Have you found your perfect red lipstick?
Have you found your perfect red lipstick?
- Nope, still looking! (63%, 1,313 Votes)
- Yes! (You better share what it is in the comments!) (37%, 770 Votes)
Total Voters: 2,083
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MAC Russian Red, Diva, or Deeply Adored from the Marilyn collection.
Suprisingly its Lush’s Million kisses. Its definetely not a lip balm and its not a lip tint,its like lipstick and its amazing. Long wearing beautiful cool toned dark red.
Dare You by MAC. Love it!
OCC’s NSFW
Clinique’s Party Red is my favorite! I have a little sample tube that is sure to run out soon. A close second is OCC’s Lip Tar in NSFW.
Mac Ruby Woo, Tom Ford Cherry Lush & NARS DragonGirl
Ruby Woo
MAC Ruby Woo (I do not mind the texture at all and I find it easy to wear, but then again I do not really like lip gloss or glossy things on my lips!)
Mac Ruffian red,Ruby Woo,Rocker,Deeply Adorned and Nars Red lizard.
Chanel Rouge Allure in Lover. Discontinued, now.
Sigh.
I’m still looking but right now, the fave I have in my collection is Shu Uemura Rouge Unlimited RD 185. It’s a gorgeous red and the formula is very moisturizing. It’s pricey but this is one of those rare times where I actually feel like the higher price is worth it. Just wish Shu Uemura was sold in the US (in retail stores)…it’s a brand I never paid attention to until this year. Now I wish I had a long time ago!
chanel rouge allure in passion!
Chanel Rouge Allure – Rouge Byzantine – I’m so sad it was LE:(
I have two that I use together.
Mac Russian Red and Mufe #46 Satin Bordeaux Red Lipstick
First I line with Brick lipliner by Mac then apply Russian Redlipstick to the entire mouth.
Next I line the corners of my mouth with 10C aqua lip liner for MUFE and fill in the corners of the mouth and pull the color almost 3/4 of the way to the middle of the lip.
Next I apply #46 lipstick to where I apply the 10C and voila!. I have a demensional and highlighted red lip!
No, but I’m not looking for one either! I have a couple of nice reds and a few that don’t look so good on me. I really like to be able to choose between a darker red or a more orange red or a shimmery red or a “real” red!
Medieval Red by Lipstick Queen.
Chanel Rouge Allure Voluptuous (discontinued)
GA 401. Perfection.
Nars Dragon Girl and Chanel Dragon RAL
me too! dragon girl by nars is the best!!!
Yes!!! Revlon’s Fire & Ice
lime crime retrofuturist
NARS jungle red!
Russian red
My perfect red lipstick is Revlon Really Red matte lipstick.
MAC Rooby Woo and because I have such fair skin, Russian Red works great for a darker night time look.
Nope. I don’t even own one red lipstick! I don’t know which one to try first!
MAC Red & Red Racer
I clicked Yes, but I want to add to that “but I still keep buying and looking for more.” In general, though, NYX Snow White is an excellent red!
Haha, same. I find my perfect red all the time, but I CAN’T STOP BUYING MORE! Currently my favourite red lip is MAC Cherry lip liner with Chanel Dragon… although Deeply Adored from the MAC x Marilyn collection is a close second.
Skintone: Very fair (significantly lighter than NC/NW 15) with neutral undertones.
Hair color: Black
Lipstick: Lime Crime’s Retrofuturist! It’s sooooo pretty on with a bit of pink tinge! Revlon’s Fire and Ice is amazing too if you want a true red that can pull a bit stripper-like on lighter hair.
i love Viva Glam IV by MAC. I know it isn’t a true red, but it just brightens up my whole face when i wear it. I always get compliments on it.
Mac Russian Red, and Guerlain Garçonne. Love love love them!
MAC Fire Sign is my perfect red.
Agree! I love that it can be worn sheer and built up to be more opaque as well.
Mac Mac red, guerlain garconne, chanel dragon, chanel passion
Oh and YSL lip stain in #9
Yep! Love this one!
MAC’s Ruby Woo and NYX’s Snow White.
MAC Ruby Woo lined with MAC Redd liner
Illmasqua Howl and MAC’s Russian Red *_*
Chanel Gabrielle, I have mac nc 25-20 skin and love this ( it needs a good blusher to compensate for the paleness it creates in my face, but otherwise its lovely and when applied correctly it lasts for hours, and yes, that is including snack time and wine)
Yes! The Power liquid lipstick by Lush Emotional Brilliance! It’s an orangey red which is perfect for me.
my three pefect reds: NARS velvet matte pencil in Cruella, L’oreal paris British red (drugstore), MAC ruby woo, of course it’s a classic!
I love Cruella by Nars! It’s in my top 3 as well
Yup! NARS Cruella is for me too!
Mac Heartless. Too bad I have to ration it since it was LE.
Urban Decay Super Saturated High-Gloss Lip Color in F-Bomb. It’s just the right medium between bright and deep. It doesn’t read orange, just a great cool red with a glossy finish. Also, it’s very comfortable and long-wearing. I only wish that it was retractable!!!!
MAC Ruby Woo!
MAC Ruby Woo
I found a lot yes ! The latest I tried was Bobbi Brown ” Burnt Red ” really pretty on me. I have many red lipsticks so it’s hard to quote juste one !
wet n wild purty persimmon is my perfect red and it’s so freaking cheap! love it =D
Mac Ruffian Red!
Mac Ruby Woo
I really like Hellbent by Kat Von D.
OCC’s NSFW, hands down!
Same with me!
I imagine queen’s sin would probably be perfect on me, but since I can’t get it Kat Von D Adora is the perfect one on me right now. Still looking for a matte red.thoygh :p
I happen to have a very similar skintone to yours, Christine. When I saw your post on Chanel Dragon a few years back, I fell in love with that red. Even though it was out of my price range, I went out to buy it because I knew it would be worth it. And it is, I don’t regret it. I just wish I would’ve gotten a backup!
My perfect red was by Shiseido, but I don’t remember the name; it doesn’t matter, though, as it was discontinued not long after I discovered it. Then, there was L’Oreal Matte Maraschino, which (of course) was *also* DC’d, but I managed to come across my back-up that was still untouched; it’s also a nearly exact dupe for NARS Mascate, so I plan to pick that up, as well. I also had Blood Red by Manic Panic, but it’s so hard to find their products in stores (the Shiseido one I had was very similar to this).
one red, impossible ;0) huh?
It took about 10 years of looking for the *perfect* red, and once I finally found them, they were DC’d! Reds are probably the shade I have the most of, as I pick up so many trying to find “the one”… Well, reds & nudes, LOL.
I feel your pain ;| I’m on the same page only right now I am on an orange kick. Yes, me who can’t wear orange eyeshadow or blush or orange clothes without looking like death unless they are more Coral.. WTF, I look good with bright orange lips? ..who would have figured. So now I’m wondering about you…
mac “ruby woo”
Yes! Kat Von D’s “Adora” is gorgeous! It’s the only red I feel comfortable wearing and it really suits me.
Chanel Rouge Allure in Palpitante!!!
on my wishlist. Are these far more opaque than their predecessors? Just a pet peeve with some Chanel formulations. Their mattes are wicked good though.
I’m fair to medium skintoned (MUFE Mat Velvet+ 35), neutral undertones, green eyes and brown hair; my top red lipsticks are MAC Ruby Woo, Lady Danger, Inglot Matte Collection AMC Lip Pencil #21 and Kiko Unlimited Lipstick in Fire Red!
I always reach for my Urban Decay Super Saturated High-Gloss Lip Color in F-Bomb or Maybelline Red Revival.
I heart these pencil/lipstick/glosses–whatever the hell they are–too! Haven’t purchased a red one yet.
I went to the YSL counter to buy Rouge Pur Couture Gloss Stain and the salesperson actually told me not to bother because the F-Bomb was the perfect shade for me.
I’ll definitely check it out then. Just picked up punch drunk in my latest haul and it’s stunning if you like orange lips. Usually shiny doesn’t translate so well for me with bold colours, but the pigmentation in these suckers is phenomenal. I’ll be buying more.
MUFE Moulin Rouge! Amazing!
I have a few straight reds that I like, such as Revlon Fire & Ice and Sleek Vixen, but I also love NARS Red Square and CoverGirl Flame!
MAC Ruby Woo, it makes my skin glow and I love perfectly matte red lips. Usually I’m not a fan of the matte finish but I really can’t see myself wearing a creamy, glossy red lipstick.
To me, the perfect red lip has to be long lasting and not come off on my teeth (not attractive) so I’ve been loving the MUFE Aqua Rouge in #8
Burberry lip mist in Rosy red No. 5 and Chanel rouge allure velvet in 38 L’exuberante – the lip mist I use more often, because it is more light weight and easier to apply.
Lush emotional brilliance decisive
How can anyone pick just one red lipstick, but I will force myself to do just that.
YSL Rouge Pur Couture The Mats – 203 Rouge Rock
Yeah, I rock this sucker. I know I do!
OCC Lip Tar in NSFW is my perfect red for my NC25 skintone! I get so many compliments when I wear it
My challenge has always been finding a red that was true and bright but didn’t look orangey on me.
Illamasqua Box does the trick (and lasts forever), and Illamasqua Succubus intense gloss is a close runner up. Needless to say, I have a huge Illamasqua crush lately.
Illamasqua Succubus is *amazing*! If only it had better lasting power (or left a stain behind) it would probably be an HG for me.
You might like the new Becca gloss in Hotel California. It lasts about 3 hours on me which is ok and it leaves a nice stain. I love the smell and the gloss is lovely and smooth to apply. Only down fall is the price $42 AUS ouch!
Its Dragon by Chanel. I had debated about buying it for so long, (ever since I saw your post on it) and I couldn’t justify the price. The second I heard it was being discontinued I thought “oh no I need to get it now” so I had to drive an hour to the only place that carries Chanel around me, and had them put the last two on hold. I don’t regret it at all. It is by far the best lipstick/lipstain that I own and it started my new found love for luxury lipsticks. Just bought my first Guerlain lipstick the other day
MAC Russian Red + MAC Brick lip pencil underneath it. A.M.A.Z.I.N.G
NARS Vesuvio & NARS Scarlet Empress. I feel like a broken record on my passion for these two. lol.
I’m with you on NARS.
NARS Red Lizard
NARs Moscow
NC-25-30
My most wearable red is Barcelona Red by MAC. I also own Russian Red, but that color ist to dark for my taste.
I’m always amazed that Lipstick Queen never makes the list. I LoVe Rouge Sinner and Red Saint (not as strong as Red Sinner). Long lasting. Can be a bit drying but with a little lip balm before the lipstick, you’re good to go. It’s a good classic red. Worth a look.
Ohhhh, also Julie Hewitt’s Coco Noir (or is it discontinued?)
I adore Lipstick Queen and I think it’s a much under-rated brand. Actually, I don’t know many people who have even heard of it.
I started buying her back in the ’90s and have a number of her mattes from the Sinner line. The intensity of the pigmentation — as well as how long they last — is unbelievable.
I’ve never heard of the brand, but I will definitely try to check it out! I love finding out about gems that seem to be a bit on the lesser known side!
You go, Kesha!! But a word of caution, if you have very sensitive lips, you may want to forego the Sinner line as you may find that drying. Her Saint line is a lot more creamy & her Medieval line is sheer (but with pigmentation) and it has moisturisers in it. So, whatever sort of lips you have, she’s got something that should work for you.
I don’t have sensitive lips, so I go for her hard-core retro mattes. And red is her colour of speciality! HTH. 
OMG, When she was selling under Poppy King!!! I had ALL the colours. Envy was my staple in the ’90′s. YES, i’m old….
Helen, BINGO! I even have some old tubes with Poppy King written on them! Courage, Envy & some hot pink (whose name has vanished from the label) were my 3 favorites from her old line! I remember just how huge she was back then and how people would flock to her Barney’s or Bergdorf’s counter. Such a shame that, now, she’s so unknown. She really has the most intense lipsticks and no-one can beat her for a perfect retro matte. BTW, we can be old fogeys here together.
l’oreal refined ruby1
super pigmented and super red!
Current fav red still in production is Armani #403. World class all-time favorite red is Versace V2026-C and Revlon Absolutely Fabulous in Temptress, both d/c :-[
Ohhh! Versace v2062 was the absolute best red ever. I’ve never found another that was so flattering on me. Have you ever found a good dupe for it? I’ve never met anyone else that even knows that lipstick.
Spanish Red (Estée Lauder) and Coromandel (Chanel) but Red Strass (Guerlain) is nice as well !!!
Well, my 2 absolute favourites were discontinued long before many of you were even born!!! Estee Lauder’s Datenut Red (from when Karen Graham was their “face”) and Ultima II’s Bittersweet Red. Nowadays, for my best reds it’s a tossup between MAC Dubonnet and Guerlain Habit Rouge.
oh ultima II had amazing packaging didn’t it?
For me it’s MAC viva glam Cyndi. Of course it was LE….
I love this one too. It’s really red on me…i feel more comfortable wearing it than any other red because it’s not alot of red just enough
check out mac – on hold it’s the same!
sephora it girl – the color looks amazing on my olive skin. also it’s long weareble, very pigmented and it hydrates the lips.
RIP Chanel Dragon
Elisabeth Ardens Poppy Red.
MAC Ruby Woo lipstick with MAC Cherry Lip liner as a base
Giorgio Armani Rouge d’Armani 400
That’s my favorite as well!!!
Hands down Chanel Dragon and Guerlain Garconne.
Clinique Go Fig for a more muted red, Bobbi Brown Raisin for impact.
Unfortunately I haven’t, but lately I have been on the hunt for one because this year I finally became brave enough to wear red lip color outside of my house, and I would love to rock a red lip for the upcoming holiday season. The closes I’ve come is a pigmented red lip gloss…Rock & Republic’s Cougar! Love it, but I would like a lipstick for a little more opacity.
MAC Diva! Perfect, no liner needed for my complexion-MAC NC50/NARS New Orleans
Leading Lady by Lorac
nope and still trying to find my perfect nude color too!
me too !
Lime Crime’s COQUETTE is a really great nude, you should definitely check it out.
i found my red lipstick from your review dolce&gabbana ruby and i love it! do you know if is there any brand that have exactly that red color of ruby d&g? Thank you so much and i check your web everyday!
I love layering Givenchy Rouge Interdit in Rouge Cancan over Chanel Rouge Double Intensité Ultra Wear Lip Colour in Ruby Lite for real staying power!
Yes.
MAC Ruby Woo with Cherry Lipliner!
I must preface this with stating that I have really dark pink lips. Chanel Cambon comes out a rosy red on my lips. It’s my favorite since they discontinued Chanel Dragon.
I just don’t think I can wear red.
I think the next time I get to MAC, I’ll try the Ruby Woo.
I’m looking for the perfect red/pink. Any suggestions?
I like CoverGirl Flame.
Revlon cherries in the snow is a red/pink
So much depends on your skin colour and how pigmented your lips are. I find what your wearing on the day you try colours can influence the overall effect. My current perfect red is Chanel Rouge Allure in Pirate. Love love love it! Enjoy the search!
YES
MAC – Lady Bug
I love Lime Crime’s Retrofuturist. Revlon Cherries In The Snow is beautiful too!
Yes! MAC Ruby Woo. Worn alone or paired with MAC Cherry Lip Liner. The perfect color red with true staying power. Also love, Revlon Cherries in the Snow.
For gloss, MAC Cult of Cherry (LE) or MAC Pro Long Wear- Driven by Love.
Ellis Faas Milky Lips L201 Blood Red & Guerlain Gala.
L201 is the perfect red for my complexion. It’s also the perfect red for my Filipina friend, my Polish friend, & my African American friend… It’s advertized as a ‘human’ color by the company & as far as I can tell, it is!
Gala is my go to red when I want to emulate an old hollywood glamour/pin-up girl style make-up. It looks like it has a touch of blue in it on me & is so incredibly moisturizing.
Nars Heat Wave!
Chanel Dragon is almost perfect (I stocked up on TWO when it was discontinued). The only problem I have it that it bleeds. I’ll have to figure out that issue…or get a flesh colored lipliner.
I’ve heard Shiseido Lacquer Rouge in Drama is close to Dragon, if it helps
Where do they sell it at?
I picked it up because I love dragon as my favorite. Drama is quite close and it is sold at Macy’s and I think Nordstroms. Its also not as expensive as Chanel!
Good Luck!
Try Urban Decay’s Ozone lip liner. Reds tend to feather on me, as well, and I find lining edges of my mouth with Ozone has pretty much solved the problem.
My perfect red lipstick, at least for day, is Revlon Moondrops in Hot Coral. It’s absolutely perfect in both color and formula…it’s a shame that it tastes bad. For something more dramatic, I like Revlon Fire and Ice, but I haven’t actually worn it out yet.