11 Best Drugstore Lipsticks Of 2023
Paint your lips with these highly pigmented, smudge-proof, and budget-friendly formulas.
Alysha TuckerPermanent Makeup Artist
Expertise: Brows & Lips
Experience: 5 years
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 so... more
Baishali Bhattacharya Certified Image Consultant, Certified In Makeup Artistry
Expertise: Makeup & Fashion
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 ... more
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 drug store lipstick is the right choice for you. Well, check out our list of the best ones. Get ahead and pick the one 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 lipstick prevents dryness and does not crack, giving you luscious and fuller lips. The shade Fairest Nude suits skin types with pink undertones. Here’s a review video to help you get a better understanding of the 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 shade Dulce Caramelo is a pearl brown-pink shade that delivers true instant color in a single swipe. Need more information? Watch this video to make an informed decision about the product.
Pros
- Moisturizing
- Long-lasting
- Easy application
- Creamy texture
- Cruelty-free (PETA certified)
Cons
- Waxy
3. Best Smudge-Proof:Maybelline SuperStay Ink Crayon Lipstick – Lead The Way
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 drugstore lipstick is developed with Lasting Ink Technology and stays on for 8 hours. It 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 shades, this lipstick hydrates your lips while adding shine to them.
Pros
- Long-wearing
- Value for money
- Phthalate-free
- Fragrance-free
- Available in many shades
Cons
- Feels heavy on the lips
Quick Tip
5. Best Pleasant Fragrance:theBalm Meet Matt(e) Hughes Lipstick – Committed
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 shade Committed is a pinkish nude color with a coral undertone.
Pros
- Long-lasting
- Pleasant fragrance
- Cruelty-free
- Matte finish
Cons
- Applicator is tough to use.
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
7. Best For Fair Skin Tones:Revlon Ultra HD Matte Lipcolor – Embrace
The Revlon Ultra HD Matte Lipcolour is a lightweight liquid lipstick that gives 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 dry lips to plump them and keep them smooth. The shade Embrace has a peachy color and is perfect for fair skin tones.
Pros
- Velvety matte 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
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 warm skin tones.
Pros
- Creamy texture
- Long-lasting
- Moisturizing
- Cruelty-free (PETA certified)
Cons
- Gets messy
Pro Tip9. Best User-Friendly:Burt’s Bees Gloss Lip Crayon – Outback Oasis
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. It 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
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. It 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. The product 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
- 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
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 lipstick has a smooth nourishing formula that lasts for six hours.
Pros
- Lightweight
- Glides smoothly
- Long-lasting
- Provides nourishment
- Available in many colors
Cons
None
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. 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. However, stay away from the lipsticks that settle into fine lines or dry out the lips.
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 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.
Recommended Articles
- Best Drugstore Nude Lipsticks You Can Wear Everyday
- Best Drugstore Matte Lipsticks That Are Long-Lasting
- Top Drugstore Red Lipsticks
- Best Drugstore Lipsticks For Fair Skin
