When it comes to beauty, I love classic reds. It’s my go-to nail polish color, and it’s also my go-to lipstick shade, RED! I’m all about a good red lipstick. And it’s one I wear all year round. For summer, a bold red lip is so flattering on sun-kissed skin and paired with a little white summer dress. It’s the best combination if you ask me. As a summertime beauty must-have, a good red lipstick is at the top of my list. Right next to my SPF of course.
Finding a good summer red lipstick has been my mission. I have so many red lipsticks to choose from, but the perfect summer one, I’ve been on the hunt for. For fall and winter, I rely on a more blue undertone lipstick to go with my olive skin. I love my NARS Don’t Stop. But it’s a tad too blue and dark for summer and have found myself not reaching for it as often as I used to. Which has lead me down this search for a universally flattering summer red lipstick. One that works on most skin tones and stays put in all the humidity and patio cocktails! I think I found a good one, along with a few notable mentions too. Here are the best red lipsticks for summer from classic reds, orange reds and even blue reds to work with every skin tone and personality!
Ps if red isn’t your thing, I’ve got a great list of summer lipsticks to try from nudes, pinks and more right here.
Best Red Lipsticks For Summer
1. NARS Velvet Matte Lipstick Pencil in ‘Dragon Girl’
The NARS matte pencil is such a great product and Dragon Girl is such a great red. It’s got a bit of a bright red hue to it and goes on more like a pencil but looks like a lipstick with its high pigmentation. It’s pretty long wearing too which is always a plus.
2. FENTY Beauty Stunna Lip Paint in ‘Uncensored’
It’s no secret I love FENTY Beauty. I’m a big fan of her foundation and this contour stick. I’ve yet to try Rihanna’s lipsticks, but this has rave reviews and is dubbed as a “perfect universal red”. And I believe it. It’s a bold bright true red in a semi-matte finish.
3. MAC Matte Lipstick in ‘Ruby Woo’
A cult favorite that’s been around for years. This is a classic red that has a bit of a blue undertone. This also comes in the MAC Lipglass for a glossy finish if you prefer that over the matte finish of the lipstick. And while you’re browsing the MAC Matte lipsticks, Dangerous is also a great orange-red that’s more bright and summery. Which is the color Sara of Harper & Harley is wearing in the featured image.
4. NARS Powermatte Lip Pigment in ‘Light My Fire’
This is one of the lipsticks I just recently added to my beauty bag while on the hunt for a new summer red lipstick. I already love and wear Don’t Stop in the fall and winter. But this is a great summer swap as it’s more bright and warm and isn’t as blue-toned. This lipstick is more like a matte pigment stain and is super long-wearing. This says a lot coming from me because lipstick ends up all over me in no time. Recently wore this to an outdoor summer party with food, drink and humidity and it stayed put!
5. Charlotte Tilbury Hot Lips Lipstick in ‘Tell Laura’
I’m a big fan of Charlotte Tilbury lipsticks and have been wearing Pillow Talk for years. But for a good summer red, this bright red with a hint of orange called Tell Laura is the ideal summer red. I love the brightness to it. And with all Charlotte Tilbury lipsticks, they feel so great and wear really well.
6. Rare Beauty Lip Souffle Matte Cream Lipstick in ‘Inspire’
This bright red is Selena Gomez’s go to red. It’s bright and punchy and is such a great red. This formula is a very soft creamy matte. When you hear the word souffle, it kind of makes sense as soon as you swipe it on. It almost feels like it’s light and whipped. It doesn’t stay put like my go-to NARS lip pigment, but it’s a new favorite for sure for summer.
Featured image via Harper & Harley