Has there ever been an awards show where Selena Gomez hasn't shown up with an absolutely flawless makeup look? No, I didn't think so—and this year's Screen Actors Guild Awards was no exception. On Feb. 23, Selena Gomez graced the 2025 SAG ceremony in a '50s-esque, off-the-shoulder dress with a daring slit on the side. But despite the outfit's striking appearance, what drew me in was her bright and bold red lip, which just so happened to be courtesy of the Kind Words matte lipstick ($20) in the shade Devoted from the star's own line, Rare Beauty.
Selena Gomez Embraced the Red Lip Theory with This $20 Lipstick at the SAG Awards
Bold, bright and totally bada**
•
Published Feb 24, 2025
PureWow editors select every item that appears on this page, and some items may be gifted to us. Additionally, PureWow may earn compensation through affiliate links within the story. All prices are accurate upon date of publish. You can learn more about the affiliate process here.
Let's just say that Gomez's SAG glam was the perfect example of red lipstick theory in action. What is red lipstick theory, you might ask? PureWow's beauty editor, Chelsea Candelario, gave us a full breakdown earlier this year, but to sum it up, it is the idea that even wearing nothing but a red lipstick can make your skin look more even and distract from any imperfections because all eyes are drawn to the red hue on your lips. Not only that, but red lipstick exudes confidence. It's powerful, bright and attention-grabbing. "The red lipstick theory is not just a regular beauty trend. In the age of clean girl aesthetic and minimal makeup, it’s great to see a bold statement take shape in 2025. Yes, it can make someone turn their heads, but it’s more about taking up space and feeling at ease with doing so—something we definitely need right now," explains Candelario.
As shown above, Gomez's makeup artist Hung Vanngo followed the red lip theory pretty closely, but did opt for some color around Gomez's cheeks and eyes with a near full face of Rare Beauty products. Vanngo teased a new Rare Beauty foundation that acted as Gomez's base, and gave her a perfectly flushed cheek by using a combination of the Soft Pinch liquid contour in Solace ($28) and the currently sold-out Soft Pinch matte Bouncy Blush in Happy ($27). Vanngo also used the Soft Pinch contour, combined with the Perfect Strokes gel eyeliner ($20), to achieve her seductive smoky eye.
Rare Beauty
Of course, the pièce de résistance as previously noted was Gomez's bold red lip, which was crafted using a combination of Rare Beauty's Kind Words lip liner ($16) and Kind Words matte lipstick, both in the shade Devoted. The vegan and cruelty-free lipstick is known for its ultra-pigmented hue and hydrating qualities, courtesy of ingredients like sunflower seed oil and gardenia florida fruit extract. The formula is meant to have a buttery, cushiony feel that nourishes lips and holds up throughout the day (or night).
And it's not just Gomez-approved. "I got a sample of this and I liked it so much that I bought it. The packaging is really nice and the formula is just about perfect. Smooth and comfortable, long-wearing, plenty of pigment and it smells like raspberries! I don't usually care about celebrity brands, but if it's good, it's good. And this is good. Very wearable shades, too," says one Sephora shopper.
So, if you're looking to boldly step into your power, and try out the red lipstick theory for yourself, I suggest channeling the Only Murders in the Building star by adding this vibrant (and affordable) lippie to your cart. But you might want to hurry—once everyone catches wind of Gomez's red carpet secret weapon, it's bound to go fast.
Why You Should Trust Us
PureWow's editors and writers have spent more than a decade shopping online, digging through sales and putting our home goods, beauty finds, wellness picks and more through the wringer—all to help you determine which are actually worth your hard-earned cash. From our PureWow100 series (where we rank items on a 100-point scale) to our painstakingly curated lists of fashion, beauty, cooking, home and family picks, you can trust that our recommendations have been thoroughly vetted for function, aesthetics and innovation. Whether you're looking for travel-size hair dryers you can take on-the-go or women’s walking shoes that won’t hurt your feet, we’ve got you covered.
More Stories You'll Love
How to Achieve Gray Blending for Dark Hair, According to Hairstylists
Meghan Markle Swears By This Face Cream That's on Sale for Just *$10* at Amazon RN
Don't Look Now, This Popular Sunscreen is 20% Off for the Amazon Big Spring Sale
Does the Buzzy Wild Deodorant Live Up to Snuff? 6 Busy Women Put It to the Test
Meghan Markle Just Launched a Beauty Site and Here Are My 7 Favorite Products
You Can Save on Hailey Bieber's Go-To LED Skincare Device at the Amazon Big Spring Sale
Is Whole Body Deodorant Worth It? A Dermatologist Tells All
The 5 Haircuts Everyone in New York Wants Right Now
The Sunday Riley C.E.O. Glow Oil Is a 'Clean Girl' Cult Favorite—and It's on Rare Deal at the Amazon Big Spring Sale
Crest 3D Whitestrips vs. Lumineux Teeth Whitening Strips: Score Both on Sale Now for the Amazon Big Spring Sale
Do I Pass TikTok’s Eyebrow Theory? How a Filter Can Make or Break Your Arches
The 35 Best Short Haircuts for Women Over 50, According to Stylists
The 13 Best Hair Perfumes of 2025, Tested by Editors
15 Brands to Shop to Nail the French Girl Makeup Look
I Get Asked If My Lashes Are Real Twice a Day Thanks to This GrandeLASH Serum (and It's Finally on Sale)
Gen Z and Gen X Editors Try TikTok’s Beloved Sulwhasoo Activating Serum for Mature Skin
