When it comes to the world of beauty, the good news is there's a seemingly endless supply of lipsticks [1], glosses, and pencils. And more products launch every day [2]! The bad news is it would be nearly impossible to try them all in order to find your perfect fit. To help save you a lot of energy (add to that money), we asked makeup artists [3] to dish on the formulas and shades that they and their clients have come to know and love. From "J Lo"-worthy nudes to vampire-inspired gothic shades, read on for some of their top can't-live-without lipstick picks.
Bobbi Brown Creamy Lip Color in Italian Rose
"It's the perfect neutral rose for fair to medium skin tones. It's my go-to color for women who want a polished makeup look. It also comes across great for on-camera interviews!" — Erica Whelan [4]
Bobbi Brown Creamy Lip Color in Italian Rose [5] ($28)
Maybelline Color Jolt Lip Paint in Orange Outburst
"It's bright, matte-ish, stays on, and is not too red. It's definitely a must have for the statement lip. I love it for myself, and I use it on clients, too!" — Emily Kate Warren [6]
Maybelline Color Jolt Lip Paint in Orange Outburst [7] ($10)
MAC Lipglass in C-Thru
"This is a staple from the early aughts, and was revered for allowing everyone to attain the much hyped 'J Lo Lip' (at that point, it was typically paired with Jumbled Lip Lacquer, which has since been discontinued). To this day, it's still my top pick for the quintessential sexy, glossy naked lip." — Ashleigh Ciucci [8]
MAC Lipglass in C-Thru [9] ($16)
Kat Von D Everlasting Liquid Lipstick in Vampira
"This deep reddish-burgundy shade has a longwear, full-coverage formula that glides over lips like a gloss but dries to a matte finish. It's my current obsession." — Erik Soto [10]
Kat Von D Everlasting Liquid Lipstick in Vampira [11] ($20)
MAC Lipglass in Clear
"This is the perfect clear lip gloss. It looks ultrashiny and is an essential in my makeup kit as I can mix in a little lipstick in any shade and make custom lip gloss. I have also been known to use a tiny amount on the eyelids for a glossed lid effect." — Amber Dreadon [12]
MAC Lipglass in Clear [13] ($16)
Maybelline Lip Studio Color Blur Lip Pencil in Partner in Crimson
"I love using Maybelline Color Blur on lips for so many different reasons. Among them, it offers matte texture without overdrying, it has great color payoff, and it has serious staying power! You can literally apply it once and it will stay put for hours. No need to reapply." — Joy Fennell [14]
Maybelline Lip Studio Color Blur Lip Pencil in Partner in Crimson [15] ($9)
Marc Jacobs Beauty Le Marc Lip Crème Lipstick in Goddess 202
"This deep maraschino-red shade works for the Fall season and all year long. Plus, the rich, creamy formula stays on for 10 hours and has hydrating ingredients that leave your lips feeling instantly plumped and nourished!" — Gilbert Soliz [16]
Marc Jacobs Beauty Le Marc Lip Crème Lipstick in Goddess 202 [17] ($30)
Smith & Cult The Tainted Lip Stained Flatten in Linger Sigh
"It has a creamy, cushiony texture that hydrates and tints my lips the perfect shade of pink. It's not too bright, not too bubble-gummy — just right! I also use it on my cheeks for a flush of color when I need a quick pick-me-up." — Ashlee Glazer [18]
Smith & Cult The Tainted Lip Stained Flatte in Linger Sigh [19] ($24)
Oribe Lip Lust Crème Lipstick in The Nude, The Red, and The Violet
"These are full of pigment, apply beautifully, and have a velvet crème finish. I always say that through a woman's makeup journey, she needs a neutral like The Nude because it has pink undertones that make everyone at every age look youthful. The Red is a classic bold and The Violet is a statement shade." — Nam Vo [20]
Oribe Lip Lust Crème Lipstick in The Nude, The Red (pictured), and The Violet [21] ($42 each)
Burt's Bees Lip Crayon in Hawaiian Smolder
"I'm past the point of obsession with this. It saves me the step of having to use lip balm before lipstick, because it's a combination of both. It's a great natural lip color for deeper toned skin and a bold, sexy statement color for lighter tones." — Saisha Beecham [22]
Burt's Bees Lip Crayon in Hawaiian Smolder [23] ($9)
Sephora Collection Cream Lip Stain in Blackberry Sorbet
"This is my go-to for a bold lip this Fall. The formula is incredibly lightweight and contains avocado oil to keep lips hydrated. It stays in place for hours, and the rich, dark berry color makes it perfect for any night out." — Karoline Karakeosian [24]
Sephora Collection Cream Lip Stain in Blackberry Sorbet [25] ($14)
Smith & Cult The Tainted Lip Stained Flatte in Kissing Tiny Flowers
"It has a velvety finish. I can wear it all day, and it never dries or cracks like other saturated liquid lipsticks. The strong yet delicate tint is also quite versatile. It's an ideal color for daytime and pairs really well with either a natural or smoky eye. For evening, amp it up by throwing some lip gloss (I love Smith & Cult's The Shining Lip Lacquer in Flesh Riot [26]) on top." — Sarah Maxwell [27]
Smith & Cult The Tainted Lip Stained Flatte in Kissing Tiny Flowers [28] ($24)
Charlotte Tilbury Luscious Lipstick in B*tch Perfect
"This lipstick is moisturizing, full of pigment, and comes in several gorgeous shades. I like this one in particular because it's close to a natural lip shade, but bumped up." — Denika Bedrossian [29]
Charlotte Tilbury K.I.S.S.I.N.G. Luscious Lipstick in B*tch Perfect [30] ($32)
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