Looking for a signature red lipstick? Start with these editor-approved picks

If you’re looking for the perfect red, we’ve got you. (Picture: Metro/Getty) Metro journalists select and curate the products that feature on our site. If you make a purchase via links on this page we will earn commission – learn more While we strongly believe red lipstick is for year-round wear, it comes into its own when party season arrives. Bold and bright, there are many different versions of a red lip to wear, which can make it a daunting shopping task, but that’s why we’re here. Red lipstick is the ultimate finishing touch to your makeup look, and thanks to all the formats available, it can take the form or a statement full-coverage matte, high-shine sheer payoff, tinted lip balm for extra hydration or even a juicy lip oil. The trick is working out what one suits you best, and much of it comes down to your undertone, AKA the colours mixed with red that determine if it leans cool, warm or neutral. Cooler complexions, for example, suit blue-based reds, in cherry and raspberry shades, while also making teeth look whiter. Meanwhile, orange-based reds, like tomato or brick colours, add warmth. True reds sit squarely in the middle and flatter everyone. That said, you don’t need to follow any particular rules within makeup – if you love a certain colour, wear it. Once you have an idea of what colour you like, think about the format. Do you want a long-wearing, creamy mousse texture that takes a bit of patience to apply, or a traditional bullet lipstick you can swipe on in seconds? Or would you prefer a sheer tinted balm you can apply in a rush, without a mirror, for a wash of colour? For ultimate longwear, consider a lip stain, which dries down to a flush that lasts hours. Some red lip products come in chubby pencils and sticks for extra precise application, too. Finish matters just as much. Matte has the boldest colour payoff and the longest-lasting, but it can cling to dry patches. Satin and cream finishes can feel more comfortable but are more likely to transfer onto a wine glass, while glosses and oils often offer added hydration but a sheerer colour payoff. Thankfully, budget isn’t an issue, with plenty of affordable brands and luxury counterparts available to shop till you drop, whether you have money to splurge or are keeping things budget-friendly. Ask Metro Use AI to go deeper into the stories you care about – powered by Metro and trusted publications. With that in mind, we’ve curated a shopping guide to our favourite reds, each well worth a spot in your makeup bag all year, but especially across party season. The best red lipsticks 2026 Ilia Beauty Lip Sketch Hydrating Crayon If you love to outline your Cupid's bow precisely and fill it with an all-over colour, but without needing multiple different products, this Ilia crayon is perfect. It’s a thick pencil with a fine tip, richly pigmented and long-wearing, with full-coverage colour. If you like a red lipstick that leans more pink, try the shade Blue Note for a statement lip that doesn’t feel drying and lasts all day. Buy Now for £27 REFY Tinted Lip Gloss If you love a glossy finish, Refy’s tinted versions are fantastic. It has a cool metal tip applicator for evenly spreading the formula without any clumping, and the colour payoff is sheer, so while the red shade may look bold and bright, it’s actually very subtle. The shiny finish lasts ages, and it’s easy to reapply without needing much of a mirror. Buy Now for £16 e.l.f. Glow Reviver Lip Oil Stick Jam Packed This may look like a lipstick, but it’s a richly pigmented lip oil that has impressive colour payoff in a balmy texture. It has a soft satin finish that’s neither glossy nor super matte and contains a blend of squalane, shea butter, and jojoba oil to hydrate dry lips. The chrome packaging feels luxurious despite it costing just a tenner, and while there are eight shades to choose from, Cherry On Top is our pick if you want a flattering red. Buy Now for £10 Guerlain Rouge G The ultimate luxury lip is Guerlain’s famous Rouge G, with a huge shade range, silky-smooth texture, and budget-proof formulas. The gold casing is stunning, and you can find a wide selection of cases, complete with a folding mirror. Available in satin and matte, our go-to shade for a classic red lip is Le Rouge Vibrant 510 – you won’t be disappointed. Buy Now for £35 Benefit Benetint Dark Cherry Benefit’s lip stain has been around for decades, but its Dark Cherry shade is a little over a year old. Rather than its pinky counterparts, it’s a deep brownish red that stays put. Perfect for a low-effort lip, once applied and allowed to dry, it doesn’t smudge, even on a wine glass or fork. Wear on its own or with a lip balm on top for extra smoothness. Buy Now for £23.50 Merit Beauty Shade Slick Classics Tinted Lip Oil Merit Beauty is all about approaching your makeup routine with a minimalist attitude, and its tinted lip oil is ideal if you like a tint that builds in depth over time and has a small doe-foot applicator that you can easily top up on the go. The packaging is luxurious, thanks to a gold lid and lettering and the formula as decadent to match, softly hydrating dry lips and adding a slight wash of colour at the same time. Buy Now for £22 Clinique Almost Lipstick Black Honey While Black Honey may look like a very, very dark lipstick, it has a much sheerer payoff and can be worn in a single swipe or built up for more coverage. It’s a balmy, berry shade with a soft-shine finish and a forgiving formula that’s easy to reapply on a tube carriage or busy bus, plus it’s pretty flattering on everyone. It’s no wonder it’s a cult favourite. Buy Now for £25 L'Oréal Paris Color Riche Satin Lipstick This red lippie puts many uber-expensive formulas to shame. It’s not sticky or overly waxy, and it doesn't leave your lips drier than when you started. The satin finish is a more comfortable alternative to a classic matte and lasts longer than you might expect. For a bright, vibrant red, try shade 125 Maison Marai, or for a deeper, autumnal tone, try 124 Silvous Plait. 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