The Best Red Lipstick for Your Skin Tone

You've won the red lip lottery and can pretty much get away with any shade, says celebrity makeup artist Pati Dubroff, who works with Margot Robbie and Dakota Johnson. "All reds are flattering on porcelain skin—it's like a blank canvas." Bright hues with blue undertones (think cherry and pomegranate) work especially well. Just make sure to warm up cheeks with a dusting of matching blush to avoid looking washed out.

Try: MAC Cosmetics Lipstick in Ruby Woo, $17; maccosmetics.com; Chanel Rouge Allure Intense Long-Wear Lip Colour in Pirat, $37; chanel.com; Revlon Super Lustrous Lipstick in Love Is On, $8; revlon.com

Ivory skin with neutral undertones? Classic reds with a hint of pink should be your thing because they'll brighten up your whole face, says Dubroff. Before you even think about swiping, though, prime your lips with a hydrating balm and dab the excess off with blotting paper.

Try: Dior Rouge Dior Lipstick in 99, $35; dior.com; Maybelline New York Color Sensational Lipstick in On Fire Red, $8; maybelline.com; Rimmel London The Only One Lipstick in Best of the Best, $7; ulta.com

Brick is the prettiest choice for ladies in this skin range, but a true cranberry red works well, too. Avoid coral, says makeup artist Andrew Sotomayor, since it can "make medium skin look sallow." His trick for ensuring precise edges? Slick the color on straight from the tube in the center of your lips and use a tapered brush to blend it out to the corners; pat concealer along the perimeter to prevent feathering throughout the day.

Try: Estée Lauder Pure Color Envy Sculpting Lipstick in Emotional, $32; esteelauder.com; Make Up For Ever Artist Rouge in C404, $22; makeupforever.com; Sephora Collection Rouge Cream Lipstick in Courtisane, $12; sephora.com

For those with an olive skin tone, look for orange-infused reds like poppy and coral, and avoid anything with blue undertones, which can read as fuchsia on warmer complexions. To make your fiery lip last, follow Dubroff's strategy: Apply lipstick, then dip a small shadow brush in translucent powder, tap off the excess so there's barely any left, and lightly run it over lips to set.

Try: Laura Mercier Velour Lovers Lip Colour in Foreplay, $32; lauramercier.com; Smashbox Always on Matte Liquid Lipstick in Thrill Seeker, $24; sephora.com; Shiseido Rouge Rouge Lipstick in First Bite, $28; shiseido.com

Dubroff's lip pick for golden skin: rich raspberry stains that pop against your warm, sunny tones. Keep the rest of your face neutral but not completely bare—use a shimmery bronzer on cheeks and groom your brows to balance out the look.

Try: L'Oréal Paris Colour Riche Collection Lipstick in Eva's Red, $9; lorealparisusa.com; Urban Decay Vice Lipstick in Hex, $17; urbandecay.com; NYX Full Throttle Lipstick in Locked, $7; nyxcosmetics.com

Some bright reds can actually make darker complexions look dull, warns Dubroff, so stick with earthy hues that have a tinge of brown. Keep the formula from bleeding by using a matching pencil first and blotting lips after each coat of color. To give lips dimension, layer a slightly lighter shade on top, or add a sheer gloss right in the center.

Try: Nars Velvet Matte Lip Pencil in Consuming Red, $26; narscosmetics.com; Yves Saint Laurent Rouge Pur Couture Lipstick in Grenat Satisfaction, $37; yslbeautyus.com; La Prairie Cellular Luxe Lip Colour in Molten, $55; laprairie.com

The color of choice for chocolate skin? Plum-based wines that add intensity without being overwhelming, says Sotomayor. To get the shade to read the same as it does in the tube, even out your lips with a touch of foundation first. If you're a tad color shy, dab the lipstick on with the tip of your ring finger for a pretty, stained effect.

Try: Lancôme Color Design Lip Color in Bow and Arrow, $23; lancome-usa.com; Covergirl Queen Lipstick in Paint the Town Red, $7; covergirl.com; MUA Color Intense Lipstick in Mulberry, $9; cvs.com