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There’s arguably no single makeup product that possesses more power than red lipstick. One swipe can instantly make you feel more put together and more confident, a truly transformative experience. And the great news? There’s no need to shell out big bucks for a great, high-quality red lippie. The drugstore aisles are home to a wide variety of options. “Drugstore red lipsticks are affordable and a great way to experiment with new colors, shades, and textures,” says Robert Sesnek, Celebrity Makeup Artist and CATRICE Cosmetics Ambassador. “For the price of a cup of coffee, you could find your new favorite drugstore red and wear it over the next few years.” We’re most definitely here for that.
Ahead, the best drugstore red lipsticks.
Best Overall
L’Oréal Paris Colour Riche Original Satin Lipstick in True Red
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Courtesy of Amazon
Looks great on many skin tones
Comfortable wear
Not as long-lasting as other options
This checks all of our drugstore red lipstick boxes, and then some. The creamy formula (which boasts hydrating ingredients such as sesame seed and argan oils) has an amazing, middle-of-the-road satin finish, neither too matte nor too shiny. There’s a nice variety of reds to choose from among the 52 available shades, but this classic red, with the right amount of both cool and warm undertones, looks great on all skin tones.
Price at time of publish: $7
Type: Bullet | Size: 0.13 oz. | Finish: Satin | Cruelty-Free: No
Best Matte
NYX Professional Makeup Matte Lipstick in Perfect Red
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Courtesy by NYX
Very pigmented
Comfortable wear
Some reviewers say the color can transfer
It’s easy to find a matte lipstick at the drugstore, but it’s not so easy to find one that actually feels comfortable on your lips and never looks dry or chalky. This particular option fits this bill with a feel that’s almost hydrating despite the beautiful matte finish. It’s deeply pigmented, stays nice and opaque, and also never feathers, according to happy reviewers. Plus, this aptly-named hue is a top-notch dupe for another iconic red hue of another (much more expensive) lipstick.
Price at time of publish: $8
Type: Bullet | Size: 0.16 oz. | Finish: Matte | Cruelty-Free: Yes
Best Moisturizing
Flower Beauty Perfect Pout Lipstick in Snapdragon
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Courtesy of CVS
Very hydrating
Makes teeth appear whiter
Comfortable wear
Color isn’t quite as pigmented as others
Lip balm fans, listen up. This lippie is so hydrating that if it weren’t for the beautiful color it delivers, you could easily mistake it for a balm. Speaking of, this red is rich and vibrant with the subtlest touch of blue undertones that can actually help make teeth appear whiter. And because the formula is so creamy, it also makes the color (which is easily buildable, by the way) look naturally shiny.
Price at time of publish: $11
Type: Bullet | Size: 0.14 oz. | Finish: Natural shine | Cruelty-Free: Yes
Best Liquid
Wet n Wild Mega Last Liquid Catsuit Lipstick in Missy & Fierce
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Courtesy of Target
Angled doe foot applicator
Very pigmented
Sets quickly
Sesnek is a fan of this liquid lipstick, calling the pigment it delivers “unparalleled.” It’s a slightly cooler-toned red that looks great on those with cooler undertones in their skin and delivers “full, bulletproof coverage,” he says. FYI, it goes on glossy but quickly dries down to a matte finish.
Price at time of publish: $5
Type: Liquid | Size: 0.21 oz. | Finish: Matte | Cruelty-Free: Yes
Runner-Up, Best Liquid
The Lip Bar Vegan Matte Lipstick
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Amazon
Comfortable wear
Vegan
Looks great on many skin tones
Can be hard to remove
Liquid lipsticks have a reputation for drying out the lips, but not silky formula from The Lip Bar. These apply smooth like a gloss, then dry down to a full (but comfortable) matte that boasts eight to 12 hours of wear. Plus, the formula is clean, vegan, and cruelty-free—what’s not to love? We’re pretty big fans of Bawse Lady, a deeper blue-based red that flatters all skin tones.
Price at time of publish: $13
Type: Liquid | Size: 0.24 oz. | Finish: Matte | Cruelty-Free: Yes
Best Budget
e.l.f. Cosmetics Matte Lip Color in Rich Red
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Ulta Beauty
Has a built-in sharpener
Small and precise tip
Can feel a little dry
You’re right; any drugstore lipstick is going to be very affordable by definition. That being said, this goes above and beyond that standard criteria, ringing in at less than the cost of your morning coffee. While the crayon itself is oversized (read: easy to hold), the tip is very small and precise, making it great for detailed application. And to that point, this actually works awesome as a lip liner, too.
Price at time of publish: $9
Type: Crayon | Size: 0.05 oz. | Finish: Matte | Cruelty-Free: Yes
Best for Fair Skin
Revlon Super Lustrous Lipstick in Fire & Ice
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Courtesy of Ulta
Looks great on many skin tones
Infused with good-for-your-lips ingredients
Not as long-lasting as other options
Fun fact: This lipstick has been around since 1952, making it worthy of true legend status in our book. Since then, the formula has gotten a modern upgrade, now infused with plenty of good-for-your lips ingredients such as vitamin E and avocado oil (though the tube is still totally iconic). Definitely check out all of the reds available, there’s a great assortment, though it’s this one that’s our go-to. The warm, orange-y undertones make it an especially great option on those with paler skin and/or on those who have warmer undertones in their skin.
Price at time of publish: $10
Type: Bullet | Size: 0.15 oz. | Finish: Lustrous satin | Cruelty-Free: No
Best for Deep Skin
Blk/Opl Cream Lipstick in C-Suite
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Courtesy of Walmart
Looks great on many skin tones
Very pigmented
Only red shade in the line
Not all reds are created equal, and similarly, not all reds look great on deeper complexions. But this pick—which is part of an admittedly small range of shades—does. It's a ruby red that offers enough contrast even on dark skin tones. It packs complete color coverage in just one swipe and is infused with hydrating ingredients such as jojoba oil and monoi de Tahiti oils to make it feel extra cushiony and comfortable.
Price at time of publish: $10
Type: Bullet | Finish: Velvet | Cruelty-Free: Yes
Best Natural
Burt’s Bees Natural Moisturizing Lipstick in Scarlet Soaked
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Courtesy of Amazon
Buildable
Recyclable packaging
Not as long-lasting as other options
The formula of this lipstick is 100% natural, touting all kinds of natural ingredients—beeswax, moringa oil, raspberry seed oil, and vitamin E, just to name a few—that give it its mega-hydrating feel. (Bonus points for the recyclable packaging, too.) It bears mentioning that this red definitely goes on more sheer than many others, but it’s a nice choice either for those new to rocking a red lip and/or who prefer more buildable coverage.
Price at time of publish: $9
Type: Bullet | Size: 0.12 oz. | Finish: Satin | Cruelty-Free: Yes
Best Long-Lasting
Maybelline New York Superstay Ink Crayon Lipstick
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Easy to apply
Also comes in liquid form
Has a built-in sharpener
Can be difficult to remove
We’ve long sung the praises of this line of Maybelline lipsticks, which comes in both a liquid and this crayon format. Either way, they are the longest wearing lipsticks we’ve ever used, staying put without any smudges or smears throughout long days of eating, drinking, and even a make-out session or two. This twist-up crayon is ideal for precise application (there’s also a built-in sharpener), and the cooler-hued red with notes of brown undertones has a natural matte finish and is also smudge- and transfer-resistant.
Price at time of publish: $11
Type: Crayon | Size: 0.04 oz. | Finish: Matte | Cruelty-Free: No
Best Coral Red
Maybelline New York Color Sensational Lipstick in On Fire Red
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Courtesy of Amazon
Looks great on many skin tones
Very hydrating
Comfortable wear
Not as long-lasting as other options
“I am obsessed with this lipstick,” says Sesnek of another one of his favorites. “It’s a warm, coral red, a spectacular color in a formula that has incredible pigmentation,” he says. The coral-y undertones make it an especially great choice for summer (we personally love it paired with a simple white sundress), though it can, of course, work year-round and works surprisingly well on a wide array of skin tones. It’s also super creamy, thanks to a shea butter base.
Price at time of publish: $6
Type: Bullet | Size: 0.15 oz. | Finish: Creamy/shiny | Cruelty-Free: No
Best Deep Red
L’Oréal Paris Color Riche Matte Lipcolour in Doesn’t Matte-R
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Courtesy of Amazon
Comfortable wear
Very pigmented
Some reviewers say the color can transfer
Anyone who loves dark, vampy red lipstick should check out this choice. “This is a bombshell red for when you want a sexy, strong look,” says Sesnek. “The deep, Bordeaux shade has an old Hollywood vibe and even though it’s a matte formula, is still incredibly rich and hydrating.”
Price at time of publish: $11
Type: Bullet | Size: 0.13 oz. | Finish: Matte | Cruelty-Free: No
Final Verdict
There are so many great red lipsticks to be found at the drugstore that you really can’t go wrong. That being said, if you’re after a foolproof pick, we can’t get enough of the L’Oréal Paris Colour Riche Original Satin Lipstick in True Red, which looks great on any skin tone and has a satin finish. The Wet And Wild Mega Last Liquid Catsuit Lipstick in Missy & Fierce is a standout liquid option, while the Maybelline New York Color Sensational Lipstick in On Fire Red is a crayon that can’t be beaten with staying power that’s beyond impressive. And for those who are after slightly more sheer color and a very hydrating feel, the Burt’s Bees Natural Moisturizing Lipstick in Scarlet Soaked is an excellent choice.
Meet the Expert
Robert Sesnek is a celebrity makeup artist in New York City who frequently does both celebrity and editorial work. He’s also a Catrice Cosmetics ambassador.
What to Look For in a Drugstore Red Lipstick
Texture
Broadly speaking, drugstore red lipsticks tend to fall into matte or non-matte categories, though there are options that hit somewhere in between with a velvet or satin finish. Whichever finish you choose boils down to a matter of personal preference. However, if you have super dry lips try layering a lip balm underneath for some extra hydration.
Exact Shade of Red
There are tons and tons of different reds to choose from, and while there are some general guidelines that can be helpful (more on those in a moment), Sesnek says the best way to find your favorite is to simply experiment and try all different kinds.
Format
These days you can find everything from traditional bullets to liquids to crayons at the drugstore; again, it boils down to a matter of personal preference.
How We Researched
To compile this list, our team of editors and contributors spent hours researching the best products on the market in this category, evaluating their key features—like ingredients, shade range, or design—in addition to reviews from customers and other trusted sources. We then used this research to assign a star rating from one to five (five being the best; one being the worst) to certain products on the list.
Why Trust Byrdie
Byrdie contributor Melanie Rud has over a decade of experience in the beauty industry, writing for some of the biggest magazines and websites out there. She loves busting out a red lip on special occasions, though she prefers to save some cash and procure her red lipsticks from the drugstore since it’s not a product she’s necessarily using daily. The two Maybelline products featured on this list are two of her personal rotations that repeatedly make an appearance in her rotation of reds.
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