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What would your perfect red lipstick look like?


What would your perfect red lipstick look like? Share!

It would be a medium-dark, subtly blue-based red with subtle gold pearl and a luminous sheen.

Thanks to Nikki for today’s question! Do you have a question idea? Submit yours here.

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Sarah Avatar

I still don’t know! I’ve tried reds of all kinds and still can’t find the perfect one. I always feel uncomfortable in red lipstick. But my best guess is a medium-dark, muted red, probably with a glossy finish. Probably slightly translucent, as well. A YSL Rouge Volupte red like that would so be my jam!

Gillian Avatar

My perfect red already exists! It’s the limited edition Guerlain Rouge G in Rouge Parade. It’s just a gorgeous true red with no shimmer (I think) and a lovely shine. However, the Rouge G in Garçonne is very, very similar and I would totally recommend it. Luckily that one is not limited edition. If you’re willing to splash out then the Rouge G’s are excellent. 🙂

Delainey Avatar

Mine would be fairly cool undertones, NO PINK UNDERTONES AT ALLLLLL!!!!, fairly dark, semi-matte finish with opaque coverage, and creamy in appearance!

Tessa Avatar

I’ll wear and enjoy virtually any red from coral to berry (my complexion handles red way better than pinks, nudes, etc), but my ideal? A slightly warm, saturated (NOT neon) midtone to slightly darker red with no shimmer but a hydrating creaminess and the tiniest hint of translucency.

The closest I’ve come to this is Guerlain Kiss Kiss in Love Kiss — which aside from how easily it transfers is almost unbelievably perfect for me. Warm but not orange! Deep enough but not vampy! Pigmented and free of shimmer but not mono-color! Truly, I am in love.

Nikki Avatar

Fuchsia undertones ftw! haha. I love a strong pink undertone. 🙂 I would adore a medium darkness but very rich pink red with a high gloss finish that didn’t slip around and wouldn’t look thick or heavy on the lips. MUFE 45 is really good, but it’s not really the finish that haunts my dreams and it does have some slip issues during wear. I would also love a deep pink red in a liquid formula that had a lot of cool toned microshimmer in it (maybe silver and red with some voilet or teal?).

Laura_Lou Avatar

Something blue based, medium-medium/dark toned, subtle sheen, no shimmer, nicely hydrating but without being glossy. Something like MAC Russian Red or Viva Glam 1 but not matte because they’re too drying.

xamyx Avatar

I actually had one like that *years* ago! I think it may have been by La Femme (I’m not 100% sure…), and it was called something like Fire Opal. The only way I could wear it was over a black, purple, or blue base, as it was too neon for my tastes, but I *loved* the duochrome shimmer.

Blue Avatar

YES! I love unexpected pearl or duochrome effects! I don’t really like warm lip colors for myself but I would STILL snap that up. I wish one of the more reputable indie brands would make a color like this!

Rachel R. Avatar

I’ve never met a red I didn’t like. Red is my favorite color. I’d love a bright ruby red lipstick with red, magenta and gold microshimmer.

Gamze Avatar

My skin is so cool that even MAC Mac Red isn’t cool enough for me. I currently possess 12 reds and have my eyes set on two more… Still, my ideal red would be dark, very cool and satiny…

Dawn Avatar

I’m wearing it! It’s No Lipstick Lipstick (what a dumb name,lol) by Perricone MD. Sheer but actually there – red but not uncomfortably so, because I’m a wuss about what I perceive to be overly bold colors – super smoothing and moisturizing – leaves a stain as it wears off, which surprised me – and beautifully sheeny without being in-your-face shiny, if that makes sense. My lips are huge and very pigmented so I try to keep them kind of subtle, and it would be a rare thing for me to want to wear a rich, heavily pigmented red lipstick. This one’s perfect (for me) for every day and any occasion.

Michele Avatar

I have found 1 perfect red for me – Hourglass Icon. True red. Gorgeous coverage. Great staying power. I rarely wear red, but when I do, i find myself skipping over the other reds in my collection and reaching for the Hourglass one.

Pasheeda Morris Avatar

My perfect red lipstick… Nars Pure Matte Lipstick in Amsterdam. A beautiful reddish brown color with a brown base. It never fails.

Elizabeth Avatar

My favorite reds have been discontinued, but they were urban Decay Gash and Mrs. Mia Wallace. Another favorite was Chanel’s Portfino. I have a few backups’s, but I just bought some Besame lipsticks, Noir Red, Besame Red, and another red by them. I have heard they are quite nice. They are very elegant. I haven’t tried them yet, but if they perform as well as they look, I may have found a few new favorite reds.

Liz Avatar

MAC’s Beet lip liner filled in! Sometimes I’d like it a little darker and browner though, so still on the lookout for that version! X

Alison Avatar

It would definitely be a velvet-finish lipstick version of Le Metier de Beaute’s Lip Creme In the Know Bordeaux, in an excellent formula. The closest thing I’ve seen is the Burberry Siren Red lip look, but they didn’t turn it into a lipstick, unfortunately (If they made it in their Lip Cover formula it would be my power red, for sure!). If anyone knows of something this shade (A darkened, slightly berry red with subtle bordeaux-brown undertones, a velvety finish and a lot of depth to it) please do let me know!

Nancy T Avatar

I actually think I *may* have found mine! It’s that tube of Maria Moretti from MAC. Luminous, moist and has good longevity on my lips. Too bad that it’s LE though! Based on your Dupe List, I do have a verrry close “back-up” in Maybelline On Fire Red, thank you for that recommendation! Besides it, but only in AZ’s not-so-dry times of year, MAC Russian Red or another LE one; Damn Glamorous.

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