The 19 Best Red Lipsticks of All Time, According to the Experts

• Why We Love It: Makeup artist favorite, universally flattering, makes teeth appear whiter

It should hardly come as a surprise that MAC’s cult favorite was recommended by seven of the artists we reached out to. It all boils down to the fact that this blue-based shade is so universally flattering. “I have yet to try it on someone and have it not look good,” shares makeup artist Megan Lanoux, who works with stars including Julianne Hough and Sienna Miller. Multiple artists added that this particular shade has the unique power to make your teeth look extra white. Yes, please.

• Why We Love It: Deep, satin color loved by reviewers as nourishing and long-wearing with pleasant texture

“The packaging makes you feel like you’re treating yourself, and the color is divine,” Lanoux notes, adding that she not only uses it on her clientele but it’s also stocked in her own personal makeup bag. If it’s good enough for a professional, we’re game to try it.

• Why We Love It: Quick-drying, great glide, excellent color payoff

Prefer liquid lipstick? We’ve got you covered. Tim MacKay, the genius behind the faces of June Diane Raphael and Nastia Liukin, declares this formula from Fenty Beauty his all-time fave. “It dries very fast, but when it’s wet, it glides perfectly, giving you pure color payoff in one quick coat. It also wears for a very long time without cracking or looking flaky,” he says. We’re also fans of the strategically shaped precision wand, which is compact and pout-hugging, making for a particularly easy application.

• Why We Love It: Even, smooth wear that lasts up to eight hours; won't feather or bleed

MacKay is also a fan of this true red from MAC. He notes that this deep, classic red is his favorite to use on clients. “It looks stunning on everyone I have ever put it on, regardless of skin tone or age,” he explains. The fact that it has an eight-hour wear time doesn’t hurt either.

• Why We Love It: Hydrating and easy to apply

We’re not always in the mood for a heavy matte formula, which is why we’re rather obsessed with beauty expert Jenny Patinkin’s recommendation: a highly pigmented balm from Vapour Beauty. “Matte reds can be very drying and accentuate flaking on the lips, while satiny or glossy reds can melt into the little vertical lines around the mouth,” she points out. “Balms are hydrating and have more glide; they tend to feel more comfortable and they’re lower maintenance to apply.” Glide on and go? We’re all about that life.

• Why We Love It: Satin finish with a rich pigment, packed with proprietary beauty oil, comes in recyclable tube

“I only reach for clean beauty,” Patinkin adds. That explains why her other favorite red comes from RMS Beauty—and it’s more luxe than you might expect. “These lipsticks are super long-wearing and have just the right amount of sheen. And they photograph really beautifully.” She uses the shades "RMS Red" and "Rebound" when she’s creating a bold look. 

• Why We Love It: Use it as a stain or lipstick, moisturizes lips with lightweight and dewy texture

Desirae Cherman, whose clients include Kristen Bell, Zoey Deutch and Lili Reinhart, names this orangey red as her current go-to: “It can be used as a stain with your fingertip or applied directly for a bolder look.” That versatility helps us justify the steep price tag.

• Why We Love It: Classic red that harkens back to the glamor days of Old Hollywood

Looking for a red that’s a total classic? Glamsquad artistic director and makeup artist Kelli J. Bartlett recommends Tom Ford’s "Ruby Rush" to help you achieve that Old Hollywood feel. “It has the perfect depth of a true red—which features a balance of blue and orange—so it’s seasonless and universally flattering. I love that it is a traditional creamy matte formula, in a classic bullet with sumptuous packaging,” she explains. Watch out, Marilyn Monroe.

• Why We Love It: Gives up to 12 hours of coverage without feeling dry

Date night calls for something kiss-proof. Try Stila’s Stay All Day formula, which has been a mainstay since its debut almost ten years ago. Bartlett recommends it to all of her brides-to-be who are hoping to rock a bold lip on their wedding day.

• Why We Love It: Cooler red shade will brighten skin and teeth

According to Mary Irwin, professional makeup artist to brands like Badgley Mischka and Tory Burch, there’s a lot to love about this lipstick. “It’s a slightly cool red, which brightens up skin and teeth, and the matte formula never gets dry. It feels lightweight but goes on easily and stays for hours,” she says.

• Why We Love It: Creamy and hydrating

“What I love about the Nars Velvet Matte lipstick pencil is that it’s essentially a jumbo pencil, so there’s no lip liner necessary,” proclaims Robert Sesnek. He’s worked on celebs such as Sophia Bush and Vanessa Hudgens, and he created Rose Leslie’s look for this year’s Golden Globes, so we really trust him. This chubby Nars stick is enriched with vitamin E and emollients, which explains the creamy texture and hydrating effects. Just make sure to use a large sharpener after every use so you can keep the lip lining up to par.

• Why We Love It: Moringa and passion fruit seed oils provide exceptional vibrancy while moisturizing lips

Although he likens choosing a favorite red lip to Sophie’s Choice, James Vincent, director of education and artistic relations for The Makeup Show, was able to narrow it down to the aforementioned MAC "Ruby Woo" and this semi-matte one from Nars. It contains a blend of moringa and passion fruit seed oils that enhance color vibrancy while conditioning the lips. As for the hue? It’s just as classic and dramatic as the Meryl Streep film.

• Why We Love It: Can be applied as a sheer tint or provide full coverage, metallic reflection with weightless feel

Nick Lujan, global director of artistry and education for Kevyn Aucoin, dubs this Kevyn Aucoin “the perfect red.” “Because it’s a liquid, I know I can apply it sheer as a tint, or layer it up for full intensity,” he notes. Plus, Lujan notes that it works on all skin tones.

• Why We Love It: Matte suede finish, glides seamlessly thanks to light diffusing gel, jojoba and ester oils

What a red carpet-ready look? This Rouge D’Armani shade is a slightly blueish-red hue that Vincent uses both personally and on her celebrity clients. The lipstick’s light-diffusing gel yields a creamy application, supple look and rich matte finish.  

• Why We Love It: True matte, vegan, long-lasting and moisturizing

Rebecca calls this vegan red lipstick “an example of classic blue-red and orange-red tones that are long-wearing with a true matte finish." She adds that if you’re confused on where to start with matte formulas, you should start here.” The lipstick applies like a gloss and dries into a soft matte, promising up to 12 hours of coverage. Ingredients like jojoba oil and Vitamin E ensure it isn’t too drying.  

• Why We Love It: Classic orange-red lip gloss that's great for beginners

The “Spicy” ShineOn Lip Jelly by Tower28 has what Rebecca describes as classic red and orange red tones. “[There’s a] glossy finish, ideal for those who want to break into wearing red slowly.” She lauds the formula for being smooth but not drying or sticky, which differentiates it from typical lip glosses.

• Why We Love It: Satin finish strikes the perfect balance between color and long-lasting

If you’re striving for a balance between killer color and an enduring finish, Rebecca recommends Revlon ColorStay Satin Ink liquid lipstick in “Smokin’ Hot.” 

“Satin finishes are long-wearing yet not all the way matte, and have beautiful pigment to them,” she says. “If you’re wanting great color but not in love with matte textures, satin is ideal.” 

• Why We Love It: Cool undertones compliment fair skin, sumptuous glide-on application

One of PureWow commerce director Nicole Briese’s favorite picks is Olivia Palermo’s "Runway Rouge." "It has more of a cool undertone to it and has become a personal favorite since I'm really pale and it compliments my skin," Briese says. Though a matte formula, Runway Rouge has a luxurious glide when applied to the lips. 

• Why We Love It: Vivid red shade loved for its rich pigments, long wear and easy glide

Gucci’s "Goldie Red" is bright, rich and velvety, while promising no smudging or drying out your lips. Briese calls it "the perfect orange-y red lipstick." Bonus points: It’s super moisturizing with good longevity.