The Best Lipsticks

Lipstick adds color and definition to your lips and can add a finishing, flattering look to your style. There are three main types of lipstick formulations: liquid, solid, and cream. Some are hydrating while others are more matte. There are also many lipstick shades that cater to different skin tones. Though you might think of lipstick as an expensive purchase, it's actually quite common to find a high-quality one at an affordable price.

Best Choice

Maybelline SuperStay is the best Lipstick? Our review at totalbeauty.com uncovers all pros and cons.

Ink with attitude

Maybelline liquid lipsticks are a lipstick/lip gloss hybrid. It offers color and hydration and is suitable for everyday wear.

Best Choice

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Pros:
Maybelline is one of the most common drugstore beauty brands, meaning their products are well-loved and easy to find. Their matte liquid lipsticks are very flattering and easy to wear with a variety of looks. The shade Amazonian is an orange-based nude. It’s quite a neutral shade for those who don’t like bright lipstick. The applicator is designed to give an even product distribution across the lips; its pointed tip helps to apply the product to the Cupid’s bow.

Cons:
Liquid lipsticks can easily wear off with eating or drinking. Also, if you have any lines around your lips, the color can bleed into them. You may need to apply a lip liner beforehand to prevent this. Due to its orange undertone, the shade Amazonian can make your teeth appear yellow.

Best matte formula

NYX PROFESSIONAL Soft Matte is the best Lipstick? Our review at totalbeauty.com uncovers all pros and cons.

Creamy color and stunning matte finish

NYX lip creams offer a rich and buttery texture. Cannes is a peachy orange shade that would be perfect for sun-kissed skin.

Best matte formula

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Pros:
NYX offers professional-quality makeup at an affordable price. At just $2.99, their soft, matte lip cream is an incredible bargain. The formula is very soft and hydrating and assures long-wear coverage. Cannes is a similar color to what you might use for blush or bronzer, meaning it’s easy to create a glowy look that ties in with the rest of your makeup.

Cons:
The applicator’s shape does not allow for precision, especially on the Cupid’s bow. Also, the applicator does not feel as soft as one might like. NYX packaging tends to feel cheap compared to other drugstore brands.

Best lighweight

Revlon Super Lustrous is the best Lipstick? Our review at totalbeauty.com uncoversall pros and cons.

Super vibrant, super lush, super creamy

If matte lipsticks feel too drying, this lustrous formula from Revlon might do the trick. Love that Red has cherry undertones for a bold statement.

Best lighweight

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Pros:
At just $2.19, Revlon’s Love that Red is one of the most affordable lipsticks you will find. It is formulated with vitamin E and avocado oil to seal in moisture. These ingredients help keep the lips from drying out so that your lipstick stays place. Love that Red has cherry undertones that are suitable for most skin tones. The black and gold packaging feels luxurious and the formula is long-lasting, which means you won’t have to worry about reapplication.

Cons:
Bright reds are stunning, but not suitable for everyday wear. If your skin carries redness, you might want to tone it down with foundation or concealer. Otherwise, the red pigment in the lipstick will exaggerate the redness in the face.

Best hydrating

Indulge in richness beyond compare

Fairest Nude by L'Oreal Paris is an easy-to-wear shade. It comes in standard lipstick form which has been shaped for easy application.

Best hydrating

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Pros:
L’Oreal Paris Colour Riche lipsticks are formulated with avocado, vitamin E, and argan oil, which help to keep your lips feeling soft and hydrated. Fairest nude is a very versatile shade that would be perfect on its own for a natural look. It would also work well with a smoky eye or a bronzed look, wherein a bright lipstick would be too overpowering. If you are looking for one go-to lipstick instead of owning lots of different shades, this product would work well for you.

Cons:
Nude lipsticks can sometimes feel like you aren’t wearing any lipstick. If you are wearing very little makeup elsewhere on your face, it can make your complexion look a little flat, depending on your skin’s undertones.

Best vibrant colors

Milani Color Statement is the best Lipstick? Our review at totalbeauty.com uncovers all pros and cons.

Fuel your self-expression

This is a highly pigmented red lipstick by American cosmetics brand Milani. All of their products are affordable and cruelty-free.

Best vibrant colors

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Pros:
As a company, Milani offers high-end makeup dupes, and their lipsticks are no exception. This formula is long-lasting and hydrating, which makes it easy to wear all day long. At under $4, you can buy many shades of Milani lipsticks for the same price as one luxury-brand lipstick.

Cons:
Vibrant lipsticks aren’t easy to pair with every outfit. Additionally, to get the perfect red lip with this product, you may have to spend time lining your lips first to avoid color bleed.

What Really Matters

Complementing Your Skin Tone

It can feel overwhelming to go into a makeup store and see hundreds of lipstick shades. If you are unsure which lipstick shade will best suit your skin tone, there are some methods that can help.

Blue-toned lipsticks (often found in red lipsticks) tend to better suit skin tones with a cool-colored undertone. Blue-toned shades are known for whitening the appearance of your teeth.

Orange-toned lipsticks work well on skin with warmer undertones. If you pair an orange-toned lipstick with contour and a warm eyeshadow shade, it can create a flattering bronzed look.

For an everyday look, try a brown-toned nude lipstick.

Applicators

Applying your lipstick with makeup brushes can give your lipstick a more polished look. However, it’s not always practical to take tools out with you, especially if you carry your lipstick in your purse for touch-ups on the go.

To make things easier, look for a lipstick that has a doe-foot applicator. This shape will help guide the lipstick to be exactly where it is supposed to, ensuring even coverage and a lasting finish.

Formula

Some lipsticks are designed to give subtle color to the lips, whereas others are heavily packed with pigment to really stand out.

Matte, neutral liquid lipsticks are best for everyday wear. If you choose a brighter shade, you will find it easier to apply a lip liner first to properly guide the color.

For smooth, hydrated lips, try a cream or lustrous lipstick formula. The ingredients usually include vitamin E to soften the lips, which prevents the skin from drying or cracking.

If lipstick is too glossy, the overall pigment may not be as strong. It’s worth swatching lipsticks before you buy to be sure that you get the right balance between pigment and hydration.

Prices

Cheap

If you are looking to buy a super affordable lipstick, it’s possible to pick one up for under $5. Cheaper lipsticks may not have ultra-long-lasting formulas. You may also find that the packaging feels lightweight and inexpensive.

Mid-Range

The average price of lipstick is around $15-$20. It’s possible to pick up high-end makeup dupes at this price. Most drugstore lipsticks are mid-range in price and quality.

Expensive

There’s hardly an upper limit on lipstick prices as so many designer brands manufacture them. However, in a high-end beauty store, a premium lipstick will set you back around $40.

FAQs

What’s the difference between a liquid lipstick and a regular lipstick?

Liquid lipsticks are a hybrid of a solid lipstick and lip gloss. They are packaged in lip gloss-style packaging and instead of the traditional, solid formula, they are in liquid form.

Another difference between the two is that a regular lipstick comes in its own twist-up applicator. Liquid lipsticks will set a few seconds after applying.

Which is better: a red or nude lipstick?

Nude lipsticks are versatile as can be worn daily for a paired-back look. They are also a great choice for the days when you are wearing heavy makeup elsewhere on the face, as sometimes a red or otherwise bright lipstick can be too much.

A red lipstick is a classic and sophisticated look of glamour. It can, however, feel too formal for everyday wear. It’s also not as easy to pair with a wide range of eyeshadow colors like a nude lipstick is.

For beginners, a nude lipstick is a great introductory shade.

How can I make my lipstick last longer?

You should always prime the lips before applying lipstick to make it last longer. Start with a hydrating lip balm or a lip scrub if your lips are dry and cracked. If the skin on your lips is not smooth, the lipstick will not properly adhere to it.

Once your lips are smooth and hydrated, apply lip liner. You can either apply lip liner around the edges to define your lip shape or color the entire lip to give your lipstick something to cling on to.

When you apply lipstick, be sure to swipe on an even coat. Blot the lipstick off and reapply another coat over the top to ensure full coverage and even wear.

You can also apply a topcoat such as a lip gloss in the same color as your lipstick, which will help to lock the color in.

The more pigmented your lipstick, the longer it will last. You may also want to avoid eating or drinking if possible, as oils and liquids remove patches of lipstick and require reapplication.

What is the difference between matte and glossy lipsticks?

Matte lipstick is designed to add color to the lips without any shine. Sometimes, you may want to use bronze or luminous tones on the eyes. In this case, a matte lipstick would add pigment onto the lips without distracting from the eyeshadow.

Matte lipsticks tend to be drying and so it can be difficult to wear them on a regular basis.

Glossy lipsticks or lip glosses add reflection and color. A downside is they can be frustrating if you have long hair, as glossy lip products are notorious for being sticky. Glossy formulas may not provide the same level of pigment as a matte lipstick.