This Is What Happened When 55 Women Tested 55 Different Red Lipsticks
Lipstick is a classic makeup essential that almost every woman has experienced one way or another, whether it was a lipstick love affair that unfolded after discovering the perfect color or a forgettable formula that left a bad taste in your mouth (literally). It’s even more hit or miss when it comes to finding *the* life-changing red lipstick. There’s just so much to consider with the classic color — hue (both of the product and how it works with your skin tone), texture, wearability, and formula. There’s a lot that goes into this, y’all.
That’s why we set off to put a different red lipstick in the hands of every woman at Brit + Co — 55 to be exact — for a week to see what happened. Some of the B+C crew are avid lipstick wearers (hi!) while others go makeup-free on the daily, so this was a really fun experiment for all of us.
The shades ranged from candy apple reds to vampy maroons to bright corals and even some poppy pinks, while the brands included everything from drugstore discoveries to high-end lippies. We each had our photo taken wearing our signature shade (while our out-of-state staff members shared selfies) and gave our 100-percent-honest feedback, from the best of the best (five out of five stars!) to the ones worth passing up (the dreaded one-star doozies). This is what happened when 55 ladies tested 55 different red lipsticks.
5 OUT OF 5 STARS
CIRCA Beauty Absolute Velvet Luxe Lipstick in Rita ($10) on Maddie Bachelder, Creative Content Producer
Was it lunch-proof? “For the most part! It didn’t come off onto my food very much at all. I reapplied for good measure after each meal, but it wasn’t totally necessary.”
How did it make your lips feel? “It dried out my lips as all lipsticks do, but not enough to make me feel uncomfortable.”
What did you think about the color? “Loved it! I have trouble finding shades that work with my fair skin and coloring, and this was the first successful orange-y pink red I’ve tried.”
Jeffree Starr Cosmetics Velour Liquid Lipstick in Anna Nicole ($18) on Kate Puhala, Senior Style Editor
Was it lunch-proof? “And coffee proof and brunch proof and kiss proof and ‘ugh I forgot I had lipstick on!’ proof and pillow proof and ice luge proof (don’t ask). This was by far the most resilient lipstick I’ve ever worn, and for a girl who does not want to deal with her lipstick bleeding, smudging, and needing to be consistently + pristinely reapplied, this brand is it.”
How did it make your lips feel? “Unlike other lip stains I’ve tried, it didn’t sink into the lines in my lips and set like plaster. It went on effortlessly (there’s an easy-to-wield applicator) and just existed. Because it’s that easy, I went from being a non-lipstick wearer to reaching for this daily.”
What did you think about the color? “I’m not a traditional red lipstick gal, so I really liked the bright pop this coral red provided. That was especially true when I still had platinum blonde hair (the hue looked super streamlined and chic), but the vibe changed immediately when I dyed my hair red — it became even more of a statement. What really made it work regardless of my hair color was that the hue matched perfectly with my olive-y skin tone. Now I get why that tricky step — finding the right red for your undertone — is clutch.”
Jeffree Star Cosmetics Velour Liquid Lipstick in Redrum ($18) on Beth Wischnia, Associate Editor
Was it lunch-proof? “Yes! I had a big lunch and this stuff seriously didn’t budge. Totally lunch-proof.”
How did it make your lips feel? “I’ve worn literally hundreds of lipsticks by now, and this one was one of the best I’ve ever used, hands down. The formula left my lips insanely pigmented but not overly dry and stayed on FOREVER.”
What did you think about the color? “It was basically the perfect red: a super matte, cool-toned color that would flatter basically any skin tone. It dried to a smooth matte and was a very in-your-face color. I absolutely loved it!”
Jeffree Starr Cosmetics Velour Liquid Lipstick in Unicorn Blood ($18) on Angela Velez, Community Editor
Was it lunch-proof? “Yes! By the end of my meals, it sometimes looked like I had created an ombre effect on my lips, but not in a bad way. It survived salads and sandwiches, but not even this amazing lipstick could survive ramen.”
How did it make your lips feel? “Amazing. This is the first matte liquid lipstick I’ve ever worn that didn’t dry my lips out or require tremendous amounts of touchups. It goes on so easily and stays FOREVER. Once you get over the weird Dr. Pepper scent and taste, it’s possibly the best lipstick ever.”
What did you think about the color? “It’s SO DRAMATIC. I love it. Putting this on heightened all of my features. It was like instantly applying eyeliner, mascara, and blush, without actually using any of the products. If I was running late, I could just throw this lipstick on and look instantly made up.”
ModelCo Ultra Long-Lasting Lipstick in Stiletto ($17) on MariaClara Golfo, Senior Designer
Was it lunch-proof? “I applied my lipstick in the early morning before work — and rarely reapplied before heading home. That’s to say I would eat lunch and the lipstick stayed put. When I ate something extra delicious that required a bit of lip-smacking, the lipstick would end up a bit lighter near my mouth opening. However, it wasn’t that bad! It would almost take on an ombre transition.”
How did it make your lips feel? “Mostly hydrated and smooth. It was lightweight and not sticky.”
What did you think about the color? “I loved the color. It wasn’t too fire engine red. It had a slight coral tint to it. I think it was very flattering. I will say, I am not used to wearing such a shade to work and it was an adjustment for me. I like wearing this shade on weekends, occasions, or evenings out.”
Stowaway Cosmetics Creme Lipstick in Cranberry ($15) on Marianne Koo, Designer, DIY Kits
Was it lunch-proof? “Yes! I graze all day, every day, and this lipstick needed minimal touching up. It even survived some napkin blotting when things got messy.”
How did it make your lips feel? “Great! I’m a devoted chapstick wearer and I didn’t miss my chapstick at all during the lipstick challenge. This product was super moisturizing and didn’t leave my lips feeling plastic-y or dry like other products do.”
What did you think about the color? “I wasn’t/still am not entirely sold on the color. I like deeper/browner reds and this was a bit too vibrant for me. But lots of ladies in the office really dug the color so it’s definitely a crowd pleaser.”
Too Faced La Crème Lip Balm in Just Kissed ($22) on Krystle Cho, Design Lead
Was it lunch-proof? “Definitely not, I ate it all!! Didn’t taste like anything though. After lunch I had to reapply. Best part is I can reapply without a mirror because it was so sheer.”
How did it make your lips feel? “My lips felt moist and smooth. The sheer consistency kept my lips feeling nice and soft.”
What did you think about the color? “The color was the perfect blend of light blush and red. Not too red! This is exactly the kind of lipstick I would buy, which is not really lipstick but like chapstick with a hint of color!”
Urban Decay UD Gwen Stefani in Wonderland ($18) on Misty Spinney, Beauty Editor
Was it lunch-proof? “No! No lipstick is freaking lunch-proof if you are actually eating and enjoying your food! Period.”
How did it make your lips feel? “Hydrated and full. I loved the texture. It went on glossy and ended up looking more matte within an hour. I love this finish. It was like having matte lips without that dry finish!”
What did you think about the color? “Gorgeous! My son even pulled my face in his hands and said, ‘Mommy! What is dat?’ When I told him it was my red lipstick, and asked if he liked it he said, ‘Mommy’s red lipstick! I like it!’ as he looked at my lips and held my face! Toddler approved! Haha!”
4 OUT OF 5 STARS
Alima Pure Lip Tint in Paprika ($14) on Alonna Morrison, Production Design Associate, Video
Was it lunch-proof? “No, by noon I would have to re-apply. Midday the lipstick would take on a different texture than when I first applied. It would become clumpy after eating, or a long period with no re-application.”
How did it make your lips feel? “Moisturized, actually! It was more like a chapstick feel than lipstick, which was perfect for my low-maintenance routine.”
What did you think about the color? “I liked it. It looked relatively natural for a red. My boyfriend noticed it was a new color and said, ‘It looks like your normal lips, but like you just dialed up the saturation.'”
Burt’s Bees Lipstick in Ruby Ripple ($9) on Lovelle Harris, Editorial Intern
Was it lunch-proof? “Yes. My lunch consisted of an order of nacho and a water. Sure, there was a lip imprint on my glass, but after lunch there were no smears on my face and my lips still looked amazing.”
How did it make your lips feel? “My lips felt very moisturized but I didn’t feel like the formulation was too heavy.”
What did you think about the color? “I love the color — and I don’t wear lipstick! I tend to favor lip gloss over lip color but I will definitely rock this lipstick again.”
Fresh Sugar Lip Treatment in Cherry ($24) on Cameron Rivinus, VP of Commerce
Was it lunch-proof? “My lipstick was somewhat lunch-proof in the sense that it did not end up all over my face or on my teeth and did not leave too much of an awkward stain on my drinks. On the other hand, it definitely did not make it through lunch. My lipstick was more of a subtle tint so it wore off rather quickly especially when food and drink were involved.”
How did it make your lips feel? “My lipstick was almost more of a chapstick/treatment in the sense that it was moisturizing and had SPF 15 so it made my lips feel great and full of moisture.”
What did you think about the color? “I thought that the color was okay. If I was really trying to be bold and wear red this was not the lipstick for me. It was almost too much for an everyday though, so I am not sure that I would choose to wear it much on my own.”
Korres Mandarin Lip Butter Stick in Rose ($17) on Lexy Kelley, Producer, Online Classes
Was it lunch-proof? “No. It was completely gone after I ate. Not a long laster.”
How did it make your lips feel? “Middle of the road. Didn’t dry out my lips, but didn’t moisturize them either. Would be good to put under a gloss.”
What did you think about the color? “I liked it! The stick looks red-ish, but the color is more maroon. It wasn’t too bold or harsh. Easy color to layer to get the right shade/boldness you’re looking for.”
L’Oreal Infallible Pro Matte Gloss in Rouge Envy ($10) on Paige Sager, Brand Partnership Planner
Was it lunch-proof? “My lipstick rubbed off onto my food. One day, I ate a burrito (bad idea for lipstick), and there was lipstick ALL over the burrito. HOWEVER, the color still magically stayed on my lips! So, despite the lipstick easily rubbing off, I never had to reapply after lunch. A true miracle.”
How did it make your lips feel? “Since mine was a gloss, it did not dry out my mouth. My lips felt moisturized and smackable.”
What did you think about the color? “If I could name the colors myself, I’d call it ‘sassy raspberry,’ better known as ‘sassberry.’ I typically rock red lips but this was more a pink, and I LIKED it!!”
L’Oreal Colour Riche La Lacque Lipcolour Stick in Laquerized ($10) on Farah Maloof, Director, Business Development
Was it lunch-proof? “This wasn’t so lunch proof. I lost of lot of it to my coffee mugs and cans of La Croix during the course of the morning.”
How did it make your lips feel? “I really enjoyed the texture. It went on really nicely and had a heavy, slightly waxy feel that gave me the confidence that it wouldn’t budge from my lips. It had a really nice sheen to it as well — the perfect cross between glossy and matte.”
What did you think about the color? “It was a pretty color. I think there were too many blue undertones for my skin tone, but was a really pretty RED red.”
Laura Geller Iconic Baked Sculpting Lipstick in Big Apple Red ($21) on Jen Welsh, Director, Creative Brand Strategy
Was it lunch-proof? “No, definitely not. It came off on everything: my coffee, my lunch, everything. It was frankly a little gross.”
How did it make your lips feel? “Not great. Day one was bad so I added some of my favorite Fresh lip balms to the top of the lipstick on day two and it was a little better.”
What did you think about the color? “The color was intense for me but I liked it! I felt like it worked well with my fair skin and hair.”
LOC Vibrant Matte Lipstick in Wildest Dreams ($8) on Brittany Griffin, Photographer
Was it lunch-proof? “For the most part, it got on any can or bottle I drank out of but it pretty much stained my lips!”
How did it make your lips feel? “Dry, but I don’t mind that because I am used to matte and I LOVE matte colors. It’s easy to add Chapstick on top though so that’s how I helped out the dryness.”
What did you think about the color? “The color was a wonderful shade of red. It was just subtle enough without being pale and without being too bold. I really enjoyed the color and as a person who feels like they have tried a lot of different red lipsticks over the years and not liked many of them, this surprisingly caught my affection from the get-go.”
L’Oreal Paris Colour Riche Collection Exclusive Reds in 402 Blake’s Red ($9) on Anjelika Temple, Executive Creative Director
Was it lunch-proof? “I would not describe this lipstick as lunch-proof. Though it definitely stayed on, it extended way beyond my lip line throughout the day — especially at lunch. After a day or two, I made sure to wipe off my lips before eating lunch and then reapplied after.”
How did it make your lips feel? “It felt a little thick at first, but after applying it I didn’t really notice how my lips physically felt though, it wasn’t particularly moist or dry.”
What did you think about the color? “I love wearing red lipstick on the reg, but this was a much more pigmented lipstick than I’m used to. I liked how bold it looked, definitely a lot more dramatic than my normal red (which is Ilia Wild Child). I would not wear this every day, but I’d love to wear it for a more glam occasion than everyday use.”
NARS Audacious Lipstick in Carmen ($32) on Juliet Ashley, Manager, Brand Analytics
Was it lunch-proof? “For the most part. I usually re-applied after eating. It came off more on drinks than on food so not very waterproof.”
How did it make your lips feel? “Good! Not too dry. I would use Chapstick as a base sometimes.”
What did you think about the color? “LOVE it. A little brighter than my go to red lipsticks but I dug it.”
NARS Velvet Matte Lip Pencil in Red Square ($26) on Caitlin Silva, Customer Service Specialist
Was it lunch-proof? “Yes. It was almost like a stain. I would see a little come off on my cup when drinking but I couldn’t tell in the mirror that any came off. Would only need to apply once for all day color. It did rub off on my upper lip and chin during lunch so that was a bit annoying.”
How did it make your lips feel? “Great! It wasn’t oily and it didn’t dry out my lips. It was almost like I didn’t have anything on. I loved that part.”
What did you think about the color? “It was a little bright for what I am used to and at times it looked a bit orange.”
Paul & Joe Lipstick in 98 ($20) on Marisa Kumtong, Designer
Was it lunch-proof? “Giving it four stars because it wasn’t lunch-proof :(. Seriously love everything about this lipstick from the color to the super cute packaging, except I had to reapply a couple of times throughout the day.”
How did it make your lips feel? “I think like all lipsticks, it dried up after a few hours but not as bad as other lipsticks usually are. I would dab clear lip balm over it if my lips were feeling dry.”
What did you think about the color? “I was a fan of the color! It suited my skin tone well and just yelled F-U-N!!”
Rimmel London Lasting Finish Lipstick in 170 Alarm ($5) on Jillienne Grant, Manager, Brand Partnerships
Was it lunch-proof? “While the color did fade a bit over lunch, the transfer to cups/forks was minimal. I really only applied it because I’m a little neurotic, not because it necessarily needed a touchup.”
How did it make your lips feel? “While not as hydrating as a gloss, it wasn’t as drying as my old fave red.”
What did you think about the color? “The red might be a little more on the orange-y side of red than I usually play with (because of the red in my hair) That said, I kind of dug it by the end of the week. I’ll keep rocking it.”
The EDGE Beauty Iconic Lipstick in Fierce ($20) on Wendelle Co, Editorial Consultant
Was it lunch-proof? “Funny enough, yes… kinda. It was all over everything, especially my coffee cup, but my lips were still noticeably stained after my meal.”
How did it make your lips feel? “It was very to smooth starting out but my lips started to feel pretty dry after 20 minutes.”
What did you think about the color? “I NEVER wear such a vibrant lipstick but I guess finally realized what I was missing! I definitely felt more confident after wearing it.”
Too Faced La Crème Color Drenched Lip Cream in Jelly Bean ($22) on Morgan Robertson, Commerce Marketing Lead
Was it lunch-proof? “I didn’t eat lunch with it, but I did wear it skiing. It did not stay on the entire time, but there was a faint color apparent after three hours on the slopes.”
How did it make your lips feel? “It was moisturizing. I wore it while skiing, and my lips felt fine after a full day.”
What did you think about the color? “The color is pretty. But, I would not choose it again for myself. I like colors that have a bit more punch.”
Too Faced Melted Liquified Long Wear Lipstick in Ruby ($21) on Lisa Raphael, Editorial Director, Growth
Was it lunch-proof? “My lipstick was unfortunately not lunch-proof — it was also not 2-3 martini-proof.”
How did it make your lips feel? “I liked this lipstick a lot, it went on glossy and felt good on my kisser. The only thing I didn’t love was that I felt like it needed a lip liner to reign in or else I kept getting paranoid that I had Kool-Aid lips. It didn’t feel like the *most* moisturizing concoction, but it didn’t totally dry them out either (though I should note that I’m a freak about lips/am absolutely one of those people who has to apply lip balm three times an hour, thereby likely making my lips super chapped in the process of trying to hydrate them).”
What did you think about the color? “This color was really, really pretty. You could apply one layer and it was a light burst of gloss or you could go big and make your lips really pop. It was a slightly different color than my go-to shades (which are straight up red and hot pink) and felt very wearable for day-to-day office realness.”
Too Faced Melted Liquified Long Wear Lipstick in Strawberry ($21) on Kelly Bryden, DIY Editor
Was it lunch-proof? “Not really. Came off on my sandwich and water glass. At the end of lunch, I had a line of lipstick around the outer edge of my lips (it looked like really bad lip liner).”
How did it make your lips feel? “Felt like I needed to put on Vaseline.”
What did you think about the color? “Love the color! Obviously, I love purple more, but this red was real cute.”
Trèstique Matte Color & Shiny Balm Lip Crayon in Chile Red ($28) on Christine Foote, Director, Community and Events
Was it lunch-proof? “Nope — but I don’t know if I want that!”
How did it make your lips feel? “When I wore just the matte color side it could be a little dry but paired with the balm it was great! Although, I do think I wound up preferring the matte look.”
What did you think about the color? “The color was great. It’s not one that I would typically wear — red lipstick realllly reminds me of my grandmother. I really like that color but think I’d go with something either lighter or darker typically.”
Urban Decay Matte Revolution Lipstick in Bad Blood ($22) on Brenda Lawrence, Community Marketing Associate
Was it lunch-proof? “Sadly not. I loved the color, but it came off on EVERYTHING I touched. Even with a lip liner and some serious blotting, I still found my lipstick on everything I came into contact with. At least I always knew which La Croix water was mine during meetings ;).”
How did it make your lips feel? “A little drier than I would have liked, but with a matte lipstick, I’m used to that feeling. Nothing that a spot of clear balm couldn’t fix.”
What did you think about the color? “I loved the color. I’m a redhead so finding shades that work for both pale skin and super red hair can be difficult. The color was more of a blue red versus a fire engine color so it paired perfectly with both my hair and complexion.”
Urban Decay Revolution Lipstick in Gash ($22) on Elspie Hellermann, Recruiter & Talent Operations
Was it lunch-proof? “Mostly. I had a pretty bold color so it depended on what I was eating. Definitely not sandwich-proof.”
How did it make your lips feel? “It sometimes curdled (gross word I know but couldn’t think of a better one!) a little but I just put a little Vaseline over it. It was very smooth and rich when I put it on.”
What did you think about the color? “Bold. I liked it but not used to wearing something so dark during the day!”
Urban Decay Sheer Revolution Lipstick in F-Bomb ($22) on Tania Gandhe, Engineer
Was it lunch-proof? “No. It would definitely wear off after lunch.”
How did it make your lips feel? “It felt slightly dry but not too much.”
What did you think about the color? “Lovely color. Nice and bright.”
Urban Decay UD Gwen Stefani Lipstick in 714 ($18) on Ashley Fischer Stern, Digital Sales Planner
Was it lunch-proof? “Because the lipstick dried out my lips, I had to apply a balm over the top of it throughout the day so I feel like the color wore off more quickly than it normally would have.”
How did it make your lips feel? “The lipstick is dubbed ‘super-intense matte,’ so I loved how it looked but not how it felt. It was like applying chalk on my lips! That being said, the matte finish is gorgeous.”
What did you think about the color? “Love LOVE the color. It’s the perfect bright red without being too orange.”
W3LL PEOPLE Universalist Multi-Stick in Creamy Crimson ($35) on Yising Chou, Designer
Was it lunch-proof? “It’s not completely gone after you eat a meal — it’s a stain, so your lips will still look more red than usual after lunch, but it won’t be as vibrant as when you first applied it.”
How did it make your lips feel? “I felt like it was barely noticeable! The stain is so lightweight that it doesn’t feel like I’m wearing anything on my lips. It also doesn’t get that pasty look that a lot of lipsticks have. This looks and feels natural.”
What did you think about the color? “A little too bright and too purple for me. I tend toward softer, more natural colors. This shade just didn’t feel like me. I also felt that it just didn’t really match my skin tone.”
3 OUT OF 5 STARS
Burt’s Bees Lipstick in Scarlet Soaked ($9) on Rebecca Pohlmann, Front Desk Associate
Was it lunch-proof? “No. It was quite a smooth and balm-like lipstick and so it was very easy to wear off. I found it had all come off within around two hours of wearing it.”
How did it make your lips feel? “It made my lips feel smooth and replenished as it had a balm base. It reminded me of normal Burt’s Bees lip balm.”
What did you think about the color? “I quite liked the color. While I personally would be inclined to purchase a shade darker, I still liked it on my lips and believe the shade did complement my features well.”
By Terry Velvet Rouge in My Red ($47) on Victoria Haas, Channel Marketing
Was it lunch-proof? “No way. I left my mark on spoons, forks, coffee mugs, everything. Spies — be warned! This lipstick leaves behind a trail of evidence. Also, I felt like I constantly needed to check the status of this lipstick. Hence, reapplication after lunch. Reapplication is stressful.”
How did it make your lips feel? “Glossy and light on my lips, which I liked. But also, I felt like I couldn’t move my lips. It’s so bright and one wrong lip smack would send this bold color all over my face. And then I would look like YouTube star Miranda Sings. Not my goal.”
What did you think about the color? “Very bright red when you first apply. Like woah. An orangey-red. But as the day goes on, it actually warms into a pink-red. As it fades more and more, it’s definitely a pink-red.”
FLOWER Hydrasilk Ultimate Lip Butter in Poppy Petal ($8) on Sarah James, Producer
Was it lunch-proof? “While the gloss wore off after an hour of wear, there was still a noticeable stain of color even after lunch.”
How did it make your lips feel? “Very soft and slightly glossy.”
What did you think about the color? “Very pretty. It was a bright, shimmery, orangey red which works better with my cool undertones.”
glo-Minerals Suede Matte Crayon in Crimson ($16) on Roxy Taghavian, Senior DIY Designer & Stylist
Was it lunch-proof? “Nope. I found that after I ate, it was all over my face! It was subtle, but when I took a napkin and wiped around my mouth (not actually touching my mouth), it was covered in red lipstick!”
How did it make your lips feel? “Good! Not too dry, not too gooey. It was really quite smooth and velvety.”
What did you think about the color? “I loved the color. It’s a little bit more vampy than the red I normally wear, but it was very sexy.”
Kissamint in Spearmint Ur Ex ($20) on Kimberly Wang, News Editor
Was it lunch-proof? “Nope, I had to reapply after every meal unfortunately.”
How did it make your lips feel? “At first, I was kind of stoked that the lipstick had kind of a balmy sheen to it, because even though matte liquid lipsticks are “so hot right now,” they can be super drying. The Kissamint Spearment went on like a pretty sheer coat, but sadly it ended up being a tad dry over the course of a day.”
What did you think about the color? “I feel like the color is a little bright for me. I wear lipstick barely ever and when I do, usually I like nudes and dusty rose pinks — similar to my natural color.”
L’Oreal Infallible Pro Matte Gloss in Shanghai Scarlet ($10) on Cecelia Cox, Head of Marketing
Was it lunch-proof? “Nope. Even with a thick coat it was all gone after lunch.”
How did it make your lips feel? “My lips were already dry and cracking last week. This made the lipstick dry and crack on my skin too.”
What did you think about the color? “LOVED it. The color is the very best part.”
NARS Lipstick in Banned Red ($28) on Julia Chaves, Engineer
Was it lunch-proof? “It didn’t do a great job of lasting through meals. By the end of a meal I would always have to reapply. The good thing is it came off fairly evenly so I didn’t look insane half way through a meal.”
How did it make your lips feel? “With extended use, it made my lips feel pretty dry. By the end of the second day my lips were definitely peeling a bit and I really began to rely heavily on my Aquaphor at night. If I gave my lips a bit of a break and just used the lipstick for a dinner out, it was pretty great! With the exception of eating, the lipstick would stay in place and I could basically forget I had it on.”
What did you think about the color? “I liked it! It was a dark, almost brown red that felt both edgy and romantic to me.”
Stowaway Cosmetics Creme Lipstick in Raspberry ($15) on Kathryn Kuntz, Director, Merchandising
Was it lunch-proof? “It completely covered my coffee cup.”
How did it make your lips feel? “Smooth and buttery.”
What did you think about the color? “A little pinker than a real raspberry. Beautiful color that would complement blue eyes. I enjoyed getting to wear this color because it was a little more bright and pink than I would usually choose.”
Too Faced La Crème Color Drenched Lip Cream in I Want Candy ($22) on Kelli Korducki, Senior News Editor
Was it lunch-proof? “The product was about as lunch-proof as your average balm. In other words, not very, but no worse than its competitors.”
How did it make your lips feel? “The best thing about the lipstick was its high moisturizing formula. It made my lips soft and smooth, which is no easy feat in the winter.”
What did you think about the color? “The color was probably my least favorite aspect of the product. I was very so-so on the rose shade, which felt a bit matronly to me. It was also not very pigmented. I wear minimal makeup in general but lipstick is the one product I like to make a statement with, so the product’s subtle stain effect wasn’t quite my style.”
Too Faced Lip Injection Color Bomb in Eastwood Red ($21) on Katie Bond, Community Editor
Was it lunch-proof? “Definitely not! I found myself having to reapply after any food or drink. It looked great when I first applied but I felt myself playing catch up all day to keep it bold, bright + beautiful — not really something I want to be worrying about during my work day.”
How did it make your lips feel? “One word: OUCH! I am not used to lip plumpers and this one had a bit of a sting to it. The tingle lasted longer than most ones I have tried in the past too. Not sure if it actually plumped ’em up, but I would hope so after all that.”
What did you think about the color? “I liked the red color a lot but just wish its bold hue stayed on longer!”
Too Faced Melted Liquified Long Wear Lipstick in Candy ($21) on Emily Barry, Chief of Staff
Was it lunch-proof? “Yes! But not the original color that you put on your lips. It was a lighter version after a few hours, but then STAYED.”
How did it make your lips feel? “A bit dry, but better after applying a layer of Aquaphor over them.”
What did you think about the color? “The color was not what I would normally wear, but I felt like I could adjust its intensity pretty well, which was great. The full color was too much for my winter complexion, but after blotting it off, I really liked the color. What I actually REALLY loved was after wearing it for a night out — it stained my lips a pretty pink the next morning :).”
Urban Decay UD Gwen Stefani in Spiderweb ($18) on Ashley Perlman, Digital Sales Planner
Was it lunch-proof? “It came off on anything that touched it. My tongue, my napkin, my food, my boyfriend’s cheek. I felt like it never really dried on my lips. I put on chapstick about two hours after putting it on and it came off on the chapstick!”
How did it make your lips feel? “It was very moisturizing and smooth. It was almost too easy to put on so I had to dab it on little by little in fear of it going all over my face. It was a bit hard to make it perfect. I kept having to correct my lip line with my fingernail, but this may be from me being a horrible lipstick applier ;).”
What did you think about the color? “I’m not a red lip gal but I did like the color of this particular lipstick shade. It wasn’t too in your face but just enough to make my pout a bit sassier than my everyday. I was actually on vacation in Mexico when I wore it, so the special occasion called for a special lip. I was on the beach and it def made me feel more glamorous! I felt like it went well with my skin color (once it was tanned up a bit) and my bathing suit!”
Urban Decay Revolution Lipstick in Bang ($22) on Rosee Canfield, Designer
Was it lunch-proof? “Nope! Got on everything. Food, spoons, fingers. Although, it did stay pretty intact on my lips. Just made everything else red.”
How did it make your lips feel? “It went on very smoothly, especially for a matte lipstick but it made my lips feel dry after a while.”
What did you think about the color? “VERY bright and very orange. Not something I would pick on my own as it felt a little aggressive for the daytime… but it is a very vibrant and beautiful color. I would maybe wear it to a special occasion with the right outfit.”
Urban Decay Sheer Revolution Lipstick in Slowburn ($22) on Ashley Reed, Offices and Operations Manager
Was it lunch-proof? “Was not lunch or tea-proof.”
How did it make your lips feel? “Made me feel like I needed to keep reapplying.”
What did you think about the color? “Liked the color but wish it stayed on a bit better and was a darker more winter tone. It was a little orange for pale January me.”
2 OUT OF 5 STARS
Fresh Sugar Lip Treatment in Ruby ($24) on Allison Wright, Marketing Consultant
Was it lunch-proof? “Definitely NOT lunch-proof.”
How did it make your lips feel? “The lipstick felt like Chapstick’s more professional older sibling; it was smooth + hydrating.”
What did you think about the color? “Thanks to my pink skin, red and I have a not-so-happy history, so putting it on every day was a struggle. This color had a tinge of coral to it, too, which I had fewer feelings about than red in general. After this week-long challenge, I was more inclined to wear the darker reds that I wear on a regular basis without feeling like ‘I’m not wearing fancy enough shoes for makeup.'”
HAN Cosmetics Lip & Cheek Tint in Cherry Cosmos ($14) on Casey Richards, Assistant Buyer and Operations
Was it lunch-proof? “Not lunch proof. Definitely a bit blotchy after a meal. Needed to reapply.”
How did it make your lips feel? “This made my lips feel dry. I’m much more used to a butter creme lipstick and haven’t been able to go back.”
What did you think about the color? “Not my color. It was a red/orange which was a bit shocking for my taste. I think my fair/olive complexion is much better off with richer colors be it deep reds, or pink/purple-ish shades.”
Lily Lolo Lipstick in Scarlet Red ($18) on Alicia Goad, Buying & Planning Manager
Was it lunch-proof? “No, the color would completely come off after you were done eating or even just drinking water.”
How did it make your lips feel? “When I first put it on, I thought it was a lip plumper because my lips were tingly, but I think it might have been a reaction to the Chapstick I was wearing. Also, after wearing it all day ever yday, it made my lips feel really dry.”
What did you think about the color? “Loved the color. It was a very dark red and not too ‘Taylor Swift’ red.”
L’Oreal Paris Colour Riche Collection Exclusive Reds in Eva’s Red ($9) on Amy Keroes, General Counsel
Was it lunch-proof? “The color stained everything: my sandwich, my apple, my white plastic take-out fork, my napkin and the top of my Starbucks coffee cup. It was embarrassing. I left a deep cherry red trail everywhere I ate, and at the end of every meal all that was left on my face was a faded, dry and chalky shadow of the bold color I started with.”
How did it make your lips feel? “This is your grandmother’s lipstick — or maybe even your super old great aunt with the whiskers who always insisted on kissing you and when she did, branded your face with a gnarly lipstick stain. Eva’s Red has that signature drugstore lipstick smell and that waxy plastic taste. I wanted it to make my lips feel glamorous and chic, but instead, Eva’s Red made me and my lips felt like 1950s throwbacks but not in a cool retro way.”
What did you think about the color? “The color was kinda nice. A tiny bit too orange for my taste, but all things considered, not bad.”
Maybelline Super Stay 14 Hour Lipstick in Ravishing Rouge ($9) on Irina Gonzalez, Community Editor
Was it lunch-proof? “Yes, definitely! As the lipstick claimed, it lasted for 14 hours. It did fade a little after breakfast AND lunch, however, so I felt myself re-applying in the afternoon in order to bring out the color some more. However, I would frequently have yogurt or a bagel for breakfast and soup and/or sandwich for lunch, and it would last just fine.”
How did it make your lips feel? “Honestly… sticky. The texture of the lipstick is very, VERY oily. I kept getting some of it on my teeth, and I can usually easily remove that with swirling some water in my mouth (don’t judge, lol) but this was IMPOSSIBLE. I had to wipe it off with a napkin, and that felt SUPER disgusting to me. Ultimately, my lips just felt oily… which, as a lipstick addict, was a first even for me!”
What did you think about the color? “The color was GORGEOUS!!! MY absolute favorite part of the lipstick. It was an amazing red that I think would work on many skin tones.”
Milani Amore Matte Lip Creme in Devotion ($9) on Ursula Meeks-Wagner, Planner, Brand Partnerships
Was it lunch-proof? “This was definitely not lunch-proof. I made the terrible mistake of trying to have a burrito for lunch on day one of the lipstick challenge and let’s just say I stuck to fork-only meals for the remaining days.”
How did it make your lips feel? “For someone who is obsessed with lip balm, it was challenging to wear something with absolutely no moisturizing qualities. I tried to use lip balm before/after applying the lip creme to keep my lips from drying out, which just resulted in the lipstick fading in the center and leaving an unintentional lip liner on my lips.”
What did you think about the color? “It’s not my typical color, as I normally wear neutral tones, but it was fun to try something different. One of the first comments I got was “That’s definitely not a day shade” so I’m not sure this was the best color to slap on before getting on the bus Monday morning at 8am.”
Milani Amore Matte Lip Creme in Craze ($9) on Katie Booker, Lead Producer, Video
Was it lunch-proof? “Kind of. Once it dried, it stayed on decently, but any sort of leftover moisture was gone ASAP.”
How did it make your lips feel? “Dry. I actually started wearing a lip balm over the top of it to smooth it out.”
What did you think about the color? “I liked it!”
TheBalm Lip & Cheek Stain in Stainiac ($17) on Cortney Clift, Associate Editor
Was it lunch-proof? “Actually, yes! It’s subtle but it’s a stain so it stayed on pretty well post burrito.”
How did it make your lips feel? “One of the main reasons I wasn’t a major fan of this is because when applying, it made my lips feel numb.”
What did you think about the color? “There wasn’t much color, which was also why I didn’t LOVE my lipstick. It’s super sheer.”
1 OUT OF 5 STARS
Benefit Cosmetics Benetint in Rose ($30) on Elise Cofield, Channel Marketing Associate
Was it lunch-proof? “No. I think an hour after putting this lipstick on, I was sitting in the kitchen and someone goes, ‘Elise, why aren’t you doing the lipstick challenge?’ Haha. But really, I had a hard time keeping this lip tint on just in general.”
How did it make your lips feel?: “I felt bare-lipped! No drying or weird tingles that I usually get from lipstick. I really wish the color would have been longer-lasting because I could get used to that feeling of forgetting that I have on a lip color.”
What did you think about the color?: “After one application, I had a little kiss of color, so I would blot and wait for it to dry, then apply again. Unfortunately, layering like this produced a weird streaking effect that was NOT cute and didn’t last long at all. After I got the application down, it left behind a nice I just had a glass of red wine mellow berry color. But I think I would’ve gotten more noticeable color from just drinking wine. Takeaway: I should just drink wine.”
ModelCo Lip Lacquer in Fire Red ($17) on Lee Shellenberger, Kit Designer
Was it lunch-proof? “Hahaaa absolutely not. This stuff is all over the place.”
How did it make your lips feel? “Just really sticky, it never really sets so it’s always in motion and kinda bleeds off to the sides of your mouth while you’re wearing it.”
What did you think about the color? “The color was nice and it looked great on right after applying, it’s just really hard to wear and super high maintenance.”
What is your all-time favorite red lipstick? Tweet us your faves @BritandCo!
