Best Holiday Red Lipsticks

By Mary Shannon Wells
Plume Creative/Getty Images
There’s something about a woman with red lipstick on. Even a swipe of red lipstick can make one feel alluring, striking, and confident, and history actually proves it. It’s no secret—Southern women love lipstick, and they’ve tried pretty much every shade of red lipstick. If you’re an experienced red-tone wearer, then every season is appropriate for a bold look. However, if you’re hesitant to try out a red lip, there’s no better time than the holidays. During Christmastime, everything is merry and bright, and with a shade of red lipstick, your beauty look can be too. These are the best red lipsticks to try this holiday season, whether you’re in the market for a classic red, a ruby red, or a burgundy. From new-on-the-market reds to timeless hues that have stood the test of time, Christmas is when you'll wear these fabulous shades. When you’re getting dolled up for holiday parties this season, a coat of red is the only finishing touch you'll need. These are the best Christmas colors, and this season is the time to try. 
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Each product we feature has been independently selected and reviewed by our editorial team. If you make a purchase using the links included, we may earn commission.

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Revlon Super Lustrous Lipstick in Bombshell Red

Target

Buy It: $5.99; target.com

Although Revlon reds like Fire and Ice and Love That Red are iconic, one of their newer hews, Bombshell Red, is a red berry shade that reminds us of a holiday dessert.

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Chanel Rouge Allure Velvet Intense Long-Wear Lip Colour in Nightfall

Neiman Marcus

Buy It: $37; neimanmarcus.com

The name for this new sultry red fits—it’s a sophisticated color to swipe on for a dressy holiday party. One of Chanel’s best-selling reds, Pirate, is a timeless choice, too. 

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Rimmel London Stay Matte Liquid Lip Colour in Fire Starter

Walgreens

Buy It: $5.49; walgreens.com

Rimmel’s most recent lipstick release is a long-wear matte lipstick that doesn’t dry out like many formulas. There’s only one red in the line, but Fire Starter is a strong enough color to stand on it’s own. The name alone makes us want to cozy up next to a fire this season.

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MAC Liptensity Lipstick in Mulling Spices

Bloomingdale's

Buy It: $21; bloomingdales.com

MAC’s latest line of lipsticks features this shade named after mulling spices, and we can’t think of a more relevant holiday name. The brand’s lipstick color called Ruby Woo is its most legendary red.

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Maybelline Superstay Matte Ink Liquid Lipstick in Pioneer

Amazon

Buy It: $7.12; amazon.com

If you haven’t noticed, liquid matte lipsticks are in right now, and Maybelline’s newest release is getting rave reviews online. We liked Pioneer, which is a dark cherry red, but the collection’s other red, Heroine, is a poppy-like hue if you're looking for something brighter.

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Dior Double Rouge in Matte Metal

Neiman Marcus

Buy It: $35; neimanmarcus.com

Dior’s Double Rouge lipstick collection creates lip definition with an ombré effect. With this lipstick, one tube achieves both matte and shine in Dior’s iconic 999 Red shade.

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e.l.f Cosmetics Beauty Shield Lipstick in Red Siren Screen

e.l.f. Cosmetics

Buy It: $6; elfcosmetics.com

As far as getting the best quality for the best price, e.l.f. Cosmetics reigns supreme. Their newest line of lipstick not only has a fabulous red, but it also contains antioxidants, oils, and vitamins to nourish and protect your lips. Double win.

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Bobbi Brown Crushed Lip Color in Ruby

Nordstrom

Buy It: $29; nordstrom.com

Bobbi Brown is a makeup brand known for exuding laid-back, effortless beauty, and its newest lipstick collection gives just that. This ruby red is perfect for those who aren’t used to rocking a strong red lip but want to try. It’s a warm color for the holidays, but it’s not so sultry that it should be solely reserved for nighttime. Regal and Cherry are our other favorite reds from this line.

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L’Oreal Paris Colour Riche Lipcolour in True Red

Walgreens

Buy It: $8.99; walgreens.com

This shade lives up to its name. True Red is a coral-red that’s a timeless classic, which makes it an ideal red to wear to a holiday party.

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NARS Audacious Lipstick in Louise

Nordstrom

Buy It: $34; nordstrom.com

NARS has a few classic reds (their Velvet Matte Lip Pencil in Dragon Girl and their original Lipstick in Jungle Red are both iconic), but the latest red title to join the brand’s extremely popular Audacious Lipstick crew, Louise, is a deep crimson that will warm up any look. NARS lipstick is always worth the splurge, and if you’re jumping on the liquid matte trend, try their new  Powermatte Lip Pigment—you won’t be disappointed. 

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CoverGirl Outlast Longwear + Moisture Lipstick in Red Siren

Walgreens

Buy It: $8.99; walgreens.com

CoverGirl’s Outlast products have been popular since their debut, and this lipstick is one of the best long-wear formulas you can pick up at the drugstore.

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Lancôme L’Absolu Rouge in Absolute Rouge

Bloomingdale's

Buy It: $32; bloomingdales.com

Lancôme’s L’Absolu Rouge line is one of their best sellers for a reason. Unlike many of the in-style matte looks, this is a classic creamy lipstick, and Absolute Rouge is a timeless red. The brand’s more recent lip release was the Matte Shaker High Pigment Lipstick (a spinoff of their top-rated Juicy Shakers), which is perfect if you want to try a light matte look.

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NYX Professional Makeup Extra Creamy Round Lipstick in Snow White

Walgreens

Buy It: $4; walgreens.com

Disney fans, this iconic red doesn’t need an explanation. Another of NYX’s most popular red shades, a brick-red called Alabama, will be our next try. Even though we’re partial to that shade because of its nod to our Southern home state, it’s gotten great reviews online.  

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Anastasia Beverly Hills Liquid Lipstick in American Doll

Sephora

Buy It: $20; sephora.com

Anastasia Beverly Hills’ liquid lipstick formula has arguably reached cult-product status because of its popularity, and American Doll is described as the brand’s classic red. If you’re looking for a liquid matte lipstick, this is the one to try.

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Yves Saint Laurent Rouge Pur Couture Lip Color in Le Rouge

Nordstrom

Buy It: $37; nordstrom.com

This splurge-worthy shade is YSL’s most iconic red. They’re even selling it in a sparkly, limited-edition lipstick tube for the holidays this year.

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