Find Your Signature Shade of Red Lipstick

Red lipstick is one of those staples that’s in every girl’s beauty
arsenal – it’s timeless, it’s versatile, and it won’t let you down.
But how do you know if your red lipstick is, well, your red lipstick?
We’re talking that signature shade of red that’s distinctly ‘you’, and
perfectly complements your skin tone.

We’ve gushed about our fruit pigmented® natural lipsticks before –
especially the
red shades
– but this time, it’s personal! We’re breaking down our top
cruelty-free red lip color picks for every skin tone, including which
bombshell shades snag our #1 spot for favorite red, natural lipstick
in each category.

There are thousands of red lipstick shades on the market, but nearly
every one of them is made with either animal fats, toxic dyes,
synthetic fragrances, or all of the above – ooph! Never fear, the
natural beauty world is far less scary! Our paraben-free lipsticks are
made with completely natural ingredients, like nourishing fruit and
seed oils and rich butters. These babies are designed to leave your
lips soft and supple all day long.

So how do we get those vibrant red hues, you ask? Enter fruit
pigments! Pigments from cherries, pomegranates, tomato, raspberry, and
more create a gorgeous color family of reds. To see these babies in
action, peep the guide below! We’ll dip into our anti-aging and
moisturizing lipsticks, our matte lipsticks, and even a few tinted lip
balms and liquid lipsticks.

Before choosing your signature natural lipstick shade, start by
determining your skin tone:

Fair/ Light

Medium/ Tan

Dark/ Deep

Next, determine which of these two undertones you see in your skin:

Warm (golden, yellow, and honey)

Cool (pink, red, and subtle hints of blue)

Great, got that figured out? Let’s find your signature shade of red
lipstick!
Note: shades in bold are our top picks for your skin tone.

Cool Undertones:
Look for raspberry reds and blue or purple-based reds

Ruby Gemmed Lip Gloss
(berry red)

Cherry Lip & Cheek Stain
(deep, cherry red)

Pomegranate Lip Glaze
(deep, pink-red)

PRO TIP: Want to try a matching nail polish? Check out Blackberry Woods.

Warm Undertones: Look for orange-reds

Poppy Pomegranate Lipstick
(bright, blood red)

Sonora Cocoa Butter Matte Lipstick
(orange-red)

Cranberry Lip & Cheek Tint
(true, neutral red)

Cool Undertones: Look for deep, wine reds

Dahlia Pomegranate Lipstick
(deep, wine red)

Plum Wine Lip Caramel
(deep, purple wine)

PRO TIP: Want to try a matching nail polish? Check out Elderberry.

Warm Undertones: Look for deep and bold brick reds

Blood Orange Cocoa Butter Matte Lipstick
(classic red brick)

Nopal Cocoa Butter Matte Lipstick
(deep, vibrant ruby)

Cabernet Lip Glaze
(deep, brick red)

Red Velvet Lip Caramel
(classic red)

Garnet Gemmed Lip Gloss
(semi-sheer, deep red)

PRO TIP: Want to try a matching nail polish? Check out Elderberry.

Cool Undertones: Look for dramatic, vampy reds

Desert Rose Cocoa Butter Matte Lipstick
(raspberry jam red)

Currant Cocoa Butter Matte Lipstick
(berry red)

Cherry Lip Glaze
(berry purple-red)

PRO TIP: Want to try a matching nail polish? Check out Over the Maroon.

Warm Undertones: Look for bright, orange-reds

Hibiscus Pomegranate Lipstick
(neon red-orange)

Cactus Bloom Cocoa Butter Matte Lipstick
(vibrant, red-orange)

Scotch Kiss Lip Caramel
(neon, red-orange)

PRO TIP: Want to try a matching nail polish? Check out Red Over Heels.

Now that you’ve got your signature shade of red lipstick, what’s next?
Here are some tips for keeping your natural lipstick looking flawless
from sun-up to sundown:

For those of you with lips on the dry side,
prime your lips with a
lip balm
before applying your lipstick. Your best bet is to go light, using
clean fingers to apply from the tube to your lips. Just a thin
layer is all you need to help extra dry lips feeling soothed and
comfy all day long.

Keep lips smooth and flake-free with a
lip scrub
to ensure your lipstick glides on effortlessly. By buffing away
bumps and tougher skin on your lips, you’re ensuring beautiful
color payoff while also allowing your lips to absorb more
beneficial vitamins and antioxidants from your natural lipsticks.

Use a
lip brush
if you have trouble staying inside the lines. Applying your lip
color – especially dark, bold, or liquid shades – can be
intimidating, so get a leg up by applying color little by little
with a few strokes of your lip brush.

For a soft, diffused finish, try applying your lips with a
small smudger brush. Instead of getting a defined line, this method helps you get a
soft, more natural finish. Apply only a small swipe of lipstick to
your bristles, before gently brushing onto your lips, starting
from the center outwards. When you get to the edges, gently buff
your now almost-dry brush right over your cupid’s bow and beneath
the center of your bottom lip. The goal isn’t perfection, but
rather a diffused, just-kissed effect. This method works best with
nude, semi-gloss, balm, and matte shades.

Want more natural lipstick guides? We’ve got inspirational guides to
the best natural
lipstick for any occasion,
matte lipstick
breakdowns, and even a
full-out guide
on how to shop for the perfect natural lipstick (with more than just
reds). Have fun following your bliss!