We’ve all heard that true beauty is being comfortable in your own skin. But it can also be a kick-ass red lipstick, according to Gwyneth Paltrow.
That’s why I haven’t given up the search for the perfect shade of lipstick as I continue to work on feeling confident about who I am and how I look. I hardly ever wear lipstick, but when I do, I tend to stick with nude and pink glosses. However, I could probably use a Gwyneth-approved don’t-fuck-with-me red in my makeup bag for days when I need use a little support
In honor of National Lipstick Day, I asked nine beauty writers to share their favorite lipsticks. Remarkably, everybody picked something different; bold matte colors, shiny and sheer glosses, and non-traditional hues are all represented. What they have in common, though, is that they make the women wearing them feel awesome.
Because there’s nothing more beautiful than feeling awesome.
“I love Urban Decay Vice Lipstick in Shame (above). It’s a dark purple-maroon that I wear with no other makeup (especially no eye makeup) so I can channel a 90s-era Peter Lindbergh photograph.” — Courtney Dunlop, @uglyintheozarks
“I’m in love with MAC Deep Rooted. It is a matte finish lipstick but it is so comfortable on the lips! This neutral shade allows me to create bold eye looks without going over the top with bold lips, and lasts about 7 hours before beginning to fade.” — Aprill Coleman, Hey Aprill
“I’m really into the bright red shade of Votre Vu lipstick (above) because it wears for hours flawlessly, and even when it starts to fade, it sort of becomes a deep red lip stain instead of a weird blotchy mess that so many other lipsticks end up as. Also, the red is SO bright and bold I can’t get enough.” — Bryce Gruber, The Luxury Spot
“So right now I am having a real moment with lip gloss. Normally I choose my boldest and best lipstick for National Lipstick Day but the lipgloss I haven’t been able to stop wearing is the Clarins Instant Light Natural Lip Perfector in #12. It’s very nourishing and comfortable to wear, I love the fuzzy applicator tip, and the red color is spot on for making my lips look naturally perfect.”
— Allison Schmidt, Mercuteify
“I love my YSL Rouge Volupte Shine because I only sometimes need one coat to glide on for color and shine. With its oilier quality it doesn’t feel cakey and the pink-red pops more naturally. I like to top it off with the Golden Gloss (with gold flecks!). No goopiness, just a luxe look!” — Ko Im, @konakafe
“I’ve been an almost-daily red lipstick wearer since I was 16 (so for 18 years). I’ve tried nearly every brand and kind on the market and finally got rid of my huge stash in favor of a few different shades of Stila Stay All Day Liquid Lipstick. My favorite color is more of an orangey red, Carina (above), but I also like Tesoro and Beso for when I want something more dramatic. It goes on easily with a wand and it’s matte. Even better, it does what it says: It stays all day. I can kiss my husband or my baby without covering them in lipstick and make it through an entire meal with my look still intact. Of course, if I eat oily food I might need to reapply, but that also makes it easy to remove at the end of the day with a little coconut oil.” — Emily Farris, Pen and Potato
“My favorite red is Rouge Artist Intense in Mat8 from Makeup Forever. This is the perfect red for my olive brown indian skin tone. The lipstick compliments everything and stays on …well… forever!” — Maria Colaco, The New York Mom
“I could never pick a permanent favourite lipstick, but currently I can’t go past Halsey’s collab with MAC. I don’t wear any makeup, let alone lipstick, most days, so I’m more interested in impact than longevity when it comes to my personal favourites! This one’s a cool slate blue (above), which might not be “flattering” per se but it looks awesome paired with warm browns and lots of bronzer.” — Morgan Ashworth, Hyacinth Girl
“My FAVORITE is the Too Faced Melted Lipsticks. They go on like a gloss but are really just melted down lipsticks so the pigment is great. I stash them in all my handbags and in my travel-go bag.” — Misti Schindele, Misti Michelle
And now I want to hear from you: What is your favorite lipstick or lip gloss? Leave a comment below!
(Gen Nude lipsticks in top photo c/o bareMinerals)
Wow, such a range of different styles! I’ve been wearing a peachy pink from 100% Pure and really love it. Also that coral red above is so good!
I feel like I totally need to up my lipstick game! I usually just go for lip gloss, but when I want to jazz things up my go to’s are either bright red or hot pink.