The BEST Drugstore Red Lipsticks

I used to be afraid of wearing red lipstick. From the beginning of my journey into make-up up until Junior year of high school I kept it simple with pale pinks or frosted caramel-pinkish colors (ew) because I listened to my mom’s suggestions. My mom loves caramel-pinks and nude colors for her and she likes them on me, but I just cleaned out my lipsticks and tried on my ol’ high school staple lip colors and they’re so gross.

Let’s not even get into the sparkly rainbow and silver smoky eye shadow looks I used to wear. (They weren’t Catholic high school appropriate but I DID blend them perfectly, just sayin’.) Why did I wear nude, boring lip colors for so long? Mostly fear.

Then one day I had a ~divine revelation~ I presumably stared at a stunning picture of the fair-skinned pop icon Taylor Swift. She looks so good in red lipstick! I wish I looked that good in red lipstick! Then I realized it looked so cool mostly because she was so pale. Then I thought der der der, I’m so pale! I’ve never even tried red lipstick, I don’t even know how it would look. I just assumed I would suck with red lipstick because I had the image of a clown in my head.

Anyway, once I started wearing red lipstick I never looked back. I branched into bright pinks and berries and even dark burgundies. I realized I liked reds and berries on me far more than nudes. Amen. Anyway, here are the best drugstore red lipsticks! 

Let me pre-face these “bests” by saying I am fair-skinned with a cool skin tone. Cool skin tone meaning I look best with lip colors that have a blue undertone. Because of this, most of my bests are cool (with two warm ones)!

1. NYC Expert Last Lip Color – Red Rapture 432

This color has a fairly neutral undertone but it is slightly on the warm side. It’s very matte (as most of these favorites are). It’s very inexpensive and can be found at drugstores for under $1.99.

Pros: It lasts a REALLY long time, especially with lip liner.

Cons: It’s a little bit drying–without lip balm underneath it can be a bit difficult to wear. This isn’t the best for people with dry lips. The packaging also looks quite crappy–the plastic cracks easily so this shouldn’t be precariously tossed in your bag.

2. Rimmel Lasting Finish by Kate Moss – 01

This one has a bit of shine to it, but it’s not overwhelmingly shiny. To me, it’s a very pure red. It isn’t particularly warm or cool toned. This would be good for almost any skin tone. It’s also under $5! 

Pros: Super long-lasting and versatile shade. Cute packaging!

Cons: It doesn’t wear off very smoothly (but most lipsticks don’t). There aren’t any major cons to it, to be honest.

3. Nyx Soft Matte Lip Cream – Monte Carlo

I am absolutely head-over-heels in love with Nyx and their soft matte lip creams. I mention them all of the time and this is probably my favorite shade of the entire collection! I love using this on its own or layering it with other reds to make them last even longer. I mention this in my Nyx Soft Matte Lip Cream Swatch & Review post; I’m in love. This is more of a deeper but subtle red with cool tones and it’s the most flattering red for my skin tone! It only costs $5.99! 

Pros: The applicator is so easy to use and it goes on very smoothly. It also lasts a really great amount of time.

Cons: I’m trying so hard to think of one but I got nothing. I’m in love.

4. Revlon ColorBurst Lacquer Balm – 150 Enticing

I own the majority of the Revlon Just Bitten stains from lacquered to matte to originals and I’m definitely a fan! This color is a bit of a deeper, cool-toned red. It has a shiny and glossy sort of finish, but isn’t sticky like a gloss! It can easily be built up for a darker color or can be left quite sheer. They cost around $9. 

Pros: Easy to apply, can be built-up or worn sheer. Wears off and fades very nicely (no weird patchiness).

Cons: Doesn’t give you the most intense red out there, but it’s still beautiful.

5. Revlon Just Bitten Kissable Balm Stain – 045 Romantic

Again, love the Revlon Color Stay products! I used only these lip colors for a while until I branched out, but I still use them occasionally! They’re definitely more on the sheer side and need to be built up. They cost around $9 at the drugstore, but there’s almost always a sale on them. It has a tinted lip balm sort of finish. It’s slightly orange tinted and warm toned. 

Pros: Easy to apply, great for a subtle red tint. It wears off very evenly. Perfect for red lipstick beginners!

Cons: After being used a lot, the tip wears down and you cannot sharpen it, only twist it up. It makes application difficult. Also, if you want a deep color pay-off this is not the product for you.

So, don’t be afraid of trying red lipstick! As long as you figure out which shade is right for you, red can work on literally every skin tone. These reds might not be perfect for you, but you never know unless you try. Luckily, lots of drugstores (like CVS) have great return policies–if you try it and hate it you can return it. Amen.

If you’re feeling extra daring, why not try some dark lipsticks from the drugstore? Me-oww.

   What are your favorite drugstore red lipsticks?