There are few beauty items that women can’t live without: a high-quality moisturiser, volumising mascara, a faithful foundation and, more often than not, a go-to red lipstick.
Matte, glossy or high-shine, there’s no doubt that red lipsticks have earned their well-deserved spot in the makeup hall of fame (and a permanent place in our collections all year round) yet, what is it that cements them as such a classic staple?
Synonymous with femininity, red lipsticks are fierce, seductive and have the ability to instil confidence and power within a matter of a few swipes.
Looking to add to your collection? From MAC to Lancôme to Estée Lauder, we’ve done all the hard work for you and narrowed down the 12 best red lipsticks you can buy in Australia.
Tom Ford Lip Colour in ‘Cherry Lush’, $74 at Sephora
Perfect for those who love a dramatic pout, this Tom Ford lipstick is a vibrant red with subtle pink undertones, making it a must-have for cool complexions. Intensely pigmented, the formula delivers full coverage in less than two swipes.
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Dior ‘Rouge Dior’ Ultra Rouge Lipstick in ‘Ultra Dior’ Red, $56 at Sephora
Highly pigmented and formulated to stay put for up to 12 hours, this semi-matte lipstick is perfect for those looking for a medium orange-red with soft, warm undertones. The first lipstick composed of a polymer combined with a plant-based oil, it also delivers a hit of hydration to boot.
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Anastasia Beverly Hills Matte Lipstick in ‘Ruby’, $33 at Sephora
Want a matte lip that is actually comfortable to wear? Sure you do. ABH has you covered with a classic ultra-matte lipstick. Say goodbye to patchiness, creasing or clumping as this lipstick has a rich texture and intense colour pay off.
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Charlotte Tilbury Matte Revolution in ‘Red Carpet Red’, $49 at Charlotte Tilbury
You can trust Charlotte Tilbury to create a lipstick that will have you red-carpet-ready, after all, celebrities such as Amal Clooney and Kim Kardashian regularly entrust her with their makeup looks. This is exactly that: a true ruby red that will last past multiple champagnes and Christmas canapés.
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Giorgio Armani Ecstasy Shine Lip Cream in ‘401 Red Carpet’, $57 at Armani Beauty
Prefer your lipstick with a glossy sheen sans stickiness? Consider Giorgio Armani’s Beauty Ecstasy Shine Lipstick your new go-to. Offering the same lustrous finish as a gloss, it glides on like a smooth balm to give your kisser a hit of moisture without adding weight or texture.
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Estée Lauder Pure Colour Love Matte Lipstick Bar in ‘310 Red’, $39 at Estée Lauder
The Estée Lauder Pure Colour Love Lipstick is a richly pigmented formula with a velvety, perfect for buildable, long-lasting coverage that glides effortlessly onto the lips.
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Too Faced Melted Liquified Long Wear Matte Liquid Lipstick in ‘Lady Balls’, $34 at MECCA
‘Lady Balls’ is a classic pin-up style, blue-based red that has insane pigmentation. It applies like a gloss (extra bonus, it does not bleed either) but dries matte. It is a non-transferable formula that does not budge, lasting between five and six hours without reapplying.
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Marc Jacobs Le Marc Lip Crème Lipstick in ‘Goddess 202’, $49 at Sephora
When it comes to good old classic reds that suit every skin tone, it doesn’t get much better than Marc Jacobs cult favourite Le Marc Lip Creme. Boasting a buttery, creamy consistency that delivers a seriously saturated swipe, the colours are brighter than they appear in the tube, so a little goes a long way!
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Yves Saint Laurent Rouge Pur Couture Lipstick in 13 L’Orange, $59 at Sephora
YSL’s Rouge Pur Couture lipstick is a beautiful coral red that will perfectly complement both light or dark skin with warm undertones. It has a smooth and creamy texture that is incredibly lightweight on the lips and maintains a soft finish, even hours after application.
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Elizabeth Arden Beautiful Colour Moisturising Lipstick in ‘Red Door Red’, $42 at Myer
Elizabeth Arden’s revamped edition of their signature Red Door Lipstick is the classic red lipstick that will instantly brighten any complexion. It is a universally flattering shade that has a creamy, velvety finish. It’s worth noting that it is a moisturising formula, so cracking and peeling will be a thing of the past.
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M.A.C Cosmetics Matte Lipstick in ‘Russian Red’, $30 at Adore Beauty
MAC’s Russian Red is a medium-dark red that is surprisingly quite creamy for a matte finish. The versatile blue-based shade leans slightly towards the cooler end of the spectrum, however still looks incredibly striking on warmer skin tones.
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Fenty Beauty By Rihanna Stunna Lip Paint Longwear Fluid in ‘Uncensored’, $39 at Sephora
Fenty Beauty’s Stunna Lip Paint takes out the top spot as the ultimate red lipstick due to its universally flattering, striking red shade. It is inky and intense as it applies glossy yet dries velvety matte. With a long-lasting formula, that is high-impact and low-maintenance, what’s not to love?
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