Rare Beauty Kind Words Lipstick: Shades Ranked, Guide Today

Rare Beauty Kind Words lipsticks have earned a loyal following for good reason. The matte formula feels flexible, not stiff. The shade names carry kind messages. The colors suit real life, not just photos.
The five core shades cover the wearable spectrum. Happy is a true classic red. Hope is a soft rose. Joy is a warm terracotta. Serenity is a muted mauve. Delight is a deep berry. Each has a distinct personality worth knowing.
This guide ranks every shade honestly, explains undertones, and helps you pick without regret. You will also find prep tips that make matte lipstick look smooth, not dry.
Key Takeaways
- Our top pick balances performance, gentleness, and value for most people.
- Match the formula to your specific needs using the buying criteria below.
- Read real verified reviews before buying, since marketing claims often overpromise.
Quick Answer: Top 3 Picks
- Rare Beauty Soft Pinch Tinted Lip Oil, Happy Cool pink tinted lip oil.
- Rare Beauty Soft Pinch Tinted Lip Oil, Hope Nude pink tinted lip oil.
- Rare Beauty Soft Pinch Tinted Lip Oil, Joy Muted peach tinted lip oil.
Full reviews and comparisons below.
On This Page
Our Top Picks

Best for: Cool undertones wanting a fresh pink lip tint.
#1 Best OverallRare Beauty Soft Pinch Tinted Lip Oil, Happy
- Cool pink tinted lip oil
- Jojoba and sunflower oils nourish lips
- Gel-to-oil texture never feels sticky
- Buildable tint from sheer to bold
Pros
- Cool pink flatters fair to light skin
- Comfortable enough for all-day wear
- Lips feel softer after removal
Cons
- Tint fades faster than a stain
- Applicator picks up too much product
- Premium price for a lip oil

Best for: No-makeup makeup days that need a hint of nude pink.
Runner-UpRare Beauty Soft Pinch Tinted Lip Oil, Hope
- Nude pink tinted lip oil
- Never-sticky gel formula
- Conditions with plant-derived oils
- Doe-foot applicator for easy swipes
Pros
- Nude pink works as an everyday tint
- Layers well over lip liner
- No feathering into lip lines
Cons
- Nude may vanish on deeper lips
- Tube looks small for the price
- Reapply after eating

Best for: Warm complexions after a juicy peach lip tint.
Best ValueRare Beauty Soft Pinch Tinted Lip Oil, Joy
- Muted peach tinted lip oil
- Weightless gel-to-oil texture
- Hydrating oils keep lips supple
- Sheer wash of warm color
Pros
- Peach tone warms up the face
- Feels like nothing on lips
- Pretty alone or over lipstick
Cons
- Warm peach not for cool skin
- Color payoff is deliberately sheer
- Cap threads can get gummy

Best for: A your-lips-but-better rose tint for daily wear.
Rare Beauty Soft Pinch Tinted Lip Oil, Serenity
- Warm rose tinted lip oil
- Plush doe-foot delivers even tint
- Non-sticky cushion texture
- Botanical oils condition lips
Pros
- Rose shade suits most skin tones
- Comfortable through long days
- Subtle shine without glitter
Cons
- Warm rose deepens on pigmented lips
- Not a long-wear product
- Costs more than drugstore oils

Best for: Deeper skin tones or anyone wanting a richer tint.
Rare Beauty Soft Pinch Tinted Lip Oil, Delight
- Rose brown tinted lip oil
- Rich yet sheer color payoff
- Gel formula melts into lips
- Nourishing oil blend prevents dryness
Pros
- Rose brown looks modern and chic
- Deeper tint for more impact
- Smooths the look of lip lines
Cons
- Brown tint may overwhelm fair skin
- Transfers onto masks and cups
- Needs blotting to avoid excess shine
The Kind Words Formula
Kind Words is a flexible matte lipstick, not a flat dry one. It contains moisturizing ingredients that keep lips comfortable. The bullet applies smoothly with full pigment. Wear time runs four to five hours. It fades gracefully rather than cracking. The formula suits people who fear mattes. If traditional mattes dry you out, this changes the game. Comfort is its standout feature.
Shade By Shade Breakdown
Happy is a blue-based classic red that brightens teeth. Hope is a soft neutral rose for everyday. Joy is a warm terracotta spice. Serenity is a cool muted mauve. Delight is a rich berry for evening. Fair skin loves Hope and Serenity. Medium skin glows in Joy. Deep skin stuns in Happy and Delight. Each shade was designed to flatter a wide range. Pick by mood and undertone.
Happy: The Perfect Red?
Happy gets the most love for good reason. It is a true red, neither too orange nor too blue. It suits warm, cool, and neutral undertones. One swipe gives full opaque color. It makes teeth look whiter instantly. For red lipstick beginners, Happy is forgiving. It wears evenly and touch-ups are easy. If you own one red, this is a strong candidate.
Everyday Shades: Hope And Serenity
Hope is the ultimate daily rose. It enhances natural lip color without shouting. Serenity offers a cooler mauve for those who prefer muted tones. Both work for offices and errands. They pair with any eye look. These are the shades you will reach for most. If you buy two, make it this pair. Versatility is their superpower.
Bold Choices: Joy And Delight
Joy brings warm terracotta energy for autumn and beyond. Delight delivers berry drama for nights out. Both make strong statements. Joy suits warm undertones beautifully. Delight flatters deep skin especially. These shades turn simple outfits into looks. They photograph strikingly. Own these when you want impact.
Price And Worth It Verdict
Rare Beauty sits at a mid luxury price. The formula quality justifies it for matte lovers. Each tube lasts months of regular use. The brand gives back to mental health causes. Dupes exist but rarely match the comfort. If matte lipstick is your thing, the investment pays off. Start with one shade to test the formula.
How to Choose Within Your Budget
Budget options work well for everyday needs. Mid-range products often deliver better ingredients and performance. Premium options suit those wanting the best formulas. Price does not always equal quality: several of our top picks are affordable. Set your budget first, then choose the best performer within it.
Final Thoughts
Choosing the right rare beauty lip product comes down to matching formulas to your specific needs and routine, not chasing viral trends. Start with our top pick for the safest bet, or use the buying criteria above to narrow down based on your needs and budget. Consistency matters more than perfection: even the best product needs regular use for great results.
How We Test and Rank Products
We start with search data to find the products real shoppers actually buy. Then we analyze thousands of verified Amazon reviews, looking for patterns in praise and complaints. We check ingredient lists against expert guidance and compare specifications side by side. Products earn their ranking through consistent real-world performance, not marketing budgets.
Frequently Asked Questions
Happy, the classic red, gets the most buzz. Hope follows as the everyday favorite. Both suit wide audiences. Your undertone should decide between them.
No, it is a flexible matte with moisturizing ingredients. Most wearers find it comfortable for hours. Prep with balm for best results. It feels far from traditional dry mattes.
Serenity is a cool muted mauve. It suits cool and neutral undertones best. Warm undertones may find it slightly grey. Test it against your skin first.
Expect four to five hours of solid wear. It fades evenly without cracking. Meals will remove most of it. Reapplication is smooth, not cakey.
Yes, Rare Beauty is cruelty free. The brand does not test on animals. It also supports mental health initiatives. Values plus quality make it appealing.