THE MAKEUP EDIT:

10 RED LIPSTICKS THAT ARE AN INSTANT MOOD

Icons, cult buys and the hardest working red lipsticks in the business: this is everything you need to know.

WORDS: MADELAINE LAW 03.12.25

Red lipstick has survived every trend cycle, every era and every fashion mood, and for good reason. It’s a beauty constant: from silver-screen glamour to the modern, soft-edged blur - red has always signalled confidence with zero effort. And despite its reputation as being high-maintenance, red lipstick can actually be one of the easiest, quickest beauty looks to pull off (especially if you like yours blurred, diffused and slightly imperfect - like all the best things are).

From Pat Mcgrath Labs to Prada Beauty, these are 10 of the best red lipsticks to add to your basket.

1. THE LONG-LASTING RED LIPSTICK

PAT MCGRATH LABS MATTERANCE
SHADE: VENDETTA

Lightweight but richly pigmented, Mattetrance delivers a hit of dramatic colour with just one swipe. Its matte formula feels velvety on the lips and refuses to fade, flake, or cake - staying put through every sip and bite. Our top shade? Vendetta. The red to end all reds.

If Dame McGrath (Vogue’s reigning most influential makeup artist) offers longevity tips, we listen. Her advice: exfoliate beforehand, apply with your fingertip to press pigment into the lips. Start at the centre and blend outwards, then to finish, lightly dust setting powder to the finished lip. And voilà, you’re all set.

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2. THE SKINCARE-INFUSED RED LIPSTICK

BOBBI BROWN LUXE MATTE LIPSTICK
SHADE: UPTOWN RED

Bobbi Brown has always been a beauty icon, known for her “enhance what you’ve got” approach, but even minimalists need a killer red lip, especially in shade Uptown Red. This formula shines for skincare lovers: featuring flower extracts, hyaluronic acid, and peptides to plump and soften the lips while minimising fine lines. Plus, the angled precision bullet delivers a clean, pro-level application every time.

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3. THE PLUMPING + HYDRATING RED LIPSTICK

GUCCI GLOSS A LEVRES LIP GLOSS LIMITED EDITION
SHADE: ROSSO ANCORA

Plump and plush, Gucci’s done it again. Lips appear fuller, softer, and irresistibly smooth, wrapped in a veil of immaculate colour. Rosso Ancora is a radiant red lacquer infused with a powerful cocktail of hydrating and volumising ingredients. The angled design sculpts the perfect, crisp lip line. All housed in packaging debossed with the iconic Gucci emblem. Don’t mind if we do.

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4. THE HIGH-SHINE RED LIPSICK

MAC CREMESHEEN LIPSTICK
SHADE: BRAVE RED

If you’re the kind who gravitates toward a bold, confident red, consider this your invitation. And of course, no roundup would be complete without a nod to M·A·C, a brand that practically defined the modern pro kit.

Their Lipstick is the stuff of beauty lore: the original icon that put the brand on the map. Expect that signature creamy glide, a plush balmy feel, and coverage you can dial up or down, all finished with that effortless semi-gloss sheen makeup artists swear by.

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5.THE DEFINING DUO

DOLCE AND GABBANA KISS MY GLOSS!
SHADE: RED

Searching for a duo that does it all? Dolce and Gabbana has the answer. The twist-up liner offers fuss-free precision with a long-wearing, 12-hour formula that refuses to budge. Then comes the gloss stick: melting on contact, drenching lips in intense, glass-like shine while delivering instant hydration for a dimensional, juicy finish. Impressive.

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6. THE MATTE RED LIPSTICK

PRADA BEAUTY MONOCHROME HYPER MATTE FOR DURABLE WEIGHTLESS LIP COLOUR
SHADE: R26

Landing an intense, rich red is never easy, but Prada have nailed it with ‘R26.’

With a super soft formula, it melts into the lips, while a precision tip and highly pigmented colour means that all it takes is one swipe for maximum impact. Perfect for those who love their red lip big, bold and matte.

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7. THE LIQUID RED LIPSTICK

DOLCE&GABBANA DEVOTION LIQUID LIPSTICK
SHADE: DEVOZIONE 405

Is liquid lipstick better than lipstick? It’s a good question. When it comes to delivering bold makeup, it can be a stronger option. Often more durable and longer lasting, they’re usually more highly pigmented than other lipstick styles and less likely to transfer.

And Dolce&Gabbana’s Devotion Liquid Lipstick is no exception. Soft and lightweight, it features avocado oil to help lips stay nourished all day, while delivering a high-impact matte finish. Drying down in a matter of seconds, it also promises no transfer for colour that can last for up to 16 hours.

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8. THE HYDRATING SATIN RED LIPSTICK

JIMMY CHOO SEDUCTION COLLECTION HYDRATING SMOOTHING SATIN LIPSTICK
SHADE: RED CARPET

Almost too hot to use, Jimmy Choo’s Hydrating Satin lipstick is designed to be packed in your party bag and applied in public. A glam red with a hint of pink, ‘Red Carpet,’ was made for your next night out.

If you prefer your finish to be somewhere between a matte and high shine, then a satin formula is the one for you. This one leaves lips looking - and feeling - glossy, shiny and healthy, delivering colour without drying out the lips. Not to mention the intricate python print imprinted onto the stick. Told you it was hot.

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9. THE ICONIC RED LIPSTICK

TOM FORD LIP COLOUR
SHADE: 10 CHERRY FLUSH

If you’re the kind who gravitates toward a bold, confident red, consider this your invitation. And of course, no roundup would be complete without a nod to M·A·C, a brand that practically defined the modern pro kit.

Their Lipstick is the stuff of beauty lore: the original icon that put the brand on the map. Expect that signature creamy glide, a plush balmy feel, and coverage you can dial up or down. It’s then topped off with that effortless semi-gloss sheen makeup artists swear by.

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10. THE SHEER RED LIPSTICK

YVES SAINT LAURENT LOVESHINE CANDY GLAZE LIP GLOSS IN A STICK
SHADE: 17

Sometimes, you just want a hint of colour vs. a big, bold red lip. And for those moments, reach for Yves Saint Laurent’s Loveshine Candy Glaze Lip Gloss in a Stick.

More of a lip balm, if we’re being totally honest, it promises 24-hours of hydration thanks to its skin-loving ingredients, like pomegranate and hyaluronic acid. The plumping jelly-like texture melts over your lips without stickiness and delivers a tint of red that works on its own or under a red lip for when you want to up the ante.

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