#boldmakeup

The Bride By Jeff Stanford, 2024

Of all colors, it can be the most intimidating.

With Covid, many of us have ditched lipstick because it gets messed up underneath unwanted masks.

It’s like our lips have taken an extended sabbatical and are completely unfamiliar with the concept of lipstick at all.

Makeup companies have been shutting down due to this.  Literally.

Nonetheless, whether an outfit is neutral, monochrome or anything in-between, red lipstick instantaneously elevates any look to next level status, working like your most flattering pair of jeans or little black dress.

It can be your beauty secret weapon- one that not only beautifully finishes any look but also delivers a strong sense of confidence.

Here are my favorite red lipsticks, at different price points and various finishes.

MAC Ruby Woo

Photo Credit: nordstrom.com

One of the most legendary lipsticks ever created and with a cult following across the globe, Ruby Woo has become MAC’s best-selling lipstick in the United States with seven tubes sold every minute. Released in 1999 and adapted from previously top selling formula Russian Red, it became highly coveted by makeup artists to celebrities and consumers, including Janet Jackson and Rita Ora.   It has blue undertones and a matte finish. Many people have called this lipstick the “perfect red.”  Despite its wining points, this lipstick is known to be a “dryer” lipstick when applied and is recommended to have products applied preceding it in the following order- a lip scrub, lip balm, a coordinating pencil, and then finally the Ruby Woo to finish.  MAC Prep and prime works amazingly to prep the lips, and the MAC lip pencil in Cherry coordinates incredibly well with Ruby Woo on top.

Rouge Dior Refillable Lipstick in 999

Photo Credit: faces.com

Also referred to as “Iconic”, this is a reformulated shade inspired by the reds paired with Christian Dior’s couture dresses in his 1953 fashion show with three sold every hour in the U.S.  The 999 shade is known to look great on every skin tone, and it comes in four finishes: a velvet, matte, satin, and a metallic.  The satin shade is transferrable and does not stay like a liquid lipstick- you will have to reapply after meals and throughout the day.  The velvet has a very creamy feel to it, and the matte is a comfortable matte- it is moisturizing and won’t dry out your lips.  The formula is lightly scented.  If you liked the color, it also comes a liquid lipstick called the Rouge Dior Forever Liquid Transfer-Proof Lipstick in the shade 999 Forever Dior, which is known for is non-budging formula.

Nars Lip Velvet Matte Lip Pencil in Dragon Girl  

Photo Credit: sephora.com

Nars Velvet Matte Lip Pencil in Dragon Girl is a must to add to your lipstick library due to its truly unique shade –few colors are like it.  It has a fuchsia-pink undertones that that make it incredibly eye catching.  The shade also comes in the PowerMatte Lip Pigment formula and the Air Matte Lip Color.   Taylor Swift, known for her love of red lipstick, is a fan of this one as well- she famously wore it to the Met Gala in 2014.  It is also available on Amazon for the severely discounted $19- a big break from the retail price of $27.

SEPHORA COLLECTION Cream Lip Stain Liquid Lipstick 01 Always Red

Photo Credit: sephora.com

I noticed this one on a friend many years ago, and she said, “Its only $15 at Sephora, and it’s the Sephora brand!” It is a blue-red undertone liquid lipstick with major staying power (through meals) with incredibly creamy formula, flattering all skin tones with very few reapplications.  If you are the type of person who just starting out your lipstick wardrobe or is not wanting to invest very much but is wanting superb quality all the same- this is your go to.  It is Sephora’s best-selling liquid lipstick, and it also comes in 86 other colors, in case you really like it. 

Christian Louboutin Velvet Matte Lip Colour in Rouge Louboutin 001M 

Photo Credit: sephora.com

If looking for the ultimate luxurious red lip for yourself or a fantastic gift for the person who has everything luxurious under the sun, go no farther- Christian Louboutin’s Velvet Matte lipstick in Rouge Louboutin 001M is your best pick.  At $90 for one lipstick, few can justify this purchase- and to re purchase.  But after many try this lipstick, a surprising number are converted- it becomes a must have in their collection, and they never go back.  A true work of art itself- each tube is an ornately decorated pendant with a gorgeous cap that looks like hybrid between turret and a crown.  It is hung by a ribbon on the cap, so you can decide if you want to wear it out on the town or use it like art for next year’s Christmas Tree.  It is known as the best-selling red lip in Paris, and it won the Allure Best of Beauty award in 2019 and has a long-lasting and comfortable formula.  

Lisa Eldridge True Velvet Lip Color in Red Ribbon

Photo Credit: lisaeldridge.com

The British makeup artist, with the celebrity following of Kiera Knightly, Rihanna, Rosie Huntington Whitley, Duo Lipa, Winnie Harlow, and Victoria Beckham (just to name a few), Lisa Eldridge has been a tour de force in all aspects of makeup artistry.  After first starting her YouTube channel in 2010 with outpouring success, she started her own makeup line in 2018 by launching a limited-edition collection of True Velvet lipsticks that sold out within seconds. The Velvet Ribbon shade, a red that was the first to launch, which was an immediate sell out.  The highly pigmented shade has a finish that looks exactly like velvet fabric but on the lips. The packaging Is luxurious, coming in retro metallic brushed gold with Lisa’s initials embossed on the cap.   The shade also comes in a matching lip liner, which she has made a slight shade deeper than the lips.  

Her beauty channel is one of the best on YouTube- she keeps it fresh by doing trendy looks on herself while also featuring looks on celebrities and guest artists.  An emerald green eye look created for Emma Roberts and replicated on Lisa’s channel is outstanding- it is a saturated green with smoked-out grey edges for a truly edgy look.  Another look worth watching is the recreation of Adele’s signature look, which includes the breakdown of her famous winged eyeliner, step by step.

Sephora is in the middle of their Spring sale, with Beauty Insiders, VIBs, and ROUGE levels all having access to the sale through tomorrow, April 11th with the code SAVESPRING.  

Sephora Brand Products are all 30% off - the liquid lipstick comes from $15 down to $10.50.  

All of these lipsticks except for the MAC’s Ruby Woo and Lisa’s lipsticks will be included in the sale.

At Ulta, the Ruby Woo gets Double Points through the end of today.  

The Ruby Woo is available in a Matte Lipstick Prep and Prime set with the Primer and the Ruby Woo together for $25- a great deal (the primer is $20 and the lipstick is $19 individually)

Royal velvet colors.

@certifeye the Destiny palette. @aromaleighcosmetics "Lamprima" loose pigment. @wetnwildbeauty proline "Dark brown" E8762. @maybelline lash sensational mascara. @viviennesabo Automatic brow pencil 06.