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This Fourth of July, the iconic red lip is making a comeback. After all, what better way to look festive for the holiday weekend? Yet, this classic makeup look can be incredibly intimidating. The question plaguing us as we get ready is: How do I choose the right red lipstick for me?
To solve this makeup mystery, we tapped celebrity makeup artist Christian Briceno, whose celebrity clientele includes Alicia Silverstone, Debi Mazar, Laura Donnelly, and Coco Rocha.
"The biggest tip is to keep the red lip balanced with the rest of the face. A great celebrity red lip usually works because everything around it feels intentional," he told E!. "The skin looks polished, the lip texture matches the skin finish, and the shape suits the person rather than fighting their features."
- Best True-Red Lipstick Shade: PAT McGRATH LABS LiquiLUST Legendary Wear Matte Lipstick in Elson 4
- Best Affordable Warm Brick Lipstick Shade: Mineral Fusion Long-Lasting Lipstick in Negroni
- Best Dark Ruby & Wine Red Lipstick Shade: MAC M·A·Cximal Silky Matte Lipstick in Diva
A good red, according to Briceno, has to match the vibe you're going for and your skin tone. "For me, the best red is the one that works with the entire image, not just the complexion," he said. "[It's] choosing the right kind of red, not just choosing red. The most flattering red is the one that works with the client’s undertone, styling, and the overall mood of the look."
Interested? Keep scrolling to read more celeb-approved tips on how to choose the right shade of red for you and get the products that match it.
What Are True Blue Red Lipstick Shades Best For?
These cool-toned red shades tend to be a default when it comes to red lips, considering they complement a wide range of undertones. "A blue-red lipstick can give you a more classic, old Hollywood look. I choose this family color when I want the lip to look sharp and instantly glamorous," Briceno told E!.
"It has that timeless red-carpet quality, and it usually photographs beautifully. It also tends to make teeth look whiter, which is one of the reasons blue-red is such a reliable celebrity red."
PAT McGRATH LABS LiquiLUST Legendary Wear Matte Lipstick
Briceno has this iconic liquid lipstick in the shade Elson 4 in his collection. A vivid blue-red, this matte lipstick has a whipped texture, ultra-pigmented bright color, and a lightweight, comfortable feel.
MAC M·A·Cximal Silky Matte Lipstick
MAC's Ruby Woo is a legendary shade of vivid blue-red that everyone, including celebrity makeup artists like Briceno, has been obsessed with for years—and for good reason.
MAYBELLINE Serum Lipstick
This affordable lipstick's Wild Card blue-red shade offers plumping moisture and a long-lasting formula that's infused with a nourishing oil blend and hyaluronic acid.
Armani Lip Power Long-Lasting Satin Lipstick
Long-lasting and bold pigment? Yes, please! The cool-toned red shade Four Hundred from Armani's Lip Power Satin Lipstick promises hydration, all-day comfort, and swoon-worthy color.
What Are Warm Brick Red Lipstick Shades Best For?
A warm-toned brick red or orange-red color can be brighter or softer depending on the specific shade. It can be an excellent red option for those who are a little nervous to go all-in on the true blue-red. "It feels softer, a little more modern. It doesn’t look too pin-up or too obvious," Briceno told E!. "An orange-red is brighter, more playful, it reads sunnier, more alive, modern, and more effortless. This shade looks lovely on neutral and olive complexions and works beautifully with warm tones and bronzed skin, making the look feel more energized."
Merit Signature Lipstick
The shade Tiger is a brick red that looks modern and gives the illusion of a blurred lip. Merit's Signature Lipstick delivers nourishing hydration and sheer (but buildable) color with a satin finish.
Tom Ford Liquid Lipstick
Infused with black rose oil and seaweed extract, the Tom Ford Liquid Lipstick in the deep brick red shade Heatwave melts onto your lips with a luxurious feel and matte finish.
Nars Powermatte Lipstick
Nars' brick-red shade Mogador is from the brand's high-intensity matte lipstick, offering bold color in one swipe that lasts for 10 hours and sets to a smooth matte finish.
What Are Dark Ruby & Wine Lipstick Shades Best For?
A dark ruby or wine lipstick shade is perfect for a dramatic look. "I choose a deeper ruby or burgundy when I want the lips to feel richer and moodier," Briceno told E!. "A burgundy lip can make the whole look feel instantly more sophisticated, especially for evening or when I want something elegant but less expected than a traditional red."
MAC M·A·Cximal Silky Matte Lipstick
Briceno has MAC's Diva shade, an intense red burgundy, in his collection whenever he's in need of a dark, dramatic red option.
NYX Lip IV Hydrating Gloss Stain
This drugstore hydrating gloss stain has a beautiful dark red shade with the name of Water Bout Wine. It promises an instant glossy wet color that leaves a natural-looking lip stain for up to 12 hours.
Anastasia Beverly Hills Full-Pigment Matte & Satin Velvet Lipstick
Anastasia Beverly Hills' Rum Punch is a mauve red color that smoothly (and boldly) glides on your lips and dries with a matte (but comfortable) finish.
DIOR Rouge Dior On Stage Lipstick
This designer lipstick delivers a hydrated feel and a shine finish that will leave your lips plump and pigmented in the blueish brown red shade, called Berry Attitude.
Looking for more expert recommendations? Shop tips from a brow stylist!
How We Choose
The E! Insider Shop editors and writers search the internet to find the best products out there. We interview expert sources, comb through customer reviews, and use our own personal experiences to make shopping easier for our readers.
As an editorial team, we independently create content and determine coverage based on research, reporting and what we think our readers would like to read about. The goal of our content is to provide a service and inform readers who are on the hunt for the latest products to help make their life better. Items are sold by retailer, not E!. Pricing and availability are accurate as of publish time.
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