I receive a slew of samples, and when I find something I like, I can’t wait to tell you all about it!
I’ll admit that since I started covering backstage beauty at New York Fashion Week, thoughts of Valentine’s Day has floated to very back of mind. I usually don’t have the time to gather gifts, let alone try to make a reservation at any restaurant in the Big Apple that day as I’m running from show to show, but I try to at least dress up my look a little more on February 14th even when I’m ready to fall over with exhaustion (concealer is a BIG help!). Regardless of your relationship status or your schedule, there’s no reason why you can’t get all dolled up for Valentine’s Day! All you really need is a swipe of a great red lipstick to channel the look of l’amour — no crazy cut creases or hearts necessary (unless you want to, of course). After playing with a slew of fabulous formulas over the years, I wanted to share a few of my favorites reds that you’ll want to stash in your bag should the need to pucker up (or add polish to your look in an instant) arise.
Scroll on to start seeing red!
- Lipstick Queen Medieval Lipstick, $24
If you like a more natural date-night look but want to bump up your lip, then this classic Lipstick Queen tube is meant for you. It has a moisturizing formula with a dose of Vitamin E and a finish that adds just a hint of red pigment (that leans a little more pink), making your lips look you’ve just finished a cherry popsicle without the ring around your mouth. This is a staple in purse’s plethora of everyday lippie options for the sheer fact (sorry, I had to) that it has the feel of lip balm with a better color pay off than your classic cherry Chapstick without feathering or latching onto any loose strands, which isn’t the sexiest thing when things start getting steamy.
- MAC Red Satin Lipstick, $17.50
MAC has become the authority when it comes to red lipsticks thanks to its slew of cult-favorites like Russian Red and Ruby Woo. But my favorite hue came courtesy of the limited-edition Selena collection. After fighting for a second shot at collecting the pretty products, I managed to score all three of the lipsticks, including the hue Como La Flor. As much as I love the bright blue, I only tend to pull this out for super special occasions (and someones) because I don’t want to waste it. But thankfully, MAC already has an amazing dupe for the limited edition lipstick, delivering that same bright hue with the same level of sheen without the worry.
- Burt’s Bees Satin Lipstick in Scarlet Soaked, $9.00
For those curious about the chemicals in their cosmetics, Burt’s Bees has proven to be a beacon of budget-friendly, natural beauty, especially when it comes to skincare. It was just a few a years ago that the brand made its first forays into makeup with this lipstick that made a serious splash, and this rich brick-based red was a serious standout. It delivered moisturizing medium coverage, which came courtesy of moringa and raspberry seed oils, that not only looked great but also felt luxurious for up to eight hours. Not too shabby for something 100% natural!
- Smashbox Be Legendary Lipstick in Unzipped Matte, $21
I first test-drove this shade when it arrived wrapped up in the art of fashion’s favorite illustrator Donald Robertson — and it was love at first swipe! The ultra-pigmented formula glides over lips with a blend of shea butter and vitamins C and E but stays put for well over eight hours. In fact, it tends to tint the lips, so I love to apply and blot in the morning so the stain can set while I got about the rest of the day and by the evening, I still look perfectly put-together.
- YSL Rouge Pur Couture Lipstick in Le Rouge, $37
I received a small sample of this lipstick after attending a party for the brand’s Black Opium perfume (a sultry scent perfect for a Valentine’s Day date, I have to say). It’s easy to apply without a lip liner, delivering a crisp lip line on its own, but it also showed some serious staying power! The last time I felt this fabulous of a formula was with Lipstick Queen’s Velvet Rope collection, which costs as much as a bottle of Louboutin nail polish, but the luxury of YSL is a little easier on the wallet and make for a stylish for flat-lays for a chic #shelfie.
- NYX Matte Lipstick in Pure Red, $6.00
NYX has become one of my favorite budget beauty brands thanks to their incredible formulas that deliver a professional look and feel without blowing through my rent money. This lipstick looked much brighter than most of the reds in my roster, so I was a little hesitant to use it at first for fear it wouldn’t flatter my skin tone. But there was no need to fret, as the pumped up pigments were a true red meant work well with an array of skin tones. It didn’t dry out my lips either — it actually felt a little cushiony — but I’ll admit it can travel a bit. So if you’re planning to do a little snogging (or more) this holiday, be sure you both stay away from wearing whites in order to resist a litany of lipstick stains.