The last thing we want on our lips — especially as we can't seem to shake the cold weather — is a drying lipstick. In years past, we may have skipped our matte lippies in favour of their glossier, more balm-like cousins, but thanks to new formulations, comfortable mattes exist and they are here to stay.
That being said, we still run the risk of nabbing a subpar, moisture-sucking formula (they can't all be perfect, right?). So in an effort to help you avoid flaky, cracked lips, we rounded up our favorite matte lipsticks that not only feel comfortable, but seriously deliver in the pigment and texture departments. Ahead, check out our favourite lines and our choice colours from each.
First things first: This lipstick smells like candy, but in the best way. Even better, it goes on like a cream finish product, but quickly dries to a not-dry matte.
Rimmel London The Only 1 Matte, available at Walmart.
Semi-matte, satin finish lipsticks are the way to go if you're prone to a parched pout. Laura Mercier's lip colour sets to a velvet finish that looks — and feels — soft to the touch.
Laura Mercier Velour Lovers Lip Colour, available at Sephora.
A velvety-soft lipstick that barely feels like it's on your mouth? Count us in.
Butter London Moisture Matte Lipstick, available at Butter London.
Vibrant, non-drying, and affordable? This new collection features on-trend shades and a comfortable finish.
CoverGirl Katy Kat Matte Lipstick, available at Ulta Beauty.
We’re lipstick hoarders, so trust us when we say that each shade in this chic, minimalist indie line is unlike anything else you’ve ever tried. The formula is packed with shea butter, sweet orange oil, and antioxidants like green tea and rosehip, so you get all the nourishment your lips need — plus a boost of luxurious, beautifully pigmented semi-matte colour. It doesn’t get much better than this.
Kosas Lipstick in Fringe, available at Kosas.
Calling a lip formula creamy and matte seems contradictory. But these lipsticks magically stay on for hours (and don't migrate to your teeth or chin) and feel almost balmy.
Maybelline Colour Sensational Creamy Matte Lip Colour, available at Ulta Beauty.
This is a redder step up from your favourite your-lips-but-better shade. The smooth formula feels almost weightless, and the colour is so forgiving that you can slick it on in a hurry without a mirror.
Buxom Big & Sexy Bold Gel Lipstick in Evocative Petal, available at Sephora.
Not the traditional lipstick type? Go for this liquid version. The doe-foot applicator makes sweeping on colour easy. Speaking of colour, the brand carries a whopping 21 — from blush nude to vivid lilac — and none of them flake, fade, or feather.
Stila Stay All Day Liquid Lipstick, available at Sephora.
Formula-wise, NARS' Velvet Matte Lip Pencils have a lot going for them: smooth application, great pigment, and enough moisture to make them comfortable for daylong wear. Train Bleu is our go-to vampy hue for fall and winter because of how amazing it looks applied directly from the bullet or blended out with fingers as a stain. Although it's a pain to sharpen these, it also makes them the perfect lipliner replacements.
NARS Velvet Matte Lip Pencil in Train Bleu, available at NARS.
This liquid lipstick goes on a little watery at first, but don't worry, it dries to a beautiful, velvety finish that lasts for hours. This vibrant pink hue has purple undertones that make the color pop even more. Plus, unlike most liquid lipsticks, this one layers beautifully (read: doesn't go patchy or make our lips crack), which makes post-dinner touch-ups super-easy.
Bourjois Rouge Edition Velvet in Pink Pong, available at ASOS.
We've waxed poetic about celeb makeup artist Troy Surratt's lip pencils before — and for good reason. The automatic bullet goes on with the precision of liner, and feels like a comfortable matte lipstick. The texture allows it to go on smoothly, but trust us when we say that it does not move. The best part? The colour range has been expanded to include even more brights, darks, and nudes, so you're sure to find a hue you love.
Surratt Beauty Automatique Lip Crayon in Alluring, available at Sephora.
This lipstick ticks all the boxes when it comes to hydrating mattes, but it goes one step farther because of how it wears. After a few hours, this formula fades but leaves a very even, pigmented stain. Sometimes, we're so lazy that we just apply this lipstick straight from the bullet in the morning and skip reapplication in favour of rocking tinted lips for the rest of the day.
Chanel Rouge Allure Velvet Luminous Matte Lip Colour in La Fascinante, available at Nordstrom.
Thanks to a formula infused with avocado and jojoba oils, this semi-matte lipstick never leaves your lips flaky — even after days of wear. We love pairing this hot-pink hue, Gigi, with minimal makeup for a statement lip that's a little more outré than your typical red.
Lauren + Vanessa Lipstick in Gigi, available at Lauren + Vanessa.
If you ask us, everyone needs a tangerine shade in their arsenal. This one from Nyx is a classic, and beloved by just about every blogger in existence for good reason: It feels luxurious and goes on opaque in a single swipe.
Nyx Cosmetics Matte Lipstick in Indie Flick, available at Ulta.
A lengthy love letter to this line of lip crayons already exists in the Refinery29 beautysphere, but in short, they're highly pigmented, moisturising-matte marvels that will last through just about anything (including cocktails and fries — we tested).
LOC Vibrant Matte Lipstick in Glam Life, available at Birchbox.
This formula feels like a balm, but gives off smooth, pigmented colour that's super-easy to slap onto your lips without fear of bleeding. The shade 1993 is the perfect '90s brown — it may not look like much in the bullet, but trust us, it is incredible in action.
Urban Decay Matte Revolution Lipstick in 1993, available at Urban Decay.
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