The Under-$7 Red Lipstick I Buy in Bulk

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More than heels, a new dress, or even an expensive bag, red lipstick always makes me feel polished and put together no matter what kind of day I’m having. That’s why you’ll almost never catch me heading to an after-work dinner, big-deal meeting, or Facebook Live shoot without a slick of crimson on my mouth.

There are a bunch of red lipsticks I love — Goddess by Marc Jacobs and the Taylor Swift-approved Dragon Girl by Nars chief among them — but my all-time favorite is Revlon’s Colorburst Balm Stain in Romantic. Why? Well, it does precisely what it promises to — feels like a balm (even after it’s been on your lips for hours), offers a burst (duh!) of color comparable to most lipsticks, and wears off evenly like a stain.

It’s funny how lipsticks are frequently judged for their overall staying power rather than the manner in which they eventually, inevitably wear off. Because if you ask me, a red that requires more frequent reapplication but wears off evenly is way better than one that stubbornly clings to the outer perimeters of your lips for hours, leaving you with a freakish, clown-like ring around your mouth. Revlon’s Colorburst Balm Stain goes on like a dream (thanks to its crayon-like tube, you don’t even need a mirror!) and fades like a dream, too.

Basically, it is a dream, and you should buy it — unless I’ve already snatched up all of Revlon’s remaining stock, which is highly possible.