10 Beautifully Red Lipsticks for Fall

Whether you're in the boardroom or at the gym, no other color lipstick pulls an outfit together with more panache than red. The shade flatters every skin tone, and no other color says seduction better.

“I love bright red lips!” says Mally Roncal, celebrity makeup artist and president/founder of Mally Beauty in New York. “You can slap on a red lipstick, throw on sunglasses, and walk out the door with no other makeup on and still look fierce.”

If your lips are dry, you’ll love the Lip Perfection line, as its silk moisturizing complex is chock-full of emollients for added moisture. There are several reds, created by professional makeup superstar Pat McGrath. Flame has more orange, Tempt is closer to fuchsia, and Hot Passion is fire-engine perfection for all skin tones.

Stands out for: Long-lasting moisture.

Works best with: A crisp white shirt and dark skirt.

To buy: Covergirl, $7

Miranda Coggins, founder of the Lano Company, had super-dry lips and set about fixing them. She mixed lanolin, sweet almond oil, jojoba and vitamin E, added some bright pigments (with no additives), and voilà: She created a yummy, hydrating lip gloss. Even better, she added an LED light and mirror to the tube. So even if you've forgotten your makeup bag, you’ll never have to worry about fixing your makeup. Go for true red Vixen.

Stands out for: Genius applicator.

Works best with: Flirty, fun evening ensemble.

To buy: Pure Cosmetics, $20

Created by Dr. Hauschka Skin Care’s makeup artist Karim Sattar in a limited edition for fall, these lipsticks are not only good for your lips, but they smell incredibly delicious, too. They’re made with hydrating argan oil and soothing extracts of anthyllis, witch hazel and black tea. They’re sheer, which makes them great for layering. Go for Exhilarating Berry (a wine-colored red).

Stands out for: Subtle shimmer with gold flecks.

Works best with: Understated day looks.

To buy: Dr. Hauschka, $24

Lip glosses are a lot of fun to use, especially when you’re in a playful mood, but they can be sticky or gloppy and hard to apply. Pur Minerals has solved this issue with its high-shine, long-lasting lip gloss in a stick that never needs sharpening. Go for Daredevil, a punchy light red; or Game Day, its signature classic red.

Stands out for: Ease of use.

Works best with: Sporty or casual outfits.

To buy: Pur Minerals, $15

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Sometimes you’re just in the mood for matte. These lipsticks have much less sheen to them, and are usually highly pigmented so they last for hours and hours. The only downside is that they tend to be drying. My suggestion is to have at least one matte lipstick in your collection, as it’s a fabulous look for evening—and you can’t go wrong with the velvety Kate Moss Collection for Rimmel London. No. 107 is a fantastic cherry red. And it’s got lightweight emollients in it to soothe your pucker!

Stands out for: Deep, saturated pigments.

Works best with: Party dresses for date night.

To buy: Rimmel London, $5

I have to confess that my heart belongs to Nars. I was lucky enough to have written his first book_, Makeup Your Mind_, and during our sessions Nars and I had endless talks about what works on skin and lips and what doesn’t. For fall, go for his new jumbo velvet matte lip pencil, which goes on like a dream and won't dry like other matte lipsticks. And it can be used as either a base for layering, on its own or topped with a gloss. His colors are intense, so don’t be shy. Go for Mysterious Red. You won’t be sorry!

Stands out for: Gorgeous, super-dense pigments; smooth and silky feel.

Works best with: The most sophisticated outfit you own.

To buy: Nars, $26

The lipsticks made by Jesse’s Girl Cosmetics come in so many colors and at such a great price that it’s hard to choose a favorite, but my pick for fall (and especially the holidays) is a delectable shimmery red called Sparkle-Licious. This color stays put, and if you’re feeling daring you can use it as a blush—simply dab a tiny bit on moisturized skin and blend well. If you want even more oomph, add the line's Liquid Glass lipgloss in Mellow Drama on top, and your night will be very, very bright.

Stands Out For: Bright colors.

Works Best With: Anything fun.

To buy: Jesse's Girl Cosmetics, $4

Speaking of a great price, few companies come close to NYC for a large range of colors and bargains. I absolutely adore the City Duet 2-in-1 Lip Color, as you can create several different looks with one little tube. One side of The Red Hots is a coral pink, and the other a red-hot red. Mix them together, and your lips just pop.

Stands out for: Several looks in one tube.

Works best with: Changing moods and changing outfits.

To buy: NYC, $3

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Mally Beauty has the ideal solution for those who aren’t sure which red is the best match. Founder Mally Roncal has created three different kits, each including a primer, a lip liner and a super-creamy lipstick loaded with nourishing vitamin E. Choose either the Warm Red (for those with yellowish or dark undertones to their skin), Cool Red (for those with fair skin) or the foolproof Neutral Red (for everyone).

Stands out for: Perfect matching with your skin tone.

Works best with: Any outfit, especially when you don’t have time to freshen up.

To buy: Mally Beauty, $35

Last but not least, if you want the most indelible iconic red, head right for the MAC counter, where the formulations are lush, the colors are drop-dead glamorous and the textures are as creamy as butter. Russian Red is an intense, matte bluish-red that works so well on all skin tones that it's MAC's perennial bestseller, so you can’t go wrong with it. I adore this palette, which gives you six shades of red with different undertones and textures, so you can create endless combinations for day or night.

Stands out for: Brilliant colors, variety of textures, creamy feel.

Works best with: Everything you own!

To buy: MAC Cosmetics, $40