Everyone has their own way of transforming their everyday self into a more sophisticated alter ego. Some people get sexy with a curling iron (open in new tab) or a sea salt spray (open in new tab), while others create a seductive smoky eye (open in new tab). But if there is one thing that is truly universal when it comes to feeling your most exciting self, it is big, bad red lipstick. Swiping on a bold color like this has a real mood-boosting effect and takes any makeup look up a notch to chic.

Many people claim that they can't wear red lipstick. To that I say: you sure as hell can. You just have to find the right shade, finish, and application. Finding the right shade of red for your skin tone is the difference between looking like a siren on the silver screen and looking like you have ketchup left over from dinner. Once you've nailed it, the opportunities are endless: add a matte to your cart for an all-night classic look, or keep a satin finish on hand for a daytime-perfect sheen.

As fate would have it, July 29 is National Lipstick Day, which means you have an excuse to stock up on as many shades as you want! Here, we mix the most iconic shades on the market with our new favorites to satisfy every mood, event, and whim.