Taylor Swift’s favorite red lipsticks: we found them all

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• 24-hour performance: MAC Locked Kiss 24HR Lipstick — Ruby True
  • What stands out
  • Considerations
• Iconic matte: MAC Retro Matte Lipstick — Ruby Woo
  • Why people love it
  • What to know before you buy
• Vivid liquid option: Pat McGrath LiquiLust Legendary Wear — Elson 4
  • Highlights
  • Drawbacks
• Classic bullet red: Pat McGrath MatteTrance Lipstick — Elson
  • Perks
  • What to expect
• Precision pencil: NARS Powermatte Lip Pencil — Dragon Girl
  • Why it’s useful
  • Things to keep in mind
• Best on a budget: CoverGirl Exhibitionist Cream Lipstick — Hot
  • Good for
  • Limitations
• Quick notes on application and pairing for a Swift-style red lip
• Other makeup picks Taylor has worn and fans often buy
• About this guide and the writer behind it

Taylor Swift’s red lip is more than a makeup choice — it’s a signature that recurs in videos, tours and lyrics. For fans who want that exact pop of color, several of her go-to reds are affordable and easy to buy. Below are top picks inspired by Swift’s looks, with quick pros and cons and notes on how she’s worn each shade on stage and screen.

24-hour performance: MAC Locked Kiss 24HR Lipstick — Ruby True

Seen in behind-the-scenes footage from the Eras Tour documentary, this MAC formula is praised for staying power. Makeup artist Lorrie Turk lines and fills Swift’s lips with a similar blue-red for shows and shoots.

What stands out

• Claims up to 24-hour wear and resists transfer.
• Satin-to-matte finish that reviewers find comfortable.
• Often paired with a lip pencil for perfect edges.

Considerations

• Some users report it doesn’t keep the full 24 hours in practice.
• Shade matching can vary under stage lights.

Iconic matte: MAC Retro Matte Lipstick — Ruby Woo

Ruby Woo is one of the most iconic blue-leaning reds on the market. Swift has cited it as a staple, and many celebrities favor its intense matte payoff.

Why people love it

• Ultra-matte, highly pigmented color that lasts for hours.
• Flat, velvety finish that photographs well.

What to know before you buy

• Formula can be drying; prep lips with an exfoliant and balm.
• Best for those who want a classic, dramatic matte look.

Vivid liquid option: Pat McGrath LiquiLust Legendary Wear — Elson 4

Introduced to wider audiences when Swift collaborated with Pat McGrath, this liquid matte shows up in music videos and red-carpet looks. It aims to combine intensity with comfort.

Highlights

• Rich, saturated pigment that holds for many hours.
• Lightweight, non-gritty finish that feels less drying than many liquid mattes.
• Applicator delivers precise edges for a defined pout.

Drawbacks

• High demand can make it hard to find.

Classic bullet red: Pat McGrath MatteTrance Lipstick — Elson

If you prefer a traditional lipstick bullet, McGrath’s MatteTrance in Elson offers the same cool-toned red seen on Swift in various performances. It’s a one-swipe solution for bold color.

Perks

• Instant, opaque coverage with one swipe.
• Cushiony matte feel that stays comfortable on the lips.

What to expect

• Higher price point than drugstore reds.
• Rich pigment means touch-ups might still be needed after meals.

Precision pencil: NARS Powermatte Lip Pencil — Dragon Girl

Dragon Girl is a bright, siren-red pencil Swift has favored over the years. Its jumbo pencil format makes lining and filling the lips quick and clean.

Why it’s useful

• Long-lasting, matte finish with a creamy application.
• Built-in precision helps create a sharp lip shape for the stage.

Things to keep in mind

• Must be sharpened occasionally to maintain a neat tip.

Best on a budget: CoverGirl Exhibitionist Cream Lipstick — Hot

Back when Swift partnered with CoverGirl, she tested some of the brand’s reds. This affordable option provides vibrant color with a more hydrating, satin finish.

Good for

• Those who want a comfortable, moisturizing red.
• Buyers looking for strong pigment at a low price.

Limitations

• Not a matte finish, so it won’t deliver the ultra-flat look.

Quick notes on application and pairing for a Swift-style red lip

• Exfoliate and hydrate lips before applying matte formulas.
• Use a matching lip pencil to prevent feathering and to increase longevity.
• For stage or photo looks, choose blue-based reds to make teeth appear whiter.
• Test different textures — liquid, bullet, and pencil each offer unique benefits.

Other makeup picks Taylor has worn and fans often buy

• NARS Morocco — a cinnamon-tinged favorite when she wants something warmer.
• Too Faced Better Than Sex Mascara — a volumizing lash staple.
• Tom Ford Eye Defining Liquid Liner Pen — precision liner for sharp cat eyes.

About this guide and the writer behind it

The selection and commentary come from a beauty editor who follows celebrity makeup trends closely. The guide draws on on-set observations, public interviews, and how Swift and her makeup team have used these shades in performances and films.

Practical tip: If you want the exact look, compare swatches in natural light and consider which texture fits your daily routine.