Valentine’s Day is probably one of the few times of the year that I willingly rock a red lip. Other than that, you’ll most likely see me with some sort of mauvish nude or brown shade. I honestly can’t keep track of how many different brown lippies I own. All are the same varying shade but from different brands. So if you’re anything like me, red can be a little intimidating. Whether it’s the finish, lasting power, or even the price tag, it can be hard to lock down the perfect product.
But fret not. I’ve tried 7 of some of the newest releases on the market currently to give you a run down of different reds (from both high-end/luxury to drugstore) to hopefully suit your needs. Let’s get started!
Bite Beauty – Agave Lip Scrub ($20) & Agave Lip Mask ($30)
Whenever applying a red, I always like to start off with a good lip scrub. Red is a very attention grabbing colour, so you don’t want to call more attention to flaky lips than necessary. I always start off with Bite Beauty’s Agave Lip Scrub (even for non red colours) to get rid of any dry skin. I will totally admit that I also like to use the scrub because it tastes amazing – so if you’re ever hungry when applying makeup… you know.
After a good scrub to create a fresh canvas, I like to follow up with the Bite Beauty Agave Lip Mask to prime the canvas for colour. This product also helps to lock in and retain moisture since lip colours can sometimes be quite drying. Allow the mask to have a couple of minutes to settle and soak into your lips before applying your colour over top.
YSL Vinyl Cream Lip Stain – 401 Rouge Vinyle ($42)
Starting off with the highest ticketed product is the YSL Vinyl Cream Lip Stain in 401 Rouge Vinyle. If you’re a fan of the ‘I just ate a cherry lollipop/popsicle and it left my lips red’ type of look, then this is the lip product for you. The product dries down quite quickly (though not to a complete matte with zero transfer), so make sure to work quickly when applying.
I’m a fan of the sweet scent as well, and love the fact that even after eating, you’ll still be left with some colour on the lips.
Burberry Kisses – Military Red No.109 ($36)
At first glance, the vibrancy of colour in the bullet seems like the colour pay-off will be bright and transparent. It’s not. And that doesn’t mean that it isn’t good! If you’re more of the sheer wash of colour type of gal, then this is probably the lippie you’d be interested in. As you can see from the photos, it leaves quite a bit of colour behind, but isn’t as full cover as the Bite Beauty lipstick below.
Compare this to a medium coverage foundation, and you’ll have find the coverage equivalent in a lipstick. I also really enjoyed how moisturizing this lipstick was since it doesn’t dry down to a matte finish, yet isn’t as sticky as a gloss. Think of it as vibrantly tinted lip balm.
Bite Beauty Amuse Bouche Lipstick – Mistletoe ($30)
For full, long-lasting colour in a nourishing formula, I always instantly reach for my Bite Beauty lip products. There hasn’t been a single product from this brand that I’ve disliked, except for maybe some of the colours since I’m not super explorative when it comes to coloured lips. I more willingly reach for a Bite Beauty lipstick before considering any other lip product layered over top of a lip balm.
In all honesty, I truly find their formulation to be quite moisturizing, and sometimes even apply on a coat of colour when I don’t have any lip conditioning products lying around.
I’ve never had to compromise comfort for colour either when using Bite, since the colour pay-off is always 100% coverage. So if you’re looking for a fuller-coverage compared to the Burberry Kisses line, I highly recommend Bite!
Plus, I need to mention that their products all literally smell delicious and make me crave food whenever I apply on a colour!
Urban Decay VICE Lipstick – Gash ($21)
For a high impact and bold colour couple with a gloss finish, I always consider Urban Decay’s new VICE Lipstick line. Although this isn’t a true fire truck red, I wanted to be able include a red shade that was more subtle. UD boasts a full 120 colour range though for this line specifically, so any red lover is sure to find their perfect match.
I’m a fan that the shine isn’t a gloss finish (I’m not in love with glossy lips), so that the product sits on your lips as if there is subtle shimmer in it – which it doesn’t. After carefully inspecting the bullet, I concluded that it’s a solid colour with no shimmers/glitters/sparkles, so I’m still in awe as to how they were able to create this beautiful finish that mimics a shimmer lipstick.
The wear is quite comfortable and noy drying, though I do want to mention that the formula is quite thin, and I have a tendency of rubbing my lips together, so the product traveled quite a bit outside of my natural lip shape.
Evelyn Iona Natural & Organic Lip Gloss – BROOKE ($21)
I love having the opportunity to support local, especially when their ingredients are formulated with healthy things as opposed to chemicals and preservatives. I was recently introduced to Evelyn Iona last year and have been loving their products since.
If you can’t tell by now after going 5 products deep that I love moisturizing products, then let me say this: I don’t like products that dry out my lips. There’s nothing more annoying than dry chapped lips that feel like you just got sun burnt. That doesn’t mean that I only use moisturizing products though.
Lip glosses get a bad rap for creating dry lips, but the right formulation can avoid stickiness and still look ultra glossy and be super soothing. EI’s lip gloss is one of those.
Although the colour pay off isn’t as transparent as I would prefer it to be for a red, I can get behind it for the gentle formulation.
L’Oreal Infallible Paints Lip Glossy Liquid Lipstick – DIY Red ($12.99)
I recently got my hands on the entire new L’Otreal Infallible Paints Lip Glossy Liquid Lipstick range and have to say that I’ve been thoroughly impressed. For drugstore, the colour pay off of these is absolutely phenomenal. The pigmentation is truly vibrant and very much so as if you painted your lips on.
I have to say though that I’m not impressed by the staying power, as the product doesn’t dry down to a matte finish, which makes it prone to being wiped off when eating or drinking. Lasting power aside, if you’re into a vibrant colours that are bold and vivid, this product is for you.
Marcelle Rouge Xpression Velvet Gel Lipstick – Red Carpet ($11.95)
For those that aren’t as comfortable with a bold red lip, Marcelle’s Rouge Xpression Velvet Gel Lipstick in Red Carpet is the perfect starter shade. I love how toned down this red hue is such that it verges a little slightly on pink. I never have to feel cautious of this colour streaking all over my face, and I don’t hold my breath as much when applying it in fear of all my mistakes being put on display. For all you red lipstick wearers out there, you know that there’s a certain level of anxiety when it comes to application.
I also like the fact that because the colour isn’t as vibrant, the fading process isn’t as evident. You don’t risk the chance of creating that lip-liner look when the central area of your lips fade away.
And there you have it! Seven different products in a vast majority of finish, formulation, colour, texture, and price tag for you to choose from for the perfect Valentine’s Day Red lip. I hope that you enjoyed reading this post and I can’t wait to share more of my beauty faves with you! Happy Valentine’s Day 😉
