When we were younger, the epitome of a sophisticated makeup look was often a matte red lipstick. I vividly remember my mother always having one in her purse – by the way, she still does. Naturally, I always wanted one, and when I grew up, I quickly got my own and confidently wore it throughout university.

However, these days, red lipstick seems to be dwindling in popularity. Nude and neutral shades, along with shimmering lipsticks and glosses, have largely taken over. In fact, according to research from Grand View Research, shimmer lipsticks were the top earners in the 2024 market, bringing in a significant 37.2% of total revenue.

@taomiekay Red lips on dark skin is 😍! #redlipstick #redlippy #redlipstickondarkskin #redlipstickhacks ♬ Baby – Aitch & Ashanti

On another note, there has been online discussion suggesting that red lipstick doesn’t suit dark skin, which is simply not true. While finding the right shade of red (some complexions might benefit from warmer tones, others from brighter ones) and properly lining your lips with a red or brown lip liner can certainly improve how it looks, it doesn’t mean red lipstick should be abandoned altogether.

Sticking to nude and beige colours is perfectly fine if that’s your preference. However, we should never be afraid to express ourselves through makeup, especially since the brightness of a red lipstick instantly illuminates the face of any woman who wears it. If any other race can confidently wear red lipstick, so can we, and we look spectacular in it.