Top 5 Tuesday: Red Lipsticks for Valentine's Day

Makeup-wise, nothing makes me feel more confident than a bold red lip. Now I don't wear red lipstick everyday, but when I do, it packs a punch even to the simplest of outfits. I like wearing them for nights out too. There's something about rocking the red that makes me feel feminine yet powerful. They are also perfect for Valentine's Day. So here are my 5 favorite red lipsticks, the ones I use most frequently or I find the most flattering:

1. MAC Lipstick (Russian Red)

Finish: Matte

Makeup addicts know that MAC has 2 holy grail lipsticks — Russian Red and Ruby Woo. I'm team Russian Red. Now don't get me wrong, I think RW is a beautiful shade, but upon doing research about the two and reading the reviews, I found out that RW is a retro matte shade, which is EXTREMELY drying and tugs and each skin of the lips. However, it lasts very long and looks beautiful on whoever can pull it off. MAC has a reputation of having drying lipsticks, and at least RR is more comfortable. This is one of my favorites. It's more cool-toned, so it makes my teeth look whiter.

2. Wet n Wild Lipstick (Stoplight Red)

Finish: Matte

I've only used this shade when before writing this blog, but I decided to get this because it's a dupe for MAC's Ruby Woo. If you want something creamier and a lot cheaper (you can never go wrong with Wet N Wild's $2 lipstick for its amazing quality and pigment) this is the one.

2. NYX Butter Lipstick (Big Cherry)

Finish: Satin

I used this particular lipstick (along with Little Susie) a lot during last summer. This is one of the most comfortable lipsticks I have used. It glides on extremely smoothly and just feels so soft and lovely on my lips. I actually wore this a lot when I went to Hawaii last year, and my older sister Trixie forgot to bring her red lipstick so she borrowed mine. She ended up loving it and bought her own. It is a tad lighter and more saturated than the other lipsticks I mentioned here.

2. NYX Soft Matte Lip Cream (Monte Carlo)

Finish: Matte

I use this one the most frequently because I have gotten so many compliments on it. It glides on softly on the lips and finishes matte. You would also be surprised with how moisturizing it is despite it being matte, just exfoliate and moisturize before applying. I guess the sponge applicator makes it a little bit messy, so you probably want to put lip liner or be extra careful that it doesn't bleed outside your lips. It's buildable. This is darker than another Soft Matte Lip Cream, Amsterdam, which is more of a bright red.

2. Too Faced Melted Lipstick (Berry)

Finish: Gloss/stain

I do have a love/hate relationship with Too Faced Melted Lipsticks, but this is one of my favorite shades from them so far. It's more burgundy than a true red. It is quite drying so be careful. When you leave it on for a while it fades into a sexy bitten looking stain which I like. If you like glossy, vibrant lips then this is it!

<3 Hannah