The Best, Most Affordable Red Lipstick Shades For All Indian Skin Tones

There's nothing that empowers a woman better than a bold, red lipstick. And what comes to mind when you think of absolute iconic red lips? M.A.C Ruby Woo! Yep, it's one of the best selling red lipsticks all over the world. It's a colour that flatters every single skin tone out there. But it's a pretty hefty price to pay for a red lipstick. Maybe you won't end up wearing it every day, maybe you will. But if you're not willing to shell out Rs. 1,650 for a M.A.C lipstick, we've found you alternative red lipsticks that aren't only affordable but possibly even more stunning than M.A.C. Whether your go-to is a liquid lipstick or a cream lipstick, we've got you covered! Check out swatches of the best, most affordable red lipsticks you can even buy online for Indian skin tones!

Red Lipstick Shades For Fair Skin Tone

Red Lipsticks For Medium Skin Tone

Red Lipstick Shades For Dusky Skin Tone

Best Red Lipstick Shades For Fair Skin Tone

Fair skin tone has a natural pink flush to it, vibrant blue-reds with pink undertones will make the skin look bright and the lips pop. Cool-toned red lipstick shades like coral and cherry red lipsticks will look gorgeous on you.

1. Nykaa So Matte Lipstick – Notorious Red 01M

This Notorious Red shade from the house of Nykaa will certainly be your next favourite. It’s a warm shade which will add instant splendour to your face. It’s smooth and creamy texture gives you pout-worthy lips in a single swipe. Pucker up with this one!

Pros:
-Survives light meal and drinks
-Intense colour pay-off
-One stroke application

Turn off: Only available online or at Nykaa stores, you can’t find it at your nearby drugstore.

Price: Rs 750. Buy it here.

2. Inglot Freedom System Square Lipstick – 63

It’s a very pretty “true” red colour which has a creamy texture, somewhere in between gloss and matte. It’s more inclined to the deeper-wine red side and is insanely pigmented. It’ll flatter your skin to be your love at first sight!

Pros:
-Does not dry on lips
-Can be worn intensely or as a stain
-Comes in a sturdy plastic case

Turn off: Does not survive meals!

Price: Rs 550. Buy it here.

3. L’Oreal Paris Infallible Le Rouge Lipstick – Ravishing Red

Ravishing Red is not just a gorgeous hue, but also long lasting! It’s a warm carrot red which flatters one’s complexion without being over the top. It has a very rich and creamy texture with fine shimmers, fully milled to add a glistening shine to your lips.

Pros:
-Lightweight texture
-Non-drying formula
-Richly pigmented
-Can be worn as a stain

Turn off: The finish can get a little dry on the lips, after a while.

Price: Rs 713. Buy it here.

4. Lakme Absolute Sculpt Matte Lipstick - Red Envy

It is the brightest of all reds! Red Envy is a rich red colour with light orange undertones that help the colour stand out. It nourishes your lips by retaining their moisture and keeping them hydrated all day long. Red Envy makes a solid choice for someone looking for a matte red lipstick without a hefty price tag.

Pros:
-Gorgeous matte finish
-Good staying power
-Lightweight, settles easily on the lips

Turn Off: Starts to bleed out if not applied in the right manner.

Price: Rs 650. Buy it here.

Red Lipsticks For Medium Skin Tone

Pat on your back, you can pull off any red. All reds, from deep reds to blue reds to pink reds, women with a medium skin tone can rock any red, effortlessly. But there are certain red shades that are more flattering for your skin tone and can instantly make you look confident and fierce, like orange-red or blood red. A poppy red also helps in cancelling out any sallowness on your skin.

1. Lakme 9 to 5 Primer + Matte Lip Color – LC R1 Red Coat

Red Coat is the best affordable dupe of M.A.C. Ruby Woo. It’s an intense warm red and comes out as a bright tomato red on Indian skin tones. So, pucker up these soft, smooth lips with a touch of this intense matte shade!

Pros:
-In-built primer
-Vibrant colour payoff
-No tugging

Price: Rs 480. Buy it here.

2. Maybelline Color Sensational Vivid Matte Lipstick – Scarlet Red

Flaunt this brilliant red colour with orange undertones to instantly perk up your complexion. This vivid matte colour comes alive in just one swipe and has a creamy, soft texture with an impressive colour payoff. Wear this baby to grab everyone’s attention!

Pros:
-Creamy, comfortable matte texture
-Glides on smooth and sets with a matte finish

Turn off: It might dry out the lips a little.

Price: Rs 450. Buy it here.

3. L’Oreal Paris Pure Reds Color Riche Collection Star Lipsticks – Pure Rouge

It’s a classic red lipstick, more on the ‘bridal red’ lines with a perfect balance of brightness and boldness. It’s empowered with a matte effect which makes your lips look sultry and enchanting at the same time.

Pros:
-Hydrating Texture
-Transfer-proof
-Rich colour payoff
-Survives oily food

Turn off: Not a complete shine-free matte lipstick.

Price: Rs 750. Buy it here.

4. Nykaa Pout Perfect Velvet Matte Lip Pencil – Brick Me Red 04

This rust red shade is all you need to put your glam face on! These pigmented crayons give you full blown coverage of a matte lipstick, blendability of a blusher and precision of a liner. You can also dab a little on your cheeks to achieve a natural flush!

Pros:
-One stroke application
-Glides on effortlessly
-Enriched with Shea Butter and Vitamin E

Turn off: They don’t come with a sharpener.

Price: Rs 499. Buy it here.

5. Rimmel London Lasting Finish by Kate Lipstick in 001

This fiery orange-red lipstick will be your next calling card. Made in collaboration with the iconic supermodel, Kate Moss, it has a buttery formula which gives your lips a semi-matte, punchy finish which you can carry to office and evening parties.

Pros:
-Does not feel heavy on the lips
-Long staying power

Price: Rs 499. Buy it here.

Red Lipstick Shades For Dusky Skin Tone

No one can flaunt a deep red lip colour like a dusky-skinned woman. Red looks very hot and seductive on warm undertones, especially coral reds with pink tones or deeper red hues with a tint of brown or orange. You can trust candy-apple reds as they don’t look chalky or ashy and bring an instant glow to your face.

1. Revlon Super Lustrous Lipstick- Love That Red

Believe it or not, but this lipstick has been for sale on shelves since 1951! It’s a classic, old Hollywood style glamour lipstick which is neither too blue nor too orange. Wear this Revlon red lipstick in full force to form an impression.

Pros:
-Smooth matte formula
-Sets within seconds
-Enriched with mega-moisturizers and Vitamins

Price: Rs 699. Buy it here.

2. Nykaa So Matte Lipstick –California Merlot 14 M

California Merlot is true winner, ladies! Take a break from your regular reds with deep brown shade with maroon undertones. Wear this deep, creamy shade with sun-kissed glow on your face and slick hairstyle to have a bang for your buck!

Pros:
-Smooth texture
-Soft matte finish
-Pigment rich formula
-Rich colour payoff

Turn off: Accentuate fine lines and cracks on the lips.

Price: Rs 399. Buy it here.

3. L’Oreal Paris Pure Reds Color Riche Collection Star Lipsticks –Scarleto

 

Pure Reds Scarleto is gorgeous, bright red lipstick with warm undertones which adds that instant pop of colour to your face and makes putting on makeup almost unnecessary. It also has a mild floral fragrance that lingers on for a while.

Pros:
-Hydrating Texture
-Transfer-proof
-Rich colour payoff
-Survives oily food

Turn off: Not a complete shine-free matte lipstick.

Price: Rs 750. Buy it here.

4. NYX Professional Makeup Butter Lipstick - Afternoon Heat

Treat your lips to this fiery red colour. This bold red colour with warm undertones can transform your face in seconds. It has a delicate satin texture infused with highly saturated colour to deliver a rich yet lightweight coverage.

Pros:
-Highly pigmented
-long-wearing result
-Luxurious satin finish

Price: Rs 550. Buy it here.

5. Wet n Wild Missy & Fierce

This super pigmented bright red colour glides on like butter on your lips. It’ll warm up your skin in minutes to give you a bold and fierce look. Don’t be fazed, it goes on glossy and transforms into a highly pigmented, matte finish lipstick.

Pros:
-Vivid Colour
-Ultra-Matte Finish
-Intense pigmentation

Turn off: The texture can be a little more creamy.

Price: Rs 849. Buy it here.

Pick your own rogue hue!

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This story was updated in March 2019.