Our Team's Favourite Red Lipsticks for Christmas Season
Ceryn
- Beauty expert since 2015
- Loves: glowing skin and sunkissed scents
Nothing says Christmas like a bold red lip. There’s something about red lipstick in the winter months that feels undeniably festive.
Red lipstick may be a permanent accessory during December, but choosing one that suits your skin tone isn't always easy. That's where myself and the team come in. We have the tips to help you choose and are sharing our favourites to inspire.
How do I choose a red lip that suits me?
There are two things to consider when choosing red lipstick: tone and finish. The tone of lipstick will make or break how it works with your complexion. As for the finish, that comes down to your own preference! To make it a little easier, we’ve created a cheat sheet on choosing a red lipstick for your skin tone…
• Fair to light skin: suits true red, blue-red and raspberry-red shades.
Tip: play it cool with tones!
• Medium skin: Medium skin really suits pink and orange-reds. My best piece of advice is to avoid blue undertones, as they can look pink on medium complexions.
Tip: avoid blue undertones, which can look pink on medium complexions.
• Dark Skin: suit wine-coloured hues of red and orange-reds.
Tip: when wearing a bright red, use a lip-liner in a bronzy-brown shade to blur the edges to stop the contrast from looking so dramatic.
Our Team's Favourite Red Lipsticks
Chelsey loves: Guerlain Rouge G Satin - 28 Le Coquelicot
"Orange-red lipsticks are my secret weapon for looking polished fast, but finding the right one online is a pain—swatches never tell the whole story. After testing plenty, Rouge G 28 Le Coquelicot stands out as the perfect warm red that flatters neutral and warm skin tones like mine. It’s rich without overpowering, and the creamy, satin finish makes it look like you’ve spent ages on your makeup when it’s a one-swipe wonder.
The formula is pure luxury - 89% skincare, packed with hydrating ingredients that keep your lips soft and smooth all day. It doesn’t cling to dry patches, so it’s perfect when you need a bold lip that feels as good as it looks, which matte finishes don't always do for me. And applying it? Total indulgence. The sleek, weighty packaging and the rich, buttery texture make it feel like a treat every time. If you want an effortlessly glamorous and nourishing red lip, this is the one to try."
Ceryn loves: Clarins Joli Rouge - Cherry Red
"I have a light skin tone with a yellow undertone, so orangey-reds look best on me. Clarins Joli Rouge in Cherry Red is one of my favourites. Its subtle warmth brings out the colour in my complexion and is a compliment magnet.
I adore this formula. It's extremely hydrating, thanks to shea butter and camelia oil additions, which are ideal for my extremely dry lips. The packaging is the icing on the Christmas cake - the refills are sold separately to the luxury cases, so you can mix and match, plus they work out cheaper!"
Leah loves: Estee Lauder Explicit Slick Shine Lipstick - 34 Heat of the Moment
"I tend to opt for neutrals day-to-day, so this red-brown shade is the ideal option for me. I love this lipstick's smooth, creamy formula and high-shine finish; it makes my lips look glossy without the sticky texture. I have complete control when applying the lipstick because of the slimline bullet, which allows for precise application, especially as I have shakey hands when concentrating. The design makes it feel like a pen! To top it off, the lipstick is a pure luxury design and can fit into the smallest of my bags!"
Cara loves: bareMinerals Mineralist Lipstick - Perception
"I adore the purple-red hue of Perception - it's a beautiful deep berry red! The lipstick's formula is worth shouting about, too; it's like a lip balm and lipstick in one. I get really dry lips in the winter, so it makes me avoid lipsticks due to my lips cracking, but because this one's so hydrating, I can wear it all evening and my lip colour still looks perfect."
Simona loves: Givenchy Le Rouge Interdit Cream Velvet Lipstick - 37 Rouge Graine
"I don't like bright red lipsticks on me so Rouge Graine is my go-to. It's a red-brown with a slight warmth. I love liquid lipsticks with a matte finish, and this one from Givenchy is super hydrating because it has shea butter in the formula. I wear one coat for day wear, and layer 2 coats for fuller coverage in the evening. What I also love about this lipstick is how easy and precise it is to apply on your lips."
Jade loves: YSL Loveshine Lip Oil Stick 210 Passion Red
"Passion Red is a pinky-red with flecks of shimmer throughout the formula, which is perfect for this time of year. It's not your conventional lipstick; it's a lip oil/lipstick hybrid, so it's extremely glossy and hydrating, which I love. It's versatile, too; you can dab it on for a subtle wash of colour or layer it for full coverage."
