My mom let me start wearing makeup when I was 11 years old. It was the 90s, and with us just being out of the excess of the 80s, wanting to wear a little bit of lipstick, mascara, and eyeliner wasn’t a big deal. The first lipstick I tried was this pale nude color that you literally had to pile on in order for it show up, but the Summer before 7th grade, I picked up a red lipstick from the drugstore and was hooked. I loved the way that it popped against my skin, and while I didn’t reach for it daily (a true makeup junkie stocks up and experiments), it has always been my go-to color for days when I need a beauty pick me up and/or want to have a little more sass.

wearing Ruby Woo.

Blue-based, warm tone, matte or cream formula, I’ve tried them all. I can see the slight difference in shades that most can’t (or so I tell myself), so even though I’ve found a few that really work for me, I doubt I’ll ever stop looking for that “perfect” red.

I’ve tried many (and found myself partial to drugstore brands), and these are some of my faves:

Revlon Super Lustrous Color, Cherries in the Snow ($7.99)

M.A.C.,  Ruby Woo ($16)

Rimmel London Lasting Finish Lipstick-Kate Moss Collection, 011 ($5.49)

L’ORÉAL Colour Riche Collection Exclusive Lipcolour, Eva’s Red ($8.99)

What’s your favorite red?

beauty makeup red lipstick