Finding the best matte lipstick can be quite the challenge. Sometimes it’s love at first swatch, but when you go home and swipe on that first crackly coat, you may find yourself regretting that pricey tube. Whether you’re looking for an everyday lippie or a date night red, it’s important that you get a finish that lasts – there’s nothing more annoying than rummaging through your bag and reapplying all the time.
If you’re struggling to find a matte that lasts all day and doesn’t dry your lips out, don’t fret! We’ve tried every brand at different price points, and we found seven incredible products that deliver maximum colour with minimal drying. Read on to learn more about matte lipsticks, and to find the perfect matte that you can last you from day to night. Our choices are so easy and comfy to wear, that they’ll make you wonder if you really have any lipstick on at all!
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Matte Lipsticks: Why They’re So Popular!
Matte lipsticks are lipsticks that deliver pure pigment on the lips without a shiny finish. They have always been around, but their popularity exploded in 2015 when style icon Kylie Jenner revealed that the secret to her lush pout was a good MAC matte lipstick and liner. Following this, her followers started hunting down her favourite products to try to emulate her bold, overlined pout.
The demand was so high that Kylie ended up launching the Kylie cosmetics line, starting with a matte liquid lip kit that consistently sold out in its first few months. But some people weren’t too sold on the formula and started looking for the perfect matte. Soon, reformulated matte lipsticks at more affordable price points flooded the market.
Matte Lipsticks Are Now Creamier, Stay On Longer, And Won’t Dry Your Lips
Makeup brands have been offering mattes for years, but mattes were notoriously drying and uncomfortable on the lips. Some earlier formulas were even prone to caking, but that changed in 2015 when beauty guru Jeffree Star and tattoo artist Kat Von D came out with their cruelty-free matte liquid lipsticks. These lipsticks were easy to reapply and delivered bold colour in one swipe.
While lipsticks also came in glosses, satin bullets, or sheer tints; mattes remain popular because of their non-sticky, long stay formulas. They’re also a great contrast for very highlighted base makeup, and their no-shine look makes them perfect for the office.
If you’re worried that a matte might still be drying, that’s a thing of the past. Nowadays, matte lipsticks are much more hydrating, and all you need is a good lip balm to prevent chapping! Here are our seven standouts that are just as comfortable on the lips as a satin bullet!
Our 7 Best Matte Lipsticks That Stay On
1. MAC Cosmetics Retro Matte Lipstick
The OG Matte Bullet For Every Makeup Lover
Get it here for $AUD36.
A classic product that started the whole matte craze in the first place, MAC’s matte lipsticks have insane colour payoff and could probably endure even the greasiest takeaway. Cult favourites Ruby Woo and All Fired Up are just a couple of the shades in this iconic seven-lipstick line. While a liquid version with more shades came out in 2016, these bullets are still considered a benchmark for matte bullet lipsticks.
2. NARS Velvet Matte Lipstick Pencil
This Kiss-Proof Crayon Stays On For Ages!
Get it here for $AUD41
There’s a reason why their scarlet Cruella remains a firm beauty editor favourite. This luxurious pencil comes in 33 shades, has excellent pigmentation and glides on comfortably. Unlike the average lip pencil or crayon, the NARS hybrid stick combines a pointed tip and creamy formula, so you can apply it precisely without any tugging on your lips.
3. Fenty Beauty’s Stunna Lip Paint Longwear Fluid Lip Colour
A Waterproof Liquid Lipstick With Incredibly Rich Colour
Get it here for $AUD36
Fenty Beauty has become one of Sephora’s best-selling brands for a reason! They’re known for their incredible foundation and concealer range, but their lipsticks remain one of their top products. When Rihanna first teased the shade Uncensored, sceptics waved off her claims that it was the perfect red for every skin tone – until the reviews came in and beauty editors raved that it was their new Holy Grail.
The Stunna lip paint comes in eight shades. Famous for barely fading despite a whole day’s wear; it’s an absolute must in every makeup lover’s kit. Try Uncuffed for a hint of mauve all day, or stand out in inky black with Uninvited for a glam goth look.
4. Nyx Soft Matte Lip Cream
A Silky Lipstick That Stays On For Hours!
Get it here for $AUD12.95
For many women, this was their OG matte lipstick. The Soft Matte lip creams are inexpensive, smell like marshmallows, and they can survive five hours with minimal transfer.
There are over 33 shades, from dark blue to warm coral. We recommend the best-selling MLBB Cannes, a universal pinky nude, or the muted mauve Rome, which looks dreamy on every skin tone!
5. L’Oréal Color Riche Matte Addiction Lipstick
This Drugstore Fave Delivers Colour With Every Coat
Get it here for $AUD18.49
Affordable but with solid staying power, the Color Riche Mattes can easily survive your coffee dates with minimal reapplication. Unlike liquid mattes that may be hard to layer, this traditional bullet lipstick doesn’t cake or clump when you swipe on a second coat. There are sixteen shades in all, but our absolute favourites are the glamorous scarlet Paris Cherry or the vampy wine Plum Tuxedo. They’re both guaranteed to make heads turn!
6. Huda Beauty Liquid Matte Lipstick
A Matte That (Gasp) Hydrates Your Lips!
Get it here for $AUD35
This lightweight product was designed by beauty guru Huda Kattan to stay on all day without leaving your lips parched. It’s a matte liquid lipstick packed with antioxidants to nourish your skin, and it’s transfer-free! It’s a little wet when applied, but it dries down quickly to a smooth, soft matte finish that you won’t even feel – that’s how comfortable the formula is! There are 25 shades, but our personal fave is the shade Bombshell, a rosy shade that’s perfect for effortless daytime looks.
7. Anastasia Beverly Hills Long-Wearing Matte Lipsticks
Full Pigment In A Luxe Finish That Won’t Budge
Get it here for $AUD39
This matte liquid lipstick has a rounded tip and flat double-sided applicator for even, precise lines. Cruelty-free, practically weightless, and in 45 shades, you’re sure to find your dream shade in the Anastasia line. Their smudge-proof coverage is also easy to layer, which has made it a staple in many makeup artists’ kits. The terracotta Ashton and peachy Dolce are two of our favourites from them!
There’s A Matte Lipstick Out There For Everyone
The effortless glamour of a matte finish really completes a look, and it’s certainly a lot less fuss than picking your hair out of sticky gloss! Whether you’re a makeup newbie or a beauty junkie, a good matte is a must-have. The best matte lipstick for you is just a lip swatch away!
Our advice? Get a tester for any of these seven and see how they last through the day – you’ll see why we’re so obsessed with them!
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