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What Is Liquid Lipstick?
Liquid lipstick is basically just the same product you get in bullet form, liquified and put in a tube for easy application with a brush or wand. Like your typical bullet lipstick, it can come in a variety of finishes, like matte, sheer or satin. Liquid lipstick has become more popular over the last five years, because it’s much easier to apply precisely into small corners than traditional bullets.
Liquid lipsticks were made popular by brands like Kylie Cosmetics, Colourpop, and Anastasia Beverly Hills. The earliest liquid lipsticks weren’t comfortable to wear in matte form, as they would crumble and dry easily. Nowadays, many have ingredients like Vitamin E and hyaluronic acid to nourish your pucker and pack pigment.
When you’re shopping for liquid lipstick, there are three things you need to remember: comfort, longevity, and pigmentation. The more pigmented it is, the less likely it will fade over the day, the more comfortable it is to wear, the less drying it is on your skin, and the healthier your lips will be. The longer it stays on, the less you have to reapply it. The best liquid lipsticks will outperform other brands in these three areas.
The 18 Best Liquid Lipsticks
18. Kat Von D Everlasting Liquid Lipstick
Vegan Beauty With Staying Power
Buy it here for $AUD28.
This cruelty-free lipstick is long-lasting and infused with sunflower seed, making it comfortable to wear all day. It comes in 42 shades and it only takes one swipe to get all the colour you need. The shades Lolita and Outlaw have received rave reviews for working on virtually every skin tone!
17. Australis Velourlips Matte Lip Cream
Minimal Transfer, Maximum Intensity
Buy it here for $AUD10.95
This drugstore brand outperforms competitor lipsticks despite its lower price tag. The Velourlips lip cream dries down completely for a matte finish. While the lighter shades may take a few more swipes for full coverage, the darker ones apply like a dream.
16. Elf Liquid Matte Lipstick
An Affordable Creamy Liquid Lip
Buy it here for $AUD14.
Despite being a liquid matte, Elf’s version is frequently praised for being easy to apply and not being prone to flaking. The Elf liquid lip is very buildable and doesn’t clump easily, although you should apply some liner on in case it bleeds outside the lines.
15. Rimmel Stay Matte Liquid Lipstick
This Lipstick Is Said To Be Kiss-Proof!
Buy it here for $AUD14.95
Praised for being velvety and vibrant at a budget-friendly price, the Rimmel Stay Mattes are known for being waterproof and kiss-proof. It does make this product a little harder to remove at the end of the day, but that means fewer reapplications between meals. Just top on some extra balm once in a while, as this product is a bit drying.
14. Lancome Matte Shaker Liquid Lipstick
A Mini Lipstick That Packs A Ton Of Pigment
Buy it here for $AUD39.
Don’t be fooled by the tiny tube! The Lancome Matte Shakers are known for lasting for ages, and when they finally do fade, they leave a slight stain so your lips aren’t completely naked. The small size makes it easy to carry around in the smallest of handbags, and the brush tip ensures you apply an even coat in every corner.
13. Sephora Cream Lip Stain
Silky And Non-Drying!
Buy it here for $AUD9.
While many liquid lipsticks tend to creep into fine lines or flake, the Cream Lip Stains have become one of the Sephora Collection’s most popular products for their satin texture. They’re not as long-lasting as other more heavy-duty mattes, but they’re a breeze to layer and reapply, and they’re very lightweight! The bright Always Red is one of its most popular shades.
12. MAC Retro Matte Liquid Lipcolour
This Cult Brand’s Liquid Lips Are Absolute Winners
Buy it here for $AUD42.
There are only 12 shades in MAC’s liquid lipstick range, but if you find one that’s perfect for your skin tone, you have to snap it up! Even the lighter pinks apply vibrantly, and they’re known for being just as long-lasting as the original retro matte bullets. Don’t forget to exfoliate your lips before you put this on! Try High Drama for a glam holiday look!
11. Nyx Soft Matte Lip Cream
A Budget Buy With A Wide Colour Range
Buy it here for $AUD12.95.
With over 30 shades, a whipped texture, and a pleasant marshmallow scent, the Soft Matte Lip Cream is often the liquid lip of choice for many makeup newbies. It will last for around four hours before you need to reapply, but it’s also super-comfortable to wear and won’t make your lips flake or bleed. Our personal fave is the my-lips-but-better shade Cannes.
10. Revlon Ultra HD Lip Mousse
Microfine Matte Powder In Every Swipe
Buy it here for $AUD24.95
Said to be smudge-proof for up to eight hours, this light mousse doesn’t tug or pull, and has a moisturising feel that will keep you from reaching for balm all day. It comes in 14 shades and has a precision tip applicator, so there’s no danger of missing a spot! We’re also a fan of the slightly mango-ish scent it has.
9. L’Oreal Rouge Signature Matte
A Barely-There Formula That Beats Traditional Lipsticks
Buy it here for $AUD24.95
This new L’Oreal product comes in 18 shades and has a tapered doe-foot applicator for even product distribution. It initially applies a bit wet, but in just 10 minutes, it dries down to a matte texture. It’s not completely transfer-proof, but it will at least last through a meal or two without a ton of fading or drying!
8. Giorgio Armani Lip Maestro
A Luxe Lip That’s Worth Every Cent
Buy it here for $AUD56.
The hefty price tag is worth it for a lipstick that will last for eight hours and a velvety feel. Frequently praised for the plushness of the formula, the Lip Maestro is very opaque and leaves a flattering stain even when it fades. Don’t let the matte finish deceive you – it’s surprisingly very moisturising.
7. Bobbi Brown Crushed Liquid Lip
A Balm-Like Alternative To Mattes
Buy it here for $AUD40.
If you long for the comfort and smoothness of lip balm, this Bobbi Brown lipstick is perfect and comes in a number of nude or pink shades that are very my-lips-but-better. It has medium coverage that you can build up to a more opaque finish and lasts for three to four hours with minimal fading.
6. Huda Beauty Liquid Matte Lipstick
A Winning Product From A Beauty Guru
Buy it here for $AUD35.
The formula is surprisingly runnier than average and takes several minutes to dry, but once it does, it will not budge! The barely-there finish and the nourishing hyaluronic acid make wearing this product a dream to wear. If you’re looking for a good everyday shade, Bombshell and Trophy Wife are two of its best nude-pinks.
5. Maybelline SuperStay Matte Ink
This Lip ‘Ink’ Will Last For Ages
Buy it here for $AUD19.95.
Notoriously difficult to remove, the Maybelline SuperStay Ink claims to last up to 16 hours on your lips – and judging by how long it stays on, we believe them! It goes from a liquid to a dry matte stain really quickly, and while the lightest pinks are patchy, all the other shades don’t need more than one swipe with the doe foot for full coverage.
4. Colourpop Ultra Matte Liquid Lipstick
This Matte Liquid OG Is Still One Of The Best
Buy it here for $AUD10.32.
Known for making some of the first affordable liquid lips, Colourpop’s first Ultra Mattes tended to crack or crumble after a few hours. They’ve since tweaked the formula for a smoother glide and less drying finish, while keeping their reasonable price point. If the incredible range is overwhelming, we suggest you start with brick-red Bumble or nude Beeper.
3. NARS Powermatte Lip Pigment
Liquified Pigment So Light, You’ll Forget It’s On
Buy it here for $AUD40
20 shades and a zero-gravity feel? We’re sold! The smudge-resistant Powermattes are so long-lasting that you can go through several meals with minimal transfer and no need to reapply. The pointed applicator is perfect for reaching those tiny corners, and the range was made so that every skin tone has the perfect red, pink, nude or berry.
2. Stila Stay All Day Liquid Lipstick
Full Of Hydrating Ingredients For Soft Lips
Buy it here for $AUD34.
While it’s a touch trickier to apply and dries down fast, the Stila Stay All Day remains a holy grail product for beauty junkies. Enriched with avocado oil and Vitamin E, these moisturisers help colour glide on very smoothly and helps your lips from drying out. Try nude-pink Patina, or bright red Beso, which are two of their most popular shades.
1. Anastasia Beverly Hills Liquid Lipstick
Over 30 Shades With Weightless Textures!
Buy it here for $AUD39.
One of the liquid lipstick pioneers, Anastasia’s liquid lipsticks are vegan and not crumbly on the lips. The sponge applicator puts on just the right amount of product – a little goes a long way – and the intense colour doesn’t need a touch-up all day. Terracotta Ashton and soft Dusty Rose are must-haves for any makeup kit!
Try Switching Your Traditional Lipstick For A Liquid One!
With their greater longevity and vibrancy, liquid lipsticks are fast becoming the lip product of choice. Whether you’re looking for a satin lip or a heavy-duty matte, these 18 choices come in a variety of colours that are sure to be staples in your beauty routine. Skip endless reapplications and lip feathering by using liquid lipsticks instead!
