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Byrdie / Michela Buttignol
Real talk: You can never have too many lipsticks. And that's a good thing, because temptation is everywhere. Take Amazon, for example. You could scroll through dozens upon dozens of lipsticks in nearly every shade under the sun. And those very same formulas could go from your screen to your doorstep a day or two later (thanks, Amazon Prime!).
Choosing the ideal lipstick for you depends on what shade, consistency, formula, and price tag you have in mind. Choosing only one will be the trickiest part!
So without further ado, here are the best lipsticks on Amazon.
Best Overall
Stila All Day Liquid Lipstick
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Transfer-resistant
12 hours of wear
Color-rich
Feels sticky to some
Time and time again, this lipstick comes out on top. “This is in my kit because it really does stay all day without drying," says makeup artist Nyssa Green. "From the lightest nude to the hottest red, there is such a good range to choose from." When applying, it starts as a liquid but dries down matte and tends to stay on for hours through eating, drinking, or kissing.
Form: Liquid | Finish Type: Matte | Shades: 3 | Size: 0.35 oz. | Cruelty-Free: Yes
Best Budget
Maybelline New York Color Sensational Creamy Matte Lip Color
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Courtesy by Amazon
Wallet-friendly
24-hour wear
Ultra-hydrating formula
Looks cheap to some
“Best bang for your buck,” says Green of this matte option.“This lipstick not only has a great range, but it's under $6 and really does last.” Unlike other matte lip colors, this one goes on creamy and stays soft on lips.
Price at time of publish: $6
Form: Liquid | Finish Type: Matte | Shades: 30 | Size: 0.15 oz. | Cruelty-Free: No
Best Luxury
By Terry Expert Matte Liquid Lipstick
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Easily applies
Bold look
Smudge-proof
Feels drying on the lips
Green calls the purple-toned Orchid shade “the color you never knew you needed.” The matte liquid lipstick is highly pigmented and balances long wear with comfort. “Everyone I've ever used it on has loved it…literally everyone,” she adds.
Form: Liquid | Finish Type: Matte/Velvet | Shades: 16 | Size: 0.14 oz. | Cruelty-Free: No
Best Shine
Revlon Super Lustrous Lipstick in Toast of New York
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Wallet-friendly
High impact color
Infused with vitamin E and avocado oil
Feels tingly to some
If you prefer a bit of shine with your color, try this lipstick from Revlon. The creamy formula hydrates with vitamin E and avocado oil for super comfortable wear. There are over 80 colors to choose from, and the low price tag means it’s easy to stock up on a few.
Price at time of publish: $16
Form: Cream | Finish Type: Sheer | Shades: 80+ | Size: 0.3 oz. | Cruelty-Free: No
Best Matte
Peripera Ink the Velvet Lip Tint
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Amazon
Silky smooth
Emollient finish
Leaves an even stain
Not much staying power
This liquid lip dries to a matte stain with staying power (but you may need a touch-up after eating). The 13 colors range from oranges to brick reds and deep pinks. The applicator allows you to draw on a smooth line or blur out the edges for a casual-cool look.
Price at time of publish: $11
Form: Liquid | Finish Type: Velvet | Shades: 14 | Size: 0.14 oz. | Cruelty-Free: No
Best Pencil
Maybelline SuperStay Ink Crayon Lipstick
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Precise application
Easy to use
Over 30 shade options
Very drying to some
Lip pencils make it easy to draw on a precise lip, and this crayon-like lipstick from Maybelline even comes with a built-in sharpener, so it’s always ready to go. The color should last for around eight hours before needing a touchup.
Price at time of publish: $11
Form: Crayon | Finish Type: Matte | Shades: 32 | Size: 0.04 oz. | Cruelty-Free: No
Best for Dark Skin
The Lip Bar Vegan Matte Lipstick
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Amazon
High-performing
Nourishing
Intense pigmentation
Red shades look more like orange
“The Lip Bar has the best shades for women of color. The hues are rich and so pigmented,” says Green. The brand is Black women-owned, and the matte formula of this lipstick has an amazing color payoff. You can’t go wrong with any of the shade options.
Price at time of publish: $13
Form: Liquid | Finish Type: Matte | Shades: 12 | Size: 0.24 oz. | Cruelty-Free: Yes
Best for Medium Skin
NYX Matte Lipstick in Indie Flick
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Over 40 shades available
Very smoothing
Glides on
Not very true-to-color
The bright Indie Flick has a slightly warm undertone that pops on medium skin tones. The cream formula has a not-quite-matte finish and can be applied lightly or with a heavier hand, depending on what kind of statement you want to make.
Price at time of publish: $6
Form: Cream | Finish Type: Matte | Shades: 41 | Size: 0.54 oz. | Cruelty-Free: Yes
Best for Fair Skin
Flower Beauty Petal Pout Lipstick in Spiced Petal
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Intense color payoff
Satin-like feel
Conditioning
Not very long-lasting
For a my-lips-but-better look, this color will become your go-to (some say it’s a dupe for the much more expensive cult-favorite Charlotte Tilbury Pillow Talk). The cream formula is highly pigmented and filled with antioxidants for healthy lips. And you can feel good knowing the brand is cruelty-free.
Price at time of publish: $17
Form: Cream | Finish Type: Matte | Shades: 22 | Size: 0.11 oz. | Cruelty-Free: Yes
Best Nude for Fair Skin
L'Oreal Colour Riche Lip Colour in Fairest Nude
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Creates a supple look
Intense hydration
Infused with omega-3
Not true-to-color
Lighter skin tones will love the pinky hues in this nude lipstick. The creamy formula hydrates lips with omega-3, vitamin E, and argan oil, and the slight sheen gives lips a supple look.
Price at time of publish: $7
Form: Cream | Finish Type: Matte | Shades: 52 | Size: 0.13 oz. | Cruelty-Free: No
Best Nude for Dark Skin
Dose of Colors Liquid Lipstick in Heartbreaker
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High-fashion finish
Dries fast
Rich texture
Feels sticky
For darker skin, turn to the shades that Dose of Colors offers. “They make a nude for you, no matter the skin tone,” says Green. There’s plenty of options, but we especially like Heartbreaker, a cool-toned pinky brown. The matte formula is super comfortable on lips and leaves a long-lasting velvety finish. Green recommends pairing it with the brand's lip liner.
Price at time of publish: $19
Form: Liquid | Finish Type: Matte | Shades: 29 | Size: 1.0 oz. | Cruelty-Free: Yes
Best Pink
MAC Matte Lipstick in Candy Yum Yum
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Non-feathering
High color payoff
Applies evenly
True-to-color
Very small size
Green can’t name just one pink from MAC. “Go for classics like 'Candy Yum Yum' and 'Pink Pigeon,' but also check out 'Breathing Fire' and Ariana Grande's Viva Glam,” she says. The lipstick is classic for a reason—they are easy to apply and wears well on lips. That, and the colors can’t be beaten. “They're bold and bright, so it's all the 'pop' your makeup will need,” says Green.
Price at time of publish: $23
Form: Stick | Finish Type: Matte | Shades: 30 | Size: 0.1 oz. | Cruelty-Free: No
Final Verdict
Stila All Day Liquid Lipstick remains a favorite time and time again for good reason—the formula goes on smoothly, feels comfortable, and stays all day. But if you want a good budget option, Maybelline Color Sensational Matte Lipstick is under $6 and has tons of shades to choose from.
How do I apply lipstick perfectly every time?
Start by prepping your lips. “Exfoliate before applying lipstick, especially mattes,” says Green. Her suggestion: “Put a thick layer of vaseline on lips, leave on for 5-10 minutes, then wipe with a warm towel or super-soft toothbrush to remove dead skin. Lipstick will go on smooth, last longer, and will not dry out.”
What to Look for in a Lipstick
Formula and Finish
Deciding on your preferred formula and finish is likely the first step when choosing a lipstick, so you know what to plug into the search bar. Matte lipsticks are subdued and easy to wear anywhere, whereas glossy lipsticks are perfect for a night out. Some last all day, while others are prone to needing re-application.
You can find lipsticks that are liquid, stick, or in a cream pot with varying levels of pigmentation. How you apply your lipstick might help determine what to choose, with some being easier to swipe on and others requiring more precision or tools like a lip brush.
Color
Next, choose your color. Consider where you'll be wearing your lipstick and how well it fits into your lifestyle. Statement-making dark or bright colors are fun, while (depending on your workplace) a nude that compliments your skin color and undertones might be more versatile for day-to-night. If you've already got the basic colors, look for something lively and exciting for special occasions.
Skin Benefits
Many lipsticks provide additional benefits that you may wish to consider when making a purchase. One important benefit is SPF. Antioxidants and moisturizers are also nice to have, especially if wearing lipstick all day or if your lips tend to get dry with longer wear. Skin-friendly ingredients to look for include vitamin E, botanical oils, and butters.
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 ingredients, shade range, or design—in addition to reviews from customers and other trusted sources. We then used this research to assign a star rating from one to five (five being the best; one being the worst) to certain products on the list.
Why Trust Byrdie?
Joline Buscemi is a Byrdie Contributor and a beauty writer for various publications. She loves testing out new lip colors and formulas and is online shopping-obsessed.
According to our Diversity Pledge, 15% of products in our newly-published market roundups will feature Black-owned and/or Black-founded brands. At the time of publishing, we were not able to find enough lipsticks on Amazon from a Black-owned and/or Black-founded business to meet this percentage. If you know of one we should consider, please email us at contact@byrdie.com and we will evaluate the product ASAP.