Oribe’s The Red Lipstick

Oribe’s The Red Lipstick

I have spent a large part of my adult life, and some of my teen life too, searching for the modern day version of the holy grail: the perfect red lipstick.

In my dream world, the ideal red lipstick is a creamy formulation that isn’t glossy, but not exactly matte, hydrating but not heavy, pigmented but not able to be seen from outer space – basically, a needle in a haystack.

The hair master, Cuban-born Oribe, just launched a trio of lip crèmes, and I have to say, his The Red creation is the closest thing to the perfect red I’ve been able to find. The texture is silky and fine, and doesn’t feel like you’re coating your lips in paint like other lipsticks. The shade is bright and glamorous, but somehow still natural. The bonus is that it provides antioxidant protection via the white lily extracts. Its only downfall is the number of times it needs to be reapplied throughout the day. But in its defensive, I did drink about a thousand La Croix seltzers that day, so maybe take that tip with a grain of salt.

—Kait Clark