fbpx

How to Pick the Best Red Lipstick for Your Skin Tone

How to Pick the Best Red Lipstick for Your Skin Tone featured image
We may earn commission from links on this page. Each product featured has been vetted and chosen by our editors.

Red lipstick is a timeless favorite, and thanks to recent red wine and red blush makeup trends, finding your perfect shade of red lip is likely at the top of your mind. With so many options available, choosing the right one can feel overwhelming. Fortunately, we’ve penned this expert-approved guide to help you find the ideal red for your skin tone ahead.

Featured Experts

Red lipstick is an unparalleled way to make a bold statement with your look. Robert Cook, national makeup artist for Lancôme, described it as the “always classic, sophisticated, chic, on-trend lip color that anyone can wear in almost every situation and every era.” If you’ve ever wanted to rock a red lip, but choosing the right one for you feels daunting we’ve got you covered.

Before selecting the right red lipstick for you, you need to determine the undertones in your skin. “If you have a warm undertone, warmer-toned red will look amazing on you!” says Miami makeup artist Natalie Dresher. “If you have a more cool-toned complexion, bluer-hued reds will bring out your best features.”

Celebrity makeup artist D’Andre Michael explained that warm, cool and neutral undertones exist. Warm undertones are peachy and yellow, as seen in Angela Bassett, Kim Kardashian West, Beyoncé and Jessica Alba, explained Michael. Cool skin tones have hints of blue, pink or red like in Elle Fanning, Nicole Kidman, Adele and Lupita Nyongo’o. Neutral skin tones, which include Angelina Jolie, Kerry Washington, Drew Barrymore and Jennifer Aniston, have a mix of warm and cool.

You can decipher your skin tone in two ways, according to Michael. “If you tan easily, then you are a warm tone. If you burn or just get red when in the sun, then you are a cool tone,” he said. Additionally, with “cool skin tones, your veins will appear green, blue or purple. [With] warm skin tones, your veins will appear green.”

When selecting a red lipstick, Dresher recommends keeping your teeth in mind as well. “Cooler toned reds tend to be more flattering for teeth as they bring out the bluer, ‘whiter’ shading in teeth,” she notes. Warmer reds, on the other hand, may bring out yellow shades in your teeth.

1 / 3

Warm Undertones

“If you have a warm undertone, yellow-based reds (golden, orangey bricky, tomato) are probably going to feel more comfortable or natural to wear.” In contrast, cooler colors will feel more dramatic to you, said Cook.

Michael also encouraged orange-based, brick-red, brownish-red reds and terra-cotta colors to complement warm undertones. He recommended MAC Cosmetics Matte Lipstick in Lady Danger ($23) and Rimmel London Lasting Finish by Kate Lipstick/001 ($6).

2 / 3

Cool Undertones 

“If you are a cool undertone, blue-based or cooler shades will feel more towards your comfort zone,” while warm shades will probably clash more, said Cook. Michael suggested Pat McGrath Labs MatteTrance Lipstick in Elson ($39), MAC Cosmetics Retro Matte Lipstick in Ruby Woo ($23), and NARS Lip Pencil in Dragon Girl ($30).

3 / 3

Neutral Undertones

Those with a mix of both warm and cool undertones “get to enjoy the best of both worlds,” said Michael. He advised trying Revlon Super Lustrous Lipstick in Fire and Ice ($10.50), Maybelline New York Color Sensational Made for All Lipstick in Ruby for Me ($6), Fenty Beauty Stunna Lip Paint in Uncensored ($29), CoverGirl Full Spectrum Color Idol Lipstick in Knockout ($5) and NYX Pin-Up Pout Lipstick in Revolution ($20).

Related Posts

Find a Doctor

Find a NewBeauty "Top Beauty Doctor" Near you

Give the Gift of Luxury

NewBeauty uses cookies for various reasons, including to analyze and improve its content and advertising. Please review our Privacy Policy and Terms of Use for more about how we use this data. By continuing to use this site, you agree to these policies.