Add a touch of Hollywood glamour or vamp up your off-duty look in seconds
Red can be a tough shade to wear. Seriously though. One moment it’s on your lips, the next it’s smeared all over your face, nose and chin. So to make sure you’re wearing the best red lipstick out there is crucial.
First of all, it comes down to picking the right shade for your skin tone. The secret is to find one that completely works with your colouring, which is basically everything from the undertones of your skin, to your hair and eye colour.
It’s undeniably the hardest part of finding a new lipstick, but these small things really do make a big difference when finding a shade of red that suits you. Read our Fabled store’s guide to picking a red lipstick for your skin tone.
Blue-toned reds look cooler and more retro, whilst poppy orangey reds are warmer and look a little bit more modern. And those dark, very berry reds that you covet on the covers of magazines and backstage are totally achievable, too, when you know the right products and shades to buy.
For the ultimate classic cool-girl look make sure you team your new red lipstick with a natural nude eyeshadow and just a hint of mascara. Or try slicking on a feline black liquid eye-liner to look like a 1950s fashion icon. Whatever look you’re choosing to go for, add classic glamour and an air of elegance to any ensemble by picking the best red lipstick for your complexion and budget.
Still not convinced that red is for you? Why not give the subtle nude lipstick a try? Overwhelmed with the choices out there? Check out our round up of the best lipsticks that every capsule collection should contain.
There’s no denying that a good lipstick is a make-up bag staple, but do you know which shade should you be wearing? We’re here to help you find out. Keep scrolling for our top red recommendations…

Mac Lipstick in Ruby Woo, £17.50, Lookfantastic
MAC's Ruby Woo Lipstick is a favourite and best-selling shade among the fash pack. Perfect for day or night, this fierce shade totally means business - and suits everyone. Fact.

Tom Ford Lip Colour in Scarlet Rouge, £40, Harvey Nichols
Tom Ford Lip Colour in Scarlet Rouge is the ultimate night-time lipstick. It's semi-matte and looks divine with a nude and eye and a little mascara. Worth every single penny.

Estée Lauder Pure Color Envy Lipstick in Vengeful Red, £27, Fabled
Estée Lauder Pure Color Envy Lipstick latest shade is a high impact red for a foxy midnight look. It's packed full of natural moisturisers, too, so will keep lips luscious and primed to perfection all night long.

Stila Stay All Day Liquid Lipstick, £17, Fabled
Stila Stay All Day Liquid Lipstick in Beso will literally be on your lips all day and all night because of it's super long wear liquid lipstick formula. We're obsessed.

Charlotte Tilbury Matte Revolution Lipstick in Red Carpet Red, John Lewis
The perfect demure red, Charlotte Tilbury Red Carpet Red is matte, beautiful and truly lasts. And it's retro appeal makes it totally clutch-worthy.

Chanel Rouge Allure Luminous Intense Lip Colour in Pirate, £31, John Lewis
A creamy, beautiful suit-all red? Count us IN. Chanel Rouge Allure in Pirate slicks on effortlessly and makes your handbag look seriously glam with it's clerk minimal bullet.