How to Find a Red Lipstick That Feels Like You

A red lipstick ranks among the select few items that every beauty lover, regardless of age or skin type, needs in their makeup arsenal (alongside concealer and mascara). It's the makeup staple that looks good on everyone (yes, everyone). But with thousands of lipstick shades, textures and finishes to choose from, it can feel daunting finding your red.

Before starting the search, it’s helpful to determine your skin tone (what you see) and undertone (what's happening below the surface). The first one is easy, though to figure out the latter, you’ll need to stand in natural light and look at the colour of the veins on your inner wrist. If they’re green or green-blue, you may have a warm or olive undertone, while blue or purple may mean you have a cool undertone. And if your veins are a mix of the two? You may have a neutral undertone. If you’re still unsure, heading into a MECCA store and asking one of our makeup specialists is always a great idea, too! 

Knowing your undertone is important because red lipstick has undertones, too: ‘warm’ reds are usually orangey, and ‘cool’ reds are more blue-based. Wearing lipstick that has the same undertones as your skin creates a more classic look, while swiping on a lipstick that has the opposite undertones to your skin will draw more focus to your lips and make a bolder statement. 

Your overall skin tone – where you fall on the spectrum from fair to deep – is important, too, as it will impact the level of pigment you see from your red lipstick (whether the colour ‘pops’ or looks more understated).  

So, let's find the best red lipstick for your skin’s tone and undertone. 

Still unsure about your undertone, or just want a red you can rely on? Here are two to add to your beauty bag: Stila Stay All Day Liquid Lipstick in ‘Beso’ – a bold, bright red that cameoed on Hilary Duff in her major comeback era – and the Tom Ford Runway Lip Color in ‘Wild Ginger’, an orange-red that’s perfect for warm summer nights.

If you’re not ready to commit to an all-out red lip, try applying your lipstick with your fingertip for a diffused effect (as opposed to swiping directly from the bullet, which creates an opaque look). You can also opt for a sheer formula, like a lip stain, oil or tinted gloss, before graduating to a creamy lip crayon formula that will allow you to gradually build up more colour. You'll be a Taylor Swift-level red lipstick lover before you know it!