Finding Your Most Flattering Shade of Red Lipstick

How to find your most flattering red lipstick.


Imparting instant confidence and effortless glam, there’s no denying that red lipstick is the little black dress of your makeup wardrobe. But one of the most common red lipstick complaints is the feeling that it doesn’t look quite right on you.

We promise you this: there’s a Clinique red lipstick out there just waiting to become your signature shade. Our new Clinique Pop™ Longwear Lipstick is available in 3 finishes – matte, satin and shine – in a vast array of shades, including 7 reds. 
So, which shade of Clinique Pop™ Longwear Lipstick is the one for you? Here’s an easy guide to finding a bold red lip you can wear with confidence.

Know your undertones.
The key to picking the best red lipstick shade for you is understanding the undertones of your skin as well as the undertones of the lipstick – and how they work together.
To identify your skin’s undertones, simply check out your wrist. If your veins appear bluer or purple, you have cool undertones. If your veins look greener, you’re considered warm.
Just like skin, lipstick also has undertones. Warm lipsticks are usually more orangey-red, while cool lipsticks are usually blueish red. So, if you have warm undertones, you’ll want to choose a warmer red lipstick to compliment your skin, and if you have cooler undertones, those cool, blue-toned reds are the ones for you.

Best warm red lipstick shades to try:
Clinique Pop™ Longwear Lipstick in Ruby Pop.
Clinique Pop™ Longwear Lipstick in Chilli Pop.
Clinique Pop™ Longwear Lipstick in Poppy Pop.
Clinique Pop™ Longwear Lipstick in Flame Pop. This is more of an orangey red, but will still work beautifully on warmer skin tones.


Best cool red lip lipstick shades to try:
Clinique Pop™ Longwear Lipstick in Cherry Pop.
Clinique Pop™ Longwear Lipstick in Peppermint Pop.
Clinique Pop™ Longwear Lipstick in Icon Pop.

Lip test it.
Most of us wouldn’t buy a dress without trying on a few first. We recommend taking the same approach with red lipstick. The easiest way? Use our Virtual Try-On tool to see how our reds look on you, right on your phone.



Play around.
The right red lipstick for your look isn’t just about the shade; you need to find the right formula and finish for you too. Based on your preferences and what makes you feel most confident, you don’t always have to opt for that classic, Hollywood red. Our new Clinique Pop™ Longwear Lipstick comes in three finishes – shine, satin and matte. The colour is buildable, so you can make it as subtle or dramatic as you like. For a more subtle lip tint, use your fingertip to apply one of the matte red shades to the centre of your lips, blending out for a diffused finish.
A bright red gloss is an easy way to dabble in a brighter lip – plus, the glassy glazed-donut finish is having a big moment. Our Pop Plush™ in Juicy Apple Pop is the perfect cushiony, high-shine gloss for the party season and beyond – go for one coat for a cherry-red glaze, or layer up for a punchier colour pop.
If you want something bright and vibrant, but not as dramatic, we recommend Chubby Stick™ Moisturizing Lip Colour Balm in Two Ton Tomato. This sheer balm offers a natural-looking sheen and delivers just enough colour to enjoy the red lip look. To keep your red lip neat, use our Quickliner™ For Lips in your desired shade to prevent feathering and smudging.


Let the red stand alone.
If you’re not sure what products to pair with your red lip, then just skip them. One of the chicest, most modern ways to embrace a red lip is to keep the rest of your look simple. Just use a skin-perfecting foundation like Even Better Clinical™ Serum Foundation SPF20 where needed, a touch of Chubby Stick™ Sculpting Contour and finish with a swipe or two of High Impact™ Mascara.

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