My Hunt for a Not Too Red Lipstick

Glossier’s Ultralip faked me out a little bit — in the tube the color looked like a darker, almost mahogany shade, but on my lips it became a bold cherry red that was a tad too pigmented for me. The package says to swipe once for a “sheer wash of color” and two or three times for a “bolder, more vibrant look,” but even after the first application, I thought the color was too loud. It did have my favorite finish of the bunch, though: very juicy and high-shine, almost verging on glosslike.

This one was also too bold and bright for my liking. The Bobbi Brown website describes Dragonfruit as a vibrant red shade, but in person and even in the product photos it was more of a hot pink, which is definitely not in my comfort zone. The product itself went on nicely and felt smooth and nourishing on my lips, but ultimately I couldn’t get over feeling like a jester when wearing it — all I was missing was a cap and bells.

I wrote in a recentBeauty Briefnewsletter (you can sign up for future sends here) that I was initially nervous about trying Aora’s solid lip serum because of how bright it looked in the tube. Once it’s on, however, it has a sheer, glossy shine that I really like. The product is a lip plumper first and foremost — the formula is infused with five types of chiles to swell and volumize your lips — and the spice levels arestrong.I could feel some pretty intense tingling as soon as I put it on. (Personally, I love that sensation, but if you’re new to lip plumpers, I would not recommend starting with this one.) However, because it’s billed as a serum, it tends to move more and isn’t as long-lasting as some of the other options on this list; both after eating lunch and giving my boyfriend a big kiss, I was left with a faint smudgy halo around my lips.

Westman Atelier’s HydroBalm is the only product I tried that has a traditional bullet lipstick shape. I appreciated this detail, which allowed for greater precision when applying — plus it made the experience feel a little more grown-up, like I was putting on a real, proper lipstick instead of casually swiping on some tinted balm. It’s also encased in heavy, sturdy packaging with a magnetic closure, so I was comfortable tossing it into my tote bag and letting it tumble around. The product itself felt lightweight and hydrating, with an easy-wearing, buildable tint, and delivered a slight minty tingle I loved. It’s definitely the most elevated option I tried, but the high price ($50!) stopped me from naming it a top pick.

E.l.f.’s Slipstick was a surprise hit — at just $10, I wasn’t expecting it to be as elegant as it was. The packaging has a magnetic closure, and the solid lip oil glided onto my lips and immediately made them feel moisturized but not sticky thanks to the presence of squalane, shea butter, and jojoba oil in the formula. It has a mango scent but isn’t overwhelming the way a tube of Lip Smacker would be. The color, Cherry on Top, does get a tad strong if I keep building it up, but I just have to remind myself that one or two applications is more than enough to achieve an invitingly juicy sheen. For the price, it’s well worth it.

I’vetried Violette_FR’s Bisou Balm beforein a different shade and loved its light, powdery texture and blotted matte look. So I had high hopes for this one, and it didn’t disappoint. The color Bonbon Coquelicot, described as a warm poppy hue, was soft and subtle, providing just the right amount of pop without going overboard. While I would wait to find a mirror to reapply some of the other contenders on this list, I never feel nervous about pulling out my Bisou Balm in transit; I’ve swiped it on while walking down the street and while standing in a moving subway car because I’m confident the result will be a nicely diffused wash of color. Between this and e.l.f.’s Slipstick, consider me an official red-lip convert.