Our Best Red Lipsticks

Red lipstick: it’s the original lipstick shade, and it’s totally iconic. Dressed up or down, red lipstick is bold and sexy and always looks fabulous. Whether it’s a bright red, dark red, or cherry red lipstick, wear it, and you can skip all other makeup. Clean and matte or high-shine and glam, you can’t go wrong with red lips! And the range of red shades? Each subtle red lipstick shade variation brings a different personality to the look. Which red lipstick makeup look fits yours? Discover your best red lipstick with Maybelline New York’s best drugstore red lipstick collection. Today, we’re breaking down our best red lipsticks by shade and formula.

    Best Red Liquid Lipsticks

    Liquid lipsticks are a great option for those who want a long-lasting, vibrant color. They're also smudge-proof and transfer-proof, making them ideal for all-day wear. A liquid lipstick formula can help you master precise application for a bold, clean lip look.

    Red Liquid Lipstick #1: Super Stay Teddy Tint™ Liquid Lip Tint


    Super Stay Teddy Tint™ Liquid Lip Tint is a lightweight, no-budge liquid lip tint that provides a sheer wash of color. It's the perfect formula for those who want a natural-looking red lip without the heaviness of a traditional lipstick. For red lips, try shade Coquettish.
      • New
        Coquettish

      Red Liquid Lipstick #2: Super Stay® Vinyl Ink® Longwear Liquid Lipcolor


      Super Stay® Vinyl Ink® Longwear Liquid Lipcolor is a high-shine, long-lasting liquid lipstick that delivers up to 16 hours of wear. It's available in a variety of red shades, from classic red to bold berry. For bold red lips, we recommend shades Red-Hot and Wicked.
        • Red-Hot
        • Wicked

        Red Liquid Lipstick #3: Super Stay 24® 2-Step Liquid Lipstick

        Super Stay 24® 2-Step Liquid Lipstick is a two-step liquid lipstick that combines a long-lasting color with a moisturizing balm to finish off your look. It's available in a variety of red shades, including a classic red, a deep burgundy, and a bright orange-red. Shade Keep It Red is a stunning orange-red lipstick color that glides on like a gloss and moisturizes while giving you all-day color in 2 simple steps. Just coat your lips, then apply the balm to seal the deal! Or opt for Eternal Cherry for a pink-red lipstick.

          • Keep It Red
          • Eternal Cherry

          Best Red Matte Lipsticks

          Matte lipsticks are a great option for those who want a bold, long-lasting color with a velvety, lightweight finish. They're also less likely to smudge or transfer than other lipstick finishes, which is a great choice for a bold red color.

          Red Matte Lipstick #1: Color Sensational® Ultimatte Slim Lipstick


          More matte, more intense color! Color Sensational® Ultimatte Slim Lipstick is a slim, retractable lipstick that delivers a bold, matte finish. We recommend shade More Scarlet, a gorgeous orange-red lipstick shade comes in a lightweight, blurring formula that feels super comfy, no matter how long you wear it. Or try More Ruby for a more blue-red shade.
            • More Scarlet
            • More Ruby

            Red Matte Lipstick #2: Super Stay Matte Ink® Liquid Lipstick


            Super Stay Matte Ink® Liquid Lipstick is a long-lasting, liquid matte lipstick that delivers up to 16 hours of wear. It's available in a variety of red shades we recommend. Here, we’ll highlight a few of our favorite red shades from this line.

            Our first recommendation: Pioneer. It’s rich. It’s silky. It’s the ultimate red matte lipstick for all skin tones. This super-saturated, blue-red, ultra-matte liquid lipstick gives you up to 16 hours of flawless, highly-pigmented red color, plus it's kiss-proof!

            Our second recommendation: Dancer. Ink your lips with velvety, orange-red lipstick color. This standout, super-saturated, ultra-matte liquid lipstick is striking on deeper skin tones.


            Our third recommendation: Exhilarator. Va-va-voom! There’s no missing this brilliant pink-red liquid lipstick. This ultra-matte, super-saturated shade is a must for medium to deep skin tones.

              • Pioneer
              • Dancer
              • Exhilarator

              Red Matte Lipstick #3: Color Sensational® The Mattes Matte Finish Lipstick


              Color Sensational® The Mattes Matte Finish Lipstick is a creamy, matte lipstick in a traditional tube that provides a long-lasting, comfortable wear. Our recommended shade? Smoking Red, a classic deep red lipstick.

                • Smoking Red

                Red Matte Lipstick #4: Super Stay Ink Crayon® Matte Longwear Lipstick


                Super Stay Ink Crayon® Matte Longwear Lipstick is a retractable lip crayon that delivers a bold, matte finish. This matte lipstick lasts for up to eight hours and includes a built-in sharpener keeps the tip precise, so applying on-the-go is a real thing. Our fave red shade is Own Your Empire, a blue-red lipstick shade that looks amazing on all skin tones. For a pink-red shade, reach for Hustle in Heels.

                  • Own Your Empire
                  • Hustle In Heels

                  Best Red Creamy Lipsticks

                  Creamy lipsticks are a great option for those who want a hydrating, comfortable lipstick with a natural finish. They're also less likely to dry out your lips than other lipstick finishes.

                  Red Creamy Lipstick #1: Color Sensational® The Creams Cream Finish Lipstick


                  Color Sensational® The Creams Lipstick is a creamy, hydrating lipstick formulated with Shea Butter to leave behind a sensuous feeling and creamy finish for smooth, supple lips. When it comes to reds, Hot Chase is so red hot. This crisp, vibrant orange-red lipstick shade is the perfect summer lip color with no feathering or bleeding. But the reds don’t end there—also check out Red Revival, Red Revolution, and On Fire Red. This creamy lipstick formula features so many red shades to choose from.
                    • Red Revival
                    • Red Revolution
                    • On Fire Red

                    Red Creamy Lipstick #2: Color Sensational® Made For All Lipstick


                    Color Sensational® Made For All Lipstick is a creamy, moisturizing lipstick that's available in a range of universally flattering shades, but we’re here to talk about Ruby for Me; this universal red looks good on every skin tone. Plus, it’s made with honey nectar for a smooth, comfortable feel. For a more orange-red variant, you can also reach for Red for Me.
                      • Ruby For Me
                      • Red For Me

                      Red Lipstick Makeup Looks

                      There are endless possibilities when it comes to creating red lipstick makeup looks, from lipstick alone to lipstick and lip liner combos. Here are a few of our favorites:

                      The Perfect French Girl Red Lipstick


                      The classic French girl red lip is meant to look effortless, but it actually takes a bit of work to achieve. Don’t worry, we have you covered with an easy tutorial.

                        Step One:

                        Start by exfoliating and moisturizing your lips for a smooth canvas.

                        Step two:

                        Swipe a bold red lipstick onto your lips.

                        Step three:

                        Blend the lipstick with your finger to diffuse color evenly across your lips.

                        Step four:

                        Blot the lipstick with a tissue for a more natural look.

                        Step five:

                        Continue this process until you achieve the depth of color you desire.
                        And that’s it! To finish you look, pair your bold red lipstick with a minimal eye makeup look and a natural, dewy complexion. You can also add a touch of blush to the apples of your cheeks for a healthy glow.

                        Everyday Classic Satin Finish


                        Mattes and glosses might be alluring, but nothing beats a creamy, satin-looking red lip. For a classic everyday red lip, opt for a satin finish lipstick in a shade that's slightly darker than your natural lip color. It's a low-maintenance texture to wear, as it will both cling to lips and moisturize them throughout the day. Try Color Sensational® Made for All Lipstick for this look, and finish it off with a light eye shadow and a touch of mascara.

                        Party Red Lip Look


                        Going to a party? Opt for longwear lipstick! Super Stay Matte Ink® Liquid Lipstick inks your lips with up to 16 hours of rich, saturated color—no touch ups required—and comes in a ton of red shades. Don't forget lip liner to keep your lips looking good all night. Lip liner is the key to crisp, clean lips and extra-long staying power, plus, it keeps color from bleeding.

                        For a party-ready look, pair your bold, matte red lipstick shade with a smokey eye and dramatic lashes. You can also add a touch of glitter or shimmer to your eyes for extra glamour.

                          Red Lipstick FAQs

                          Here are some of the most frequently asked questions about red lipstick:

                          Browse All Red Lipstick Shades

                          Maybelline New York offers a wide variety of red lipstick shades, so you're sure to find the perfect one for you. Browse our full collection of red lipsticks.

                          Try Out Red Lipstick Shades Virtually

                          Not sure which red lipstick shade is right for you? Dive in headfirst and virtually try on different shades of red lipstick to see how different shades look on your lips. Virtually try on now!