This May Be The Most Perfect Summer Red Ever

Red lipstick will always be a classic, but finding a shade that works well in the summer can be tough. The tubes on offer can skew too brick, too orange, or too cool — nothing that looks great between June and September. As such, even if you want to break out your trusty red shades, you may feel a little gun-shy.

But, can you actually justify purchasing another crimson shade? That was the question I asked myself before swiping on Julie Hewett's lipstick in Belle Noir.

The answer: a resounding yes.

Tucked inside this gorgeous golden tube is a warm-toned lipstick that glides on like silk. There's no clumping, no dried-out texture, and absolutely zero drag when you apply it. But, the true winner here is the color.

I've always liked there to be a distinct difference between my orange and red lipsticks. So, my oranges are always really orange, and my reds are always a cool-toned red. But, Belle Noir lands somewhere in the middle. It's the closest thing I've ever seen to true tomato red, which is perfect for this time of year. The shade is unmistakably a true rouge, but there's this subtle, electric bite of tangerine. So, Belle Noir transitions seamlessly from a classy dinner to a wild barbecue.

And, for all of you natural-minded folk out there, Julie Hewett's lipsticks are earth-friendly. They're not tested on animals, they have zero parabens, and they're totally gluten-free. Yes, picking up a new red may seem crazy when you already have a wardrobe of scarlet, but this is one shade you'll wear 365 days a year. I'll bet all my lippies on it.

Julie Hewett Lipstick in Belle Noir, $24, available at Julie Hewett.