July 30
I’ve spent all summer pining away for the perfect retro red lipstick. Not too pink, not too orange, and not too shiny. Just a matte warm red that warms up my olive skin tone and looks totally appropriate for day or night. You’d think I’d have one in my stash of samples, but alas. And the prospect of swiping on and wiping off dozens of shades at the makeup counter as I morph into a wild-eyed clown isn’t very appealing. Any suggestions?
xo
Bets
Filed Under: orange lipstick, red lipstick, retro beauty
Hello lovelies! I'm Elizabeth Dehn, a beauty writer + lifestyle editor who's equally fanatical about lip gloss as juice cleansing. I live in Minneapolis with Mr. Bets and our white lab, Molly Thomas . . . 
I’ve heard great things about NARS matte lipsticks this season. But you can’t beat Chanel!
Nars Jungle Red is my personal favorite!
I told you!
COVERGIRL lip perfection in Hot
Wet n wild red mattes, both of them
Revlon top tomato might be what you want
Jungle red is a good suggestion
Bobbi brown old hollywood? (not matte)
I know someone who would take those samples out of your hands …
But seriously wet n wild and cover girl!!!
Revlon ColorStay Ultimate Liquid Lipstick, Top Tomato – long wearing, excellent red
I have two recommendations 1) Chanel rouge color in Gabrielle. It’s the perfect no-fuss re and it actually can be worn year around
2) MAC lipstick in Brave Red- simply put, it’s much like its name and is a no-nonsense show stopper!
Hope this helps :)
I’m thirding Jungle Red. Best matte red ever ever ever!
I’m really a fan of the new Estee Lauder pure color vivid shine lipstick in forbidden apple. First red that I have truly fallen in love with.
MAC Pro Longwear Lipcolor in Lasting Lust.
Seriously amazing. It stays on the ENTIRE day, through eating, drinking, etc. Just be careful when you’re applying! I will never buy any other red lip product again because I get so many compliments with this!
MAC Ruby Woo gets my vote.
MAC Lady Danger! It is one of my favourite lipsticks that instantly make me feel amazing.
Julie Hewitt Rouge Noir … I wear it day and night, an instant uplifter
Sounds like I need a trip to the MAC and Nars counters after all . . . plus the drugstore! Y’all are the best.
Honestly MAC’s Ruby Woo is the best red out there! You’ll love it. Stays on for a decent amount of time, but reapplying throughout the night is recommended!
Good luck!!
xo brielle
The very best matte red lipstick I’ve found (and I’ve tried most, if not all of them) is a combo pack:
I like to start with a little bit of Urban Decay’s lip pencil in Gash. This gives me a clean outline. Then, fill in (carefully – this stuff is indelible!) with Kat Von D’s Everlasting Love Lipstick in Outlaw. Wait for it to dry down. If you want really matte, now you’re good to go. However, I like like to blot and top off with a little bit of the YSL Glossy Stain in one of the reds (#10 or 11). I like the flexible, moist feel of the YSL and it doesn’t remove the liquid lipstick the way most glosses and balms will. Sometimes I blot the shiny finish off; sometimes I don’t. This lip will not need a touch-up for most of a day, provided you avoid greasy foods and don’t bite your lips. When I touch-up, I use the UD pencil and the YSL gloss. There’s usually enough of the KVD stain and I don’t like the possibility of making a mistake with it. This is the closest I’ve come to a retro-red lip that doesn’t wear down on the moist inner lip leaving “the red ring of death”.
Make Up Forever :Moulin Rouge Artist Intense #8. Best Ever.
Chanel: Coromandel. The best warm red but not too orange lipstick. And it has the perfect \velvety, retro matte finish.
[...] my quest for the perfect retro-red lipstick, I followed up on a recommendation from Kara, CoverGirl Lip Perfection in Hot 305. Amazing how the [...]
I swear on my life this is MAC ruby woo… the one and only matte pinupgirl retro sexy red xo.
[...] the search is over! I’ve found the perfect retro red and thy name is MAC Ruby Woo ($15). She’s not too pink, not too shiny, and just orange [...]
I was about to say Mac Ruby Woo….
Best retro-red is Viva Glam 1 :)