Best Red Lipstick and Tinted Lip Balms

The best red lipstick and tinted red lip balm for every occasion. Read on for reviews of Nars, Sephora, Benefit, Too Cool for School, and e.l.f. cosmetics red lip products!

My red lipstick post. AKA the post with a million pictures of my face. Apologies for that in advance. Rather than just give you a list of red lipsticks and tinted lip balms that I’ve tried and like, I thought I would go through every one I own and actually show you how they look on a real person.

Wearing red lipstick is intimidating. I’ve been ‘trying’ to wear red lipstick for almost two years! I started with a tinted lip balm and worked up to a burgundy lip tint, both of which are listed below. It wasn’t until this fall that I finally took the plunge to an actually red lipstick. It’s amazing how rocking a red lipstick instantly makes me feel more glamorous. Now that the holiday parties are in full swing, I can’t get enough! I have a few that I’ve had forever, like the Benefit Benebalm, and some new fun ones I picked out at the Sephora Store at JC Penny.

For each product, the photo furthest to the left is my natural lip color with just plain lip balm on. I thought it would be helpful to have a comparison!

Best Red Lipstick and Tinted Lip Balms – Reviewed!

Benefit Benebalm Hydrating Lip Balm in Rose

Benefit Benebalm Hydrating Lip Balm in Rose: This is the faintest product I tried. It adds just a hint of red to your lips, while allowing your natural lip color to peek through. It’s scented with rosewater and works great alone or as a moisturizing base for red lipstick.

By the Numbers:
Intensity: 1/5
Moisturizing: 5/5
True Redness: 2/5
Shine: 2/5
Chance I Can Put This on Without a Mirror: 5/5

Lancôme Juicy Shaker in Cherry Symphony

Lancôme Juicy Shaker in Cherry Symphony: This is probably the most fun red lip product I have. Before you use it, you shake it like a cocktail shaker (hence the name). It’s actually a pigmented lip oil that provides moisture and a pop of color. It’s also a great on-the-go color as it’s easy to put on without a mirror but still provides a decent amount of color and shine. Unlike a gloss, it isn’t at all sticky.

By the Numbers:
Intensity: 3/5
Moisturizing: 3/5
True Redness: 3/5
Shine: 4/5
Chance I Can Put This on Without a Mirror: 5/5

Dinoplatz Tinted Lip Balm in Beet Jam

Too Cool for School Dinoplatz Tinted Lip Balm in Beet Jam: Too Cool for School is a fun Korean beauty company that features lots of unexpected fun products. Their Dinoblatz balm has a jelly like texture that is easy to apply and doesn’t get stuck under your fingernails like typical lip balm in tins. It gives a natural and fresh tint to your lips, making it a perfect daytime product or as a complement to a really dramatic smoky eye. The Beet Jam flavor is bright red in the tin, but is subtle on your lips and goes on with a hint of purple.

Intensity: 2/5
Moisturizing: 4/5
True Redness: 1/5
Shine: 3/5
Chance I Can Put This on Without a Mirror: 5/5

Dinoplatz Tinted Lip Balm in Spilled Wine

Too Cool for School Dinoplatz Tinted Lip Balm in Spilled Wine: Too Cool for School is a fun Korean beauty company that features lots of unexpected fun products. Their Dinoblatz balm has a jelly like texture that is easy to apply and doesn’t get stuck under your fingernails like typical lip balm in tins. It gives a natural and fresh tint to your lips, making it a perfect daytime product or as a complement to a really dramatic smoky eye. The Beet Jam flavor is bright red, but is subtle on your lips. Spilled Wine is a rich burgundy color in the tin but goes on with a hint of fuchsia.

Boldness: 2/5
Moisturizing: 4/5
True Redness: 1/5
Shine: 3/5
Chance I Can Put This on Without a Mirror: 5/5

Sephora Rouge Infusion Lip Stain in Red Essence

Sephora Rouge Infusion Lip Stain in No. 10 Red Essence: This is a burgundy color that is the boldest out of the non-lipstick products I’m reviewing. It’s actually the first product I bought when I was trying to get up the courage to wear red lipstick! If you’re a beginner, it’s also fairly easy to apply given how intense the color is.

Intensity: 3/5
Moisturizing: 2/5
True Redness: 3/5
Shine: 3/5
Chance I Can Put This on Without a Mirror: 3/5

e.l.f. Lip Liner & Blender Brush in Dark Red

e.l.f. Lip Liner & Blender Brush in Dark Red: This product from e.l.f. is actually a lip liner, but also works as a lipstick. One end is a lip liner and the other end is a brush that allows you to blend it onto your lips. Given that it’s a lip pencil, it glides on surprisingly easily. It works great on its own or as a base for another red lipstick. It took me a bit of practice to get it right, but I really love the results.

Intensity: 4/5
Moisturizing: 1/5
True Redness: 4/5
Shine: 1/5
Chance I Can Put This on Without a Mirror: 1/5

Nars Audacious Lipstick in Shirley

Nars Audacious Lipstick in Shirley: Audacious lipsticks are an Allure Best of Beauty winner and definitely have a cult following. The deep red color is very pigmented and is the longest lasting of the lipsticks I’m reviewing. It’s very opaque and has a strong color even with one coat. The texture is very creamy but lightweight. This is a great lipstick for all of your holiday parties this season.

Intensity: 5/5
Moisturizing: 1/5
True Redness: 4/5
Shine: 1/5
Chance I Can Put This on Without a Mirror: 1/5

Nars Pure Matte Lipstick in Vesuvio

Nars Pure Matte Lipstick in Vesuvio: Given the name, I’m sure you can guess this is a matte lipstick. It manages to have a pretty matte texture without feeling dry, thanks to having mango butter in the formula. It’s super flattering and has just a hint of burgundy. The slim stick is a little easier to apply than regular lipstick, but you’ll still need a mirror unless it’s a touch-up.

Intensity: 5/5
Moisturizing: 1/5
Redness: 5/5
Shine: 1/5
Chance I Can Put This on Without a Mirror: 2/5

Too Cool for School Glam Rock Lipstick in Bloody Kiss

Too Cool For School Glam Rock Lipstick in Bloody Kiss: This is definitely the brightest, truest red lipstick I’m reviewing. It took some courage to try it out, but I actually ended up really liking it! The color is super flattering and I feel so glamorous when I’m wearing it. It also makes your teeth look really white. If you’re looking for a red lipstick that is going to make a statement, this is the one.

Intensity: 5/5
Moisturizing: 1/5
True Redness: 5/5
Shine: 2/5
Chance I Can Put This on Without a Mirror: 1/5

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