The Perfect Red Lip - MAC RiRi Woo/Ruby Woo

 Mac RiRi Woo (limited edition) - £14. Alternative: Ruby Woo (currently available here)

A purchase I made quite some time ago now is the MAC lipstick in RiRi Woo. I can't believe I have had these photos hidden away on my computer for so long without even posting them on here! I'd read countless reviews and praises about Ruby Woo with bold claims of it being the perfect cool-toned matte red, despite its dreaded drying formula. I held off purchasing it for a good while but as soon as I heard RiRi Woo was being released, a shade made by Rihanna, I thought if I'm going to buy it, why not get this limited edition version with Rihanna's signature engraved into it. This signature sadly disappears after several uses so buying the standard Ruby woo would have sufficed. Now this is one of the first red lipsticks I ever tried and for a red lip-newbie, I don't think I could have picked a more drying formula, but as long as you apply layers of lip balm beforehand it's not too bad and it is a really lovely red shade.

I'm not normally one to don a red lip as most tend to be too warm-toned for my liking giving the appearance of yellow teeth but this definitely has those much desired blue undertones (white teeth all round) and would definitely suit a whole host of skin tones. The formula is also extremely matte, hence it being so dry, so it can be applied straight from the bullet or with a brush for an all day long-lasting red lip. Now of course, I'm naming this 'the perfect red lip' but it may not actually be the case for everyone. Some may find it just too drying to deal with or too cool toned so it's always worth testing it out in-store first before. I've heard MACs Russian Red is also a great shade too so I'm keen to pick that up some time and try it out. I've actually discovered since this another red lipstick that is actually a less expensive, drugstore alternative so expect a post on that very soon!

 Ruby Woo is currently available as a MAC bestseller, or you may be able to pick up RiRi Woo from somewhere like Depop or Ebay!

What is your essential red lipstick?