Tomato-Toned Lips Are The Summer Glow-up You Need To Try

Better than your bronzer.

Photo Credit: Beyonce/Instagram

Nude or nude-esque lips have been ruling beauty trends lately, but I’d like to make a case for the red lip. Not the classic, movie siren red lip or even RiRi’s signature Ruby Woo turned Uncensored turned The MVP red lip. This case is for something a tad more unconventional: the tomato red lip. Striking? Check. Bold? Absolutely. In-your-face, daring, vibrant, deliciously sensual; the list of feel-good verbs associated with this shade could go on for days, so why aren’t more people on board?

The power of red lipstick is undeniable, and the key to finding the most flattering shade is understanding your undertones (spoiler alert: complexion is the key to nailing makeup, period). As the saying goes, cool-toned reds with blue undertones are best for fair-medium complexions, while warm, orangier shades work better for olive and deep skin tones. But when summer reaches its peak and your skin is sun-kissed and glowing, I've got news for you: A warmer shade has its benefits.

Like your go-to bronzer, tomato lipstick can enhance the warmth of your skin and intensify its glow. Perhaps the best selling point is its ease. Cool-toned lipsticks often need to be applied with precision and handled with care. But tomato is all about the effortless look — you know, a swipe, quick blot, and wear-all-day-until-it fades-into-a-just-bitten-sun-ripened-red kind of vibe.

Still skeptical? I get it. Trying a bold new red lip can be daring. But the case for tomato red lipstick has never been stronger (Tracee Ellis Ross, Taylor Swift to Beyoncé, and her mother Tina Knowles, need I say more?). Here are a few that deserve your attention.

Valentino Spike Valentino Matte Lipstick in Red Fiesta

Cost: $48

Why It Made The List

The rock-studded tube is incredibly chic, but what’s inside is just as impressive. The formula is buttery smooth with vivid cherry tomato-esque pigments that cling to your lips and last for hours. No joke. Just one pass is all you need to get a vibrant red lip — no touch-ups necessary.

Maybelline Super Stay Ink Crayon Lipstick in Rise to the Top

Cost: $10

Why It Made The List

If you’ve never tried one of Maybelline’s Super Stay liquid lipsticks before, let this warm, sun-baked shade be the first. It’s rich with subtle orange and Siena undertones and highly pigmented. It’s not made to last all day, and that’s a good thing. The earthy tomato hue becomes even more stunning as it fades throughout the day, leaving you with an effortless red lip.

Clinique Pop Longwear Lipstick in Poppy Pop

Cost: $26

Why It Made The List

I don’t know why more people aren’t wearing shiny red lips. When done right, it can be a complete showstopper. I usually top a matte formula with a matching red gloss, but Clinique’s Poppy red gets the job done in a few swipes. The formula is also nourishing, not slippery, and comfortable to wear all day, though you may need a touch-up from day to night.

Prada Soft Matte Blur Lipstick in Carmino

Cost: $50

Why It Made The List

Prada’s line of lipsticks is like unicorns because they do so much with so little effort. Swiping this Carmino shade on your lips drenches them with a deep tomato hue, while somehow leaving them looking touchable and naturally stained. The finish is the perfect balance of slightly matte and subtly diffused.

Maed Lipstick in Ritual Red

Cost: $36

Why It Made The List

Maed’s products are so thoughtfully designed, and the applicator on this liquid lipstick is proof. It’s curved to contour your lips, allowing it to deposit color in the right place, so you only have to swipe once and blot. Trust me, you can ditch the lip liner and forget about trying to use the applicator to draw the shape. This liquid lipstick delivers the perfect red lip with no extra work.

Westman Atelier Lip Suede Matte in Le Rouge

Cost: $50

Why It Made The List

This lipstick might be the perfect shade of tomato. It’s warm without being too orange and punchy, not poppy, so it works on a wide range of skin tones. The formula is a true matte, but let me tell you, it’s very hydrating and lightweight on the lips. It's the kind of tomato red lip you put on and let it settle in as the day wears. The color stays true without drying your lips out or leaving annoying feathered lines.