Taylor Swift's sold-out-everywhere The Eras Tour is taking the world by storm - but what we're focused on is her lips! Her signature red lipstick to be exact.
As the global pop icon makes headlines for everything from her sold-out concerts to her high-profile romance with NFL star Travis Kelce, her trademark bold red lippy, which she has worn in music videos, on stage and even on date nights with Travis, always looks flawless.
Taylor Swift's classic red lipsticks:
Taylor's Super Bowl shade:
The budget-friendly kiss-proof Taylor lookalike:
Remember when she passionately kissed her Super Bowl star boyfriend in front of millions, without a smudge? Fans, and the HELLO! Shopping Team, have been dying to know what lipstick she wears that stays on so perfectly.
What red lipstick is Taylor Swift wearing for the Eras tour?
Taylor Swift’s makeup artist Lorrie Turk doesn’t give away too many secrets, even as scores of fans flood the comments asking for product recommendations underneath every Taylor makeup-themed post!
But we do know that Taylor wore Pat McGrath's LiquiLUST Legendary Wear Matte Lipstick in the now sold out shade 'ELSON 4' for the Bejeweled music video, and fans speculate that the long-wearing Pat McGrath shade, which looks great on all skin tones, is the color Taylor has been wearing for the Eras tour. We've searched high and low for the exact shade and unfortunately it's no longer available.
Pat McGrath even released a ‘Taylor Made’ lip kit, featuring the ELSON 4 shade plus Taylor's PermaGel Ultra Lip Pencil in the shade 'Deep Dive'.
That kit, and the lip pencil shade, have sold out too. *Sad Face*. But if the shade comes back in stock we'll let you know ASAP!
What red lipstick did Taylor Swift wear to the 2024 Super Bowl?
In 2024, Taylor’s bold red lip has been a winner both on an off duty, looking so chic whenever she steps out. We've spotted it during her nights out on the town and her many stadium visits to cheer her famous boyfriend on to victory.
Celebrity makeup artist Pat McGrath seemed to finally confirm the lipstick the four-time Grammy Album of the Year winner was rocking at Super Bowl LVIII in 2024, sharing a snap of Taylor and Travis kissing on her Instagram stories with a link to the Pat McGrath MatteTrance Lipstick in the shade 'FORBIDDEN LOVE'.
Described as an 'ultimate classic red' the lipstick comes in a sleek black tube adorned with gold lips - so chic! Legendary MUA Pat has said MatteTrance is a "groundbreaking formulation" that "achieves the perfect balance between lasting wear and comfort that fans crave." It's an oil-infused powder formula that is not just hydrating but, as Taylor has shown, pretty much kiss proof!
While we don’t know the exact lipstick she wore for her earlier dates with Travis we do know Taylor’s most recent go-to red lipstick, plus other looks she loves – so keep scrolling if you want to find out...
Which red lipsticks has Taylor Swift worn over the years?
Taylor has become synonymous with MAC's Ruby Woo lipstick, which is one of my personal favorites, and it turns out I’m not alone! Rihanna, Angelina Jolie and Tracee Ellis Ross are said to be big fans, too. Taylor famously started using the popular MAC shade around 2015, telling People magazine that she was “the last person to discover” the timeless lip color “staple”.
You have to also go back quite a few years, to around 2014, for Taylor’s shout out for NARS’s gorgeous lip pencil in Dragon Girl, a blue-based red described by the brand as a ‘vivid siren red’.
“I have a lot of go-tos as far as red lipstick, but one that really can’t go wrong is Dragon Girl by NARS,” Taylor told MTV NEWS. The long-lasting chunky crayon style lip color doubles as a liner, and is enriched with Vitamin E so it’s smooth and not drying. (Note that the original formula, though, has now been replaced by the PowerMatte version.)
My go-to budget-friendly Taylor lookalike lipstick
During the pandemic I searched high and low for a great kiss-proof lipstick and discovered one that just happens to be a great dupe for Taylor Swift's go-to shades. Maybelline SuperStay Matte Ink Liquid Lipstick in Pioneer is a matte blue-red like Ruby Woo, making it so flattering for both warm and cool skin tones.
It's also mega-long lasting, meaning you can swipe it on for date night or dinner and it lasts all the way through the night and beyond. I love this formula so much I have it in multiple shades.
Red lipstick and the 'Taylor Swift effect'
There's no doubt that red lipstick's popularity has continued in part because of the "Taylor Swift effect".
In 2023, researchers at Misumi Skincare reported that Google searches for “red lipstick” exploded 376% in the United States after Taylor was spotted wearing her signature shade for her 34th birthday party in NYC. “Red lipstick is a popular look for many celebrities, but it’s rare that we see Taylor Swift without her trademark lips,” said a spokesperson for the beauty brand.
“From matte to gloss, red lipstick is a staple look all-year round… These findings provide a perfect example of the ‘Taylor Swift effect’, highlighting her enduring ability to inspire and influence beauty choices with a single appearance.”