Matte, Liquid, Satin: The 13 Lushest Dark Red Lipstick for Every Preference

Most Classic

There’s a reason why it’s the top selling lip color brand in the U.S. Actually, there are many reasons—like the generous shade range (there are over 100 hues to choose from), the creamy application and the way the color hugs your lips. The subtle vanilla scent is pleasant, too. “Diva” is a quintessential burgundy that’s been seen on every celebrity from Beyoncé to Emma Stone and Gal Gadot. It’s decadence in a tube.

Best Liquid

Another cult favorite, Stila’s Stay All Day is a go-to for those who prefer a liquid formula. Chianti is a true grape red with deep purple tones that will pop against your skin. As with any liquid lipstick, the trick is to not apply too much. Lay down a thin coat and let it set for the smoothest (and longest-lasting) results. Vitamin E and avocado oil give it a moisturizing base, so it feels more comfortable on lips.

Best Satin

We let out an audible gasp when we first swiped this lipstick on. For starters, the color payoff is incredible, as is the plush finish. And it wears nicely as the day goes on thanks to a trio of moisturizing oils (jojoba, sunflower seed and coconut) in the formula. Bold is a juicy reddish plum with a cooler undertone that makes your teeth look whiter when you wear it.

Best Shine

“If you’re sad, add more lipstick and attack,” once said Coco Chanel. And this shiny lipstick is ready for reapplication whenever needed. With a slick formula that glides on seamlessly and an almost vinyl finish, it’s as easy as lipstick comes. Dominant is a pretty cranberry shade that’s perfect for someone who is on the fence about wearing a darker red.

Cleanest Ingredients

There are only ten ingredients in this lipstick—including coconut oil and avocado butter—which explains why it feels so darn good on your lips. Elusive is a brick bordering on burgundy that has warm undertones and is especially flattering on olive skin tones. We also appreciate that the tubes are made from post-consumer recycled plastic (and the boxes from recycled trash by a women’s cooperative in Bali).

Longest Lasting

“A lipstick you can wear with a mask,” is how one reviewer described this pick. And she’s absolutely right. The liquid formula delivers intense color that won’t rub off for hours after you apply it. The key is to give it a few minutes to dry down before touching anything to it. The arrow-shaped applicator makes it easy to apply, and Pioneer is a classic red that looks good on just about anyone.

Creamiest Texture

Note: This lipstick is thicker in texture than most, but if that’s your cup of tea, you’ll love this formula. It’s packed with the brand’s signature blend of oils to lay down a plush coat of color. Speaking of color, Rapture is a warm brick red that gives major 90s nostalgia.

Best Budget

Lip cream is an accurate way to describe this drugstore fav. It has the slip of a liquid lipstick, the color payoff of a traditional tube and a delightfully velvety texture all its own. Enriched with smoothing silicones, it goes on silky smooth and sets to a soft, matte finish. Monte Carlo is a true blue-toned red that Taylor Swift would approve of.

Smoothest Application

This lipstick goes on like butter, y’all. Loaded with conditioning castor seed and apricot seed oils, it delivers full-coverage color in a single, light-handed swipe. Even better, that creaminess lasts long after you apply it, so you don’t have to contend with dry, flaky lips later on. Looking for the moodiest, most flattering oxblood? You can’t go wrong with Rumba.

Best Overall

We love this lipstick. It goes on like a dream, stays put through multiple cups of coffee and is indeed “weightless” in texture. Darkroom is a deep wine red that runs on the cooler side. It’s definitely a more dramatic shade, but don’t let that scare you. It’s surprisingly flattering and will complement every sweater and scarf in your fall wardrobe.

Best Duo

Can’t decide between a lipstick and a gloss? You don’t have to with this duo. It features a shiny, non-sticky gloss on one end and a satin lipstick on the other, so you can wear them on their own or together for more dimension. Déjà vu is a purple-toned burgundy that’s almost mauve in certain lighting. The color is pigmented and buildable and feels really nice on your lips thanks to the shea and mango seed butters in the formula.

Best Pigmentation

Described by one fan as “the only color for Zoom,” this is definitely your statement lipstick. Packed with pigment, it saturates your lips in silky color in a few quick swipes before drying down to a matte finish. (And yet, it somehow doesn’t dry out your lips.) Brenda is a beautiful cabernet that makes your lips look lush and full when you first put it on, and it gradually fades into a soft stain without leaving behind that dreaded ring around the edges.

Best Splurge

Before you balk at the cost, consider that this is technically four lipsticks in one sleek compact. Choose from tomato red, bold brick, dusty rose or a deep fuchsia—or make your own custom shade by blending them together. Each color is made with cold-pressed cherry oil and a cushy base of collagen-boosting peptides and marula oil, so you get that decadent suede-like texture that’s implied in the name. Apply it with a brush for maximum impact or dab it on with your fingertips for a soft wash of color.