Best Red Lipstick For Your Skintone | Blue, Orange And Brown Based Reds

Yes, you can absolutely wear red lipstick. The secret is choosing a red that works with your undertone and depth, then wearing it in a way that feels like you. The goal is not perfection; it is confidence every time you swipe that tube.

All three models shown in this blog have neutral skintones and are wearing Red Apple Red, a classic blue based red lipstick.

Can I wear a red lipstick?

I hear this question a lot. Yes, you can pull off red lipstick. I am going to guide you to the best red lipstick for your skintone.

What is most important is how you feel in that shade. Nothing makes many of us feel more confident than red lipstick, and that is red lipstick’s primary job in your makeup bag: to help you feel amazing.

The following are simple guidelines. If you find a shade that makes you feel amazing and it is not on this list or in your shade range, wear it and do not worry about the rest.

How do I select a red lipstick?

First you need to know what base is most flattering to your skin tone. These are the basics.

Red lipsticks are broken down into three main categories:

• Blue based red lipsticks, which look best on cool skin tones and lighter skin, and can also appear pink or purple
• Orange based red lipsticks, which look best on warm skin tones and can appear more yellow
• Brown based red lipsticks, which look best on warm skin tones and medium to darker skin

Next, you need to know if you have cool, warm, or neutral undertones. This is tricky because many people are not strictly one or the other; we all have a little warmth in our skin, so this is not completely rigid. I am going to break it down as simply as I can.

Answer all of the following questions:

1. Do you look better in gold or silver jewelry?

   • Gold jewelry: go for orange based or brown based red lipsticks, which suit warm tones.
   • Silver jewelry: go for blue based red lipsticks, which suit cool tones.
   • Both gold and silver: you can wear blue based, orange based and brown based reds, which usually means you are neutral.

2. Does red lipstick tend to “turn pink” on you?

   • “Yes, and I hate that”: steer clear of blue based reds that have strong pink undertones and aim for orange based and brown based reds. You likely have warmer skin.
   • “Yes, and it does not bother me”: stick with blue based reds, but try some orange based reds to see how they flatter you with different outfits. You probably have neutral skin.
   • “No”: keep wearing blue based reds and experiment with deeper or lighter, brighter shades to mix it up. You likely have cooler skin.

3. Does red lipstick “turn orange” on you?

   • “Yes, and I do not like it”: stick with blue based reds. Cool tones in your skin will make orange or brown based reds look sallow.
   • “Yes, and I like it”: keep your orange based reds and also try some blue based reds to see if they make your teeth appear whiter. You probably have a neutral skin tone.
   • “No”: keep wearing orange based reds and experiment with brown based reds for a sultry, warm look. You likely have lots of warmth in your skin.

Let’s Compare Lipstick Bases

Blue Based Red Lipsticks

Orange Based Red Lipstick

Brown Based Red Lipsticks

Does Skin Color Affect Which Red Lipstick I Wear?

The same undertone rules apply no matter what skin color you have. Here are some quick examples. As a rule of thumb: cool skin works well with cool lipstick bases (blue based). Warm skin works well with warm lipstick bases (orange or brown based). Neutral skin can wear both cool and warm lipstick bases.

• Deep brown skin with cool undertones: blue based red lipstick such as Rebel, Appley Ever After, or Radiant.
• Deep brown skin with warm undertones: orange or brown based lipstick such as Risque or Barcelona.
• Olive skin with warm undertones: orange or brown based lipstick such as Risque, Barcelona, or Strawberry Lips.
• Medium skin with cool undertones: blue based red lipstick such as Rebel, Appley Ever After, or Radiant.
• Light or fair skin with cool undertones: blue based red lipstick such as Rebel, Radiant, or Red Apple Red.
• Light or fair skin with warm undertones: orange or brown based lipstick such as Risque or Strawberry Lips.
• Light or medium skin with neutral undertones: Strawberry Lips for a soft red, Risque for a bright classic red, Appley Ever After for a deeper classic brick red, or Radiant for a bold classic retro red.
• Dark or deep skin with neutral undertones: Risque for a bright classic red, Rebel for a deep sultry red, or Barcelona for a deep brick red.

A note on other shades we notice in our skin like green, yellow, purple, and pink.

• If you have green or yellow in your skin, you are usually warm.
• If you have purple in your skin, you are usually cool.
• If you have pink in your skin because of rosacea, you could be cool or warm. I recommend staying closer to the warm side of red lipsticks so you do not enhance the redness in your skin. Try Appley Ever After, Risque, or Strawberry Lips.

What About Shade Ranges Of Red Lipstick And Your Skin?

What I am about to say is not a strict rule, but I have found that more often than not the following tips help.

• Light or fair skin is often most flattered by light and bright red lipsticks. The smaller your lips, the brighter the lipstick can be. Dark lipstick makes small lips look smaller.
• Deep red lipstick often looks best on medium to dark skin. The same lip size rule applies, so if you have small lips and do not want them to look smaller, opt for a lighter and brighter red.
• People with darker skin can usually wear both deep and bright red lipsticks (within the right base undertone range). Your natural lip color will determine how the shade shows up. Dark brown natural lips will need a lighter red if you want the color to show up as a classic red. If you just want a hint of red, a deeper red lipstick can be beautiful.

Red Lipsticks In Order From Lightest And Brightest To Deepest

Blue Based Red Lipsticks For Cool Skintones And Neutral Skintones

---

Orange Based Red Lipstick For Warm Skintones And Neutral Skin

---

Brown Based Red Lipsticks For Warm Skintones And Neutral Skin

Best 3 Tips For Wearing Red Lipstick

1. Apply it with a lip brush. This helps you reach your lip line, which makes your lips look full. It also gives you an even first layer worked into your lips so the color wears off more evenly.
2. Apply one thin layer at a time. Thin layers slowly build the color, which makes it last longer and lets you customize the depth you want to wear with that outfit.
3. Blot, then let it rest and dry. Slide a tissue between your lips and lightly roll your lips in and out. Blotting sets the lipstick in place. Then give it at least five minutes before you touch anything to your lips so the color can set for a flawless finish and even wear.

To learn more about pro lipstick application tips and other tricks for lipstick success, watch my short binge able series here: Lipstick Basics 101.

I want you to love wearing red lipstick. I want you to pull out your perfect red lipstick on an average day, not just a special occasion, and feel the glow of confidence that comes along with wearing it.

FAQs

How do I know which base I should start with?

If silver jewelry and cool toned clothes flatter you most, start with blue based reds like Red Apple Red, Radiant, Appley Ever After, or Rebel. If gold jewelry and warm colors suit you, begin with orange or brown based reds like Risque, Strawberry Lips, or Barcelona.

Which red lipstick is the most forgiving for beginners?

Strawberry Lips is a soft brown based red that feels very wearable. It gives you that red lipstick feeling without jumping straight into a bold, full impact red. Appley Ever After is another great middle ground red that suits many skintones.

What red lipstick will make my teeth look whiter?

Blue based reds tend to make teeth look brighter. Try Rebel, Radiant, or Red Apple Red on days when you want a whiter looking smile. If warm reds are your favorite, test them in good lighting to see which ones balance best with your tooth shade.

Can mature lips still wear bold red lipstick?

Yes, absolutely. Focus on hydrating formulas, apply in thin layers, and use a lip brush to create a clean edge. If you want a softer effect, tap the lipstick on and blur the edges slightly with your fingertip for a lived in look.

What if every red seems to turn pink or orange on me?

If everything turns pink, you probably have warmth in your skin, so lean into orange or brown based reds. If everything turns orange, stick with blue based reds. Use the undertone questions in this guide and do a quick mirror test in natural light to confirm.

Comment below if you need further red lipstick guidance or if you have any red lipstick frustrations that I can help solve.