Movie icons of the Golden Age of Hollywood—Marilyn Monroe, Elizabeth Taylor, and Rita Hayworth—cemented red lipstick’s status as the ultimate symbol of glamour and feminine sensuality. “In Hollywood, it’s easier for a girl to go without clothes than without red lipstick,” Monroe quipped. But this ironic remark makes sense. Iconic shades of red lipstick create a strong focal point on the face. The observer’s brain focuses on the lips and “forgives” or even ignores minor skin imperfections, asymmetry, or signs of fatigue. People subconsciously attribute a certain set of rare qualities to a woman with red lips.

But does every red lipstick become that magic wand? Jessica Chastain, a big fan of red lips, laughs: “I always have problems with this, because I’m very expressive, and usually red lipstick ends up on my teeth and all over my face.” However, not every red lipstick has this peculiarity.

And legendary shades of red lipstick are also available. A woman doesn’t spend much, but gets a powerful emotional charge, a feeling of true luxury and, most importantly, confidence.

M∙A∙C, Retro Matte Lipstick, shade Ruby Woo

Who: Angelina Jolie, Dita Von Teese, Tracee Ellis Ross, Rihanna and Madonna.

Ruby Woo by M∙A∙C is perhaps the most famous red lipstick in the world. It is officially considered the best-selling red lipstick in the world. Statistics show that approximately 7 tubes of Ruby Woo are sold every minute.

Ruby Woo was created practically by accident in 1999. The M∙A∙C team was trying to create a more matte version of the then-popular shade Russian Red. Due to a formula glitch, the first batch turned out incredibly dry. When applied, it felt almost like chalk or sandpaper. The company already decided that the product was ruined. However, this ultra-matte finish completely eliminated any glare from camera flashes. And a manufacturing defect turned into a multi-million-dollar hit with celebrities.

The version, named Ruby Woo, was eventually released in a limited edition as part of the limited-edition Retro Matte collection of matte lipsticks. But it became so popular that the brand introduced it to the permanent collection. Later, M∙A∙C, together with Rihanna, created an exclusive modified version of this shade called RiRi Woo.

Color: bright, ultra-matte, rich red with a cool undertone. Thanks to its cool undertone, this lipstick visually makes teeth whiter and suits absolutely any skin tone.

M∙A∙C, Matte Lipstick, shade Russian Red

Who: Madonna and Angelina Jolie.

The shade was developed In 1990, the then-young Canadian brand M∙A∙C created a shade specifically for Madonna for her legendary Blond Ambition world tour. Madonna’s makeup artist, Joanne Gair, was looking for a shade that could withstand the heat of the spotlights and intense choreography without smudging. The legendary shade of red lipstick has found its perhaps most important ambassador in the world of pop music.

Years later, Angelina Jolie chose Russian Red for the 2012 Oscars ceremony. Her image in a black velvet dress with a high slit went viral.

Color: A dramatic, rich, classic red with a neutral cool undertone.

Dior, Rouge Dior, shade 999

Who: Bella Hadid, Natalie Portman, Grace Kelly and Nina Dobrev.

The shade number is a tribute to the first revolutionary red lipsticks by Christian Dior, released under the numbers № 9 and № 99. The couturier sincerely believed that nine brings him luck. In the modern formula, these historical numbers have been combined into the iconic 999. Christian Dior himself called red “the color of life.”

Shade 999 has historically been a sales leader in the “heavy” luxury segment in Europe, especially in France and Italy. It has a perfect balance of warm and cool pigments, making it completely neutral.

Color: A balanced neutral red that harmoniously combines warm and cool undertones. This makes it suitable for absolutely any skin type. Available in satin, matte and velvet finishes.

Giorgio Armani, Lip Maestro, shade 400 (The Armani Red)

Who: Barbara Palvin, Rosie Huntington-Whiteley.

The Armani Red was created after designer Giorgio Armani requested a “pure” red color that would exactly replicate the inside of a blooming red rose petal. Armani personally visited the lab 96 times, rejecting formulas that were too yellow or blue until he approved the perfect version No. 400.

This liquid lipstick is based on a translucent gel, not a white base. That’s why the color looks as pure and deep as possible on any skin tone.

Color: deep, velvety-matte crimson shade.

NARS, Velvet Matte Lip Pencil, shade Dragon Girl

Who: Taylor Swift.

Taylor Swift kept the names of her favorite red lipsticks a secret for a long time. Unexpectedly, she openly shared the find with fans on social media, officially calling the NARS pencil “the perfect red lipstick.”

I paint my lips red because I think my face looks worse when I don’t have red lipstick on it. That’s my whole philosophy.

Color: bright, juicy berry red with a pronounced cool undertone.

Pat McGrath Labs, LiquiLUST: Legendary Wear Matte Lipstick, shade Elson 4

Who: Taylor Swift and Jennifer Lopez.

This shade is named after the famous British red-haired supermodel Karen Elson. Taylor Swift is a big fan of liquid lipstick. It was this ultra-long-lasting formula that lasted through hours of performance during her record-breaking Eras Tour. The singer also appeared with it in the Bejeweled video (where the brand’s creator, makeup artist Pat McGrath, even made a cameo appearance).

Color: saturated, highly pigmented, truly matte raspberry red.

Chanel, Rouge Allure Luminous Intense, shade 99 Pirate

Who: Margot Robbie.

The Chanel laboratory created the shade 99 Pirate with a specific purpose — to precisely replicate the lip color favored by fashion house founder Gabrielle Chanel herself. Unlike most matte bestsellers, Pirate is renowned for its satiny, slightly glossy, yet long-lasting finish. This is one of the most sought-after lipsticks on the Hollywood red carpet.

Color: deep, radiant satin red with a cool undertone.

Revlon, Super Lustrous Lipstick, shade Fire & Ice

Who: Audrey Hepburn, Elizabeth Taylor.

The lipstick was released in 1951 and was accompanied by one of the most famous advertising campaigns in the history of American cosmetics. It was shot by aspiring photographer Richard Avedon and starred supermodel Dorian Leigh. The original 1950s ad featured an entire psychological test, titled “Are You Made for Fire and Ice?”, which turned buying the lipstick into a statement of feminine independence and confidence. Fire & Ice is one of the oldest mass-market lipsticks, which is continuously produced and successfully sold to this day.

Elizabeth Taylor, a fan of the Fire & Ice shade, fiercely protected her on-screen image. They say that on the sets of her films, she imposed a strict ban: no other woman in the crew or cast was allowed to wear red lipstick. If a co-star or extra showed up with red lips, filming would be stopped until she removed the makeup. Thus, Taylor completely monopolized the viewer’s visual attention.

Color: a bright, creamy, fiery scarlet shade with an orange undertone.

Source: hellomagrussia.ru