I don’t think I’ve ever seen someone rock a red lip as confidently as Taylor Swift. I mean, she’s basically made red lipstick her signature, right? She’s been wearing it since like, the Speak Now era, and it stuck with her through Reputation, folklore, and now The Eras Tour. So naturally, the beauty world’s been obsessed trying to guess exactly which lipsticks she uses.
Truth is, Tay’s lip game is mysterious but not totally secret. Over the years, she’s actually spilled a few of her favorite lipstick brands and shades in interviews, and makeup artists who’ve worked with her have dropped some hints too.
If you’re a fellow lipstick fangirl like me or you just want to channel your inner fearless leader, keep reading. We’re gonna break down exactly what Taylor Swift wears on her lips and how to get the look without needing her Grammy-level budget.
Let’s Start with the Icon: That Classic Taylor Red
Let’s be honest. The one thing everyone wants to know is what red lipstick gives her that bold vintage glam. You know the one; Timeless. Retro. Powerful. Like if confidence was a color, it would be that red.
So, get this. One of Taylor’s most mentioned lipstick loves is NARS Velvet Matte Lip Pencil in Dragon Girl.
It’s a staple for her on-stage looks and public appearances; super pigmented, has that rich, velvety texture, and it’s matte without being drying
This pencil is legit easy to apply too. It gives you the precision of a liner with the bold payoff of a lipstick, so it makes sense that she’d go for something like that. Especially with the way she always has crisp lip lines. Ugh, so sharp.
Another frequent mention is MAC’s Ruby Woo, a straight-up red icon. I feel like every makeup lover has tried Ruby Woo at some point. It’s almost like a rite of passage.
Taylor said in an interview that she wore Ruby Woo on red carpets because it stays on and has that retro Marilyn Monroe vibe
Girl doesn’t mess around with color payoff. Ruby Woo is that perfect blue-toned red that makes your teeth look super white too, which is never a bad thing.
Here’s a quick cheat sheet so you don’t forget mid-scroll:
| Lipstick Name | Brand | Finish | Known For |
|---|---|---|---|
| Ruby Woo | MAC | Matte | Bright red with cool undertones |
| Dragon Girl | NARS | Velvet Matte | More pinky-red and super wearable |
| Liquid Suede Cream Lipstick | NYX | Matte Cream | Budget-friendly version of bold red |
Sometimes It’s Glossy, Sometimes It’s Not
Now, Taylor Swift mostly rocks mattes. That 50s-inspired powdery lipstick look is kind of her thing. But every so often, she steps out with a glossier finish and it changes everything.
There was a noticeable glossy red she wore during part of The Eras Tour and fans were freaking out trying to ID it. While she hasn’t named the exact one publicly, rumor has it she could’ve layered her signature matte with a clear gloss on top or used something like Pat McGrath Labs Lust Gloss in Blood 2 which gives similar vibes.
And I’m not even mad at that hack. Layering colors is such an underrated trick. You could totally use a creamy balm (like Glossier’s Ultralip in Fête or even a swipe of Aquaphor) over Ruby Woo and it gives you that soft-jawline red with a kissable effect.
It’s giving Reputation meets Lover and I support it.
She Doesn’t Only Wear Red
Contrary to what a lot of fans think, she does step out of the red zone. Like during her folklore and evermore phases? Lighter vibes, much softer lips.
You could tell there was a shift. She moved to more nude roses, petal colors, and flattering neutrals that look like your-lips-but-better.
One shade believed to be in her collection is Charlotte Tilbury’s Pillow Talk. Yeah, you’ve heard of it. We’ve all heard of it. It’s the Beyoncé of nude lipsticks.
Makeup artists have used Pillow Talk on tons of celebrities and Taylor allegedly wore it during more low-key press events
It honestly flatters so many skin tones because it’s a pinky-nude that doesn’t make you look washed out. It makes sense that Taylor would switch to it during her more indie-folk inspired albums.
Also, during one of her Vogue video appearances (I swear I watched that like five times), she used Tom Ford’s Lip Color in Scarlet Rouge which is red, yes, but a warmer, more orangey red compared to Ruby Woo.
Let’s Talk Textures and Finishes
This is something I wish people talked about more: the texture literally makes the look. Taylor’s lips almost always look smooth and silky, never flaky, never overdone.
If you’ve tried matte lipsticks and felt like your lips were shriveled by noon, same. You gotta treat them first. You can totally prep like she probably does by starting off with a light lip scrub and balm. Something like Lush’s Bubblegum Lip Scrub and Laneige Lip Mask works wonders, or heck, just your favorite chapstick and a toothbrush for a DIY exfoliation moment.
And here’s something else I noticed: she tends to outline just outside her natural lip line. Very subtly. Gives her that plump, full look without being obvious.
Just using a liner in a slightly deeper color than your lipstick gives that contrast and creates dimension
That’s a long way of saying: don’t sleep on a good lip liner. Tay likely uses one basically all the time.
On-Stage vs. Off-Stage Looks
Her concert game is totally different from her hang-out-in-a-cute-cardigan vibe.
When she’s on stage? That lipstick needs to survive sweat, dancing, and singing her heart out. So the formulas tend to be dryers, long-lasting ones like MAC Retro Matte or NARS Powermatte.
Off stage, especially during albums like lover and folklore, she plays with tinted balms and softsatiny colors. Some fans think she used Clinique’s Black Honey during her more intimate acoustic appearances. And honestly? I can see it. That sheer berry stain is low maintenance but it gives so much personality.
It’s kind of magical how one person can go from bold pin-up to soft ethereal forest fairy with just a switch in lipstick.
How to Copy Her Lip Vibe Without Spending Like a Pop Star
Okay look, I get it. Not everyone can drop $50 on a lipstick and feel good about it. So here are a few totally affordable dupes that still hit that Taylor energy:
| High-End Product | Budget Swap | Why It Works |
|---|---|---|
| NARS Dragon Girl | Maybelline SuperStay Crayon in Run the World | Similar shape and color, lasts for hours |
| MAC Ruby Woo | Revlon Matte Balm in Standout | A solid matte red with a similar undertone |
| Charlotte Tilbury Pillow Talk | NYX Soft Matte Lip Cream in Stockholm | Soft nude pink that mimics Pillow Talk vibes |
| Pat McGrath Lust Gloss | e.l.f. Lip Lacquer | Glossy shine without being sticky |
These are quick grab-and-go products. You can find them at Target or Ulta or even the beauty aisle in Walgreens if you get lucky. And they still bring that polished Taylor look without hurting your bank account.
Last Word: It’s Not Always About the Shade
Okay here’s the thing I kinda want to say last: Taylor Swift’s lipstick looks amazing not just because of the products, but because of the confidence she wears with it.
Like you could put Ruby Woo on a mannequin and it’s still just a red lipstick. But on her? It becomes a moment.
“Beauty begins the moment you decide to be yourself.” – Coco Chanel
So yeah, you can absolutely rock the exact same shades as her and look stunning, but the real magic lives in how much you love wearing it.
Confidence is quite literally your best lip product. That’s something no one can buy.
So go ahead, experiment with the reds, play with the glosses, and don’t stress about getting it exact. The fun of it is just trying it out and owning it.
And if someone tells you red lips are too much for daytime?
Tell them Taylor wore it at 10 a.m. and dominated the charts.
You got this.
