11 Best Drugstore Lipsticks Of 2025, As Per A Makeup Artist
Paint your lips with these highly pigmented, smudge-proof, and budget-friendly formulas.
Alysha Tucker is a certified permanent makeup artist, specializing in brows and lips. She is also the owner of Blush Baby Los Angeles. After graduating in 2018 from Elite Permanent Makeup in Santa Monica, CA, Alysha, has worked alongside some of California's best permanent makeup artists and tattoo artists, and completed several rigorous apprenticeships.
Read full bio of Alysha Tucker
Baishali is a beauty and lifestyle writer and holds a master's degree in English from Assam University. She specializes in makeup and fashion and is also a certified Style and Image Consultant. Prior to this, she was a part of a digital marketing company in Kolkata where she wrote stories on travel, beauty, and home décor.
Read full bio of Baishali Bhattacharya
Experience: 3 yearsSrijani is an associate commerce editor with a master's degree in journalism and mass communication from the University of Calcutta, West Bengal. She is certified in makeup techniques and is also a certified style and image consultant.
Read full bio of Srijani Roy Chowdhury
Experience: 2.5 yearsShatabdi is an associate editor and an alumnus of Lady Brabourne College, Kolkata, where she honed her skills and developed a deep understanding of the world of literature and expression. She has worked with various organizations and websites operating in different industries, ranging from education to lifestyle, showing her adaptability and drive to learn.
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Image: StyleCraze Design Team
If you feel that finding the best drugstore lipstick is hard, we have good news. Since many brands these days offer transfer-proof, comfortable, smooth-textured, well-pigmented high-quality lipsticks for different occasions and skin tones, it might actually be easier than ever before to pick the best. By the way, if you are on a budget, a drugstore lipstick is the right choice for you. Well, check out our list of the best ones, both cool and warm lipsticks that complement various skin tones. Get ahead and pick the one from the extensive shade range below that you love.
In This Article
The 11 Best Drugstore Lipsticks
1. Best Matte Finish:L’Oreal Paris Colour Riche Lipcolour – Fairest Nude
The L’Oreal Paris Colour Riche Lipcolour has a nourishing formula infused with ingredients like omega 3, vitamin E, and argan oil that moisturize delicate lips and give a satin-smooth finish to keep them soft. This is one of the best satin-finish lipsticks that prevents dryness and does not crack, giving you luscious and fuller lips. The cult-favorite shade Fairest Nude suits skin types with pink undertones. Here’s a review video detailing a tester’s experience to help you get a better understanding of the lip product.
Pros
- Ultra-hydrating
- Keeps the lips soft
- Matte finish
- Rich color payoff
Cons
- Not transfer-proof
- Not long-lasting
2. Best Transfer-Proof:Milani Color Statement Lipstick – Dulce Caramelo
The Milani Color Statement Lipstick contains vitamins A and C that moisturize and hydrate the lips. It has a gorgeous satin-glossy finish and is lightweight, transfer-proof, and long-lasting. It feels comfortable and soft on the lips and is a cruelty-free product.The cult-favorite shade Dulce Caramelo is a pearl brown-pink hue that delivers true instant color in a single swipe. Need more information? Watch this video to make an informed decision about this hydrating lipstick and to know about the reviewer’s experience with it.
Pros
- Moisturizing
- Long-lasting
- Easy application
- Creamy texture
- Cruelty-free (PETA certified)
Cons
- Waxy
"This Milani lipstick feels soft on my lips. Its creamy formula glides smoothly on my lips. I love its soft pink color that goes with various looks. The color does not smear out easily. However, I have to keep reapplying it to maintain its rich hue."
Why We Think It's Worth Buying
The product has more than 12,097 reviews and is a top choice all around the world.
3. Best Smudge-Proof:Maybelline SuperStay Ink Crayon Lipstick – Lead The Way
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The Maybelline SuperStay Ink Crayon Lipstick is long-wearing and gives a matte finish. It is rich in essential oils that keep the lips moisturized. This cult-favorite drugstore lipstick is developed with Lasting Ink Technology and stays on for 8 hours. This long-wear lipstick glides smoothly on the lips, is transfer-resistant and smudge-proof, and comes with a built-in sharpener to keep the tip precise. The shade Lead The Way suits skin with pink undertones. If you need further convincing, check out this YouTuber’s review.
Pros
- Smudge-proof
- Transfer resistant
- Easy application
- Smooth finish
Cons
- Drying
- Unsatisfactory color payoff
4. Best Paraben-Free Formula:Clinique Dramatically Different Lipstick- Sugared Maple
The Clinique Dramatically Different Lipstick is suitable for all skin types. Infused with lip care ingredients, the lipstick has a 3D pearl center core that sculpts and contours your lips, making them appear pouty and plump. Available in many beautiful range of shades, this lipstick hydrates your lips while adding shine to them. It has excellent reviews on Amazon attesting to it being long-wearing and full-coverage.
Pros
- Long-wearing
- Value for money
- Phthalate-free
- Fragrance-free
- Available in many shades
Cons
- Feels heavy on the lips
"My lips look plump after I apply this lipstick. It has a buildable texture, so I can adjust how dark I want the color. I like that this bullet lipstick has a precise tip that helps me line my lips as well. The formula also keeps my lips nourished."
Quick Tip
5. Best Pleasant Fragrance:theBalm Meet Matt(e) Hughes Lipstick – Committed
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theBalm Meet Matt(e) Hughes Lipstick has a long-wearing formula and a matte finish that feels comfortable on your lips. It offers high color payoff and pigmentation and contains peppermint oil and c18-36 acid that minimize dryness and keep your lips soft. The stunning shade is a pinkish nude color with a coral undertone.
Pros
- Long-lasting
- Intense color payoff
- Pleasant fragrance
- Cruelty-free
- Matte finish
Cons
- Applicator is tough to use.
"I love the dark red shade of this lipstick. It lends a rich matte finish to my lips. Despite being a matte formula, it does not dry out my lips or develop cracks. Instead, it softens my lips and hydrates them. I do not need to touch-up repeatedly when I apply this color. Another good thing about this product is that it has a pleasant scent."
6. Best Long-Wearing:Rimmel Provocalips 16 Hour Kiss Proof Lip Colour- Heart Breaker
Want a lightweight lipstick that doesn’t cake up at the end of the day? The Rimmel Kiss Proof Lip Colour is what you need. It has a glossy finish that lasts up to 16 hours. The flexible formula glides smoothly on your lip’s contours without developing any lip lines. It is a food-proof and transfer-proof formula that keeps your lips moisturized throughout the day. Additionally, this lip color can be easily removed using an oil-based makeup remover.
Pros
- Food-proof
- Lightweight
- Flexible
- Transfer-proof
- Kiss-proof
- Easy to remove
- Non-drying
- Available in 15 shades
Cons
- None
"This lipstick has a kiss-proof pigment. The beautiful cherry shade compliments my skin tone. The formula feels lightweight on my lips and stays put for hours without transferring. I love how easily I can remove it from my lips with an oil-based cleanser."
7. Best For Fair Skin Tones:Revlon Ultra HD Matte Lipcolor – Embrace
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The Revlon Ultra HD Matte Lipcolour is a lightweight liquid lipstick that gives a soft matte finish. It is a 100% wax-free lipstick and has a gel formula that feels moisturizing. The non-sticky lipstick contains shea butter that heals the dry skin of lips to plump them and keep them smooth. The shade Embrace has a peachy color and is the perfect shade for fair skin tones.
Pros
- Velvety-matte lipstick finish
- Lightweight formula
- 100% wax-free
- Easy to apply
Cons
- Not long-lasting
- Not waterproof
8. Best For Warm Skin Tones:wet n wild Silk Finish Lipstick – Sunset Peach
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This lipstick by wet n wild has an enriched formula that hydrates and moisturizes your lips. The new, improved formula glides smoothly and contains vitamins A and E, soybean, and macadamia oil to nourish and protect your lips. The rich and creamy lipstick has buildable color and stays for 3-4 hours. The shade Sunset Peach is a lovely peachy coral shade and is suitable for fair or medium skin tones with a warm undertone.
Pros
- Creamy texture
- Long-lasting
- Moisturizing
- Cruelty-free (PETA certified)
Cons
- Gets messy
"This lipstick has a nourishing composition that leaves my lips soft and smooth. The pigment does not smudge out or fade. It does not irritate my lips as well. The color is versatile, and it looks flattering on me."
Pro Tip9. Best User-Friendly:Burt’s Bees Gloss Lip Crayon – Outback Oasis
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If you have chapped lips and avoid wearing lipstick, try the Gloss Lip Crayon by Burt’s Bees. This product combines a lip balm and a lipstick to give a glossy finish to your lips minus any discomfort. The creamy texture keeps your lips nourished and hydrated for up to 8 hours. This highly-pigmented lipstick contains shea butter, kendi oil, jojoba oil, and minerals like zinc and copper to keep the lips soft and hydrated.
Pros
- Easy application
- Moisturizing
- 100% recyclable packaging
- Paraben-free
- Phthalate-free
- Petrolatum-free
- SLS-free
- Synthetic fragrance-free
- Rich color
Cons
- Fragile
"This glossy lip crayon enhances the shape of my lips. It boosts my lips’ moisture level and keeps them looking glossy and healthy. I like that it has no strong flavor or scent. It lends my lips a silky feel."
10. Best Highly Pigmented:NYX Liquid Suede Cream Lipstick- Soft Spoken
The NYX Liquid Suede Cream Lipstick gives a vibrant shade with each stroke and has an elegant matte finish. This warm lipstick contains avocado oil and vitamin E that keep your lips nourished, moisturized, and plump. The color does not fade easily and has a creamy texture that glides smoothly. This is one of the best plumping lipsticks that comes with a lip applicator for precise application, is synthetic preservative-free, and does not irritate the lips. The shade Soft Spoken is a warm-toned nude shade with a hint of pink and suits skin with warm undertones.
Pros
- Highly pigmented
- Hypoallergenic
- Easy to apply
- Cruelty-free (PETA certified)
- Creamy texture
- Non-drying
- Semi-matte finish
- Soy-free
- Paraben-free
- No synthetic preservatives
Cons
- Not smudge-free
- Not waterproof
"This liquid lipstick applies smoothly to my lips, offering full coverage. The formula feels smooth on my lips. I use the slanted edge of the applicator to outline my lips with this lipstick. It does not dry out my lips."
11. Best Cruelty-Free:COVERGIRL Continuous Color Lipstick- Rose Quartz 415
The COVERGIRL Continuous Color Lipstick imparts your lips with a glossy shimmery natural-looking glow. Enriched with the goodness of vitamins A and E, the lipstick moisturizes your lips and protects them against free radical damage. This leaping bunny-certified formula glides seamlessly on your lips. Available in natural, soft colors, this glossy lipstick has a smooth nourishing formula that lasts for six hours. This cool-toned lipstick can be a good choice for ethically conscious consumers as it is not tested on animals.
Pros
- Lightweight
- Glides smoothly
- Long-lasting
- Provides nourishment
- Available in many colors
Cons
- None
"I love the natural pink color of this lipstick. It glides smoothly on my lips and softens them. The formula moisturizes my lips and protects them against UV rays. The color stays on my lips for hours without smearing."
Infographic: What To Consider While Buying Drugstore Lipsticks
Finding the perfect lipstick can be an exciting yet overwhelming task. To help you navigate the aisles like a pro, we have listed five important features that constitute an ideal drugstore lipstick in the infographic below. Check it out to zero in on a lipstick that delivers fabulous results without breaking the bank.
Illustration: StyleCraze Design Team
The Bottom Line
Lipsticks are a great piece of makeup product that enhance your overall look. The right shade of lipstick that is smudge-resistant and glides smoothly might seem a costly find. But it is not necessarily so. The best drugstore lipsticks are now smudge-resistant, transfer-resistant, pigmented, and have a smooth texture. For those looking for bold and statement-making shades, drugstore options have you covered. The L’Oreal Paris Colour Riche Lipcolour – Fairest Nude offers a satin finish, while the Rimmel Provocalips 16 Hour Kiss Proof Lip Colour- Heart Breaker provides a glossy finish. For a matte finish, go with the NYX Liquid Suede Cream Lipstick- Soft Spoken. Sheer lipsticks are also readily available for a more subtle and natural look. These lipsticks are not only affordable but are also suitable for everyday wear or special occasions. From nude to berry rose and sunset peach to kitty purry – the drugstore lipsticks are easily available in a wide range of shades that offer a great finish and amazing coverage. However, stay away from lipsticks that settle into fine lines or dry out the lips. And, if you have sensitive lips, always choose dermatologist-tested and expert-recommended formulas.
Why Trust StyleCraze?
The author, Baishali Bhattacharya, is a certified image consultant and makeup artistry expert. She has curated this list of best drugstore lipsticks while keeping the necessary parameters in mind. She has browsed through online reviews from customers to bring forth this list for her readers. She believes that these lipsticks ensure mess-free application and last longer as compared to many others available on the market.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does drugstore lipstick cause dry lips?
No. Drugstore lipstick with moisturizing ingredients does not dry out your lips. However, if you have sensitive lips, a lipstick with peppermint flavors and salicylic acid can irritate and dry your lip skin.
Is matte lipstick good for dry lips?
No. Matte lipsticks have fewer emollients and are extremely drying on the lips. Skip using matte lipstick if you have dry lips, or apply a lip balm before applying the lipstick to keep your lips hydrated and well nourished.
Can you use drugstore lipstick as a blush?
Yes. Apply a small amount of lipstick on your cheeks and blend it with your fingers in gentle circular motions. Next, dab some powder on the cheeks to achieve a smudge-proof look.
How often should I apply lipstick?
Apply lipstick as and when you feel like it. However, moisturize your lips daily and remove the lipstick at the end of the day to prevent dryness and irritations.
How often should you replace drugstore lipstick?
The shelf life of drugstore lipstick is one to two years. Therefore, purchase a new product and discard the previous lipstick after two years.
Read full bio of Alysha Tucker
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