The 50 Most Classic Lipstick Colors of All Time

Celebrity makeup artist Beau Nelson explains why this shade is Old Hollywood (and used by him in our GIF tutorial): “In addition to a glamorous The Women reference, this shade of bright, slightly blue-based red is perfect for an Old Hollywood power pout.” Makeup artist Katie Jane Hughes also says that this is another one of those shades that looks good on everyone.

Kate Moss and Rimmel London teamed up to create a line of lipstick shades — and 01 is billed as the perfect red, worn by Moss in the ads. It’s one of our favorite drugstore lipsticks of all time for its intense color payoff and hydration. Amazon reviewers agree, and some also see this as a stand-in for M.A.C’s Ruby Woo.

Rumored to be the lip color worn at the first-ever Christian Dior runway show (then known as 9), this is Dior’s best-selling, classic red. It’s often referred to by its other name: “Iconic.”

This shade is beloved for its ability to look good on virtually everyone. Nelson explains its appeal: “It’s a vivid, matte, matte, matte red.” (Yes, he said matte three times for emphasis.) “It takes a little effort to get on, but the velvety-red look is worth it.” It’s also known for being virtually indestructible, lasting from morning to night with meals in between.

A classic red with blue undertones, this was one of six shades formulated to mimic Coco Chanel’s signature red lip.

“Fire and Ice was maybe the first Hollywood-red lipstick (and matching nail color),” says Nelson. “The ads asked readers questions and warned that you were only bold enough to wear the shade if you answered at least eight of them with ‘Yes.’”

This captivating shade is a Hollywood classic and one of Bobbi Brown’s best sellers. It strikes the perfect balance between bold and classic, boasting a rich, deep-red tone that effortlessly commands attention and works on all complexions. Its luxuriously smooth texture glides on seamlessly, delivering intense color payoff while the long-wear formula ensures a velvety smooth finish that lasts all day.

This classic red is what is known as the Armani Red, and the same shade as seen in the brand’s signature red lipstick case. Allan Avendaño describes it as “the most perfect red that looks great on every single skin tone. It looks so luxe and it’s a timeless red!”

This is Rihanna’ s version of a universal red and some already think it’s a replacement for M.A.C’s Ruby Woo. In its liquid form, it’s lighter and easier to apply than a typical tube of lipstick.

This shade is what Ayaka Nihei calls “adult red.” Designed by the legendary makeup artist Pat McGrath, Elson is named after the model Karen Elson, and is a crimson blue-red color that had everyone asking, “What is that shade?” at Prada’s resort 2018 show. Nihei describes it as “smooth and silky” and says, “The package is everything.” We wholeheartedly agree.

Don’t sleep on the house collection by Sephora. I found out about this shade through makeup artist Benjamin Puckey, who found out about it on set. The bright red has become an internet favorite.

Nelson explains the historical significance behind this color: “The first makeup product ever to be promoted by a drag queen. RuPaul made history by declaring ‘I am the M.A.C girl’ in the advertising for this life-saving lip shade.” Every single penny of this lipstick and its successors goes to AIDS research, and so far, they have raised over $500 million dollars.

Make-up Artist Ayaka Nihei says that this shade from Urban Decay “is brighter than M.A.C Ruby Woo so you see more color in pictures”and that it “fits with any skin tones.” While it goes on creamy, it has a nice matte finish.

One of the three best-selling reds by M.A.C (the others being Ruby Woo and Lady Danger), this is a cherry red that leans the slightest bit toward orange.

In every beauty range, there’s a classic red that’s a best seller, and a second best seller that’s a more quirky red. This red has a jolt of orange through it — no less pigmented than the 999, but just as vibrant.

If you prefer a liquid lipstick to a solid, the orangey-red shade Boy Trouble from the Lip Bar is the answer. Junior beauty writer Asia Milia Ware says that while “it dries matte, the application is glosslike and it leaves my lips feeling smooth.”

This bold color, appropriately called Thrill Seeker, is one of our beauty editor, Maya Allen’s, favorite shades of lipstick. It’s waterproof and liquid-matte, made with a primer oil complex, and comes with a precision-tip applicator for the perfect pucker.

Hailey Bieber is not secretive when it comes to sharing her makeup routines, all thanks to TikTok. In one recent video, she shared her go-to lip combo which featured the Anywhere Caffeine Lip Liner from Make Up For Ever and the Charlotte Tillbury Matte Lipstick in Pillow Talk, which Bieber loves because it matched the natural colors of her lips. This is also one of Allen’s favorite nudes.

Described as a perfect nude (especially for those with olive complexions), this is an amazing under-$8 drugstore nude.

This a nude that’s praised for not being too nude. It’s a frequently sold-out best seller.

You’re looking at one of Clinique’s most coveted nude shades. The texture is creamy and seamlessly glides on, imparting a natural allure that enhances your lips with a subtle yet noticeable radiance.

Amal Clooney’s makeup artist, Charlotte Tilbury, says that for years people used to beg her for the nude shade that Kate Moss (incidentally, godmother to her children) always wore. Tilbury used to custom-mix it for her, using a mix of concealers. When she finally debuted her own line, she produced Moss’s shade as one of her first lip colors.

This shade is Troy Surratt’s homage to his late mentor, Kevyn Aucoin. Called a Lipslique, this product’s texture is akin to what would result if lip gloss and lipstick had a baby.

This lip crayon is Kristen Stewart’s makeup artist Jillian Dempsey’s favorite. For a nice nude lip, she loves the ease the crayon gives to apply.

What do you get when you mix red with a dark, gray-brown color? This taupe matte lipstick from M.A.C that doubles as a great neutral that is sure to stay all day thanks to the brand’s top-notch formulation.

Makeup artist Jaime Diaz loves a lip palette for the versatility it offers, and the M.A.C Pro Lip Palette is his favorite. “The formula is so versatile for bold lips to an eye shade or even blush,” he says.

Named for designer Elsa Schiaparelli, it’s one of the brightest pink lipsticks with blue undertones. Maggie Gyllenhaal wore the shade with her Dries Van Noten to the 2010 Oscars.

Embrace the essence of luxury with this playful hue. Revel in the velvety, powdery finish that provides an intense burst of color.

In 2011, Kim Kardashian proclaimed this as her favorite lipstick shade, so you know it has been popular ever since. This pink lipstick (with a touch of frost) is a best seller that won’t let you down.

Although he’s best known for his more vibrant color choices, this is Tom Ford’s most commercially successful lipstick shade.

Nelson explains the cult appeal of this shade: “Cherries in the Snow is a pink-based red that has literally been around for decades and is a timeless classic.”

This sheer, moisturizing lip balm magically changes color on everyone and is one of the products that has blown up thanks to TikTok. However, if you want to spend less than $38 on a lip balm, count on the app to share some really good dupes, too.

The second of CoverGirl’s best-selling shades, Enchantress Blush is a purple-based pink.

The brand’s top-selling lipstick, Chocolate Raspberry, is a nostalgic classic for many Black women, and with the relaunch of Fashion Fair this year, it has thankfully returned to our counters.

This deep shade of brown is one of our beauty director, Maya Allen’s, favorite lipsticks.

This cinnamon-brown lip color, which Linda Evangelista once publicly praised, was sold out for most of the ’90s. Nelson explains: “No iconic products list would be complete without this ’90s supermodel favorite.”

Bobbi Brown started her makeup line with ten lipstick shades and this was one of the originals — a color that helped make brown lips a trend in the 1990s.

Another one of Nieves’s favorite lipsticks and actress Cameron Diaz’s too. Not only is it clean and sustainable, but it’s super-hydrating, making it one of the best lipsticks out there for all-day wear.

Though celebrity beauty brands can sometimes be a miss, Selena Gomez’s brand Rare Beauty is known for its viral blushes and overall great products. One of its newest launches, the matte lipstick is pigment-rich and buttery, and recommended by Milia Ware.

This cult-favorite delivers the same result as a matte lipstick in a pencil format, making it a great option if you prefer this application method. Plus it can be paired with other lip products for more dimension or used as a base color.

A freebie in makeup gift sets in the ’80s, Clinique’s Black Honey Almost became a cult favorite in the ’90s as a lipgloss/lipstick that, in oft-repeated beauty parlance, looks good on almost everyone. It’s now one of the best-reviewed plum lipsticks everywhere, and people buy it in bulk, including our previous fashion editor-at-large.