The Best Bright and Dark Lip Colors

My post on the best nude and soft pink lip colors can be found here.

I am the first to admit that I’m not quite the aficionada with dark/bright lip colors that I am with lighter ones. Nude and soft pink lip colors? I’m your woman, look no further, there should be a Guinness World Record Book title for me, etc. Darker and/or brighter colors? Eh, I know enough to get by. This is probably due to the fact that my day-to-day grind doesn’t really call for loud colors on my mouth. I mean, I’m not usually rocking the uber-bright fuchsia while working out or grocery shopping or at my son’s soccer practice, ya know?

Still, I think it’s very important to have a great red, a playful fuchsia, a creamy bright pink, and a sophisticated wine for when the mood strikes. Here are my top 8.

NARS Lipstick in Flamenco

This is the perfect red. It’s sheer and strawberry-hued, and seems to work on a variety of skin tones. I love it because it’s so easy to work with – one quick swipe and you have a nice stain, but you can build it up to a full-fledged dramatic lip. I’ve written about it here and here.

Burberry Natural Lip Gloss in Tea Rose

This is a truly pigmented coral pink gloss. It’s the most perfect shade for spring, and it’s what I wore in the Pantene commercial.

NARS Lipstick in Shrinagar

If you are looking for a lipstick with a berry/wine vibe, this would be perfect. It has enough depth to add dimension to your overall look, but isn’t overbearing at all. A great color for the office.

Sally Hansen Diamond 12 Hr Lip Treatment in Baguette

I wouldn’t really call this shade too bright or too dark, but once again, it’s a gloss that is truly buildable. A sheer hot pink, it makes you look like you just ate a cherry popsicle.

CoverGirl Lip Perfection Lipstick in Eternal #350

Hold on to your hats, ladies! This super bright fuchsia is so fun, and I feel like a completely different person when I wear it. Word to the wise, though. This particular shade is called “eternal” for a reason…it doesn’t budge once on. (By the way, thanks to my Facebook peeps for helping me avoid a potential lip crisis a couple weeks ago. Great tips!)

Korres Lip Butter Glaze in Quince

Drumroll, please. If I had to pick one lip product out of all of my lip colors (nudes and soft pinks included), this would be my winner hands down. I am in love with everything about this lip glaze. The applicator, the color, the taste, the shine, the consistency…LOVE. It’s like the perfect combination of a gloss and a lipstick, and none of the Ps. (Parabens, Petrochemicals, Phthalates.) It comes in five shades, so get thee to a Sephora immediately.

DiorAddict Lipstick in DiorKiss #578

Love this sweet, slightly punchy pink. Dior Addict lipsticks have the best consistency too – smooth, blendable, and lovely.

NARS Lipstick in Dolce Vita

This is a good darker nude for lighter-skinned gals. It’s called a “sheer, dusty rose,” and would be perfect for the office. Plus, I’ve heard it works as a beautiful nude shade for darker skin tones.

Now it’s your turn. What are your favorite bright and dark lip colors?