The Best Red Lipsticks to Sport for International Women’s Day

Red is a power color, invoking passion and emotion and if it’s a hue that you don’t sport often, International Women’s Day is the perfect occasion to make an exception. Whether you dress  head-to-toe in red or opt for a bright pop of the color to elevate your overall look, you can’t miss out on the opportunity to wear a striking shade of red lipstick. From candy apple hues to vampy burgundy tones and red-pink colors, there is a shade of red lipstick out there to suit everyone. Read on as we share three different ways to put your own spin on a red lip, plus the best red lipsticks to add to your cart for the occasion.

4 Best Red Lipsticks Of All Time

Red lipstick comes in many different shades and finishes. From matte candy apple red hues to satin blue-red and vampy tones, here are some of the best red lipsticks.

L'Oréal Paris Colour Riche Satin Lipstick Limited Edition in Red My Lips

For a true red hue that feels comfortable on the lips, try this limited edition lippie. The satin finish is enriched with argan oil for all-day comfort and all of the proceeds go to Stand Up Against Street Harassment, so you can feel confident while you support a good cause.

L’Oréal Paris Colour Riche Intense Volume Matte Lipstick in Le Rouge Determination

With a slim bullet, this matte lipstick serves as a lip liner and lipstick in one. Le Rouge Determination is a candy apple red shade with intense color payoff and a vibrant finish. It wears for up to 16 hours and the formula is infused with hyaluronic acid to prevent the dry, flaky feel that matte lipstick can sometimes cause.

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

The Reds of Worth come in six vibrant shades ranging from deep crimson to fire truck red. They all share a satin finish that wears comfortably on the lips and saturated color that stays vibrant all day long. If you’re looking for a shade to make your teeth look whiter, try a blue-red shade, like Respected Red.

L’Oréal Paris Colour Riche Matte Lipstick in Devil’s Matte-Vocate

If you prefer a matte finish, this lipstick offers just that, with an unexpected creamy formula that delivers ample hydration. Pair this lipstick with a matte red lip liner, like the L’Oréal Paris Colour Riche Matte Lip Liner in In-Matt-Uated With You to achieve the perfect, ruby pout.

3 Ways to Wear Red Lipstick This International Women’s Day

A swipe of red lipstick is always a timeless look, but here are three ways to rework this classic hue.

Make Your Red Lips Glitter

If red lipstick is your signature look, revamp it for International Women’s Day with a coat of matching glitter. First, line and fill your lips with a red lip liner, like the L’Oréal Paris Colour Riche Lip Liner in Lasting Plum. Then, apply a red lipstick with a shiny finish, like the L’Oréal Paris Colour Riche Shine Lipstick in Glassy Garnet. Then use your index finger to lightly dab fine red glitter (that’s safe for your face of course), over your lipstick. The shiny formula should be tacky enough to make the glitter stick. 

Make Your Red Lips Glassy

Glass lips are glossy lips dialed up a few notches. They look juicy, slick and wet. To get this look, apply lipstick with a satin finish, like the L’Oréal Paris Colour Riche Reds Of Worth Satin Lipstick With Saturated Color in Prosperous Red. Then, take a red lip gloss, like the L’Oréal Paris 8 Hour Pro Lip Gloss, Hydrating Finish in Red Fatale and dab it over your lipstick. Finally, apply a clear gloss, like the L’Oréal Paris Infallible Pro Gloss Plump in Mirror to the center of your lips only. The different layers of gloss will give your lips a wet look that a single swipe of lip gloss can’t.

Make Your Red Lips Blush

Blush lips are a take on a Korean beauty trend — blush nails — which appear like a diffused wash of pink or red color. On the lips, it resembles ombré lipstick or a post-popsicle lip stain. To get the look, apply a matte red lipstick, like the L’Oréal Paris Colour Riche Intense Volume Matte Lipstick in Le Rouge Avant Garde  to the center of your lips only. With a clean lip brush, blend the lipstick in the center of your lips outwards to create a diffused wash of color.

Once you’re happy with the blending, take a sheer lipstick, like the L’Oréal Paris Glow Paradise Balm-in-Lipstick with Pomegranate Extract in Peach Charm and apply it to the center of your lips, rubbing them together to spread the hydrating finish. The goal is not to give your lips a shiny finish, but to add some moisture so they’re comfortable and slightly more natural-looking.

Next: How to Identify Your Lip Shape

Photographer: Chaunte Vaughn