Bold lipstick colors are making a powerful return in 2025, and this time it’s all about richness, depth, and warmth. Shades like deep plum, brick red, burnt orange, and chocolate brown are stealing the spotlight, offering a bold yet wearable way to elevate any look. These aren’t just statement shades—they’re mood setters, attitude shifters, and instant confidence boosters. Celebs like Janelle Monáe, Lori Harvey, and Dua Lipa have all embraced this shift, proving that bold lips are timeless and trend-forward at the same time.
What’s even better? You don’t need a glam squad to pull it off. Women everywhere are ditching the soft nudes and glosses for something with more punch, turning to bold lipsticks to express their style, mood, and personality. Whether you’re pairing a spicy terracotta with fresh skin or going full glam with a plum pout, the bold lip movement is all about owning your look and making it yours. If you’ve been thinking about leveling up your lip game, now’s the time—here’s how to wear 2025’s bold lip trend with confidence and flair.
5 Bold Lipstick Colors to Try This Summer
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Rare Beauty's Kind Words Matte Lipstick in Bold (deep berry rose) delivers rich, high-impact color with a soft matte finish that feels weightless on the lips. This striking shade offers a confident pop of pigment while keeping lips smooth, hydrated, and bold all day long.
Mango People's Mango Cream Blush & Lip Multistick in Blood Orange delivers a vibrant burst of color that effortlessly enhances both lips and cheeks.
Stila's Stay All Day Liquid Lipstick in Patina offers a universally flattering dusty rose hue that delivers full-coverage, creamy-matte color lasting up to 12 hours.
Black Opal's COLORSPLURGE™ Liquid Matte Lipstick in Ruby delivers a bold, saturated red hue with a velvety matte finish that stays vibrant throughout the day.
Juvia's Place Nubian Earth Matte Lipstick in Sheeba is a rich dark chocolate brown that delivers bold, full-coverage color with a velvety matte finish.
Bold Lipstick Colors: How to Choose the Right Shade for Your Skin Tone and Vibe
Bold lipstick can completely transform your look, but the key to pulling it off is picking a shade that complements your unique skin tone and suits the occasion. Whether you’re aiming for all-eyes-on-you energy or something more polished and understated, here’s how to master the bold lip.
Fair Skin: Go for Cool, Crisp, and Contrast
If you have fair or porcelain skin, opt for bold shades that provide contrast without overwhelming your complexion. Cool-toned lipsticks like blue-based reds, raspberry pinks, and deep berry shades pop beautifully. Avoid shades that are too warm (like orangey reds), as they can clash or make you look washed out.
Top picks:
- Classic blue-red
- Magenta or fuchsia
- Plum or berry
Medium and Olive Skin: Warm It Up With Earthy and Vibrant Tones
Medium to olive skin tones have natural warmth that pairs perfectly with rich, warm bolds. Think brick reds, burnt oranges, and vibrant coral-pinks. Shades with brown or gold undertones will highlight your natural glow, while bold burgundies give just the right level of drama.
Top picks:
- Terracotta orange
- Rusty red
- Coral or poppy
Deep Skin: Rich Jewel Tones and Deep Pigments Win
Bold lips look especially striking on deep skin tones, where rich pigments shine. Reach for intense jewel tones like deep purples, midnight blues, emeralds, or velvety browns. Avoid anything too pastel or chalky, as it may lack the impact you’re aiming for.
Top picks:
- Deep wine or burgundy
- Aubergine
- Sapphire blue
- Chocolate brown
Neutral Undertones: You Get the Best of Both Worlds
If you have neutral undertones (not too cool or warm), congratulations—you can experiment with a wide range of bold lipsticks. You can pull off both cool tones like mauve and plum and warm tones like orange-reds and spicy cinnamon shades. Your key is balance: don’t be afraid to mix and match depending on your outfit or the occasion.
Top picks:
- Mauve
- Brick red
- Olive green (for editorial edge)
Bold Lipstick Colors for Every Occasion
Picking a bold lip also depends on where you’re going and what you’re doing. Here’s how to match the moment:
Daytime Chic
Opt for bold shades with a soft finish—like matte mauves, coral-pinks, or muted berry tones. Great for brunch, shopping, or office meetings where you want to look polished but approachable.
Evening Glam
Turn it all the way up. Go for high-impact shades like deep red, plum, navy, or even forest green. These colors command attention and pair beautifully with evening wear or dramatic eye looks.
Creative or Editorial Looks
This is your chance to play. Try unconventional colors like slate gray, olive green, or electric blue for photoshoots, events, or content creation. Keep the rest of your makeup minimal to let your lips take center stage.
First Dates or Social Outings
Confidence is key here. Choose a bold color that feels like you—whether that’s a classic red or a rich berry. Bold lips exude self-assuredness and create a lasting impression.
Bonus Tips for Rocking a Bold Lip Like a Pro
- Prep matters: Exfoliate and hydrate your lips before application to avoid flakes and patchiness.
- Use a lip liner: Outline your lips to define shape and prevent feathering—especially important with darker or bolder colors.
- Keep the rest of your makeup balanced: Let your lips be the star. Opt for neutral eyes and soft cheeks to avoid overwhelming your features.
- Blot and layer: Apply one coat, blot, then add another for long-lasting wear and better pigment payoff.
A bold lipstick color can instantly elevate your mood and your look. Whether you lean into earthy, vampy, or artsy shades, the right color is out there waiting to become your signature. So go ahead—swipe it on, strike a pose, and own the room.
Remember: bold isn’t about perfection, it’s about presence. And no one does that better than you.
What bold lipstick colors do you OWN? Let us know in the comments below!
