The Best Lipsticks of 2024, According to Editors

POPSUGAR Photography | Jessica Harrington
Every editorial product is independently selected by our editors. If you buy something through our links, we may earn commission.

Our editors try hundreds of new beauty products each year, which means we've swiped on our fair share of lipsticks and can tell a good formula from a bad one with our eyes closed. The best lipsticks have staying power, high-impact pigment, and a wearable feel that sits comfortably on the lips. If you're on the hunt for a new lippie, we've got plenty of recommendations to help you narrow down your options. We've tried everything from the best eye-catching red lipsticks to TikTok-viral products that you can only snag if you're lucky to catch them in stock.

The right lip can make all the difference in pulling your makeup together. It can make you feel effortless, confident, and beautiful with one swipe. We curated the ultimate list of top-tier options to fit every preference under the sun. Whether you're looking for a long-lasting formula or one with a matte, creamy, or high-shine finish, we've got a shade for you. You'll also find everything from moody maroons and mauves to flattering neutrals and statement-making bright pinks and purples galore. Trying to save money? No problem — we found a ton of high-quality drugstore lipsticks, proving there's something for every budget.

Shop the best lipsticks to add a few to your collection in 2024.

Additional reporting by Renee Rodriguez and Jessica Harrington

Best Lipstick Balm
nordstrom.com

Best Lipstick Balm

YSL Rouge Volupté Shine Lipstick Balm ($43)

If you want an ultra-hydrating lipstick formula that moves with your lips and just feels good, look no further than the YSL Rouge Volupté Shine Lipstick Balm. It has the texture of a balm with the color-payoff of a creamy lipstick. One swipe will give your lips a sheer wash of color but you can layer it to make the color opaque.

Editor Quote: "The price tag on this one hurts, but what can I say . . . love is love. I like to apply by dabbing a few dots and then tapping outward with my finger for a more casual red lip." — Lisa Robinson, director, distribution

Best Satin Lipstick
sephora.com

Best Satin Lipstick

Kulfi Heirloom Satin Lipstick ($30)

The Heirloom Satin Lipstick from Kulfi is a must-have for your makeup bag. It's a comfortable, hydrating lipstick with a satin finish that comes in seven flattering shades for all skin tones. The formula contains vitamin E and a candelilla wax blend, which gives it that moisturizing, smooth consistency. Read our full review of the Kulfi lipstick line for more information.

Editor Quote: "The shade First Sari is the perfect berry shade for me, but it's more approachable and wearable for everyday looks. If you want something that's flirty and cute but also is a more neutral vibe, First Sari is a versatile option." — Anvita Reddy, assistant editor, Commerce

Best Buildable Lipstick
sephora.com

Best Buildable Lipstick

Charlotte Tilbury Matte Revolution Lipstick ($35)

The Charlotte Tilbury Matte Revolution Lipstick is famous for its cult-favorite Pillow Talk shade, but it also comes in a ton of universally flattering shades. It has a matte finish with a long-wearing, buildable formula. It's hydrating and pigmented, and it's the finishing touch to a glam look. Pillow Talk is a stunning nude pink shade for those with lighter skin tones, however, the shade Pillow Talk Medium is perfect for those with darker skin tones. Read our review of the Charlotte Tilbury Matte Revolution Lipstick.

Editor Quote: "The Charlotte Tilbury Pillow Talk Lipstick hasn't left my bag since I first got my hands on it six years ago. It's the perfect neutral for my naturally bright, pink lips and it matches with every makeup look." — Jessica Harrington, senior editor, Beauty

Best Lip Stain Liquid Lipstick
sephora.com

Best Lip Stain Liquid Lipstick

Sephora Collection Cream Lip Stain Liquid Lipstick ($15)

The Sephora Collection Cream Lip Stain Liquid Lipstick has both moisture and staying power. It's a full-coverage, pigmented formula with a matte finish that will actually stain your lips for a flush of color the next day. It comes in so many different shades, including blues, greens, and more. The shade 78 Chili Pepper is also Jenny Lyons's go-to lipstick. Read our full Sephora Collection Cream Lip review.

Editor Quote: " It has a small doe-foot applicator that makes it easy to line your lips perfectly, especially the cupid's bow. The whipped, creamy texture of the lip cream spreads evenly and offers full coverage with a single swipe, but a second coat really punches up the color. It goes on smoothly but quickly dries to a matte finish." — JH

Best Hydrating Lipstick
sephora.com

Best Hydrating Lipstick

Merit Signature Lip Lightweight Lipstick ($26)

The Merit Signature Lip Lightweight Lipstick has the pigment of a liquid lipstick, the feel of a lip balm, and the finish of a lip gloss. It has a buildable color payoff with a buttery soft, moisturizing texture, perfect for those who have dry lips. The lipstick has comfortable wear that is lightweight and flexible on the lips. It comes in eight shades ranging from neutrals and browns to pinks, reds, and corals. Read our in-depth review of the Merit Signature Lip Lightweight Lipstick. One editor's favorite shades are Tiger, a brick red, 1990, a deep brown, and L'avenue, a berry-brown.

Editor Quote: "Merit's Signature Lip Lightweight Lipstick is perfect for a night out and everyday use. This one product can replace your lip balm, lip gloss, and lipstick in your handbag. It has a lovely and elegant feel on the lips that feels hydrating and lightweight. The lipstick has a color payoff that lasts for quite some time, and it keeps my lips feeling conditioned." — AR

Best Matte Lipstick
sephora.com

Best Matte Lipstick

Makeup By Mario Ultra Suede Lipstick ($28)

The Makeup By Mario Ultra Suede Lipstick delivers a bold pigment with a weightless feel. It's a matte lipstick that's nondrying and makes the lips feel soft and suede-like. The long-wearing formula has a smooth-matte, soft-focus finish that looks airbrushed. It comes in 20 shades, including reds, pinks, and browns. Read our in-depth review of the Makeup By Mario Ultra Suede Lipstick. One editor's favorite shades are Amanda, a deep plum, Rasa, a midtone rosy pink, and Fanda, a rosy brown.

Editor Quote: "Unlike most matte formulas that feel drying and almost suction to the lips, making them incredibly uncomfortable to wear throughout the day, I experienced nothing of the sort with this lipstick. No matter how much I layered on, the product felt like nothing on my lips and they never looked dry. As if I needed any more convincing that these lipsticks will be my new go-to, I looked in the mirror after eating a pasta dinner to find the color still looking near-perfect." — Alyssa Kaplan, former assistant beauty editor, Makeup.com

Best Matte Liquid Lipstick
sephora.com

Best Matte Liquid Lipstick

Rare Beauty Lip Souffle Matte Cream Lipstick in Inspire ($20)

Selena Gomez's favorite and go-to shade will be your new favorite bold red. It's a weightless matte lipstick that feels velvety soft on your lips. It's nondrying as well, and it comes in a ton of different shades. Read our in-depth review of the Rare Beauty Lip Souffle Matte Cream Lipstick. One editor loves the shades Inspire, Fearless, a deep, cool-tone brown, Heroic, a berry magenta shade, and Brave, a muted terracotta.

Editor Quote: "This particular product's texture is unique in the world of matte lipsticks — creamy and buildable, while still feeling surprisingly lightweight and breathable. After a few minutes of wear, the suede-like finish starts to feel barely there, almost like a powder and far more comfortable than the tacky, glue-like texture common in other liquid lip products." — LR

Best Non-Drying Matte Lipstick
ulta.com

Best Non-Drying Matte Lipstick

About Face Paint-It Matte Lip Color ($16)

The About Face Paint-It Matte Lip Color has a formula so light and flexible, you won't even feel it on your lips. It's a long-wearing, non-drying liquid lipstick with a color payoff that doesn't disappoint. It's an editor-favorite as well; read our in-depth review of the About Face Paint-It Matte Lip Color.

Editor Quote: "The formula is so light and flexible, you can't even feel it on your mouth. And that pigment? Wow, the color payoff is impressive for such a weightless consistency. I also appreciate the touch of peppermint oil that keeps my lips moisturized. I wore this with my face mask over it for about 30 minutes, and the lipstick didn't smudge or fade. Clearly it's a winner." — Macy Cate Williams, former content director, Commerce

Best Waterproof Lipstick
ulta.com

Best Waterproof Lipstick

Beauty Bakerie Matte Lip Whip ($22)

The Beauty Bakerie Matte Lip Whip has an incredible staying power that lets you eat, drink, and even wear a face mask without transferring. Don't believe us, one of our editors put it to the test; read our in-depth review of the Beauty Bakerie Matte Lip Whip. The formula is smudge-proof and waterproof, and comes in eight shades.

Editor Quote: "I ordered a couple of colors and was instantly taken by an electric orangey-red hue when it arrived in the mail. The formula effortlessly glided over my lips, and it only took one solid coat to completely saturate my skin. The result? A smooth, matte finish that doesn't crack or make my lips feel stiff." — MCW

Best Long-Lasting Liquid Lipstick
ulta.com

Best Long-Lasting Liquid Lipstick

Stila Stay All Day Long Wear Liquid Lipstick ($24)

The Stila Stay All Day Long Wear Liquid Lipstick is not just an editor-favorite but also congresswoman Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez's go-to, specifically in the shade Beso. The long-lasting liquid lipstick has a matte finish but won't dry out the lips. It comes in 24 different colors from bright red to rosy pink. Read our in-depth review of the Stila Stay All Day Long Wear Liquid Lipstick.

Editor Quote: "The color applies so smoothly and evenly that I didn't need to swipe it over my lips more than once, and knowing how drying matte lipsticks can be, I love that this one didn't make my lips feel chapped or heavy. While it's not 100 percent transfer-proof, I was very impressed with its staying power and the way it was able to hold up even after eating and drinking throughout the day." — Danielle Jackson, former assistant editor

Best Drugstore Lipstick
target.com

Best Drugstore Lipstick

The Lip Bar Vegan Matte Liquid Lipstick ($14)

The Lip Bar Vegan Matte Liquid Lipstick in Bawse Lady is one editor's go-to red shade. The formula is smooth and soft delivering a bold and pigmented matte finish without drying out the lips. It has a staying power for up to eight hours. It's so good, it even won a POPSUGAR Beauty Award in 2021. Read our review of The Lip Bar Vegan Matte Liquid Lipstick.

Editor Quote: "Of all the reds I've tried — and there have been a lot — this has to be the one that gets the most use. It's made with a formula that applies so smoothly and doesn't leave my lips feeling parched, and the deep-red color really does something to me when it comes to bringing out my inner boss b*tch." — DJ

Best Nude Lipstick
nordstrom.com

Best Nude Lipstick

Ctzn Cosmetics Nudiversal Lip Duo ($29)

Our editors agree, the Ctzn Cosmetics Nudiversal Lip Duo is our new favorite budge-proof lipstick formula. Each super-flattering color will last you from your first sip of coffee in the morning all the way to the end of dinner (and then some). The 25-shade range has the perfect neutral and nude for your skin tone, even taking into account undertones. One side of this dual-ended lipstick is a creamy matte lipstick while the other side is a hydrating lip gloss, so you'll have a go-to nude for any occasion. Read our in-depth review of the Ctzn Cosmetics Nudiversal Lip Duo.

Editor Quote: "I only needed one swipe of the matte lipstick side of the lip duo for an opaque, bold color. The lipstick is velvety soft, moisturizing, and lightweight. Even though it has a matte finish, it did not feel drying at all. I noticed that the lipstick moved with my lips rather than giving that cracked look you traditionally get from matte liquid lipsticks." — AR

Best Overall Lipstick
sephora.com

Best Overall Lipstick

Lys Beauty Speak Love Lipstick ($20)

This matte lipstick is a 2023 POPSUGAR Beauty Award winner, and it's easy to see why. It moisturizes like a balm but is as long-lasting as your favorite long-wear lipstick. It comes in seven different shades, but Moody, a warm mauve, is our absolute favorite.

Best Lipstick Crayon
ulta.com

Best Lipstick Crayon

Maybelline SuperStay Ink Crayon Lipstick ($11)

The glides on smoothly and promises to last eight hours. It is a product that doubles as a lip liner and has a built-in sharpener, so you'll never be unprepared. It's smudge-proof with a long-lasting wear, and it's truly a hidden gem.

Best Creamy Lipstick
sephora.com

Best Creamy Lipstick

Nars Audacious Lipstick in Audrey ($26)

You can never go wrong with the Nars Audacious Lipstick in Audrey. It's a creamy formula that doesn't compromise on pigment and color. It's perfect for that red-carpet-ready, glamorous bold lip that you can wear to something as simple as a first date or as daring as a red carpet.

Best High Pigment Lipstick
sephora.com
Getty

Best High Pigment Lipstick

Ilia Color Block High Impact Lipstick in Rococco ($28)

You don't have to choose between pigment and moisture with the Ilia Color Block High Impact Lipstick in Rococco. It's a hydrating formula with a satin finish that will basically replace your tinted lip balm, and it's on one of our editor's best Ilia products list, for good reason.