Nobody rocks a red lip like Taylor Swift.
Since first trying out a scarlet shade on the set of an Allure cover shoot in 2009, the pop powerhouse has made it her beauty signature.
“I never really get too far from red lipstick, do I? I guess I just think my face looks worse without it,” Swift, 31, told People in 2014. “That’s pretty much the only rationale behind it.”
She’s even woven mentions of her go-to lip look into her lyrics for hits like “Style,” “Wildest Dreams” and “Blank Space.”
And while Swift’s songwriting prowess, sprawling real estate portfolio and gaggle of Grammys might be out of reach for most fans, her favorite crimson lip colors are just a click away.
Below, get the scoop on several Swift-approved shades at a range of price points — and if red’s not your cup of tea, consider another favorite of hers, the cinnamon-hued Nars Morocco.
Pros:
- Promises 24 hours of wear
- Kissproof and transfer-resistant
- Not drying, according to reviews
Cons:
- Some reviewers say it doesn’t last as long as advertised
Curious about Swift’s Eras Tour lip combo? In a scene from her Disney+ “End of an Era” docuseries, she’s seen lining her pout with Smashbox’s Be Legendary Line & Prime Pencil (seemingly in the shade True Red) before her longtime makeup artist, Lorrie Turk, applies this “kissproof and transfer-resistant” MAC formula.
While it was tough to make out exact which shade Turk was using on her star client, MAC later appeared to confirm it was Ruby True, a classic blue red that’s nearly identical to another of Swift’s favorite hues from the brand (more on that below!).
Pros:
- Long-wearing (up to eight hours)
- Intense color payoff
- The mattest of matte finishes
“It’s a staple. I was the last person to discover it,” Swift told People in 2015 of this bestselling blue-based red. Among the other famous folks who’ve discovered it too? Rihanna, Gwen Stefani, Janet Jackson and Angelina Jolie, to name but a few.
Ruby Woo’s ultra-matte formula can be drying, so we recommend exfoliating your lips and using a balm before applying. Once this stuff’s on, however, it’s going to “Stay Stay Stay.”
Page Six Style’s review: “Ruby Woo is a certified classic for a reason; it’s long-wearing, completely matte and looks great on a wide variety of skin tones. If you’re a red lip lover, you need a tube in your beauty bag.” — Elana Fishman, Page Six Style & Shopping Director
Pros:
- Up to 12-hour wear
- Intensely saturated color
- Weightless, creamy feel
Cons:
- Typically tough to find in stock
After kicking off her collaboration with makeup maestro Pat McGrath at the 2022 VMAs, Swift sported this vivid blue-red liquid lip color in her music video for “Bejeweled” — in which McGrath makes a cameo.
Page Six Style’s review: “I wasn’t able to try LiquiLust until very recently, since it was sold out for literal years! Suffice to say, this stuff was worth the wait. I tend to avoid matte liquid lipsticks since they’re often drying, but not this one; it feels so lightweight I often forget I’m wearing it. It’s probably the most long-lasting red lipstick I’ve ever tried (we’re talking hours and hours of wear) and the tapered teardrop applicator makes it easy to draw on the perfect pout. Plus, the color is stunning. It’s my current go-to!” — Elana Fishman, Page Six Style & Shopping Director
Pros:
- Ultra-vivid color
- One-swipe coverage
- Weightless, cushiony feel
If you’re not a liquid lipstick fan, consider MatteTrance in Elson, the traditional bullet version of the singer’s staple red.
McGrath’s called it “the perfect cool-toned shade,” and we’d have to agree.
Page Six Style’s review: “I was immediately impressed by the product’s color payoff; a single swipe delivered the full, perfectly opaque coverage I look for in a lipstick, and the true red hue is guaranteed to look gorgeous on a wide variety of complexions. Also, fun fact: Blue-based red lipsticks like Elson make your teeth look whiter! Where this formula really sings for me, however, is the feel: surprisingly creamy and comfortable for a matte.” — Elana Fishman, Page Six Style & Shopping Director
Pros:
- Up to 12-hour staying power
- Pencil allows for precise application
- Comfortable cream-to-matte texture
Cons:
- Requires occasional sharpening
No discussion of Swift’s red lip obsession would be complete without a mention of this matte, long-lasting shade, which she’s name-checked as a favorite in multiple interviews over the years. Fans also spotted the original version of the product (Velvet Matte Lip Pencil) in a behind-the-scenes Instagram photo the songstress shared before the 2014 Met Gala.
Described by Nars as a “siren red,” it’s unapologetically bright and bold, and the jumbo pencil design makes it a cinch to apply. Like any pencil, however, you will need to sharpen it from time to time.
Page Six Style’s review: “I love this shade so much, I wore it on my wedding day! It’s bright, it’s bold and it goes on matte without feeling drying. Since it’s a pencil, application is a breeze, and it’s among the most transfer-proof red lipsticks I’ve tried.” — Elana Fishman, Page Six Style & Shopping Director
Pros:
- Rich color
- Ultra-hydrating feel
- Affordable
Cons:
- Not for those seeking a matte finish
Once upon a time (okay, in 2010), Swift landed a contract with CoverGirl, giving her the opportunity to test out some of the brand’s bestselling lip colors in campaigns and on red carpets.
A particular fave, as she shared in a 2012 interview with Redbook, was this cheery cherry red. The branding’s changed over the years — once sold as part of the Lip Perfection line and then as part of the Colorlicious range, it’s now included in CoverGirl’s Exhibitionist collection — but the shade itself has stayed the same.
Despite being a drugstore buy, it packs plenty of pigment. And it’s comfortable for all-day wear, thanks to the hydrating shea butter in the formula. For those looking for a finish that leans more satin than matte, it’s definitely worth a try.
Page Six Style’s review: “In addition to being an absolute steal, this color is pretty stellar. If you tend to find matte lipsticks drying, give this formula a try; it’s surprisingly hydrating and offers a glossier finish than the others on this list, if that’s your thing.” — Elana Fishman, Page Six Style & Shopping Director
Why Trust Page Six Style Shopping
This article was written by Elana Fishman, Page Six’s Style & Shopping Director. A passionate Swiftie and pop culture fanatic, Elana applies her celebrity fashion and beauty expertise to shoppable content for fellow fans as the host of video series including Currently Trending, Style Trial, Heart to Cart and Beauty Scoop — and by tracking down every Taylor Swift-worn style so you can shop it, too. Elana consults celebrity stylists on the latest street style and red carpet trends, researches which celebrity-backed brands and products are worth it and chats with the stars themselves for beauty and fashion recommendations. Prior to Page Six Style’s inception in 2018, Elana covered celebrity fashion at Vox Media, Lucky, Marie Claire and Teen Vogue.
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