@makeupvincent / Instagram
When I was younger, wearing lipstick gave me pause; it just felt out of my comfort zone. And a classic red lip? Absolutely out of the question. But as I got older, I became curious. Could I finally be a lipstick girl? So when a professional makeup artist asked if she could paint on a bold red lip, I decided to throw caution to the wind. And surprise, surprise: I actually really liked it. Suddenly, I’ve been opened up to the world of red lipstick—and I’m never going back. Scroll on for 16 red lip moments I saved to my Instagram (plus some of our favorite red lip picks).
01 of 16
Sharp Winged Liner
@amlmakeup / Instagram
Take a page from Taylor Swift’s book and pair a red lip with another bonafide beauty classic: winged liner. The fool-proof combination is bold but familiar in such a way as to make it feel universal. This particular hue—the Rare Beauty Lip Soufflé Matte Cream Lipstick in Inspire ($20)—has a slightly vampy feel with its subtle blue undertones.
02 of 16
Bronzed and Blushed
@cherishbrookehill/Instagram
If you feel like red lipstick washes you out, consider bronzing up your complexion. Complete the look with groomed brows, XXL lashes, and a natural-colored blush for the perfect night-out look.
03 of 16
Mega-Shine Vinyl Lips
@brittsully/Instagram
For an ultra-juicy look, opt for a high-shine vinyl finish that leaves lips looking lacquered. We love the YSL Beauty Vinyl Cream Lip Stain in Rouge Remix ($36) for its comfortable, long-lasting wear and unique diamond-shaped applicator, which enables precise lining and ultra-sharp corners.
04 of 16
Waterline and Overlined
@makeupvincent/Instagram
We’re big fans of Chase Sui Wonders’ ultra-glam look, complete with silver shadow, black liner in the waterline, and bold, overlined red lipstick. Pro tip: To make reds pop on thinner lips, overline the upper and lower lips, carving out an exaggerated, sharpened version of your natural lip contours.
05 of 16
Semi-Matte Maple
@priscillaono / Instagram
It’s no secret Rihanna is the queen of red lips, and her brand, Fenty Beauty, offers a slew of bold red options in varying hues and finishes. This semi-matte maple hue is no exception, and while we can’t 100 percent confirm, we’re willing to bet she’s rocking the Fenty Beauty Fenty Icon The Fill Lipstick in Grill Mast’r ($20).
06 of 16
Bright and Clean
@aniamilczarczyk/Instagram
To make a bright orange lip really pop, pair it with clean skin and a subtle nude smoky eye (which the Kosas Undressed Neutral Eyeshadow Palette, $40, was made for, by the way). As for the lip? No surprise: It’s Pat McGrath Labs’ MatteTrance Lipstick in Obsessed! ($39).
07 of 16
Blotted Beauty
@isabelle.de.vries/Instagram
You don't need opacity to create a great red lip. For those who prefer a more subtle look, consider a blotted-out red lip, as seen here. It gives a just-bitten cherry effect to the lips and can be played up or down depending on the rest of your makeup look.
To recreate, apply a red-tinted lip stain, like the classic Benefit Cosmetics Benetint Liquid Lip and Cheek Tint in either the original Benetint or Lovetint shade ($24), to the center of the lips. Using a finger, gently diffuse it toward the outer perimeter.
08 of 16
Glowy Skin and a Statement Lip
@brittsully/Instagram
A red lip is whatever you make it—with a bold glamour moment, it seamlessly integrates into the final look, but pair it with minimal, glassy skin, and suddenly, it’s the star of the show.
For the latter, it’s all about prepping the skin and finding the perfect brick-red lip. For an instant glow, we reach for the Merit Great Skin Serum ($38), while our go-to warm brick red is Charlotte Tilbury’s Matte Revolution Hydrating Lipstick in Mark of a Kiss ($35). The modern red hue is universally flattering and a great introductory red for any newbie. Grab the matching Lip Cheat Lip Liner ($25) for seamlessly lined lips.
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09 of 16
Burnished and Bold
@cherishbrookehill/Instagram
Finding your perfect red is all about playing around with hues. After all, there’s an entire spectrum of red lipsticks to choose from. For a more coquette look, we love a burnished red lip that’s almost burgundy. For the same creamy, ultra-shiny effect seen above, try Chanel’s Rouge Coco Lip Colour in Marthe ($45).
10 of 16
Old Hollywood Glamour
@shanell.sorrells/Instagram
An old Hollywood beauty moment is as classic as it gets, and it’s lasted the test of time for a reason. For a universally flattering glam moment, opt for bushy, structured brows, smoked-out cat eyes, extra long corner lashes, clean skin, flushed cheeks, and an expertly applied true red lip. This gorgeous red is another winner from Fenty Beauty, the Stunna Lip Paint in Uncensored ($28).
11 of 16
Two-Toned Lips
@roffy_babs / Instagram
For a decidedly vampy take on a red lip, go for a high-contrast moment using a black lip liner. Blend the liner into your red lip with a fluffy brush to create a natural fading effect between the two hues. Finish off with a high-shine lip gloss for a luxe effect.
12 of 16
Perfectly Imperfect
@georgieeisdell/Instagram
To make a red lip feel a bit less, well, severe, ditch the precision liner and instead opt for a smudgier, softer look. Swipe on a satin-finish lipstick—we like the Makeup by Mario SuperSatin Lipstick in Rockefeller ($28)—and lightly smudge the upper and lower edges with a clean finger to softly diffuse the pigment.
13 of 16
Powdered Gradient
@beasweetbeauty/Instagram
Another more subdued take on a red lip, this powdered gradient lip is velvety smooth and ultra-blurred without feeling too done. It pairs perfectly with fresh, semi-matte skin and a minimal eye moment, though we’d be just as excited to see it with a more glam moment. To recreate, blot on the MAC Powder Kiss Velvet Blur Slim Stick in Ruby New ($28), pressing the lips together to diffuse the color.
14 of 16
Precision Lining
@danessa_myricks/Instagram
Ultra-precise lining can help a red lip really pack a punch—it just takes things up a notch and lends an air of expertise to your look. For the ultimate precision lining, switch between carving out the contours of the lip with your lipstick and a tapered lip brush (like the Sephora Collection PRO Lip Brush #85 $16) and defining those ultra-sharp edges with a concealer dipped in a flat, thin liner brush, like the Anastasia Beverley Hills Brush 3 ($18).
15 of 16
Red All Over
@isabelle.de.vries/Instagram
If you’re looking for a really bold moment, why not lean into the red lip with… more red? Play around with eyeshadow, blush, lashes, and even gems—all in that signature fiery hue—for a red-on-red moment.
16 of 16
Perfectly Pigmented, Gorgeously Glossy
@udstevek/Instagram
We love a red power pout. For an ultra-bold red moment that stays put all day long, try Urban Decay’s Vice Lip Bond Glossy Liquid Lipstick in Unbreakable ($28). The color lasts up to 16 hours and pairs as well with full glam as an understated, fresh face.
8 Ways to Wear a Red Lip, As Seen on Byrdie Editors
