The red lipstick is the ultimate power move in beauty—timeless, bold, and universally flattering when the right shade is chosen. For A-list celebrities and their makeup artists, choosing a red for the red carpet is a critical decision, as the shade must be flawless, stay put for hours under intense lighting, and resist feathering or fading in photos. The preferences of icons like Taylor Swift and Jennifer Lopez reveal a mix of established classics and new, high-performance formulas. From matte pencils designed for 12-hour wear to glossy, transfer-proof vinyls and lip oils that plump while they polish, these are the shades and formulas that have earned a permanent spot in the kits of celebrity glam squads.
1. The Matte Powerhouse Reds: Blue-Toned Classics
Matte formulas remain the reigning champions on the red carpet due to their longevity and intense, velvety color payoff. The favored matte shades often contain blue undertones, which are universally renowned for making teeth appear whiter and providing a classic, highly pigmented look.
MAC Retro Matte Lipstick in Ruby Woo: This is perhaps the most iconic matte red in the industry, and it’s the declared favorite of beauty icon Tracee Ellis Ross. Known for its bright, long-wearing formula, this blue-toned red is considered a true, foundational red lip color that has been a staple in makeup artists’ kits for decades. Ross famously noted she has worn the classic shade everywhere, from college to the gym.
NARS Powermatte High-Intensity Long-Lasting Lip Pencil in Dragon Girl: Famously dubbed “the perfect red lipstick” by Taylor Swift in 2014, this product delivers a highly precise and rounded tip for easy application. The formula is a high-intensity matte pencil designed for exceptional staying power, promising up to 12 hours of wear—an essential requirement for long concert nights or marathon press events.
Pat McGrath Labs MatteTrance Lipstick in Elson and Elson 2: Legendary makeup artist Pat McGrath’s red lipsticks are a consistent celebrity favorite. Jennifer Lopez achieved her ideal red lip by having her makeup artist, Mary Phillips, combine shades Elson and Elson 2. The MatteTrance formula is celebrated for its universal wearability and supreme matte finish, providing a rich color that feels comfortable and luxurious.
2. The Luxe Classics: Universal and Versatile
Some red lipsticks transcend trends due to their heritage and ability to flatter every skin tone. These are often luxurious formulas that offer multiple finishes under a single, iconic shade name.
Dior Rouge Dior Refillable Lipstick 999: A shade deemed a “perfect red” by celebrity makeup artist Kirin Bhatty, Dior 999 is a timeless classic that Natalie Portman keeps in her purse. The beauty of this iconic shade is its versatility; it is available in three distinct finishes—velvet, satin, and veil—allowing the wearer to choose the precise texture they desire without compromising the integrity of the universally flattering true red color. The refillable design also speaks to the increasing demand for sustainable luxury.
Sisley Paris Phyto-Rouge Velvet 40 Rouge Icon: Chosen by celebrity makeup artist Ericka Verrett for Miranda Kerr‘s 2025 Met Gala look, this lipstick provided a bold, vivid red that was the focal point of her 1950s Hollywood glam. This highly pigmented, velvety matte formula offers impressive longevity, lasting up to eight hours, and is enriched with a Hydrobooster Complex and Vitamin E to ensure the lips remain hydrated and resist cracking or dryness.
3. The High-Performance Innovators: Glossy and Transfer-Proof
The latest wave of red lipsticks focuses on combining historically matte qualities—longevity and transfer-resistance—with glamorous, high-shine finishes, making them ideal for high-stakes red carpet moments.
Maybelline Super Stay Vinyl Ink Longwear Liquid Lipcolor in Royal: This deep, rich wine-red shade was the choice of Laverne Cox and her makeup artist, Nicole Bueno, for a glamorous, glossy look inspired by the Mugler archives. Bueno praises the formula for its transfer-proof quality, noting that it allows for an “editorial-worthy glossy red lip without any worries” about smudging or getting on teeth—a significant innovation in glossy lip color.
Maybelline SuperStay Matte Ink Liquid Lipstick in Dancer: This formula is beloved by makeup artist Armando Kole, who frequently uses it on Tina Knowles. The shade Dancer is lauded for being a “true red” that works stunningly on warm and golden skin tones, as it avoids pulling too blue. The liquid lipstick is known for its remarkable 16-hour wear time, making it the perfect choice for enduring special moments where a bold, opaque color must last.
L’Oréal Paris Plump Ambition Hyaluron Lip Oil in Rouge in Love: Representing the final word in modern lip finishes, this product was used on L’Oréal Paris ambassador Elle Fanning for her look at the 2025 Vanity Fair Oscar Party. The formula offers a bright red finish with the comforting feel of an oil. It is infused with hyaluronic acid and tripeptides to deliver a smoother, plumper appearance, proving that even a red lip can prioritize lip care while providing a vibrant, luscious color.
