45+ Inspiring Red Lipstick Ideas

Red lipstick is the quintessential symbol of classic beauty and confidence, offering a range of shades that can complement any skin tone and occasion. Whether you’re aiming for a vintage Hollywood glamour look, a bold modern statement, or a subtle touch of color, red lipstick is a powerful tool in your makeup arsenal.

Red Lipstick Advice

A red lip is a classic and timeless look that never goes out of style. However, since it’s so bold, it can be a little intimidating or difficult to master. Here are a few tips you can follow to wear red lipstick with confidence.

• Don’t settle for just any shade. Red lipstick comes in countless hues and not all of them are going to be flattering on everyone. If you’ve had trouble getting a red lipstick that looks good on you, try out a different shade or ask a makeup artist for help.
• Exfoliate your lips before applying to ensure the color goes on smoothly and doesn’t look patchy. This one from ELF is even moisturizing.
• While not always necessary with every color, priming your lips before applying red shades will truly help your lipstick last and not stain. This one from Anastasia Beverly Hills also works as a color corrector to create an optimal canvas for red hues.
• Don’t skip lining your lips. Red can bleed or smear past your lip line more easily than other colors, and since it’s a bright color, it’s even more noticeable. Apply a lip liner like this one from ELF to keep your lipstick in place.
• Match your lip liner to your lipstick as best you can, but if you can’t find a perfect fit, try to use a lip liner that’s slightly darker and fill in your lips before applying lipstick.
• Unless you’ve had a lot of practice, don’t overline your lips when you wear red. It tends to look more obvious and can sometimes instead seem like your lip color has bled or smeared.
• Try different lip color formulas to find one that you like best. For example, liquid lipstick is best for a long-lasting color, but it can be a little drying. This one from Maybelline comes in a wide selection of red hues. Lip stains and tints, like this one from Covergirl, are a good option for beginners since they’re a little more subtle and can build up in pigment.
• If you have trouble applying lipstick precisely, lightly pat the color on your lips and slowly build up the color. You can also use a lip brush, like this one from Unaone, to make sure you stay within your lip line.
• Adding a little gloss can help keep your lips moisturized since red tones are often a little drying. You can also wear a red gloss on its own since the extra shine can also help accentuate the bold color while also making it a little more wearable. These from NYX are a great way to top a red lip or try out a red lip in a more subdued way.
• Since red lipstick is so bold on its own, try to aim for a simpler or neutral eye look so they don’t clash. A simple winged eye or nude smokey eyeshadow balances pretty well with a red lip without overpowering it.
• Keep a mirror on hand, like this little compact, so you can check to make sure your lipstick doesn’t transfer onto your teeth.

Red Lipstick Ideas

Timeless Crimson Elegance

Matte crimson red lipstick paired with a clean, winged eyeliner crafts a timeless, classic look, embodying sophistication and grace.

Youthful Cherry Gloss

Glossy cherry red lipstick matched with dewy, fresh skin offers a vibrant, youthful appearance, radiating health and vitality.

Sultry Burgundy Nights

Deep burgundy red lipstick combined with a smoky brown eye creates the perfect sultry evening look, full of depth and allure.

Bold Fire-Engine Statement

Bright fire-engine red lipstick with minimal mascara for a striking statement lip that commands attention in its simplicity.

Warm Summer Vibes

Orange-red lipstick complemented by soft, golden eyeshadow captures a warm, summery vibe, perfect for sunny days and golden hours.

Subtle Bronze Elegance

Brick red lipstick with a matte finish paired with a subtle bronze smokey eye for a refined look that’s effortlessly chic.

Regal Satin Red

Satin-finish true red lipstick complemented by a simple, elegant cat eye for a regal and timeless beauty that’s always in style.

Shimmering Ruby Delight

Ruby red lipstick with a glossy sheen matched with shimmery champagne eyelids for a look that’s luminous and full of life.

Velvety Wine Sophistication

Wine red lipstick’s velvety texture paired with a clean, luminous complexion offers a sophisticated, polished appearance.

Fluttery Poppy Charm

Poppy red lipstick with a semi-matte finish complemented by fluttery, voluminous lashes for an enchanting, eye-catching look.

Metallic Scarlet Drama

Scarlet red lipstick with a metallic finish paired with a smoky eye in shades of grey for a dramatic and intense visual impact.

Rosy Raspberry Glow

Raspberry red lipstick with a hint of shimmer matched with soft, rosy blush for a glowing, fresh-faced beauty that’s naturally radiant.

Sun-Kissed Coral Sheen

Coral red lipstick with a glossy finish complemented by subtle, sun-kissed bronzer for a radiant, healthy-looking complexion.

Dramatic Blood Red

Blood red lipstick with a matte finish paired with a dramatic, dark smokey eye for an intense, captivating look that’s boldly mysterious.

Fiery Neutral Contrast

Fiery red lipstick with an orange undertone matched with neutral, matte eyeshadow for a striking contrast that’s both bold and balanced.

Plum Red Sparkle

Dark red lipstick with a plum base paired with silver glitter eyeliner for a contrasting look that’s intriguing and eye-catching.

Soft Rose Romance

Rose red lipstick with a creamy texture complemented by a soft, pink eyeshadow look for a romantic, tender appearance that’s beautifully gentle.

Classic Apple Red

Apple red lipstick with a satin sheen matched with winged eyeliner and a touch of highlight for a classic, polished look that’s undeniably chic.

Glossy Maroon Sophistication

Maroon red lipstick with a glossy finish complemented by a subtle smokey eye in brown tones for a sophisticated, understated elegance.

Luminous Red Pearl

Red lipstick with a pearl finish for a soft, luminous look, matched with gentle smoky eyes that enhance the lips’ radiance without overpowering.

Graphic Magenta Edge

Magenta-red lipstick with a matte finish paired with bold, black graphic eyeliner for an avant-garde look that’s edgy and daring.

Shimmering Strawberry Freshness

Strawberry red lipstick with a hint of gloss complemented by light, shimmering eyeshadow for a fresh, vibrant look that’s delightfully playful.

Monochromatic Red Impact

Red lipstick with a velvet matte finish paired with monochromatic red eyeshadow for a bold, impactful look that’s unified and striking.

Radiant Pink-Red Beauty

Bright red lipstick with a hint of pink matched with a clean, luminous face and subtle contouring for a radiant beauty that’s glowing and refined.

Festive Red with Gold

Red lipstick with gold flecks offers a unique, festive look paired with a neutral, shimmering eye, blending glamour with a touch of holiday spirit.

Navy Blue Smoky Depth

Deep red lipstick with a blue undertone matched with a soft, smoky eye in navy blue for a look that’s deep, mysterious, and captivating.

Teal Pop on Red-Orange

Red-orange lipstick with a semi-matte finish complemented by bright, teal eyeliner for a pop of color that’s vibrant and playful.

Juicy Glossed Red

Red lipstick with a clear gloss overtop creates a juicy, vibrant look paired with bronzed cheeks for a look that’s sun-kissed and lively.

Taupe Elegance on Mulberry

Mulberry red lipstick with a matte finish paired with sophisticated, taupe eyeshadow for a look that’s elegant and subtly compelling.

Autumnal Cardinal Essence

Matte cardinal red lipstick paired with metallic copper eyeshadow captures the essence of autumn, blending warmth with rich color for a striking flair.

Vermilion Contrast

Glossy vermilion red lipstick set against subtle, matte charcoal eyeliner offers a striking contrast, embodying boldness with a refined edge.

Carmine Lavender Softness

Deep carmine red lipstick with a velvety finish matched with soft, diffused lavender eyeshadow creates a look of sophisticated softness, perfect for romantic evenings.

Festive Scarlet Brilliance

Bright scarlet red lipstick paired with bold, emerald green eyeshadow conjures a festive look, vibrant and full of holiday cheer.

Merlot Evening Elegance

Satin merlot red lipstick complemented by golden bronze smokey eyes exudes evening elegance, ideal for occasions demanding a touch of glamour.

Glossy Raspberry Wing

Raspberry red lipstick with a glossy sheen, paired with classic, winged black eyeliner, offers timeless beauty with a modern shine.

Defined Candy Apple

Candy apple red lipstick with a semi-matte finish matched with fluttery, defined eyelashes for a captivating look that’s both sweet and bold.

Ruby Night Glamour

Matte ruby red lipstick complemented by shimmery silver eyeshadow, ready for a glamorous night out, combines classic with contemporary allure.

Sultry Crimson Mystery

Glossy crimson red lipstick paired with smoky quartz eyeshadow for a sultry, mysterious look, enveloping the wearer in a veil of intrigue.

Dramatic Fire Engine Impact

Vibrant fire engine red lipstick with a matte finish complemented by dramatic, smokey black eyes for a bold, statement-making impact.

Golden Cherry Radiance

Dark cherry red lipstick paired with soft, golden highlights on the cheeks and brow bones illuminates the face with a radiant warmth.

Jewel-Toned Burgundy

Glossy burgundy red lipstick matched with sparkling, jewel-toned blue eyeliner for an enchanting look that mesmerizes with depth and sparkle.

Cozy Terracotta Comfort

Matte terracotta red lipstick complemented by a warm, matte brown crease crafts a cozy, everyday look, blending comfort with subtle sophistication.

Shimmering Coral Brightness

Bright coral red lipstick with a glossy finish paired with subtle, shimmering peach eyeshadow for a look that’s sunny and bright, evoking summery vibes.

Natural Poppy Harmony

Satin-finish poppy red lipstick complemented by muted, matte green eyeshadow offers a natural contrast, harmonizing boldness with earthy tones.

Plum-Infused Maroon Depth

Deep maroon red lipstick with a matte finish paired with a smoky eye in shades of plum for a look that’s rich in depth and sultry elegance.

Pillar Box Drama

Bright, matte pillar box red lipstick complemented by smoky grey and black winged eyeshadow for a look that’s both dramatic and elegantly bold.