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Finish: matte | Available red shades: 9
Best Poppy Red Lipstick: Uoma Beauty Badass Icon Matte Lipstick in Sade
Why we love it: Uoma Beauty’s Badass Icon Matte Lipstick bears the name of one of the most iconic singers: Sade. Her signature red lip is one that we’ve been obsessed with for ages, and it’s one that makeup artist Lisa Eldridge favors on melanin-rich skin tones. “[This is] a beautiful, bright poppy red with a creamy formula that delivers a hefty dose of color in one swipe,” she says. P.S. Those who love a high-shine finish will love Uoma Beauty’s Black Magic Hypnotic Impact High Shine Lipstick.
Finish: matte | Available red shades: 5
Frequently Asked Questions
How to choose the best red lipstick for my skin tone
Before we dive in, let’s get this out of the way: anyone can wear whatever red lipstick they like, full-stop. “The right red is the one that makes you feel good,” Los Angeles-based makeup artist Fiona Stiles, whose clients include Margot Robbie, Gabrielle Union, and Lily Collins, previously told Allure.
However, you can expedite finding a red lipstick you love by considering your skin tone and your skin’s undertone. New York City-based makeup artist Diane Kendal previously told Allure that red shades with blue undertones give cool-toned, fair-to-light-medium complexions a more radiant appearance and even make teeth look whiter. For warm, medium skin tones, Kendal suggested orange-red shades—”Intense, yes, but they make olive skin glow by bringing out its golden tones,” she says. As for deeper skin tones, she recommended red hues “with a lot of pink,” which she said works beautifully against dark complexions.
How to make red lipstick last
We all love the look of freshly-applied lipstick, but after a few hours (or drinks), things can start to look messy. But, don’t fret, because there are quite a few ways to make your look last for hours on end. Back in the day (2010 to be exact), New York City-based makeup artist Peter Phillips previously gave Allure editors a few tips on ensuring any lip look stays put—and these hacks are still used by our staff to this day.
- Prep your lips: Your results will only be as smooth and seamless as the actual skin on your lips. To smooth your skin pre-lipstick, try using a lip scrub or a damp washcloth to buff dry flakes. “Pat on a clear lip balm and give it a few minutes to sink in, then blot with a tissue,” said Phillips.
- Use setting powder after applying your lipstick: Makeup artists and Allure editors alike abide by this tip, especially when it comes to smudge-prone shades like red. Phillips recommended dabbing a light amount to the lips to secure your lipstick in place without drying out your skin. “Close your mouth, smile, and then dust a little face powder on your lips with a fluffy brush,” he says. “Don’t reapply lipstick, or it could get cakey.”
- If matte lipsticks are too dry for your lips, use a satin-finish option instead: Since many long-wearing lipsticks are matte and can dry out your lips, Phillips prefers satin-finish, pearlescent lipsticks. “The shine is created by pearl pigments and not by the texture, it’s not as moist as a creamy lipstick and will therefore stay on longer,” he said.
How we test and review products
When Allure tests a product, our editors look at it from every angle in an effort to best serve you. We review ingredients, scrutinize brand claims, and, when necessary, examine peer-reviewed scientific and medical studies. In addition to testing every product that’s included in each and every review, we rely on experts who shape their fields, including dermatology, cosmetic chemistry, and medicine, to help us vet the ingredients and formulas.
