“The red lip is one of makeup’s greatest accessories.”
Writer Kayla Tanenbaum says, “I love red lipstick on a bare face. It’s such a strange blend of trying really hard and not trying at all.” While it is a bold look, it can make any outfit, as well as a personality. We filtered through the makeup drawers and beauty boxes of the women of Passerbuys to find the most recommended ways to get a red lip. The most popular range from lipsticks, lip pencils, lip glosses, and even lip and cheek stains.
MAC Lipstick
recommended by Verena von Pfetten, Ariel Roman, Kavi Moltz, Naima Abed, Folasade Adeoso, Ana Giraldo-Wingler, Marjon Carlos, Tabitha Denholm, Christina Coleman, Nadia Bedzhanova, Laura Brown, Anitha Tajmaher, Arpana Rayamajhi, Chloe Dewberry, Syvan Mandel, Sabrina Diaz, Julia Corsaro, Abby Pucker, Amy Quichiz
“Russian Red” is the most popular shade of red lipstick from MAC recommended on Passerbuys to achieve the classic red lip. Writer Marjon Carlos adds, “MAC’s lipstick in Verve is a mainstay, but I also love Russian Red and Diva.”
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Nars Matte Lip Pencil
Recommended by Lyz Olko, Jameela Jamil, Alison Roman, Jessica Comingore, Abby Pucker, Jill Singer, Tabitha Denholm, gia salvaggio, Shawana Grosvenor, Tamara Santibanez, Hallie Gould, Bianca Boutilier, Arpana Rayamajhi, Kristi Garced, Kaye Blegvad, Julia Corsaro, Ariel Roman, Gia Salvaggio
Illustrator Kaye Blegvad says, “I wear NARS Velvet Matte Lip Pencil when I want to feel tough.” For a matte lip, the Nars pencil leaves with a velvet finish for a long-lasting and quickly drying formula. This lip pencil can make for a soft and natural tint or go all the way bold for darker colors. Visual consultant Shawana Grosvenor recommends the matte lip pencil in Dolce Vita and Red Square.
Nars Lipstick
Recommended by Alison Roman, Leta Sobierajski, Mathilde Hamart, Natalie Pace, Pamela Garavano-Coolbaugh, Olivia La Roche, Atafeh Karimi
For a darker look in the nighttime, NYC Brand Marketer Natalie Pace goes for the lipstick in Audrey. Art Director Leta Sobierajski says, “For the rest, Nars is my go-to. When I need to make myself more presentable, I wear Nars Heatwave Lipstick—it’s the perfect orange-red that succeeds in any season.”
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Chanel Rouge Lipstick
Recommended by Alison Roman, Holly Falcone, Erin Allweiss, Deepica Mutyala, Anna Deutsch
The Chanel lipstick has a non-drying matte finish with a bold and long-lasting color. The velvet texture makes for a smooth application that stays vibrant for up to eight hours. NYT food columnist and red lipstick aficionado Alison Roman recommends the Chanel Rouge Red Allure Extreme Lipstick. Fashion editor Anna Deutsch says, “I always wear the same makeup…I have a few Chanel Rouge Coco lipsticks that I rotate—I like the shades Emilienne, Etienne, Coco, and Mademoiselle.”
Glossier Generation G
recommended by Deepica Mutyala, Kayla Tanenbaum, Angie Venezia, Nicole Steriovski
The matte lipstick by Glossier is more of a natural lip tint that goes on with a sheer finish. There are a few shades, and for someone who loves a red lipstick, Angie Venezia says, “Glossier Generation G in Leo and Jam are my faves.”
Dior Rouge Lipstick
Recommended by Eloise Bosredon, Kelsey Garcia, Syvan Mandel, Abby Pucker
The formula for the Couture Color collection of Dior red lipsticks is made to last sixteen hours. There are also enriched ingredients for making lips look more voluminous on the surface. Writer Kelsey Garcia recommends the Dior Addict Lip Glow, and Producer Abby Pucker recommends Rouge Dior in Poison Purple.
Bobbi Brown
recommended by Zan Goodman, Tabitha Denholm, Jameela Jamil
There is a semi-matte finish to the Bobbi Brown lipstick that makes it wearable in any shade of red. It’s rich and provides full coverage in addition to a moisturizing formula for the lips. Director Tabitha Denholm recommends the Bobbi Brown Art Stick Liquid Lip in Hot Tangerine, “My only must have in life is a selection of orangey, red lipsticks.”
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Sephora
recommended by Abby Pucker, Tea Hacic-Vlahovic, Sam Giordano
Sephora offers several categories when it comes to a red lip, from lipsticks to lip stains to lip gloss. In the recommended Sephora Rouge Shine Lipstick, there is a semi-sheer finish with a rich and glossy shine. For Comedian Tea Hacic-Vlahovic, who is a Sephora VIB member, she recommends the Sephora Collection Cream Lip Stain Liquid Lipstick.
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Rodin
Recommended by Angie Venezia, Holly Liss
Rodin lipsticks are created to have a creamy and soft matte texture for a luxurious blend. Social Media Strategist Holly Liss recommends the shade Red Hedy which appears as a classic bright red. Angie Venezia says, “Linda Rodin's lipsticks are next-level. My favorite is Winks, especially in summer.”
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Other recommendations include Makeup Forever (as recommended by Diane Ducasse), Kenley Collins (as recommended by Donna Baxter), Tom Ford (as recommended by Adette Contreras), Fat and the Moon Lip + Cheek Stain (as recommended by Holly Mitchell), Clé De Peau Beauté (as recommended by Kavi Moltz), “Cupid’s Bow” by Suavecito (as recommended by Amy Quichiz).