How to Choose the Best Red Lipstick for Your Skin Tone

Red lipstick is like the little black dress of lip makeup—everyone should own at least one (or five) that sends their confidence through the roof. The timeless staple effortlessly elevates any look and works with almost every vibe: It can instantly dress up jeans and a T-shirt, transform any makeup look into a soft vision, and add a touch of drama to your visage on girls’ night out.

Yet, not all red lipstick colors are created equally. For instance, that dark red lipstick you got from a friend may not actually suit you—even if it looks amazing on your pal. The secret to picking out your signature red is to let your skin be the guide and to play around with different finishes and shades until you find your perfect match. Below, we break down how to choose the best red lipstick for your skin tone. We’re also sharing 24 of our favorite red lipsticks to shop now, so you’ll want to keep scrolling.

How to Find the Perfect Red Lipstick

If you’ve been struggling to find the most flattering red lipstick, we’re here to help. Your skin tone matters, but your undertones are also key for choosing a shade that enhances your glow instead of washing you out.

Understanding skin undertones

Your skin tone is the color of the outermost layer of your skin, and this can change due to sun exposure or other external factors. Your undertone, meanwhile, is the constant, unvarying hue (warm, cool, or neutral) that lies beneath the surface. To help you determine your undertone, flip over your wrist and examine the veins inside: If they appear bluish, you may have cool (pink or red) undertones. If your veins have more of a greenish tint, you may have warm (yellow or golden) undertones. If you can’t tell or are somewhere in the middle, you may very well have neutral (a mix of warm and cool) undertones. 

Another way to pinpoint your undertones is with the jewelry test: You likely have warm undertones if gold looks best against your skin. That’s in contrast to silver jewelry, which typically looks more striking paired with cool undertones. If both metals look equally good, chances are good your undertones are neutral.

Now, you may wonder what role your undertones play in finding the prettiest red lipstick. The answer is simple: Matching like with like (i.e., cool undertones with cool-toned lipsticks) generally yields the most flattering result. For example, those with cool undertones usually look best in blue-red lipstick, while orange-red lippies tend to complement those with warmer undertones. Anyone with neutral undertones, on the other hand, gets the best of both worlds, meaning both orange- and blue-based reds will look beautiful on their pout.

As for what finish of red lipstick to choose, it’s all about personal preference: Shimmery formulas add a touch of glam to your look, glossy options can make your lips appear visibly fuller, and matte products are perfect for all-day (or night) wear. When in doubt, consider the occasion you’ll be rocking your red lipstick look for and tailor your makeup accordingly.

Our Best Red Lipsticks For Every Skin Tone

Ready to add the perfect red lipstick to your makeup repertoire? Here are a handful of gorgeous options—from fire-engine reds to bewitching burgundies—to shop from L’Oréal Paris.

Our Best Red Lipsticks For Fair Skin Tones

Fair-skinned beauties often shy away from red lipstick, fearing it might be too bold. But trust us—these four shades prove it can be a match made in makeup heaven.

L’Oréal Paris Colour Riche Satin Lipstick in British Red

Calling all cool-toned lipstick lovers: Reach for this blue-red lipstick to rock a traditional, bright red lip like never before. Its creamy formula, which contains nourishing ingredients like vitamin E and argan oil, gives your lips intense hydration. Not to mention, blue tones are known to help make your teeth look whiter.

L'Oréal Paris Les Nus by Colour Riche Intense Nude Lipstick in Nu Artistique

You can rock a bold lipstick without opting for a classic red shade. Case in point: A purplish berry shade lets you embrace the drama of red lips while giving off a softer vibe. The darker color suits those with cool undertones and is especially elegant for more formal events. Bonus: This formula is long-lasting, smudge-proof, and unbelievably comfortable to wear. 

L’Oréal Paris Colour Riche Satin Lipstick in Volcanic

If you have warm undertones, this one is for you. This bright orange-red lipstick is a must-have for anyone who wants to spice things up but still flaunt a classic look. Just one swipe will add a wow factor you never knew you were missing.

L’Oréal Paris Colour Riche Reds Of Worth Satin Lipstick With Saturated Color in Lovely Red

For a hot color that stuns, look no further than this vivid red. It has an ultra-nourishing formula that makes your lips the focus of any look and leaves your pout feeling kissably soft all day. Best of all, the lippie is incredibly long-lasting and smudge-proof, too. (This shade is also called #186, pictured below alongside other Reds of Worth hues.)

Our Best Red Lipsticks For Light Skin Tones

If your skin leans light, you may think red lipstick is too overpowering. But think again! There are plenty of options for your skin tone, and to prove it, we’ve rounded up our favorite red lipstick shades for playing up paler complexions.

L’Oréal Paris Colour Riche Satin Lipstick in Classic Wine

There’s no need to be intimidated by a sultry scarlet shade. To flatter a light skin tone, try a slightly deeper option like this wine-inspired hue, which will complement cool undertones best. The hydrating, argan oil-infused formula will nourish your lips while giving you a luxuriously rich color you can’t tear your eyes away from. 

L’Oréal Paris Colour Riche Intense Volume Matte Lipstick in Le Coral Gracious 

Step out of your lipstick comfort zone with a statement-making orangey red, an especially flattering color for those with warm or neutral undertones. This long-lasting matte formula never looks flat or dry and will feel so light on your lips that you’ll barely remember it’s there.

L’Oréal Paris Colour Riche Satin Lipstick in Raspberry Rush

A must-have addition to your warm-toned makeup arsenal, this pink-red lipstick coats your pout in luxurious, bright color. The beautiful berry base is sure to make your lips pop in your next Instagram selfie. .

L’Oréal Paris Les Nus by Colour Riche Intense Nude Lipstick in Nu Insouciant

Another hue we can’t get enough of is this vivid magenta lippie. While technically considered a dark nude, this lipstick definitely delivers a blast of red, making your lips the instant star of your glam.

Our Best Red Lipsticks For Medium Skin Tones

When you fall in the middle of light and dark, it can feel like finding an “it” red shade for you is that much more challenging. Luckily, however, there’s a world of reds vying for your attention, starting with these stunners.

L’Oréal Paris Colour Riche Satin Lipstick in Le Rouge Paris

Prepare to turn heads in this rich, classic red lipstick, ideal for anyone with warm or neutral undertones. The pigmented formula keeps lips soft and moisturized while delivering a stunning, vibrant hue that contrasts beautifully with medium skin tones. (We’d be remiss not to call out that this shade looks great on a wide range of skin tones, not just medium skin. Check out the lip swatches below to see for yourself.) 

L’Oréal Paris Colour Riche Satin Lipstick in Ruby Flame

Elevate your glam game with this captivating red lipstick that boasts traces of cool blue—perfectly suited for those with matching cool undertones. You won’t have to worry about a dry pout either, as it provides luxurious color while conditioning your lips.

L’Oréal Paris Infallible Matte Resistance Liquid Lipstick in French Kiss

Change things up with a blood-red lip color that’s slightly brighter than your traditional red hues. Best for those with cool undertones, this liquid lipstick delivers a shocking pop of color with a comfy, velvety feel that lasts for up to 16 hours.

L’Oréal Paris Glow Paradise Lip Balm-in-Lipstick with Pomegranate Extract in Ecstatic Mulberry

A buildable red lipstick that's also perfect for everyday wear? Sign us up. This sangria berry color is unbelievably flattering on warmer undertones and looks especially gorgeous with a neutral makeup look. Bonus: After four weeks of continued use, the cushiony formula helps make bare lips feel smoother.

Our Best Red Lipsticks For Olive Skin Tones

Olive-toned skin gives you the freedom to explore bold reds with confidence. Check out these striking shades that will make a daring statement.

L’Oréal Paris Les Nus by Colour Riche Intense Nude Lipstick in Nu Irrevent 

If you think that you can’t pull off red lips, this offering will make you a believer. Give red lipstick another chance with this coral-tinted rouge that’s sure to look red-hot on those with warm undertones. 

L’Oréal Paris Infallible Matte Resistance Liquid Lipstick in Wine Not

Finally, a deep purplish-red hue that’s practically made for you and your skin tone. This liquid matte lipstick offers bold, beautiful color in one swipe and has a hydrating formula infused with hyaluronic acid.

L'Oréal Paris Colour Riche Reds of Worth Satin Lipstick with Saturated Color in Hopeful Red

Maybe a classic bright red isn’t your jam, and that’s okay. For something that’s not quite as vivid, try a deeper color like this burgundy. It provides rich color and plenty of moisture (the formula stars argan oil and vitamin E).

L’Oréal Paris Colour Riche Satin Lipstick in Blazing Lava

Dark red lip hues are among the best red lip colors for olive skin tones with cool undertones. And a satin lipstick, like this one, is perfect for giving your pout some subtle shine.

Our Best Red Lipsticks For Dark Skin Tones

Dark skin tones shine brightest with rich, intense reds like deep scarlet and fiery crimson. The below lipsticks take the cake as some of our most flattering red lipsticks for dark skin tones.

L'Oréal Paris Colour Riche Reds of Worth Satin Lipstick with Saturated Color in Respected Red

This fusion of warm brick red and cool magenta enhances the richness of a deeper complexion while making your lips the focal point of your makeup look. 

L’Oréal Paris Colour Riche Intense Volume Matte Lipstick in Le Rouge Avant-Garde 

Prepare to be enamored by this rich and vivid red. An absolute must for matte lipstick lovers, this lipstick offers bleed- and feather-free wear and is sure to become your favorite in no time. 

L’Oréal Paris Colour Riche Satin Lipstick in Divine Wine

Just as its shade name suggests, this dark, purple-red color is just as pleasing as drinking a glass of Bordeaux after a tough day. Not only will it look seriously gorgeous against a deep skin tone with cool undertones, but it also adds ultra-hydrating color to lips with just one swipe.

L’Oréal Paris Les Nus by Colour Riche Intense Nude Lipstick in Nu Exuberant

Meet your new favorite berry lipstick. It's a super bold hue, yet it looks subdued and flattering at the same time. Not to mention, the formula is so soft and creamy, you’ll forget you even have lipstick on. 

Our Best Red Lipsticks For All Skin Tones

While picking a lipstick based on your skin tone (and undertone) is a smart way to find a customized color match, plenty of shades of red are universally flattering. Consider adding one (or all) of them to your makeup collection in addition to our aforementioned suggestions.

L’Oréal Paris Colour Riche Satin Lipstick in Red Passion

If you’re a sucker for classic, true reds, make sure to get your hands on this eye-catching hue. The rich pigment glides on smoothly to create a gorgeous lip look.

L’Oréal Paris Colour Riche Satin Lipstick in Cinnamon Toast

Hey, true reds aren’t for everyone, but that doesn’t mean you can’t still get in on this go-to look. Instead of rocking a bright scarlet, consider trying this dustier color, which blends red, nude, and brown hues for a more muted red lip.

L’Oréal Paris Colour Riche Reds Of Worth Satin Lipstick With Saturated Color in Prosperous Red

There’s nothing like applying a good ol’ fashioned creamy lipstick! Add this classic red lippie to your collection and score a picture-perfect pout anytime. 

L’Oréal Paris Les Nus by Colour Riche Intense Nude Lipstick in Nu Extreme

Wear this deep hue, and you’ll capture everyone’s attention in seconds. A must during the cooler months, this brick-red lipstick adds rich color to your pout and contains a nourishing formula that hugs your lips with comfortable all-day wear.

How to Apply Red Lipstick in 3 Easy Steps

Determining which red lipstick best complements your skin—and finding it in your favorite finish—is only half the battle. Properly applying your red lipstick is equally as important. Follow these steps to do it right every time.

Step 1. Prep your pout

Applying lipstick on dry, flaky lips can make your color appear clumpy and uneven. The fix: exfoliation. Use a gentle lip scrub to help slough off dead skin cells on your lips’ surface. If you don’t have a scrub on standby, you can also gently rub your lips with a damp terrycloth towel to buff away flakes.

Step 2. Prime your lips

After exfoliating, swipe on your go-to hydrating lip balm to keep your lips soft and smooth. If you want to take things a step further, reach for a dedicated lip primer. These formulas help lock in color and stop feathering in its tracks (a must for those bold reds).

Step 3: Line your lips

Next, use a lip liner to trace the natural contours of your lips, which can help keep lipstick bleeds at bay. For best results, try matching the finish of your lip liner with your chosen red lipstick (like matte, liquid, or satin). This way, you can avoid having opposing textures, which can cause your lipstick to feather or clump.

If you’re in the market for a new liner, we’re partial to the L’Oréal Paris Colour Riche No Feather Creamy Lip Liner. It’s available in 16 rich shades to complement a variety of red lipstick looks.

Editor’s tip: Fake the appearance of fuller lips by overlining them with your lip liner. Get the how-to on this hack—and discover a few more ways to achieve a plump-looking pout—in our article, 7 Ways to Make Lips Look Fuller.

Step 4. Apply your red lipstick

Now, here’s where the magic happens: Pick up your red lipstick and smooth it onto your lips, working from the middle of your lip out to each corner. If you’re working with a lipstick bullet, you can either apply it directly to your lips or use a lip brush to slowly build the color. Liquid lipsticks, on the other hand, typically have built-in doe-foot applicators you can use to apply the product. 

Don’t forget to blot for long-lasting color, and check your teeth in the mirror to remove any transfer. Then, get ready to command attention wherever your day takes you.

Next Up: Tips For a Perfect Red Lipstick Application

Photo courtesy of L’Oréal Paris