I will look for any sort of excuse to wear lipstick, and Valentine’s Day is no exception. Whether you want the typical red or a more soft, romantic pink, I got you covered and puckered up!
Dior lipstick in “745 matte”
I love this lipstick and it’s gorgeous for everyday wear, but for Valentine’s Day it’s perfect if you want less drama and more girliness. If you are out for dinner and don’t want to keep checking your lips every few minutes to see if they are bleeding or feathering, this is a great low-maintenance choice. The formula is matte so it’s fairly long lasting, but still fairly creamy and comfortable for someone like me who has insanely dry lips. If you are fair-skinned, this shows up as a warm brick red. But for someone with my skin tone, it’s more on the pink side.
Mented Cosmetics lipstick in “Foxy Brown”
If you want a less conventional Hollywood red, the Mented lipstick in “Foxy Brown” is an excellent choice. It’s a warm brownish red that may appear as more of an autumnal shade but you can definitely wear it all year round. While it flatters all skin tones, women of color will especially love this because Mented Cosmetics was created with them in mind.
Kiko Velvet Passion Matte lipstick in “312 Cherry”
So maybe you do want a bright red for Valentines Day. I highly recommend Kiko “312 Cherry” for its precise applicator (no lipliner needed!) and creamy matte formula. I would say that the Kiko Velvet Passion Matte lipsticks are dupes of the Charlotte Tilbury Matte Revolution lipsticks at $12 vs. $32.
Kiko Velvet Passion Matte lipstick in “313 Sangria”
Opting for something more hot pink? While Kiko no longer sells this particular shade (on their website or on Amazon), my next best recommendation would be Kiko’s new shade “329 Persian Red” here. But if you ever happen to find it, I would totally jump on ordering it!
MAC lipstick in Russian Red
Another classic red, this lipstick has blue undertones so that when you snap a selfie with your boo, your teeth show up brighter. I always recommend Russian Red as a more comfortable, less matte (and therefore less drying) alternative to Ruby Woo, one of MAC’s most popular shades (which is a Retro matte formula, meaning it’s long-lasting but you have to be willing to take the dryness, whereas Russian Red is in MAC’s regular matte formula).
MAC lipstick in Diva
Want a deeper, more dramatic? Diva is sexy and goes with every aesthetic: whether you are a barely-there beauty looking to amplify your look, a girly girl with an edge, or a full-on grunge chick, Diva is for everyone!
Whether you have a love in your life or you’re looking to doll up for you or for your ladies on Galentine’s Day, these are my top lipstick picks. I personally love celebrating Valentine’s Day with Cecilio, and all the perks that come with it (chocolates, eating out, teddy bears) but our real “love” day is on February 15, which is our dating anniversary.
What are your favorite lipsticks for Valentines Day?
Hannah is a travel writer, graphic designer, and the founder/editor of Hannah on Horizon. She is based in Sacramento, California, living with her husband and two adorable dogs. She shares tips on how to experience luxury travel on any budget, and how to maximize time at each trip or destination, no matter what your budget or amount of vacation time at work. She enjoys making you feel like you have visited each destination with her through her storytelling and informative writing style.