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Drugstore makeup has improved so much over the years that the “you get what you pay for” mentality no longer applies. Price point isn’t necessarily an indicator of quality, especially when it comes to certain product categories of cosmetics.
Drugstore vs. Luxury Lipsticks
As much as I love and own luxury and prestige beauty products, lipsticks are an area where you can find comparable products to the high-end versions that may even be better for what you’re looking for (whether it’s better performance, shade range, natural ingredients, etc.). And you can save on the potentially inflated costs of paying for a certain brand name, marketing, or packaging.
Drugstore matte lipsticks are a popular choice due to their long-lasting formulas and their versatility. (You can mix mattes and layer them with other colors or liners and you can always make a matte shiny by topping it with gloss.)
The main downside to matte lipsticks is that certain formulas may be drying. Liquid matte lipsticks tend to be more drying than those in a tube, but are also more long-wearing. To avoid this, make sure your lips are prepped.
Prepping Your Lips For Matte Colors
One of my favorite ways to prime my lips is applying lip balm or a lip mask beforehand with enough time for it to penetrate. I usually do my lipstick as the last step, but I put lip balm on before I do my makeup or as one of the first steps.
I also make sure to exfoliate my lips. A few options include using a soft toothbrush with a mix of sugar and Vaseline, a lip scrub brush like Ulta’s gentle but effective silicone Lip Scrubber, or a lip exfoliator like the Revlon Kiss Exfoliating Balm Sugar Scrub or Milani’s Supercharged Lip Scrub.
With all the matte lipstick options out there, choosing one can be overwhelming, which is why I’ve curated the best drugstore matte lipsticks that won’t break the bank for you. These lip products are all highly-rated, easy-to-find, and offer great value for the price. I’ve included products that are universally flattering and have options for light, medium, tan, and dark skin tones.
The 16 Best Drugstore Matte Lipsticks That Won’t Break the Bank
Maybelline Super Stay Matte Ink Liquid Lipstick
If you’re looking for long-wearing color, Maybelline Super Stay Matte Ink Liquid Lipstick lives up to its name. Maybelline’s highly-pigmented, long-lasting matte formula will stay put throughout your day. While they promise 16-hour wear, many reviewers commented that it lasts even longer than that. It’s one of the most transfer-proof lipsticks on the market at any price point. You’ll find over thirty shades including flattering nudes for every skin tone and classic reds to bold, bright colors and deep darks.
One reviewer writes, “A Must-Have Matte! This is by far the best matte gloss I’ve ever tried! It lasted through an entire day at a music festival against all odds between sweating and eating/drinking. I was so impressed by this superstay for an affordable price. I bought another shade to see if it worked as well with a lighter color and it did! I don’t write reviews often, but this is well worth the review! Highly recommend!”
Personal Favorite: Seductress
Maybelline SuperStay Ink Crayon Lipstick
If you’re not a fan of liquid lipstick, but still want the long wear, Maybelline’s Super Stay Ink Crayon is the perfect alternative (and winner of Allure’s Best of Beauty Awards for Best Lip Crayon of 2020!). With up to eight hours of wear and a built-in sharpener, this matte lip crayon is effortless to apply and take with you on the go. You can also use it as a lipliner!
Personal Favorite: Lead the Way
Maybelline Color Sensational Ultimatte Slim Lipstick
Matte formulas have a reputation for being drying, but not Maybelline’s Color Sensational Ultimatte Slim Lipstick. This blurring formula receives rave reviews for being comfortable, lightweight, and non-drying (so it won’t settle into cracks!), while not skimping on color payoff or longevity. There’s a beautiful range of nudes for light to dark skin tones.
One reviewer says, “I will buy this product again! This is, hands down, the best lipstick I’ve used. It has a very matte finish but doesn’t feel dry and it stays put all day. I just wish there were more color choices!!,” while another writes, “Surprisingly Fantastic! Cannot believe how this product does not dry the lips, stays on, and is so affordable. Thought I’d try it as I liked the color. An amazing product, especially for the price and better than many high end products I’ve used.”
Personal Favorites: More Stone & More Mauve
Wet n Wild MegaLast Liquid Catsuit Matte Lipstick
It’s hard to beat the price on Wet n Wild’s Catsuit Matte Liquid Lipstick. It glides on glossy then sets into a highly-pigmented matte finish that won’t budge.
One reviewer says, “Best lipstick. In my life, I’ve used Give Me Mocha at least 20 times. I’ve repurchased this for 6 years in a row. I just can’t bring myself to buy any other lipstick. It’s such a beautiful shade that glides right on. It never comes off whenever I’m eating or drinking. I’m obsessed with this and I hope they never discontinue this.”
Personal Favorite: Nudist Peach
Revlon Super Lustrous Matte Lipstick
This light, creamy matte formula is infused with agave, moringa oil, and cupuacu butter to keep your lips smooth and hydrated. If you’re looking for a dupe to Charlotte Tilbury’s “Pillow Talk,” check out the shade “Pick Me Up.”
Personal Favorite: Pick Me Up
Revlon Colorstay Suede Ink Lipstick
Revlon delivers eight hours of comfortable, no-transfer wear with plenty of pigment. The formula includes a primer to ensure staying power and vitamin E to condition.
One review says, “Best matte lipstick I have ever had!!! Stays on for at least 8 hours. Definitely will be the only lipstick I will be buying. I already have 3 colors.”
Personal Favorite: No Rules
NYX Professional Makeup Soft Matte Lip Cream
These NYX soft matte lip creams are a great, wearable, everyday option. They come in a range of beautiful nudes, blush, and rose tones that are universally flattering. Lightweight and creamy with a velvety matte finish on the dry down, it’s hard to beat the quality for the price point.
Personal Favorites: Abu Dhabi & Zurich
NYX Professional Makeup Smooth Whip Blurring Matte Liquid Lipstick
Infused with shea and cocoa butter, NYX”s Smooth Whip will moisturize while blurring any texture and lines.
Personal Favorite: Pancake Stack. Hot Tip: If you love a 90’s vibe, pair it with NYX’s Slim Lip Pencil Creamy Long-Lasting Lip Liner in Nude Truffle.
NYX Suede Matte Lipstick Lightweight Vegan Lipstick
This lipstick gets top marks for comfort, color, and price point.
Personal Favorite: Brunch Me
Milani Color Fetish Matte Lipstick – The Flora Collection
Everything about Milani’s Color Fetish Matte Lipsticks feels high-end, from the formula to the packaging. Enhanced with hyaluronic acid, these matte lipsticks are smooth, creamy, and pigmented. The nude collection contains a universally flattering shade for every skin tone.
Personal Favorites: Secret & Tease
Milani Ludicrous Matte Lip Crayon
Milani’s Ludicrous Matte Lip Crayon gives you a foolproof application with its defined crayon tip and plenty of hydration with a blend of shea butter, jojoba, and avocado oil. Enjoy this luxurious glide-on color that won’t feather or crack.
Personal Favorite: Can’t Even
L’Oreal Paris Infallible Pro-Matte Liquid Lipstick
If you hate having to touch up your lips, L’Oreal’s Infallible Pro-Matte Liquid Lipstick gives you up to sixteen hours of staying power that’s also comfortable to wear. Once dry, these ultra-matte, full-coverage, intensely-pigmented shades are not going anywhere.
One reviewer writes, “Can’t find anything better! I constantly try other lip colors but keep coming back to this. You can kiss, take a drink, eat, wipe your face — it really won’t come off.”
Personal Favorites: Nudist & Cowboy
L’Oreal Paris Colour Riche Voluminous Matte Lipstick
A little goes a long way with this longwearing, hyaluronic-acid-infused L’Oreal matte lipstick that comes in super-saturated shades that don’t smudge, bleed, or feather.
Personal Favorites: 123 Le Nude Independent, 133 Le Wood Nonchalant, & 113 Le Nude Admirable
Jason Wu Beauty Hot Fluff Lipstick
Jason Wu’s Hot Fluff is a truly fantastic find! Not only is each shade designed to be universally flattering on all skin tones, but its blendable formula makes it easy to use as a multi-tasker on lips, eyes, and cheeks.
One reviewer says, “Please do not discontinue. I have never found a lipstick shade range more flattering to Indian skin. The colors are true and opaque and the formula is long lasting without being drying. 20/10.”
Personal Favorite: Nutmeg Spice
Juvia’s Place The Nude Velvety Matte Lipstick
The Nude Velvety Matte Lipstick from Juvia’s Place deserves all of the rave reviews it gets, and even won Cosmopolitan’s Holy Grail Beauty Award for Best Neutral Lipstick in 2021. The beautiful soft-matte formula comes in stunning pink, mauve, chocolate and tan lip tones that enhance any skin complexion. Highly-pigmented and hydrating with hyaluronic acid, these are essentials for your collection.
One reviewer writes, “2020 dupe for Pillow Talk! I got the color 2020 for a neutral nude soft lip look. It is gorgeous! The color, texture, and scent is very similar to the Charlotte Tilbury Pillow Talk lipstick. Juvia’s Place is definitely my pick from the two!”
Personal Favorites: Libra & 2020
Colorpop Lippie Stix
With natural moisturizing ingredients like shea butter, Vitamin E, avocado, and mango, ColourPop’s Lippie Stix formula applies beautifully and comfortably, while delivering a full-coverage, matte finish. I love pairing these with their Lippie Pencils.
One reviewer says, “Finally… I’ve been looking for a lipstick that gives decent coverage, has good lasting power and doesn’t creep into my lip lines. I found it! I’ve purchased these in 3 different colors and I’m thrilled. They don’t dry out my lips and have a matte finish.”
Personal Favorite: Cookie
