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The 16 best red lipsticks for your skin tone starting from just £10
Signed, your friendly neighbourhood Cosmo beauty editors
Water is wet, the sky is blue, and red lipstick looks good on everyone. These are universal truths of the world, dammit. But I get it: Like many things in the ever-expanding world of makeup (ahem, finding your right foundation shade or matching blush to your skin tone), finding the best red lipstick is a challenge. There are liquid lipsticks that last a long time but are oftentimes drying; there are shiny satin versions that hydrate your lips but can smear and feather; and there are blue-based reds, yellow-based reds, orange-y reds, maroons, burgundies – you name it. It's enough to make you just grab your nearest nude lipstick and call it a day.
But! I refuse to let you go one more night out without your perfect red lipstick in tow. Because there's one thing everyone can agree on and it's that a red lipstick can make you feel like your best, most put-together self... so long as it's a formula, shade, and finish you love. Here are just a few of our favourites, but keep scrolling for the full list:
Our top picks for best red lipsticks of 2025:
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- 3
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- 5
Need help finding your ideal shade, finish, and format? I got some tips from a makeup artist that you can read below. But first, let's run down our top picks, from a range of Cosmo editors with varying skin tones and preferences.
NYX Professional Makeup Lip IV in Cranberry Splash
Pros
- Combines gloss and stain in one
- Hydrating
Cons
- Gloss can slightly transfer
"Nine hours and many snacks later, and my red lip (albeit with one touch-up) is still going strong! Lip IV is a gloss-to-stain, so it applies with instant wet-shine, yet once it fades, saturated pigment is left on the lips. Colour-matching is also a breeze thanks to the virtual try-on experience on the NYX website." – Lia Mappoura, Beauty Writer, Cosmo UK
Features at a Glance
| Format | Liquid gloss/stain |
|---|---|
| Finish | High-shine gloss |
Pros
- Demi-matte formula is super comfortable on lips
- Weightless
Cons
- Needs touch-ups
"Mousse-y. That’s the only word that comes to mind to describe the G Suit Lip Crème texture. I’m a big fan of how movable my lips feel, especially as we approach a season where they’ll be working hard as I eat and drink every canapé and cocktail in sight. This is definitely not transfer-proof, but it lasts most of the day before needing a top-up." – Keeks Reid, Beauty Director, Cosmo UK
Features at a Glance
| Format | Liquid lip cream |
|---|---|
| Finish | Demi-matte |
Pros
- 12 hour long wear
- Highly pigmented
Cons
- Can be tricky to remove
"With dry lips, I tend to avoid stains, but this one worked. Paired with a gloss, it didn’t feel dehydrating, and the stain lasted all day – even through meals and coffee! The small applicator is great for precision, but a bit tricky for even coverage. I usually go for more of a fire-engine red, however, the cherry shade won me over – it was super flattering against my skin tone." – Kiera Egan, Social Media Manager, Cosmo UK
Features at a Glance
| Format | Lip stain/liner hybrid |
|---|---|
| Finish | Natural matte |
Pros
- Long-lasting
- Weightless
Cons
- Matte formula can enhance dry patches on lips
"Humble brag, but I can apply my go-to red perfectly without a mirror. This L’Oréal Paris formula (a punchy, classic red) was trickier to master – it goes on as a liquid and dries quickly. So, you’re on a timer! But after removing excess and neatening up the edges, it looked on point and held its own throughout a three-course meal." – Jennifer Savin, Acting Senior Features Editor, Cosmo UK
Features at a Glance
| Format | Liquid lipstick |
|---|---|
| Finish | Matte |
Pros
- Blue-red shade looks great on all skin tones
- Doesn't fade or feather for up to 10 hours
Cons
- Some reviewers say it doesn't apply smoothly straight from the tube
"There’s a lot of hype surrounding this lipstick, and now, I get it. The blue undertones seriously brighten your teeth (instant win) while the matte finish is bold but surprisingly comfy – no dryness or flakes in sight. I wore it all day, from morning errands to lunch and cocktails with friends, and didn’t need to reapply once. This one’s earned a spot in my makeup bag for party szn." – Izzy Trood, Deputy Social Media Manager, Cosmo UK
| Format | Cream stick |
|---|---|
| Finish | Matte |
Pat McGrath Labs LiquiLUST Legendary Wear Matte Lipstick in Elson 4
Pros
- Creamy and comfortable on lips
Cons
- Expensive
"I’ve never been one for long-lasting lipsticks, instead opting for satin-shine styles that feel more moisturising, but if it’s good enough for T Swift… I tested Tay’s signature red, a liquid formula that finishes matte without leaving my lips dry or sticky. While it doesn’t have the staying power past a big meal, it still looked Eras tour-worthy." – Sophie Leen, Bookings Director, Cosmo UK
Features at a Glance
| Format | Liquid |
|---|---|
| Finish | Soft matte |
Pros
- Refillable
- Nourishing ingredients make for comfortable wear
Cons
- High-end price point
- Requires touch-ups
"The Prada lip balms get all the love – even from Sabrina Carpenter – but I, personally, would pick these lipsticks over and over again. They are fantastic for dabbing on the centre of my lips and blending out with my finger for a really soft application, even when I use the red shade. I avoid wearing red lipstick often because it can be so intense, but this formula just makes it easy." – Beth Gillette, Beauty Editor, Cosmo US
Features at a Glance
| Format | Cream stick |
|---|---|
| Finish | Matte |
Pros
- Moisturizes lips to avoid dryness (but doesn't smear or smudge either)
Cons
- Some reviewers say it feathers a bit without a lip liner
"I’m a matte lip hater, so I love a natural finish lipstick that gives tons of pigment and some added hydration. This lipstick gives a near-glossy finish and comes in a very extensive shade range. And if you wanna add even more shine, it layers well with lip oils and glosses." – Jasmine Hyman, Assistant Beauty Editor, Cosmo US
Features at a Glance
| Format | Cream stick |
|---|---|
| Finish | Satin |
Pros
- Truly lasts all day
- Packaging is super chic
Cons
- Requires a few extra coats to build it up
"Normally I avoid red lipstick when my lips are chapped and dry, but this one feels super emollient and hydrating. It doesn't feel sticky or too glossy though; it still gives off a satin finish, just without all the usual dryness and tugging." – Beth Gillette
| Format | Cream stick |
|---|---|
| Finish | Satin |
Pros
- Packaging is refillable
- Infused with vitamin E
Cons
- The tip shape is a bit tricky for tight precision
"At any given moment, I probably have a few of these must-have lipsticks in various shades in my bag. They apply so smoothly, never feel dry or adhere to any cracks in my lips, and always make my lips look full and plump. I’m obsessed with the whole assortment of shades from pinks and nudes to reds, including this deep shade called Cinematic Red. It would be fab for a deep skin tone, but even I like to wear it on my light to medium skin for a dramatic moment." – Beth Gillette
| Format | Cream stick |
|---|---|
| Finish | Matte |
Pros
- Keep lips nice and moisturized for hours
- Can be applied without a mirror
Cons
- The cap of the packaging is a little wonky
- Super sheer, so if you want more color payoff this may not be the best choice
"I like this lipstick enough to take a selfie in it after a laser appt and while majorly breaking out – which basically means I like it a lot. Normally, I have to layer a lip balm under lipstick to prevent my lips from drying out, but this combines the hydrating benefits of a balm with juicy red colour for comfy all-day wear. And the tint skews berry, which I personally love for the winter months." – Lauren Balsamo, Beauty Director, Cosmo US
| Format | Cream stick |
|---|---|
| Finish | Shiny |
Jasmine Hyman is the Assistant Beauty Editor at Cosmopolitan, where she writes about the latest beauty trends and must-have products. Her most prized beauty possessions are a meticulous skincare routine and salon blowouts. You’ll also likely find her in bed reading a good book or endlessly scrolling TikTok (spoiler: it’s usually the latter) while listening to Harry Styles’ entire discography on repeat. Follow her on Insta to be inundated with pictures of her meals.
Beth Gillette is the beauty editor at Cosmopolitan, where she covers skincare, makeup, hair, nails, and more across digital and print. She can generally be found in bright eyeshadow furiously typing her latest feature or hemming and hawing about a new product you "have to try." Prior to Cosmopolitan, she wrote and edited beauty content as an Editor at The Everygirl for four years. Follow her on Instagram for makeup selfies and a new hair 'do every few months.
Lia Mappoura (she/her) is the Beauty Writer at Cosmopolitan UK, with over four years of experience reporting across the brand's print, social, video and digital platforms. Lia covers everything from emerging trend analysis to viral celebrity hair and makeup moments, making her an expert at spotting the season’s next big beauty look (before it takes over social media feeds).
In 2025, she was named The Rising Media Star at the Love Perfume Awards with The Perfume Shop, recognised for her outstanding digital fragrance content and for building genuine authority within the space. She is passionate about challenging outdated beauty stereotypes, championing inclusive representation in beauty, and educating readers on the trends, products and conversations shaping the industry today. Follow her on Instagram or find her on LinkedIn.
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