Finding the right matte lipstick can be a bit of a challenge. While we’ve come a long way from the ultra-drying early forms, not all matte lipsticks are created equal. Some can be patchy or hard to touch up because of flaking, while others tug at your pucker while you apply and make your lips feel like the Sahara. So how do you know which matte lipsticks are actually worth the cash?
Here, we give you a quick rundown of what matte lipstick is, how it became trendy again, and our seven choices for which mattes you should put in your makeup kit. No more parched lips and cracking lines!
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What Is Matte Lipstick, And Why Did It Become So Popular?
Matte lipsticks are basically non-shiny lip products. It’s all colour, no shine. Matte lipsticks have been in stores for years, but we have beauty mogul Kylie Jenner to thank for its recent revival. Before she got her lip injections dissolved, her fans were obsessed with her plump pink pout and wanted to learn what she used to get it. Her secret? A good few layers of MAC lip liner and matte lipstick!
The MAC nude mattes Velvet Teddy and Whirl started flying off the shelves thanks to Kylie, and when she saw how popular they became again, she launched her own beauty brand, Kylie Cosmetics, which revolved around matte lipsticks at first launch. Other beauty gurus and multi-billion brands released matte lipsticks around this time too, such as Jeffree Star, Nyx, and Maybelline.
The matte lipsticks being sold now are much different from those being sold just a decade ago. Now there are hydrating matte lipsticks, matte lipsticks in liquid or gel form, and even metallic mattes that deliver a gold or silver finish without being creamy or glossy. If you’re overwhelmed by the options from the beauty shelves, here are seven showstopping mattes that you can choose from.
Our 7 Best Matte Lipsticks For Every Occasion
1. Nyx Liquid Suede Lipstick
An Affordable Lipstick That Stays On For Hours!
This cruelty-free liquid lipstick is surprisingly creamy, so it almost doesn’t feel like a matte lipstick. For $AUD14.95 here, you can choose one of the 18 shades and wear it for around six hours with minimal fading. Try flattering nude shades Sandstorm or Soft Spoken, which are often cited as dupes for much more expensive mattes. Some say that they’re even better than the designer lipsticks they’re compared to!
2. MAC Retro Matte Liquid Lip Colour
This Matte Liquid Lipstick Won’t Budge All Day!
Famous for its original matte bullet lipsticks, MAC has since released liquid forms that can still be recognised as part of the multi-billion brand thanks to its distinct black cap. The doe foot applicator delivers the right amount of pigment onto your lips without outer staining or creasing. Our choice shades from this line? The classic red Quite The Standout, or the plummy Dance With Me. Buy it for $AUD42 here!
3. Huda Beauty Liquid Matte Lipstick
Say Bye-Bye To Dry Lip Lines With This Moisturising Matte!
Beauty guru Huda Kattan was known for her makeup tutorials, so it was no surprise that when she made her own amazing lipstick that wouldn’t crumble or flake! Her liquid mattes have hydrating pigments and nourishing oils, so you can wear them without drying out your skin. With a solid range of 25 shades, it can be pretty hard to pick from this long-stay line.
Our suggestions: try the mauvey Sugar Mama or slightly browner Girlfriend for the ideal MLBB matte! They work with every skin tone and can go with any outfit. It’s available from Sephora for $AUD35.
4. NARS Velvet Matte Lip Pencil
A Crayon Packed With Rich, Waterproof Colour
This stick is a cross between a lip pencil and traditional bullet, which means you can draw precise lines even on the go. These lip pencils sell for $AUD41 here and come in 33 shades. Vampy Train Bleu is a cult classic because it delivers deep purple pigment that’s almost black without being patchy. If you’re looking for a more daytime-friendly look, pinky-nude Walkyrie is right up your alley.
5. L’Oreal Colour Riche Matte Lipstick
An Amazing Drugstore Product That Feels Shockingly Luxe
A cheap matte that you can pick up in every drugstore, the L’Oreal Colour Riche Mattes don’t last longer than four hours. Still, they’re super easy to apply and very creamy for a matte lipstick, making them extra comfortable to wear all day. It comes in 16 shades, and at the price of $AUD18.49, we can’t blame you for hoarding them all!
Not sure where to start? We’re obsessed with the reddish Hype and terracotta-pink Strike A Rose.
6. Anastasia Beverly Hills Matte Lipstick
A Weightless Wonder That Can Last Up To Six Hours
Anastasia is well-known for its pigment-dense lipsticks. And while they’ve recently come out with bullet forms, their original matte liquid lipsticks remain their best-selling product. It has a great double-sided applicator that’s flatter than your standard doe foot, so you can apply just enough pigment to fully cover with one swipe. Fall-ready Ashton is one of their most popular colours, but we have a soft spot for purpley-mauve Dusty Rose. Get them at Sephora for $AUD39.
7. Colourpop Ultra Matte Liquid Lipstick
This Is A Formula That Can Survive Multiple Meals
This indie cruelty-free brand has quickly become one of the most popular makeup retailers in the world. The product that started it all? Their inexpensive Ultra Matte Liquid Lipsticks! While they’re based in the US, they ship their makeup internationally, and you can get their transfer-proof lipsticks here for $USD7 (or $AUD10.05).
With a staying power of around seven hours, this kiss-proof lipstick means you keep touch-ups to a minimum. The earlier formula was a bit drying and might crack your lips, but they’ve tweaked it to make it more comfortable to wear. Best-sellers Bumble and Tulle are widely considered universally-flattering shades, but there are dozens more, and they release new shades pretty often!
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