A few decades ago, it was posited that when the economy is hit hard, lipstick sales go up. This theory of the lipstick effect doesn’t have much hard data to support it, but I’d venture to say when faced with hardships, economic or otherwise, I understand the need for a great lipstick. Splurging a bit on a lipstick provides an immediate boost, and the power of red lipstick, in particular, can change your life. A simple swipe of crimson or fire engine has the ability to transform your face and make any look pop. Here are a few ways and products to explore when in search of a red lipstick pick-me-up.

First, if red lippie intimidates you, welcome to the club. A trick I’ve learned is to tap the product versus gliding it on my lips. This technique is fairly error-proof, avoiding the whole “joker smile,” and allows you to build up color if you want a more saturated look. If you’re new to red lips, or lipstick isn’t part of your daily beauty routine, a good starter product is Maybelline’s Super Stay Vinyl Ink Liquid Lipcolor. The longwear color-lock formula purports to last up to 16 smudge-resistant hours and, in the tone of Red-Hot, gives you a rich and glamorous look (without going over the top) for both a daytime and night-out face.

Of course, not all red shades compliment all skin and hair tones. For paler redheads like me, a friendly color is Gucci’s Rouge a Leveres Voile Sheer Lipstick from Nordstrom in the shade of Goldie Red. This is an investment product for sure, but on days when I’m just slicking back my hair and only have time for minimum makeup, swiping on this shade has me feeling put-together every time. And it really pops on virtual meetings — when I’m comfort on the bottom, business up top. It can also switch hit as blush in a pinch by dabbing a few dots on the cheek for a natural flush. Another good red lip for fairer-skinned folks is NARS Powermatte Lip Pigment in Don’t Stop. For darker-skinned makeup-wearers, check out Reina Rebelde’s Bold Lip Color in Brava. As the product name indicates, this creates a bold lip. Or Mented Cosmetic’s Liquid Lipstick in Blood Orange for a vibrant pop of color.

For those of you who are more into balms than tube sticks, there’s Westerman Atelier’s Squeaky Clean Liquid Lip Balm in Bright Brick. This acts as both a gloss and a balm that hydrates and protects. Apply it from the center of the bottom lip and blot outward. Or pair it over a matte lipstick for a richer, more impactful pigment. Glossy Lip Stain from e.l.f. in Fiery Red is long-lasting color that gives lips a sheer pop of red with subtle gloss. This pairs nicely with their Cream Glide Lipliner in True Red to shape and sculpt your lip line.
Speaking of the lip line, I’m back and forth on using a lipliner. I enjoy the way it looks, but when I’m in a hurry or using a lip tint versus a stick, I usually don’t shape my lips before applying color. When I’m doing a full face of makeup, then I do use liner before gliding on lipstick. For red lips, you definitely want a lipliner to increase the impact of a bright lip, as well as contain any color spread. Huda Beauty’s Lip Contour 2.9 Automatic Matte Lip Pencil in Universal Red will help define the cupid’s bow and corners of the lip and create a stencil for your lipstick. In general, with lipliner, go darker for a bolder look and stay in the same color family.

If you’re looking for a daily red lip, then check out Anastasia Beverly Hills Liquid Lipstick in American Doll — aka, a classic retro red. This goes on with a sheen then settles into a weightless matte finish. The wand applicator prevents you from over-saturating your lips, delivering the perfect amount of product. If you find this works as a daily lip color, then you can subscribe for a discount! There’s also Hourglass’s Phantom Volumizing Lip Glossy Balm from Nordstrom in Thrill, subtitled—Bright Red, that works to instantly plump lips while hydrating, smoothing, and softening. Great for all-day wear!

For more flashy occasions, add some sparkle to your red lip. Amazon store Evpct’s Ruby Red & Dark Red Glitter Liquid Lipstick comes in a set of two. These shiny lipsticks are water-resistant and non-stick and, to be honest, are better suited for a younger crowd. For those of us who have lived some life and seen some stuff, there’s Sisley Paris’ Phyto-Roughe Shine 40 in Sheer Cheery for a refined yet striking red lip for an evening out.

Obviously, lipstick isn’t for everyone, but if you are a lipstick wearer and you’re looking to revive your red lip game, hopefully, some of these products will serve you and give you a bit of a boost in your day. Just remember, reapplying lipstick is a convenient reason to take a break from your work/schedule/life. Take a moment, take some deep breaths, and give yourself a pick-me-up pep talk in the mirror, then go back out there with a bold red lip!