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- The perfect red lipstick should be comfortable, timeless, and as universally flattering as possible.
- MAC Ruby Woo is iconic for a reason - a classic, matte, blue-toned red that works on most skin tones.
Red lipstick is the beauty equivalent of a power suit.
If you want to look put-together with minimal effort, you put on red lipstick. If you're falling into a beauty slump, you put on red lipstick. If you need to look glamorous in a pinch, you put on red lipstick.
But the thing is, there are so many red lipsticks out there, many of which look almost or completely identical. Even once you whittle it down to a specific brand, you'll probably still need to choose between three or four red shades in any given range. There are blue-toned reds, orangey reds, reds that are really more like pinks - the options are endless.
The two most important things to pay attention to when shopping for red lipstick are formula and undertone. Once you decide which tone of red will suit you best and whether you want a 12-hour wear liquid lipstick or a creamy bullet formula, you can start to narrow it down. And then consult our guide to find your One True Red.
Here is the best red lipstick you can buy in 2019:
- Best red lipstick overall: MAC Ruby Woo
- Best sheer red lipstick: Glossier Generation G in Zip
- Best red lipstick pencil: NARS Velvet Matte Lip Pencil in Dragon Girl
- Best drugstore red lipstick: Revlon Super Lustrous Lipstick in Cherries in the Snow
- Best hydrating red lipstick: Bite Beauty Amuse Bouche Lipstick in Gazpacho
Updated on 5/10 by Jada Wong: Updated formatting.
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Disclosure: This post is brought to you by the Insider Picks team. We highlight products and services you might find interesting. If you buy them, we get a small share of the revenue from the sale from our commerce partners. We frequently receive products free of charge from manufacturers to test. This does not drive our decision as to whether or not a product is featured or recommended. We operate independently from our advertising sales team. We welcome your feedback. Email us at insiderpicks@businessinsider.com.