buuk.top / Kevin Liang
Drugstore brands have made some big advancements in their beauty offerings over the last few years, but one category they never lacked is lipstick. "Drugstore brands offer many beautiful options with avariety of shades, textures, and formulas," says celebrity makeup artist Courtney Hart. Though affordable brands continue to impress us with new innovations in the lip category, there have been longstanding staples that have been editor and makeup artist favorites for decades. Between new launches and tried and true picks, there are so many options that it can feel overwhelming to find the best one for you.
So, to help you choose the lipstick that best suits your preferences, we spent hours researching highly rated options, gathered some of our editors favorites, and consulted with Hart about what to look for when perusing the aisles for lipstick. Weevaluated each one based on color selection, formula, finish, and wear, and ahead, were sharing the best options on the market. Fromcreamy satin bullet lipsticks to matte liquid formulas, theres something for everyone on this list.
LOréal Colour Riche at Amazon
Maybelline SuperStay Liquid Lipstick
Revlon Super Lustrous Lipstick at Amazon
LOréal Colour Riche Intense Volume Matte Lipstick at Amazon
The Lip Bar Vegan Matte Liquid Lipstick at Amazon
NYX Smooth Whip Blurring Matte Liquid Lipstick at Amazon
Maybelline New York Super Stay Crayon Lipstick at Amazon
Burts Bees Moisturizing Lipstick at Amazon
Best Overall
LOréal Colour Riche Satin Lipstick
ULTA
View On Ulta
Extensive shade range
Satin finish
Hydrating feel on lips
Has a strong fragrance
This incredibly popular drugstore satin finish lipstick has been a fan-favorite for decades (its even makeup artist Harts top choice from the drugstore)—and we believe it deserves the praise it gets. Formulated with a cocktail ofnourishing ingredientslike omega 3, vitamin E, and argan oil, it glides onto the lips like butter, leaving behind a wash of color and a super soft, hydrating texture. Thecolors are buildable,so you can customize your application to get your desired level of pigmentation, and the shade range is one of the most extensive at the drugstore—youre bound to one (or many) that you love.
Who Its For
This classic lipstick is a makeup bag staple that you simply cant go wrong with. Thesatin finishgoes beautifully with any makeup look, and the hydrating formula is comfortable and easy to reapply throughout the day.
Shades: 52 | Finish: Satin | Size: .13 oz. | Cruelty-Free: No
Best Long-Wearing
Maybelline SuperStay Matte Ink Liquid Lipstick
Ulta
View On Ulta
View On Target
Excellent color payoff
Easy precise application
Wears for up to 16 hours
Extensive shade range
Feels drying on the lips
We are, for lack of a better word, obsessed with this liquid lipstick and thestaying powerit delivers. In all the many (many) times we’ve used it, it has never rubbed off on anything or anyone, staying put through greasy burgers, countless cups of coffee, and even makeout sessions. There’s anextensive lineup of shades
that continues to expand, and the doe-foot brush makes precise application easier than ever. Pro tip: If you want to apply more than one coat, make sure each layer is fully dry before doing so.
Who Its For
If long-wear (up to 16 hours worth) is what you crave out of your lipstick, this is the one for you. It does feel a bit drying on the lips, so its not ideal for those with super dry or sensitive lips, but theintense pigmentationand budge-proof quality make it excellent for long days or special occasions.
Shades: 40 | Finish: Matte | Size:.17 oz. | Cruelty-Free: No
Best High-Shine
Revlon Super Lustrous Lipstick
Revlon
View On Ulta
View On Target
Hydrating formula
Buildable color
Shiny finish
Massive shade range
Not long-wearing
Coat your lips in a layer of shine and color in one simple stepwith this popular lipstick. Available in tons of both neutral shades and fun colors, this lustrous pick has a buildable formula that can be applied lightly for a wash of color, or layered on for more opaque coverage. We love that the formula contains vitamin E and avocado oil tokeep the lips hydrated and add to the creaminess of the texture.
Who Its For
This comfortable lipstick with a super-shiny finish
is a fantastic product to take from day to night by layering it up and reapplying the smooth formula throughout the day. If youre looking to add color and glow in one step, we have no doubt youll appreciate this budget-friendly option.
Shades: 72 | Finish: Shiny | Size: .15 oz. | Cruelty-Free:
No
Best Matte
LOréal Colour Riche Intense Volume Matte Lipstick
Ulta
View On Ulta
View On Target
One-swipe color payoff
Narrow lipstick bullet
Wears for up to 16 hours
Has a strong scent
LOréal has been creating superior lipsticks for decades, and this matte option is one of their best to date. Thenarrow, round bulletmakes precise application a breeze, and just one swipe offers vivid color payoff. Thetexture is thin and lightweight, making it more comfortable than other matte formulas on the market, and once applied, itlasts for up to 16 hours without bleeding or fading.
Who Its For
If youve been searching for the best matte lipstick at the drugstore, let your search come to an end—this is the one. Its great for people who like a matte finish but prefer traditional lipsticks over liquid formulas. Plus, the shade range includes lots of punchy colors, so if youre a bold lip person, youre in luck.
Shades: 12 | Finish: Matte | Size: .06 oz. | Cruelty-Free: No
Best Liquid Lipstick
The Lip Bar Vegan Matte Liquid Lipstick
Target
View On Target
View On Thelipbar.com
Rich pigmentation
Unique shade range
Long-wearing
Can feel a bit drying
With just one swipe, thishighly-pigmented liquid lipstick from The Lip Bar will deliver completely opaque coverage and a matte finish. It goes on smoothly and feels soft as you apply it, before setting down into a budge-proof color that lasts for up to eight hours on the lips. Aside from the impressive formula, we also appreciate that theshade range is different from others on the market—it offers unique hues, like a vibrant violet, a firey orange, and more.
Who Its For
The formula is a bit drying (this is just the nature of liquid lipsticks), so we recommend applying this one when youre in need of a long-wearing lip color. Its not for the makeup minimalist—the intense color payoff and ultra-matte finish make it ideal for more full-glam looks.
Shades: 21 | Finish: Matte | Size: .24 oz. | Cruelty-Free: Yes
Best Lightweight
NYX Smooth Whip Blurring Matte Liquid Lipstick
Target
View On Ulta
View On Target
Light, whipped texture
Extensive shade range
Comfortable matte finish
Not the most hydrating formula
With a lightweight, whipped formulathat feels mousse-like and velvety, this product from NYX offers color and comfort in one. The soft, pigmented formulasmooths the appearance of lines and delivers rich color payoff with a demi-matte finish. It comes in neutral browns, pinks, reds, and even out-of-the-box shades like blue and green.
Who Its For
Dislike the feeling of heavy formulas sitting on your lips? We recommend giving this mousse-y formula a try. It feels weightless without sacrificing color, and we appreciate that while its not a hydrating formula per se, it feels a lot morecomfortable on the lipsthan traditional liquid lipsticks that completely set down.
Shades: 24 | Finish: Demi-matte | Size: .13 oz. | Cruelty-Free: Yes
Best Precise
Maybelline New York Super Stay Ink Crayon Lipstick
Amazon
Can be used to line and fill in lips
Long-wearing
Matte finish
Extensive shade range
Can feel drying
With a narrow pointed tip, this lip crayon allows you to line and fill in your lipswith precision. The matte formula ishighly-pigmented and long-wearing, and we love that it comes in 23 shades so youre bound to find the one suits you best. It glides on smoothly before slightly setting down to a matte finish that feels comfortable to wear all day.
Who Its For
If you like multi-purpose productsthat help you cut down on steps in your makeup routine, give this pick from Maybelline a try. You can trace your lip shape for the ultimate definition, before filling it in and topping off your look. Even if you plan to use a separate lip liner first, we highly recommend this formula for anyone who prefers a long-lasting matte finish.
Shades: 23 | Finish: Matte | Size: .04 oz. | Cruelty-Free: No
Best Natural
Burts Bees Moisturizing Lipstick
Courtesy by Amazon
View On Walmart
Extensive shade range
Full of hydrating ingredients
Gives lips a natural color
Not super long-lasting
Made from 100 percent natural ingredients, you can feel confident that you’re not accidentally ingesting any strange chemicals when you swipe this lipstick on (because yes, you do inadvertently end up ingesting some of your lip products.) The formula is chock-full of all kinds of natural hydrating ingredients tocondition and soften your pout—think vitamin E, moringa oil, raspberry seed oil, and, of course, beeswax. The 18 shades impart a gorgeous wash of natural color that’s equally on-brand.
Who Its For
If youre conscious about the ingredients in your makeup, this pick is for you. The satin finish and hydrating formulaalso make it great for everyday wear. Swipe it on alone for a wash of color thats fitting for no-makeup makeup, or apply it over a lip liner for a more defined look.
Shades:18 | Finish: Satin | Size: .64 oz. | Cruelty-Free: Yes
Where We Stand
Our best overall pick is the LOréal Colour Riche Satin Lipstick, thanks to the extensive shade range, hydrating formula, and satin finish. If you prefer a matte, long-wearing formula that will remain completely budge-proof for hours on end, we recommend the Maybelline SuperStay Matte Ink Lip Color.
What to Look for When Buying a Drugstore Lipstick
Shade Range: Drugstore makeup gives you the perfect opportunity to go bold with a color that might not be in season or popular forever because the price tag wont make it a big investment. So, in addition to finding a formula that comes in shades youd wear every day, its also nice to have unique options. The LOréal Colour Riche Satin Lipstick comes in more than 34 shades ranging from caramel nudes to fiery oranges and more.Hydrating Ingredients:The feeling of a cakey, drying lipstick can be incredibly unpleasant. Finding a formula with hydrating ingredients that counteract this effect is a major plus, so look for ingredients like avocado oil, shea butter, coconut oil, moringa oil, and vitamin E. The Revlon Super Lustrous Lipstick is a nice hydrating option thanks to the inclusion of avocado oil and vitamin E in the creamy formula.Finish:The finish of lipstick will impact how it looks on your lips and how your makeup look comes together. If youre going for a juicy, shiny look, we recommend the LOréal Colour Riche Satin Lipstick or the Revlon Super Lustrous Lipstick. If you prefer a matte finish, the LOréal Colour Riche Intense Volume Matte Lipstick and the Maybelline SuperStay Ink Crayon Lipstick are excellent choices.
"Personally, I think the best method to find the best lipstick for your skin tone is to experiment and play with color," says Hart. "Generally, warm skin tones look most complimentary with warm lipsticks and cool skin tones with cool-toned lipsticks. I find that many people live somewhere in the middle of those extremes and can pull off [both] warm or cool colors."
Properly prepping your lips is key to ensuring that your lipstick lasts. Hart suggests gently exfoliating and hydrating them before application. "Apply lip balm and allow it to sink into the lips for a few moments," she says. "[When its time] to apply lipstick, lightly blot any excess lip balm. This will help your lipstick have more staying power. To really make a lipstick stay I recommend lining and filling in the whole lip with a lip liner that matches your lipstick. Lip liners contain waxes that help to hold the lip color and keep it within the lip border." She also recommends applying lipstick in very thin layers and locking it in with a light dusting of translucent powder.
"The goal in matching your lipstick to your makeup look is to aim for overall harmony in your makeup," explains Hart. "I personally like to make sure my cheek and lip colors are in the same color and undertone family." For example, if youre wearing a coral blush, pairing it with lipstick that has peachy, coral undertones will ensure they look complementary. "Texture is also something to think about," says Hart. "A matte may tend to feel more elegant and dramatic whereas a glossy finish is a bit more fun and playful."
How We Researched
To compile this list, our team of editors and contributors spent hours researching the best products on the market in this category, evaluating their key features—like shade range, formula, and wear—in addition to reviews from customers and other trusted sources. We also took editor and expert favorites into consideration when compiling this list.
Why Trust buuk.top
Alyssa Kaplan is an experienced writer in the beauty industry and product tester specializing in cosmetics. She has been wearing and experimenting with lipsticks for years and has personally tried several options on this list. Alyssa has been a commerce writer at buuk.top since 2022, where she covers all things beauty.
To gather additional insights for this story, Alyssa also consulted with celebrity makeup artist, Courtney Hart.
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