If you gravitate towards deeper reds, this tint is an easy one to fall for. The ampoule-style formula feels nourishing and glides on smoothly, giving you a sheer wash of colour with a soft, dewy finish. It’s packed with 15 vitamins and Manuka honey, so it keeps lips feeling hydrated and comfortable without that heavy or greasy feel. Great for long Valentine’s Day plans when you want your lips to look good and stay soft through it all.

A classic red is always a good idea and this Royal Red shade from Anastasia Beverly Hills is perfect when you want to go full glam. The formula is ultra-matte but still feels surprisingly lightweight, with a smooth, velvety finish that doesn’t feel stiff on the lips. It also has great staying power once it sets, so you’re not constantly checking for touch-ups between dinner and dessert.

If you’re in the mood for a bold wine-red moment, this one delivers. The shade is rich and pigmented, giving you intense colour with just one swipe. What makes it even better is that the formula feels creamy and comfortable instead of dry. It also helps keep lips moisturised, so you get that bold look without the cracked-lip aftermath. Bonus points for being transfer-proof, which makes it a solid pick for a long night out.

This is the kind of red that looks instantly polished without feeling like you’re wearing too much. The blurring matte finish gives lips a soft-focus effect and the formula feels featherlight once it sets. It lasts well and doesn’t leave lips feeling dry or tight, which is honestly rare for a matte stain. The round applicator also makes it easy to apply neatly, even without a mirror. Wear it alone for a clean look or pair it with a liner when you want sharper definition.

If you love tints that feel light but still pack a punch, this one is a great pick. It has a moist, gel-like texture that sits comfortably on the lips without feeling sticky. The colour payoff is strong and it gives that fresh, just-bitten red look that works for both casual plans and full glam. It also helps keep lips hydrated, so you don’t get that dry, patchy feeling that some stains leave behind. Basically, it’s the kind of tint you can swipe on and forget about.

This is a great gifting lipstick because it looks like a statement product but is still super wearable. The formula is creamy, comfortable and gives an intense cherry red with a demi-matte finish that feels modern and flattering. It’s also long-wearing, staying put for up to 10 hours. You can keep it soft with one swipe or build it up for a bold, full-impact red depending on the vibe you’re going for.

Russian Red is one of those shades that just never goes out of style. This MACximal mini version gives you the same iconic true red in a silky matte finish with full coverage in a single swipe. Even better, it’s infused with shea butter, coconut oil and cocoa butter, so it feels more comfortable than your typical matte lipstick. The colour also lasts up to 12 hours, so it’s perfect when you want a red lip that stays put through plans, photos and everything in between.

Water tints are perfect when you want colour without the heaviness and this one does it really well. The gel texture feels weightless on the lips and gives a fresh, natural-looking red that blends nicely with your own lip tone. It’s the kind of tint you can wear full-on or dab on lightly for a softer stained effect. Plus, it leaves lips looking plump and hydrated, making it a great quick fix when you’re rushing out the door.

If you like your red lip to look sharp and defined, this is a smart add-on. It’s a lip stain and liner hybrid, so you can outline and fill in your lips with one product. The felt-tip design makes it easy to be precise, even if you’re not great with lip liner. The formula is highly pigmented, lasts up to 12 hours and doesn’t smudge easily. It also contains argan oil, so it feels more comfortable than most long-wear stains.

If you’re a gloss person, you’ll love this one. It gives that high-shine finish but feels more like a nourishing lip oil than a sticky gloss. The shade Sizzling is a gorgeous cherry red that instantly makes lips look fuller and healthier. It’s infused with Argireline peptide which helps smooth the look of fine lip lines, so your lips look soft and plump even in close-up selfies. This is the kind of gloss you’ll keep in your bag and reapply just because it feels that good.