10 of the best red lipstick shades ever

26 Mar 2016 10:00 AM | Posted by

Samantha McMeekin

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Every girl has at least one red lipstick in her makeup collection, if not a hundred. When you finally find the best red lipstick shade for you, it’s constantly carried around in your handbag and worn until there’s nothing left but the bullet. Then it’s time to repurchase.

But it takes time to find that perfect shade. Some suit a bright red lip, while others look great in a dark red lipstick. There are also so many different formulas to choose from, such as cream, a stain or liquid lipstick.

So to help you find the best red lipstick for you, we’ve rounded up 10 of the most popular, best-selling red lipstick shades. These are the ones that beauty lovers can’t get enough of! So have a flick through the gallery below to see which ones made the list…

RELATED: Brilliant budget foundations

1. Australis Velourlips in NY-CEE

I bought this in NY-CEE, which is a classic red. It glides on easily, is very pigmented, dries to a matte finish pretty quickly, and is extremely long-lasting (no touch-ups needed!). -Tiffany128

/makeup/lips-lipstick-lip-gloss-lip-balm/10-of-the-best-red-lipstick-shades-ever/1-australis

2. Australis Velourlips in DOO-BAI

I am in love with this shade. It’s definitely not an everyday look, but [when I wear] it on nights out I always get compliments. -Ellejay17

/makeup/lips-lipstick-lip-gloss-lip-balm/10-of-the-best-red-lipstick-shades-ever/2-australis

3. Rimmel Provocalips Lip Colour in Kiss Me You Fool

I have ‘Kiss Me You Fool’, which is a really nice orange-based red. Don't smack your lips together after applying the colour, give it a little time to set and then apply the gloss. - swoopinbuzzards

/makeup/lips-lipstick-lip-gloss-lip-balm/10-of-the-best-red-lipstick-shades-ever/3-rimmel-provocalips

4. Maybelline Colour Drama Intense Velvet Lip Pencil in Red Essential

Love, love, love this velvet lip pencil! After buying the red one 'Red Essential', I went back the next day and bought four more while they were still on sale! They are extremely pigmented and buttery on the lips. They last all day and there is no need for a lip liner with them. -ElissaG

/makeup/lips-lipstick-lip-gloss-lip-balm/10-of-the-best-red-lipstick-shades-ever/4-maybelline-colour

5. Maybelline Colour Drama Intense Velvet Lip Pencil in Light it Up

I absolutely love this product! I recently bought it in the shade ‘Light It Up’ to wear for a party - it lasted all night and the colour was brilliant. -SophieJ

/makeup/lips-lipstick-lip-gloss-lip-balm/10-of-the-best-red-lipstick-shades-ever/5-maybelline-colour

6. essence Longlasting Lipstick in 04

I bought 04 ‘On the Catwalk!’ and I'm almost ready to say I have found my signature lipstick. The colour is buildable and sits very comfortably throughout wear. It doesn't wear off patchy either which is definitely a plus! -RedDelicious

/makeup/lips-lipstick-lip-gloss-lip-balm/10-of-the-best-red-lipstick-shades-ever/6-essence

7. essence Longlasting Lipstick in 02

The lipstick was smooth in application, didn't smudge and had a really beautiful colour. The only complaint I have is that it did tend to wear off after two-three hours. -EMaddden

/makeup/lips-lipstick-lip-gloss-lip-balm/10-of-the-best-red-lipstick-shades-ever/7-essence

8. Rimmel London Provocalips Lip Colour in Play With Fire

I have it in 'Play With Fire', which is a flattering dark brown-red colour on my light olive skin. This is a fantastic and affordable lip colour that is long-wearing, budge-proof and doesn't dry out your lips. -fluffnut

/makeup/lips-lipstick-lip-gloss-lip-balm/10-of-the-best-red-lipstick-shades-ever/8-rimmel-london

9. Rimmel London Kate Moss Matte Finish Lipstick in 111

I brought this lipstick in the shade #111 which is a classic true matte red shade - one that I think every woman should have in her collection. The formula of this lipstick is creamy and smooth, it glides over my lips with ease without any tugging or difficulty. -aleksandra

/makeup/lips-lipstick-lip-gloss-lip-balm/10-of-the-best-red-lipstick-shades-ever/9-rimmel-london-kate

10. Rimmel London Lasting Finish Lipstick Red n Chic (010)

A friend recommended I try Rimmel and I just fell in love. I love the vibrant colours and they feel really velvety on my lips. This is all made even better by the price. -Stacie03

/makeup/lips-lipstick-lip-gloss-lip-balm/10-of-the-best-red-lipstick-shades-ever/10-rimmel-london

bh’s current faves:

red lipstick favourites

L’Oréal Paris Colour Riche 30th Anniversary Collection in 397 Perfect Red
M.A.C Cosmetics Lipstick in Lady Danger
Estée Lauder Pure Color Envy Lipstick in Restless
NARS Audacious Lipstick in Rita ($49, mecca.com.au)
Ulta 3 Moisturising Lipstick in Molten Madness

Did your favourite red lippy make the list? Are you an orangey-red or a dark red kind of girl?

175 Member Comments

BeautySwan88 23 Nov 2020 4:45 AM

BH picks are the best. Approved!

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Susmat 13 Oct 2020 12:38 PM

My pick of these is essence 02 'on the catwalk' although it may have a bit too much pink for me

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Shop A Everyday 11 May 2020 9:40 PM

Only on the odd occasion when i have a lot of other makeup on and hair looks nice

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Isabelbolton 17 Feb 2020 12:58 PM

I really like the maybelline colour drama lip pencils. It’s great that they are thicker than a typical lip pencil.

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Dreamy 15 Feb 2020 3:00 PM

My personal Fav is Orangy red lipstick from Estee Lauder. Perfect for my skin tone

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Shop A Everyday 23 Feb 2019 11:39 AM

I used red this week, and I actually thought it was too harsh on me

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aoperez 11 Nov 2018 11:16 PM

Love a red and think everyone should have one! Very good article and has a lot to do with your skin tone too!

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Frenchy1 16 Aug 2019 1:32 PM

Red is my go to colour for lips. Always find it uplifts and adds drama to my fair skin. This article is making me want to buy more red lippies!

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Danil 12 Aug 2018 9:29 PM

beautiful lipstick collection

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onlyoni 8 Apr 2018 12:19 PM

I thought for years I couldn't wear a red lip until I started playing around with different shades. Now I feel confident wearing a darker red.

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sunjeanie 17 Sep 2017 6:02 PM

I'm not a bright lip wearer, but I like there articles that feature excerpts from member reviews :-)

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BlueBite 17 Sep 2017 4:40 PM

I tried a few Australis lip sticks and didn't really like their formula. it was dry and lumpy even with a lip balm. Colours were pretty, though!

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AndreaJW 16 Sep 2017 2:55 PM

I'm a fan of red lipstick but i do like that one on the end. I wouldn't exactly call it red though more of a cherry lippy.

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jillian206 16 Sep 2017 2:14 PM

I like red lipstick with a bit of orange tone in it :)

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duality 16 Sep 2017 12:52 PM

I can't seem to pull off a red lip anymore and now I use lip tints instead

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Ellyloves 16 Sep 2017 12:04 PM

I love red lipsticks!

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bebeautiful34 16 Sep 2017 10:05 AM

I love the black winged eyeliner and red lip look but I think red lips really age me

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kimnguy 16 Sep 2017 12:12 AM

Love the essence Longlasting Lipstick in 02 so pigmented and creamy!

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Hayley644 15 Sep 2017 10:03 PM

I don't wear red lippy as I don't think it suits me.

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skincare junkie 15 Sep 2017 12:38 PM

Not a red lipstick wearer but I think I can make it work if I have to. At this stage I prefer a coral red rather than a true red, but my taste changes all the time.

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Princess Perfume 15 Sep 2017 9:58 AM

I've got to be careful how i wear red lipstick because I'm very pale. I tend to look best with a tawny red one that has a warm base

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thelifeoflaura 15 Sep 2017 8:16 AM

I love the Kate Moss one, it's gorgeous! My favourite red lippie is probably Nars Red Lizard!

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blackkittykat 14 Sep 2017 8:45 PM

My fave red lipstick is Brave Red by MAC. I also love berry toned reds.

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Beautybabe140194 14 Sep 2017 6:54 PM

Good to see some more affordable brands making the list. I do not have these.

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Miss19 14 Sep 2017 4:29 PM

I have so many red lipsticks I don't know which one is my favourite

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Arty Girl 14 Sep 2017 3:20 PM

I have both the Provocalips Red Lipsticks and the Essence "on the Catwalk". Not sure if I'm an orangey-red or dark red kind of girl. I'd say I'm more a blue-red type because I look best wearing L'Oreal Paris's 2 Step Infallible "Resolution Red" lipstick. Out of the 2 Provocalips reds, I wear the "Kiss Me You Fool" more often. I don't wear a really dark red lipstick because it tends to make me look "gothic".

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Yohanna 14 Sep 2017 2:11 PM

I do have nars one in red, but my fave is not listed here. Have couple of the bright ones in reds that [hint hint 10] could be just used for that upcoming special occasion hehe =P

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Gilded 14 Sep 2017 12:21 PM

I don't use bright colour much so its best to buy something affordable but lasting for me.

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ThisIsMe 22 Oct 2019 8:34 AM

Not a fan of red lipsticks, my skin is too pale :( * And lips very little so looks terrible far too bright for me to pull off

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misfortune8 16 Sep 2017 2:35 AM

I'm very pale & red is one of my best colours. I'm brunette, that might make the difference.

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jewl 14 Sep 2017 10:15 AM

I made sure I splurged when I was in Paris to get a Chanel lippie in red. My fave!

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clearcrystalwater 14 Sep 2017 9:48 AM

I haven't tried the velourlips but it sounds nice with it's matte finish. Nice & bright for spring! :)

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sootyblack_14 1 May 2017 4:35 PM

I don't wear red lippie... But I do love it on others...

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tegantiu 27 Apr 2017 10:49 AM

Shiseido Rouge Rouge is a great red lippy - the magnetic lippy case snaps shut quickly and efficiently - it's a great handbag staple!

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Anita1502 26 Apr 2017 9:22 AM

I must say I haven't tried any suggested ( in the slideshow) lipstick, did have that Maybelline crayon in some other shade but wasn't a fan. I do love L'oreal lipsticks and I think they are the best value for money on the market. I must say I do love my Chanel Rouge Allure Velvet too.

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Shop A Everyday 25 Apr 2017 7:49 PM

Some really nice shades with the winter coming, will be great

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Jodie730 25 Apr 2017 4:36 PM

I love red lipsticks. They look so classy and remind me of gorgeous movies stars!

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Stephanie2494 25 Apr 2017 9:35 PM

That is what I always think. I remember I brought a vintage looking lace dress for an event and I needed a red lip to complete the outfit. It is so classic

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Sally10 25 Apr 2017 2:30 PM

Bright reds look too orange on me, so I prefer blue reds.

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Chrystalage 25 Apr 2017 12:47 PM

Can wear red as long as it has a cool (blue) tone like cherry or plum red

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Petal 25 Apr 2017 11:38 AM

Some reds that claim to be a true/balanced red sometimes look like they have a slight warm undertone on me. I love to wear crimson/burgundy reds with a cool undertone.