with a vibrant matte finish they’re perfect for creating a bold matte red lip.
If you love the look of a classic powdery matte finish and an almost soft blurred lip effect try our L’Absolu Rouge Intimatte Lipsticks which provide soft matte color in one swipe. Enriched with ceramides and grand rose extracts the lipstick formula is buildable, lightweight, comfortable and glides effortlessly onto lips and provides comfort for up to 12 hours.
If you prefer to use a red liquid lipstick – try L’Absolu Rouge Drama Ink Matte Liquid Lipstick. With a gorgeous matte finish our liquid lipstick has a different composition and formula than a classic bullet lipstick It’s lightweight and non-drying yet long lasting and delivers lipstick color formulated to look twice as pigmented after it sets. Best of all you can forget the lip liner as the patented applicator ensures ultimate precision so you can create a perfectly sharp edge and finish to your red lipstick. All-in-all it’s perfect for creating a matte red lip – the high pigment formula ensures maximum impact and you’re left with a luxurious semi-matte finish that doesn’t bleed or feather.
How to Apply Red Lipstick
To apply red lipstick, first make sure lips are hydrated. Next, line your lips with a red lip pencil which can serve as a lip primer of sorts. You can also use a touch of concealer or foundation to prime the lips. Then, apply lipstick in a matching shade, or whichever lip combo you choose, directly from the tube. In this order, you’ll get the most definition and intensity. For a more natural look, apply your red lipstick first and then blend lip liner into your lips.
MUA Tip: Separate a tissue into two thin sheets, holding just one against your lips, and dusting translucent powder over the top. Not only will this set your lipstick, but it can also turn any lipstick into a matte lipstick too!
Tips to Pair Makeup with Red Lipstick
Since a red lip draws all the attention to the face, pair it with a buildable foundation like Teint Idole Ultra 24H Long Wear Foundation to ensure that your skin looks flawless and matte. And while you should always feel free to wear as much makeup as you want, consider scaling back your eye makeup to mascara and eyeliner to keep the spotlight on your red lipstick.
Still Looking for the Best Lipstick Shades for You?
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