The Power of Red Lipstick (& Our 4 Favorite Red Lipsticks, Ever)

Red lipstick has the ability to give any gal confidence and strength. Learn the power this little product holds and our favorite brands to wear.

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Red lipstick holds a special status that no other makeup product can touch. It’s bold, striking and stands out. When you wear it you instantly become the center of attention, for the shade naturally draws eyes. A single swipe and you become a strong figure who owns whatever room you enter.

Red lipstick, to me, is the perfect balance of elegance and power.

For years I thought you had to be a movie star or well established woman to wear red lipstick. The color alone I always associated with confidence, courage, and boldness. And, not being one to label myself with any of these, I didn’t feel I was allowed to wear it.

However, I was wrong.

While red lipstick was and is worn by many noteworthy women, like Elizabeth Taylor, Marilyn Monroe, and Taylor Swift, this doesn’t mean it’s off limits to the everyday gal. 

After I set aside this way of thinking, I tried this bold lip myself. Now I know why these women are never seen without it. The overwhelming amount of confidence and strength this product gives makes you feel invincible. Even an everyday college gal like myself can feel the beautiful benefits of this magical makeup product. 

Below, I’ll explain the power of red lipstick, plus exactly how to wear it right, and I’ll even be sharing my favorite red lipsticks of all time. Keep reading to learn everything you need to know.

The Power of Red Lipstick: How Red Lipstick Helped with My Confidence 

The first and most important element of red lipstick is the confidence it embodies. No matter how low you feel, a red lip is proven to instantly boost your mood. A swipe is a like a magic tool which turns you into the boldest version of yourself, and it’s exciting.

I’ve personally used red lipstick to help overcome my shyness.

I’ve always been quiet and introverted, but when I went to college this really played against me. I didn’t feel as though I had the courage to speak up, tackle a major test, or even try to network.

Once I started incorporating this vibrant hue into my beauty routine, I found myself holding my head a little bit higher. A sense of strength overcame me, giving me the courage to put myself out there. Opportunities that would have once seemed scary, somehow felt obtainable.

And I had this simple little lipstick to thank for my growing my self confidence! 

Where to Wear a Red Lip

Traditionally, women reserve their red lips for special occasions. However this hue can and should be enjoyed any time!

After all, a red lip is one of the few makeup styles which transitions from class to work to date night. Plus, who doesn’t want to feel like the best version of themselves while grocery shopping? It looks beautiful with a LBD but also with jeans and a cute top.

Personally, I enjoy wearing my red lipstick when I have something big on my calendar like an exam. (See “the power of red lipstick” above!) However if I’m grabbing coffee with my friends and need a boost that day, I’ll sometimes add a little swipe.

How to Prep Your Lips

Red lipstick does usually require a little prep work for the best possible finish.

Before applying, I recommend exfoliating and moisturizing your lips for a smooth base.

There are two easy ways to do this, first using a lip scrub then moisturizing with a balm to keep lips soft. Another quick way, which I do daily, is gently rubbing a damp toothbrush over your lips.

Then simply hydrate and add your favorite red lipstick. Either way, you will have flawless lips!

My All-Time Favorite Red Lipsticks

Revlon Super Lustrous Glass Shine Lipstick in “Shine Stealer”

This Revlon lipstick is such a gorgeous product! It’s a lipstick which has the benefits of both a lip gloss and balm.

This product has a glossy, smooth finish like a gloss but stays on your lips. Even better, it moisturizes your lips like a balm, which I adore with reds so it doesn’t noticeably crack.

NARS Dragon Girl

NARS “Dragon Girl” is the red lipstick that Taylor Swift swears by. And if that doesn’t sell you on it already, let me tell you some other reasons why it’s amazing.

Dragon Girl is a vibrant shade with a matte finish, perfect for that red lip, classic look. If you’re new to red lipstick, this one is my top recommendation for getting started. It’s modern and classic, perfect for every gal.

L’Oreal Colour Riche Collection Exclusive Julianne’s Red

L’Oreal’s Colour Riche collection is one of the best drugstore collections. And the “Julianne’s Red” lipstick is the standout red shade in the line. It’s velvety smooth, pigmented, and has a soft matte finish. Plus the shade looks great on any skin tone, fair or dark.

Dior Rouge Dior (999)

If you’re looking to treat yourself, Rouge Dior (999) is the best option. Dior Makeup always creates high quality products which never disappoint, making this lipstick worth every penny. 

If I’m looking to splurge, Dior Makeup is always my first option. Never once in my years have I been disappointed, making this lipstick worth every penny. The shade is sexy, fun, and vibrant, great for finding ultimate confidence. 

Which red lipstick will you choose to wear? And where it be taking you?

Some say hemlines rise and fall with the stock market but in beauty circles we talk about The Lipstick Effect: in a financial pinch, we experiment with lip colour.

History backs up lipstick as a reliable barometer of human psychology in times of relative hardship. In the 1930s, when industrial production and employment plummeted, lipstick sales soared.

The same thing happened in the ’90s recession and again in the noughties’ global financial crisis. The theory, which is called ‘The Lipstick Effect’ goes that, when we have to tighten our proverbial belts, we turn to indulging in smaller luxuries like lipstick to lift our flailing spirits.

The only time this didn’t hold up was during the pandemic (presumably because mandatory face masks smothered that small joy too). But given the 2023 economic situation, unsurprisingly, lipstick sales are once again booming.“Wearing lipstick can be a huge mood booster,” says Sarah Laidlaw, Priceline Hair & Makeup Director.

“Firstly, because looking at ourselves with more ‘colour’ in our faces makes us instantly feel better. Secondly, because colour is an actual mood-altering thing. Red is a colour of action, power and passion, so wearing a red lip can give you the feeling of confidence, a go-getter vibe. Pink is about romance and kindness. Orange is about enthusiasm and stimulation. Wearing it is said to increase the supply of oxygen to the brain and creates an energising effect.”

Can a slick of lippie really wield such power? Research shows that lipstick does indeed hold substantial sway, particularly red. One Harvard paper found wearing a bold lip colour helped women to feel empowered and more confident in the workplace, while another study from France’s Université de Bretagne-Sud discovered waitresses who wore a slick of red on lips received 50 per cent more tips.

Yet a bold lip – particularly an attention-grabbing red – also fills many women with some trepidation. “When we’re younger, and our lips are still full and our jawlines are tight, a red lip is often an easy choice,” says Sarah, who notes the trick to pulling off a racy hue is all in the application.

“As the lips get thinner and the edges of the mouth start to droop, following the lip line faithfully can leave you with a downturned mouth. Apply the colour a few millimetres in from the outer part of the mouth to keep it from migrating into creases at the edge and create the illusion of lift.”

The same trick should be applied to lipliner (totally worth the hassle if you’re hoping for longevity and definition). “Lipliners are, I believe, one of the most important items in your make-up bag,” says make-up artist and Holme Beauty founder Hilary Holmes.

“As we age the pigment and collagen in our lips decline, so our lips shrink. More often than not, people don’t realise that lipliner can easily bring the shape back. If in doubt, overdraw a little on the top and bottom lip line.”

Don’t be too enthusiastic as you’re aiming for subtle illusion, but if you’re daring enough to try this trick, go just one shade darker than your natural colour and use a magnifying mirror to help control the precision.

Then there’s the million-dollar question: Which colour is ‘the one’ for you? To be honest, your shade of choice will change depending on your mood and what you’re wearing but, if you’re after guidance, make-up artists tend to base it on your natural colouring.

“Blondes can wear orange-reds for a pop and blue-reds for sexy. Brunettes wear blue-reds best. Those with red or auburn hair should go for deep and warm orangey reds,” says Hilary.

“This rule works for most people.”

Texture is the last (but not least important) element to consider. Matte, shimmery and metallic shades are challenging if your lips are thin or tend towards dry because that’s what it will amplify. The other extreme – high shine – has its downsides too.

“A glossy texture can be great as long as you don’t have deep lines around the lip line,” says Sarah, who advises settling for a happy medium. “I love a long-lasting satin formula as it has some moisturising ingredients but stays in place more effectively.”

Ultimately, though, the best way to find a spirit-lifting shade is to just hit the shops and go with your gut. Trying on colour is both fun and free. Should you find a happy match, it’s also a fairly small price to pay for a daily spark of joy at your fingertips.

To borrow from the legendary Coco Chanel, “If you’re sad, add lipstick…”