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5 Shimmering Red Lipsticks to Try

When I think about a go-to color for a bold, party look, I always think red. I’m curious to know what your go-to color is when you think about it! There aren’t nearly as many shimmery/metallic reds as there should be, in my opinion, that are permanently available. I’d love to hear about more that I’m missing out on!

  1. KVD Beauty Adora
  2. Obsessive Compulsive Cosmetics Role Play
  3. NARS Christina
  4. Milani Cherry Crave
  5. Hourglass Siren

See side-by-side swatches!

34 Comments

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Amy Avatar

My go-to metallic red has always been the old formula of Urban Decay’s Gash. Unfortunately, I got the new version, and the colors aren’t even close, on me at least! The new one was much lighter and less metallic than the original one. Bummer.

Here’s a pic of the two versions I have: https://flic.kr/p/mH4Ufx

The old lipsticks came in a cool metal shotgun-shell shaped packaging! I got it in a two-pack with the nail polish, which I am trying to revive after it mostly dried up. I also still have a very old UD blush in X, also. It’s in a tiny little round compact and has a really nice herbal not-quite-patchouli smell to it. I love it, though it’s a bit shimmery for me. Urban Decay was my first non-drugstore makeup that I ever tried.

Alice Avatar

I love love love KvD Adora! I was so mad when I was allergic to it in the old formula and really happy when I wasn’t allergic to the studded kiss version!

I tend to go darker and lean more towards purples than reds, so my go-to party lipsticks are MUFE #14 and #49, MAC Smoked Purple and Instigator, ColourPop Feminist, and Urban Decay Blackmail. Though if I am doing a red, Adora, MAC Sin, and Besame Noir Red are my favorites.

Nancy T Avatar

Out of the 5 shown, I am really loving KVD Adora and Milani Cherry Crave! Both are lovely shades.
Some of my personal favorites are, Guerlain Red Strass and Tom Ford L&B Hiro, because I am partial to a good, solid red that has gold shimmer!
Also, while not a true shimmer, per se, I love my tube of MAC Maria Moretti. Although I would probably call it just a very juicy, luminous red instead.

Rachel R. Avatar

Now that you made me think about it, my go-to party shade is some form of red or red-coral.

I love that you did shimmery red lipstick, and I completely agree that they’re hard to find. I don’t have any of these, but I love the looks of the Hourglass one. I’ll have to try to pick up the Milani shade for sure. I really don’t have many, especially that aren’t LE. I usually have to use a sparkly gloss or other topper over my reds. I look forward to other readers’ recommendations.

Off the top of my head for permanent shades: OCC Black Metal Dahlia, TIGI Passion, and Wet n Wild Silk Finish in Cherry Frost.

Melissa29 Avatar

These are all beautiful shades! I have Kat Von D. Adora lipstick. Black Radiance have a beautiful shade called ice angel radiant lip gloss in scarlet number 3800, and radiant lip gloss in reggae red. It’s a steal for $2.99 at Walgreens, Rite-Aid, CVS or Walmart stores.

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