What is the perfect red lipstick? Let’s break that down:
Red shade must be timeless, as universally flattering as possible, not too matte or shiny
Lips must feel smoothed, formula must be longlasting but not drying
Stick must fill heart with joy upon sight, hands with luxury upon lifting, friends with envy upon viewing
It’s such an iconic product that I really paid attention when I saw Tatcha simply launched IT alone - a single, vermillion red lipstick - no other colors, no other lip things. Also, Tatcha has mastered the best of Japan, and no one is as dedicated to the red lip as the geisha. Also, straight up, this shade was custom created for Chloe Sevigny, so I’m into it - end of story.
Kyoto Red Silk Lipstick comes in a gorgeous purple box with a ribbon pull. Out of this you pull the case, heavy as all get-out, and opening and closing with a satisfying click. The lipstick reveals itself, perfectly faceted, smooth, and a flawless red. The formula is on the matte side, but filled with pure silk and botanical extracts.
Added bonus - you can only buy one per customer, which makes it feel all the more precious. Obviously, I cosign.
