If you know me, you know that I love to rock a bold red lip. Red lipstick is one of those classic makeup looks that just makes you look pulled together. Today, I’m sharing the best red lipsticks for dark skin. I always thought women looked so beautiful in red lipstick growing up. Funny enough, I didn’t buy my first red lipstick till I was 22. This was for a couple of reasons. The first being insecure about the size of my lips and not wanting to do anything that might make them look bigger. The second was that I was always told red lipstick was reserved for a particular type of woman.

The Best Red Lipsticks for Dark Skin

Thankfully, I’ve let go of the insecurity and shaken off the respectability and regularly wear red lipstick. One thing’s for certain and that’s not all red lipsticks are created equal. Once I decided that I was ready to wear it, I had to find the right shade. I’ve lost count of the number I’ve tried over the years, but I have found my holy grail red lipsticks for dark skin. I’m sharing some tips and tricks I’ve learned over the years for finding the right shade.

Shade Undertone

Shade undertone is going to be the key to whether a color is going to look good on you. Blue toned reds look the best on dark skin. It’s a darker red that goes well with neutral and warm skin undertones. It’s also going to make your teeth look bright white. For a fool proof red lipstick always go for a color with a blue undertone.

Finish

Lipsticks come in a variety of finishes, including gloss, satin, cream, and matte. I prefer a cream or a matte finish. Gloss finishes are not going to last a long time, and satin tends to get messy. I don’t like having to reapply my color throughout the day. I prefer to only touch my lip color up once if I have to at all.

Tips for Application

If you really want to get that vibrant movie star application, there are a couple of things you need to do. First, once you apply your red lipstick, take a little bit of concealer on a angled brush and outline your lips with it. This will give you a sharp clean line and help keep your lip color from bleeding. Second, take a tissue place it over your lips, and set the color with a bit of translucent setting powder. This is key to ensuring your color stays put all day.

My Top Red Lipsticks for Dark Skin

• Sephora Collection Cream Lip Stain in 01 Always red. This was in my best of beauty post and for good reason. Long lasting, flattering, and will have everyone complimenting you.
• Stila Stay All Day Liquid Lipstick in Beso – This is a sexy red, perfect for a night out or any event where you want a little extra oomph.
• Stila Stay All Day Liquid Lipstick in Fiery – My favorite everyday red lipstick
• Nars Velvet Matte Lip Pencil in Cruella – The one that started it all. Cruella is the first red lipstick I ever owned and the OG of my collection. A perfect scarlet red, I whole heartedly believe it is universally flattering.

There you have it! If you’ve tried one of these colors please let me know in the comments!