Ravishing In Red - Find The Perfect Red Lipstick For Your Skin Tone

One can never go wrong with a bold, classic red lipstick. Red lipsticks have been a staple in every women’s makeup kit for centuries. You would think that a makeup product that has been around since ancient times would be easy and fairly intuitive to shop for right? Wrong! Finding the perfect red lipstick has a lot to do with your skin tone and undertone. (Not sure what your undertone is? Read about how to determine your undertone!) Which is why the red lipstick you saw Emma Stone rock on the red carpet probably does not have the same effect against your rich chocolate brown skin. But you have nothing to worry about, we got you covered.

Find the Perfect Red Lipstick Shade for Your Skin Tone

1. Red lipstick for fair skin – Cool undertones

Blue-based cool-toned reds are perfect for those of you who have a pale or fair complexion with a cool undertone. These cool-toned red lipsticks perfectly complement your fair skin and brighten your skin tone. And here is a bonus benefit – these cool-toned lipsticks also make your teeth look whiter! Bold burgundy-red lipsticks are also a good way to try out a red shade without going overboard. The darker burgundy and berry tones complement cool undertones and make your lips pop

Our picks – Maybelline Color Sensational Creamy Matte Lipstick - Siren in Scarlet, Maybelline Superstay Matte Ink Liquid Lipstick – Pioneer

2. Red lipstick for fair skin – warm or neutral undertones

Bring forward the warm undertone of your skin with a fiery red lipstick that has warm and orange undertones. Closer to a classic, true-red colour, orange-red lipsticks for fair skin enhance your natural glow. Since orange-red lipsticks are bold and vibrant, the key to nailing this look is to keep the rest of you look simple and subtle. Enhance your warm undertones by adding a sun-kissed bronzer, use a soft peach blush, and highlight your cheekbones with a golden highlighter to complete the look. Keep the eye makeup minimal to avoid clashing with the bright red lipstick.

Our pick – Maybelline Color Sensational Creamy Matte – Craving Coral, Maybelline Superstay Matte Ink Crayon Lipstick – Laugh Louder

3. Red lipstick for dusky or medium skin – cool undertones

Just like fair skin, a cool-toned red lipstick looks stunning on people with dusky or medium skin tones that have a cool undertone. Medium and dusky skin tones with a cool undertone are not very common, so don’t shy away from highlighting your uniqueness and steal the show with your perfect pout. Opt for a slightly darker red lipstick that has blue or pink undertones if you really want to stand out! But don’t worry of deep red lipsticks are not your style, with your dusky complexion, you can get away with bright red lips too!

Our pick - Maybelline Superstay Matte Ink Crayon Lipstick – Settle For More, Maybelline Color Sensational Creamy Matte Lipstick – Dare To Be Red

4. Red lipstick for dusky or medium skin – warm or neutral undertones

Probably one of the easiest skin tone and undertone combination to find a red lipstick for! If you are looking for a red lipstick for a dusky skin tone with a warm undertone, lucky you, everything from a bright orange-red lipstick to a sultry oxblood colour will flatter your complexion. Warm and true reds bring out your natural glow whereas a cool-toned red will add an element of glamour and fun to your makeup. Pair your orange-red lipstick with a muted monochrome look or go full glam with smokey eyes and deep red lips, for you, the possibilities truly are endless.

Our picks – Maybelline Superstay Matte Ink Liquid Lipstick – Assertive, Maybelline Color Sensational Creamy Matte – Rich Ruby

5. Red lipstick for deep or dark skin – cool undertones

Dark red lipsticks that lean more towards maroon and have a blue base will provide a high impact colour for those with deep and dark skin tones with cool undertones. Purple and wine-reds are also great options for those who have a deeper complexion. Avoid lipsticks that have a white base as they can make your lips look ashy or chalky. Chocolate brown-reds also beautifully complement the richness of dark skin tones.

Our picks – Maybelline Sensational Liquid Matte Lipstick – Soft Wine, Maybelline Superstay Matte Ink Liquid Lipstick – Voyager

6. Red lipstick for deep or dark skin – warm or neutral undertones

Deep and dark complexions with warm undertones can play with intense and ultra-rich red shades without having to worry about it looking too gaudy and overwhelming. Warm and brick-toned reds flatter dark skin best but don’t let anybody stop you from flaunting a dark orange-red lipstick. To make your red lipstick really pop, outline your lips with a lip liner that is a shade darker than the lipstick shade.

Our picks - Maybelline Superstay Matte Ink Crayon Lipstick Hustle in Heels, Maybelline Superstay Matte Ink Liquid Lipstick Groundbreaker

All of this information might seem a lot to take in at once, we understand, so it’s okay if you don’t find the right red lipstick for you on the first try. We hope this handy guide could point you in the direction with some tried and tested skin tone, undertone, and red lipstick combinations. But remember, the perfect red lipstick for you is the one that you feel your best in! Want a quicker and easier way of finding a red lipstick to dress up your pout? Try the Maybelline Virtual Try On tool and explore all our red lipsticks across different textures without even leaving your comfortable bed! The Virtual Try on tool lets you instantly try on different lipsticks and gives you a virtual makeover so you can try before you buy!