Best natural or organic red lipstick alternatives, and how to use them

Courtney Buchanan

3 years ago

Unlike a patch of misapplied fake tan that can be covered with tinted cream or a strategically placed cuff, botched red lipstick is hard to hide. This simple fact is why many women fear the bold hue. With the variety of lip products available today, I guarantee there’s a red lip product for you!

If you’re already a fan of the red-lip look, why not make the switch to a red inspired by nature and infused with natural extracts; better for you and the environment. Below I’ve picked my tried and true favourites in the natural lipstick category, mostly low maintenance and foolproof.

Best organic, foolproof red lip colour

rms beauty lip2cheek in Beloved – a bright, true red

rms beauty is one of my all-time favourite brands. There’s nothing in the range I wouldn’t wholeheartedly recommend. rms lip2cheek products have a rich coconut oil base, while strong pigment provides excellent colour payoff.

The creamy texture nourishes the skin and leaves a beautiful stain on the lips. Application is seriously foolproof as it feels like lip balm but with greater coverage and longevity. The only downfall is this is a US product and the exchange rate affects the price, which can become excessive.

If you want a completely natural, organic, safe and healthy red lip, you can’t go past rms lip2cheek in Beloved. The gorgeous glass pot will fit in your purse and is reusable and recyclable. Beloved is a true red which will suit most skin tones.

Buy direct from the rms beauty website and browse the other gorgeous organic products while you’re there!

Best luxury, high-definition red lipstick and liner

Issada ultimate lip liner in Hot Tamali + Issada Luxury Matte Lipstick in Red Carpet – a deep, bold red

This combination is a go-to for nights out. Bold, bright and highly pigmented; if you’re used to using mainstream favourites you’ll enjoy a seamless switch to this healthier, more ethical brand. Issada sources ingredients from labs that don’t test on animals, their end products aren’t tested on animals and they don’t export to countries with animal testing policies (yes, unfortunately that is a thing!).

For a punchy red lip that lasts, starting with lip liner is a must. The creamy Issada Ultimate Lip Liner in Hot Tamali will help with longevity while sealing the lip line to prevent bleeding. Start with the outline and then colour in the whole lip for a deep red, matte base.

Follow with the Issada Luxury Matte lipstick in Red Carpet to complete your bold red-lip look. Issada nails the matte lipstick formula, with a creamy application that sets to a matte finish. Hyaluronic acid is a clever inclusion as it boosts hydration without adding shine. The addition of vitamins A, C and E help promote healthy lips, avoiding that typical tight or dry feeling you get with many matte lipsticks.

This product is salon-exclusive – check stockists here.

Most versatile red lipstick

Nude by Nature Mineral Lipstick in Sassy – a sexy brown-toned red

I really love this lipstick. It’s creamy and glides on easily with long-lasting colour. The earthy ‘brownish’ red will look amazing on the palest of skin tones through to olive-toned skin. It has this magic ability to take on other tones, depending on what you’re wearing and other colours in your makeup palette. Despite initial impressions (how versatile can a brownish-red be?) Sassy is an incredibly versatile colour. I personally love this lipstick worn with a strong contour and navy or brown eyeliner and tons of mascara or false lashes.

You can easily play around with the tone of this lipstick by layering a lip liner underneath – I recommend true nude (steer clear of pink-toned nudes), dark nude or even a brownish or purplish lip liner. Because it’s such a versatile red you can transform it’s tone by incorporating other products.

A jojoba oil base gives this lipstick a nourishing, water-resistant feel. Jojoba is technically a liquid wax and does not give that oily feeling.

Buy online via the Nude by Nature website or check stockists here.

Best natural stain, long-lasting red lip tint

Ere Perez Beautiful Beetroot Cheek & Lip Tint in Joy – a ‘just bitten’ red

The Beetroot Cheek & Lip Tint in Joy is such a fun and effective product. The idea of staining lips with naturally bright beetroot extract is brilliant and I’m a big fan. A previous manager of mine purchased this for me as a gift and I have loved it ever since. As described on the website, the colour can tend to be quite strong, so don’t go freely rolling it onto your cheeks or lips the first time you use it. Try lightly dab-rolling and smudging it in with a lip brush or cotton tip until you get used to using the product (using your finger is fine, but your finger will also stain). Because it’s quite a wet stainy product, it will take some getting used to. But please don’t be put off, because once you’re comfortable with application, you’ll love the buildable red stain that’s waterproof and long-lasting. You can layer balm or gloss over the top once it dries for more of a sheen.

Find retailers here!

Best corrective, perfecting product

SCOUT Cosmetics Mineral Corrector in skin tone or yellow

Achieving a sharp lip line is probably the most difficult thing about perfecting a red lip. I love to keep a SCOUT Cosmetics Mineral Corrector pencil on hand to clean up and sharpen outside the red lip line. Basically a concealer in pencil format, the SCOUT Cosmetics Mineral Corrector won’t require a brush or much blending – reducing the chance of further smudging your red lip. Even the smoothest brush can leave tiny little strokes that feather the outline of your red lip rather than sharpening it. And if you’re not confident working the angles of your brushes then a pencil concealer will do the trick. The slight waxy consistency will help prevent your red lip leaking beyond your lip line, while adding nourishment to the delicate lip area with extracts of castor and jojoba seed oil. Keep it in your purse for quick touch-ups on the go!

Find stockists via the SCOUT Cosmetics website.