Style Beauty The 10 Best Lipsticks To Wear Fearlessly for Every Occasion These tubes are worth every swipe. By Kaitlyn Yarborough Kaitlyn Yarborough Part of the Southern Living team since 2017, Kaitlyn Yarborough is a Georgia native living in Austin, Texas, who covers a wide variety of topics for both the magazine and website, focusing on culture and lifestyle content, as well as travel in the South. Southern Living's editorial guidelines Updated on June 8, 2022 Share Tweet Pin Email We independently evaluate all recommended products and services. If you click on links we provide, we may receive compensation. Learn more. Courtesy Charlotte Tilbury Let's begin by stating the obvious. It's never too late to become a lipstick girl. Whether you've previously been someone who loves swiping on a statement red lip for a night out, who has always kept your go-to neutral buried at the bottom of your purse, or who has really never worn lipstick ever, now is the time to enjoy the makeup accessory for what it is: fabulously fun. We've rounded up all the different lipsticks to try out throughout the year, from collagen-boosting, skin-nourishing formulas to come-hither bright color options to strikingly bold matte finishes. We've even thrown in one or two barely-there balmy tints that are perfect for those beginning their lipstick journey. Our Top Picks Favorite Overall: Charlotte Tilbury Matte Revolution Lipstick at Amazon Jump to Review Ultimate Classic: Dior Rouge Dior Refillable Lipstick at Sephora Jump to Review Great for Mature Lips: IT Cosmetics Pillow Lips Matte Lipstick at Amazon Jump to Review Favorite Drugstore: L'Oréal Colour Riche at Ulta Jump to Review Best Glossy: NYX Professional Makeup Shine Loud Liquid Lip Color Jump to Review Favorite Matte: Rare Beauty Lip Soufflé Matte Lip Cream at Sephora Jump to Review Best for Sheer Coverage: Merit Signature Lipstick at Sephora Jump to Review Most Dependable Long-Wear: Maybelline New York SuperStay Matte Ink Liquid Lipstick at Amazon Jump to Review Best Swipe-and-Go Stick : Clinique Almost Lipstick at Sephora Jump to Review Most Dramatic: Lancôme Rouge Drama Ink Liquid Lipstick at Ulta Jump to Review Favorite Overall Charlotte Tilbury Matte Revolution Lipstick 4.8 Charlotte Tilbury View On Amazon View On Nordstrom View On Sephora Countless women have found a favorite in Charlotte Tilbury's Matte Revolution Lipstick in Pillow Talk—and if you haven't tried it yet, now is the time to do it. It's the perfect dusty rose nude that flatters many skin tones and stands out more than any basic neutral. And don't let the matte formula intimidate you—it calls on orchid extract to keep lips protected and soothed with a cashmere finish. Not into matte at all? Try the brand's K.I.S.S.I.N.G formula with a satin finish. Ultimate Classic Dior Rouge Dior Refillable Lipstick Sephora View On Sephora This tube is nothing less than iconic, and its most famous color has to be the 999 shade that was first formulated back in 1953. It's an absolute perfect true red that makes its incredible quality known upon first swipe. If you're not so into a bold red lip, you can choose from a bevy of neutral and pinks to keep in your daily rotation. There are over 40 shades total, which range from matte finish to satin to metallic. Great for Mature Lips IT Cosmetics Pillow Lips Matte Lipstick 4.8 Nordstrom View On Amazon View On Nordstrom View On Sephora Line-smoothing collagen and hydrating hyaluronic acid are two of the not-so-secret ingredients that will keep your lips smiling, and they help this lipstick do way more than deliver long-lasting color. Even better, each shade comes in both a matte and cream formula option—because we all have our preference. Favorite Drugstore L'Oréal Colour Riche Satin Lipstick 4.5 L'Oreal View On Ulta Great for leaving lips feeling moisturized instead of dry or sticky, this classic tube always brings on the compliments. Amongst over 50 color options, you're bound to land on a new signature shade in no time. Start with a neutral and work up to a bold boysenberry. The price point certainly doesn't hurt, either. Best Glossy NYX Professional Makeup Shine Loud Vegan High Shine Long-Lasting Liquid Lip Color 4.9 Amazon View on Ulta View On Amazon View On Walmart This cult-favorite drugstore brand launched an ultra-shiny, long-wear lipstick, which boasts zero color-transfer, no smudge, no bleed, and no fade. We're sold. Along with a vast selection of pigmented color, it's got the sheen of a gloss and the buildable color of a lipstick. One tube, and you're done. Favorite Matte Rare Beauty Lip Soufflé Matte Lip Cream Rare Beauty View On Sephora View On Kohls.com View On Rarebeauty.com One of our new favorite affordable beauty brands on the market, Rare Beauty has us swooning over this weightless, air-whipped lip cream. It offers rich color, a velvety soft matte finish, and a non-drying feel. Not to mention, the 12 shade options range from perfect neutrals to pretty pinks to bright pop of colors. Best for Sheer Coverage Merit Signature Lip Lightweight Lipstick Sephora View On Sephora View On Kohls.com View On Meritbeauty.com This everyday tube offers a sheer, natural-finish formula that feels as if nothing is there once it's applied to your lips. It gives a wash of color that is perfect for the more low-maintenance women out there who desire a flush of color. As for the flush of choice, pick your poison: a neutral pink-beige, a 90s-inspired brown, and other easy-to-wear options. Most Dependable Long-Wear Maybelline New York SuperStay Matte Ink Liquid Lipstick Amazon View On Amazon View On Ulta This drugstore staple is perfect for those trying to dip their toes into the matte or liquid lipstick pool for the first time. It's affordable, flush with rave reviews across the Internet, and won't smudge off within the hour. The long-lasting formula is known to stay put better than many lipsticks above its pay grade, and the handy applicator takes off some pressure for lipstick tube newbies. So really, there's no reason not to snag a couple shades to try on your next trip to the drugstore. Best Swipe-and-Go Stick Clinique Almost Lipstick Macy's View On Sephora View On Ulta View On Macy's The sheer, raisin Black Honey shade of this "almost" lipstick deserves every ounce of praise it has received over the years—and it recently celebrated its 30th anniversary. While the color looks borderline gothic in the tube, it goes on as a natural tint to your lips for a subtle, just-bitten look that is versatile and flattering. From daytime to nights out, this color is a staple to throw in your purse. Most Dramatic Lancôme L'Absolu Rouge Drama Ink Liquid Lipstick Ulta Beauty View On Ulta When this new liquid lipstick landed on our doorstep, it immediately commanded a moment of silent appreciation—especially for how long it stayed on our hand after testing out a swipe. To put it simply: It brought the drama. The petal-shaped applicator tip helps the quick-drying matte liquid formula glide on with easy precision, and you'll definitely want to indulge in one of the brazenly pigmented shades (including cranberry reds, mauve berry, and toasted nude) for a dressy affair or fun girls' night. Was this page helpful? Thanks for your feedback! Tell us why! Other Submit