It’s been a while, but I’m back! The world has changed a little since my last blog post (more vaccinations, less masks). Obviously, please continue to be responsible and make informed choices, but with masks slowly (hopefully) becoming a thing of the past, fun lip colors are back, baby.

Me personally, I’ve barely bothered with makeup over the last year. At most I’d pop on mascara, a fun liner, and a little concealer. Why bother with the bottom half of a face that no one will see and will only leave you feeling extra sweaty and gross underneath a piece of cloth? No thanks.

Recently, I’ve been outside and in maskless safe spaces, and I’ve felt more excited about popping on a bright cherry red lip or breaking out that fun shimmery coral gloss.

Red lips, in particular, are just so exciting to me. They radiate a bold, sexy, classy, and daring elegance that I aspire to embody 24/7. I’m just excited to incorporate them back into my makeup routine, and because you guys really liked my last top favorite lipsticks of all time post, I figured I’d assemble my list of tried and true reds for you.

You can find swatches of all the products mentioned if you scroll further down.

Disclaimer: This blog post contains some affiliate links. These links are at no extra cost to you, I just receive a small commission if you choose to shop through them which helps support this blog and keep it running.

1. Urban Decay Vice Liquid Lipstick (in shade Rock Steady)

This might be a cruel start to this list, but I am almost positive they do not make these anymore (I’m sorry don’t hate me please). I distinctly remember them going half-off and disappearing around a couple Christmases ago. And yet, Urban Decay has yet to release a liquid lipstick formula to replace these. Maybe it’s for the best given the current trend shifting to cream and gloss finishes? Still, this is a stunning rich, matte red shade that has been a staple of mine for a while now. It’s the perfect red. Not too deep or light, not too cool or warm. Really amps up any nighttime makeup look. Urban please bring these (or something similar) back!

2. Tarte Tarteist Quick Dry Lip Paint (in shade Cheerleader)

This one is my problematic (and slept on) favorite as well as the only other matte liquid lipstick on this list. No one talks about these, and I just don’t get it! But when they do talk about them, the general consensus I have heard is that they are just too drying (I have to disagree). And while this can be a downfall of a lot of liquid lipsticks, it can be managed and sometimes avoided altogether. It’s all in the prep and application! I always put a lip balm on before any lip product. Making sure your lips are exfoliated is also key. Don’t layer too much of the lipstick either to avoid that thick dehydrated look!

I will say this: the staying power of these is truly unmatched by any other liquid lip formula out there. Personal testimony? The swatches you are going to see down below. When I went to remove them, this lipstick would not budge. It not only had the best endurance of all the lipsticks, but all of the liquid lipsticks and simply overall. Seriously, all of the swatches were gone or close to it except for this one. A wipe wouldn’t do the trick either – I had to go in with my trusted Clinique Take the Day Off makeup remover and work for it.

3. Lorac Alter Ego Lipstick (in shade Hipster)

An oldie but a goodie! This one is probably the most unconventional “red” on this list. I’d describe it as more of deep burnt brick red. It blurs between a red and brown shade. This one’s for anyone who loves a sultry, vampy lip and is perfect for the colder seasons. The formula of these is really creamy and smells really good. Lorac truly is another one of those brands that is not talked about nearly enough as it deserves to be. This shade would be a great addition to your collection if your on the hunt for something a little bolder and edgier or as a beautiful nude shade for deeper skin tones.

4. Clinique Lip Pop Color + Primer (in shade Cherry Pop)

Out of all the lip products being mentioned here today, I think I have worn the hell out of this one the most of all. This is such a bright and beautiful pink-toned red. I can’t get enough. People used to see me with this on at work and tell me, “That looks so good on you! I could never pull that off.” YES, GIRL YOU CAN! People think “red” and associate it with loud and bold. But red is very wearable. It’s all about finding the right red and stepping out of your comfort zone. I think that this one leaning a little pink makes it slightly more wearable on me. It looks cheerful and summery.

Something else that I absolutely adore about the Clinique lipsticks is that the formula is infused with a primer! This makes them beautifully vivid, apply smoothly, and last all day long! Even if red isn’t your go-to, I’d at least check out some of the other shades because this formula is hard to beat!

Shop the product here: https://rstyle.me/cz-n/fiie5pdhqsf or https://rstyle.me/cz-n/fiie2sdhqsf

5. Smashbox Be Legendary Lipstick (in shade Bing Matte)

This is what your true classic, perfect red looks like. This is what I envision. Just a mid-toned, blue red. Classic, timeless, and stunning all around. But still so versatile! You can go for something elegant and sophisticated or something much edgier like how I am wearing it in this photo here. Smashbox makes another one of my favorite formulas for lipsticks and also carries one of my favorite lipsticks of all time mentioned here.

The sad news is that I do believe this line has actually recently been discontinued as well; however, unlike Urban Decay they have replaced it with a new line of lipsticks. If anyone has tried those yet, comment down below and tell me what you think!

And now for the swatches! Comment down below of these five lippies, which one is your favorite or are you most eager to try out.

**Honorable Mentions**

Because I am legitimately crazy and have an unhinged collection of lippies, I couldn’t narrow it down to just five. These are three lip products that each didn’t make the cut for respective reasons, but are still absolutely beautiful and worth mentioning!

First, we have Too Faced Melted Matter in Cinnamon Bear. It’s no secret that the Too Faced Melted Matte formula is one of the best matte formulas on the market. This is such a beautiful red that I reach for quite often. The reason I didn’t include this mini is because it came in a limited edition set during a past holiday season and is most likely no longer available. Who knows though? Maybe they’ll recycle it and bring it back around.

Next, Stila Stay All Day Liquid Lipstick in Beso. The biggest reason I didn’t include this one is because it is quite new to my collection and I have yet to wear it on myself. However, it’s a lip that I am very familiar with and used to swatch all the time. I really love the shade. I’d argue it’s Stila’s most popular red. I also really love their liquid lip formula and have owned other shades, and I am excited to get some wear out of this one!

Shop the product here: https://rstyle.me/cz-n/fiia4kdhqsf or https://rstyle.me/cz-n/fiib88dhqsf

Finally, we have Clinique Dramatically Different Lipstick in Red Alert. I am in love with the Dramatically Different Lipstick formula! I have two other shades in it that I wore religiously a couple years ago. It is extremely moisturizing and glides on like butter. The reason this one didn’t make the cut is because this particular shade I haven’t gotten use of much on myself (though I have applied it on others in the past). I am excited to play around more with this one. It’s such a stunning true red.

Shop the product here: https://rstyle.me/cz-n/fiib2wdhqsf or https://rstyle.me/cz-n/fiib63dhqsf

And for swatches of course…

I want to hear from you guys!

Comment below and answer these questions! What’s your favorite red lipstick of all time? What’s your favorite way or when do you like to wear a red?

As always, don’t forget to follow me on Instagram @aspostedbyjess

Jess