Red alert: the best shades of red lipstick for every skin tone

A red shade of lipstick is a makeup must-have if there ever was one. The oomph and edge it adds to an outfit, an event, a word or even an appearance is unparalleled. But settling with a red that doesn’t truly complement you could be a roadblock to all the compliments that are waiting to come your way. Here are our picks for the different shades of red for different tones of skin.

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1. For fair skin tones: If you have fair skin with a cool undertone, blue-based reds, pink-based reds, and berry reds will complement your skin. For warm undertones, coral-red or orange-red lipsticks are most effective.

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‍2. For medium skin tones: If you have medium skin with cool undertones, try shades of cherry red, ruby red, and crimson red. For warm undertones, give brick red, copper red, or tomato red a red-hot go.

3. For olive skin tones: For those with olive skin and cool undertones, deep reds, burgundy reds, and wine reds can do wonders. For warm undertones, orange-reds and brick reds can be great choices.

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4. For dusky skin tones: When it comes to a dusky skin tone, deep berry reds, true reds, and burgundy reds can look stunning. Copper reds, brick reds, or warm reds with a hint of brown can complement warm undertones.

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5. For pale skin: A true red lipstick with blue in it (for cool undertones) even a bright or deep red lipstick with yellow or orange (for warm undertones) can be flattering.

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M.A.C Mini Lipstick - Ruby Woo: The matte of this lipstick gives a luscious red finish once worn. Its long-lasting formula with intense colour payoff makes it an ideal choice

Maybelline New York Color Sensational Creamy Matte Lipstick - 640 Red Liberation: Infused with shea butter, this shade of red is crisp in appearance and glides on your lips smoothly, giving your pout an effortless finish.

Lakmé 9 To 5 Primer + Matte Lip Color - Red Twist: With a built-in primer and a highly pigmented formulation, this lipstick justifies its name. Pairing this red lipstick with the whites and blacks of a workspace promises a look to be remembered

Shiseido VisionAry Gel Lipstick - 227 Sleeping Dragon: Incorporating triple gel technology, this shade is the perfect companion for a night about town.

LoveChild Masaba For The Kid In You! Luxe Matte Lipstick - 10 Twisted: No lipstick plays its part as authentically as this shade. This lipstick is the one to choose for dusky and deep skin tones.

Clinique Pop Lip Color + Primer - Passion Pop: This lipstick is a neutral-toned, medium-dark red with a cream finish. It goes perfectly with pale or dusky skin tones

Determine your undertone: Knowing whether your skin has cool or warm undertones can help you select the right red lipstick. If you have cool undertones, look for blue-based or pink-based reds, while warm undertones work well with orange or yellow-based reds.

Consider your lip shape: If you have thin lips, brighter red shades can make them appear fuller, while dark red shades can make them appear smaller. For fuller lips, deeper shades like burgundy or wine can be more flattering.

Experiment with different finishes: Red lipstick comes in a range of finishes – matte, glossy, satin, and more. Different types of lipstick finishes can change the look of a shade so choose wisely.