The holiday season calls for festive lipstick—it’s just a fact. Although red is a classic (sometimes considered cliche) shade, you’d be surprised to know that I often get the most compliments on my drugstore-priced shades rather than my designer ones. Don’t get me wrong, I still love a good luxury formula, but I think the point I’m trying to make is that you don’t need to spend a fortune to have the gorgeous pout of your dreams. If you’re also into a classic shade like red, you’re going to want to keep reading. I’m letting you in on my best-kept lipstick secrets and even snatched a few favorites from other WWW beauty editors. Scroll down below and check out our tricks of the trade.
My fellow beauty editor Kaitlyn McLintock loves this shade of lipstick from Milani because it applies effortlessly, provides a gorgeous satin finish, and can be built up from medium- to full-coverage color.
WWW Beauty Director Erin Jahns loves this Maybelline formula because it creates a long-lasting, high-pigment matte finish that can stay in place for up to 16 hours. This rich, deep red hue is so perfect for formal events or a night out.
For a brighter, glossier finish, Jahns loves this high-shine formula from Nyx in the shade Stay Stuntin. It comes with the pigmented shade on one end and a glossy top coat to layer over on the other.
Jahns is also obsessed with this creamy formula from CoverGirl in the shade Lit a Fire. It’s the perfect shade of fire engine red, looks glossy on the lips without going overboard, and has shea butter for added hydration and softness.
In my humble opinion, Flower Beauty is one of the best drugstore brands on the market. This lipstick proves it—I know I’ve said a lot of these formulas are hydrating, but this one takes the cake. It’s one of the most comfortable lipsticks I own and it looks ten times more expensive than it is.
This is another great holiday shade that I love from L’Oréal. I love pairing it with a lip liner to really define my lips and give them extra pop.
I never stop talking about how good E.l.f. products are and this lipstick in the shade Cherry is no exception. The formula also includes some of my favorite hydrating oils like macadamia seed, jojoba, and meadowfoam seed. It’s a great option for winter since it’s basically a chapstick and lipstick in one.
This lipstick delivers more of a soft matte finish than a liquid matte. Liquid mattes tend to be a bit drying on the lips, but this hybrid oil and cream matte formula delivers vibrant color and a nourishing finish.
I tried this lipstick when I reviewed a few of Sephora Collection’s bestselling products and totally fell in love. It’s not strictly a drugstore brand, but I love Sephora Collection items because they’re high quality at an affordable price. I always get compliments on this particular shade when I wear it out and it just so happens that it’s the shade I’m wearing in the photo at the top of this article.
This lipstick feels really velvety and the shades are bold and highly pigmented. The ultra-red shade Fire Starter was the one that impressed the most for me.
Almay’s nutrient-rich option with vitamin E oil and shea butter leaves a silky, smooth finish and it’s incredibly comfortable on the lips. Each lipstick in this line also comes with an inspiring mantra on the tube.
At just $2, this high-shine formula is another favorite of mine because it’s infused with murmuru butter, mango butter, sunflower, and watermelon seed oil to keep lips hydrated and nourished all day. It also provides color that’s buildable—it looks amazing as both a subtle stain and richer, glossy hue.
