These drugstore matte lipsticks won't dry out your lips (we promise)
In the quest to achieve the perfect pout, some people prefer glossy lips, while others swear by the smooth, velvety finish of a pigmented matte lip color. Both are great and have their places on our beauty counters, but we will say that it’s arguably harder to find a matte formula that both looks and feels great. While we love the pigment delivery that most matte lipsticks offer, no one likes that cakey, cracked feeling that the of the more drying formulas tend to give us (Pro tip: Exfoliate your lips before application and then use just a tiny bit of balm to avoid flakes).
Not to worry, though—you can totally get bold, matte lips without shelling out cash for a Kylie lip kit or any other high-end product. In fact, some our favorite matte lipsticks are from the drugstore–yes, really. Below, find some of our favorite matte drugstore lipsticks that deliver on looking good and feeling great. And at these affordable prices, you can load up on a bunch of fun colors for fall, or any time, really.
Affordable drugstore matte lipsticks for you to try:
1Best drugstore matte red lipstick: Colourpop Ultra Matte Liquid Lipstick in “La La Land’
Finding the right red lip is honestly a feat, but we love this matte drugstore pick because of its super intense, cool-toned pigment that goes on smoothly and feels lightweight.
2Best drugstore matte coral lipstick: Revlon Ultra HD Matte Lip Color in “Flirtation”
This product lives up to its name, as the moisturizing gel formula really does give your lips the high definition you deserve. It’s thick enough to deliver deep, opaque pigment, but lightweight enough to comfortably wear all day.
3Best drugstore nude matte lipstick: NYX Liquid Suede Creme in “Soft Spoken”
This mauve-y, nude shade is a personal favorite of ours, but its a great neutral that works across a variety of skin tones. The formula is infused with avocado oil and vitamin E to help nourish your lips, and for the price, there’s a decent amount of product in the tube to last you a while.
4Best drugstore matte brown lipstick: e.l.f. Cosmetics Velvet Matte Lipstick in “Blushing Brown”
Brown lipsticks can be tricky to pull of for some, but if you want to embrace the ’90s trend that’s made a comeback, this is a fabulous, not-too-dark neutral to start with. The silky texture glides onto lips and leaves them feeling replenished.
5Best drugstore matte burgundy lipstick: L’Oréal Paris Infallible Pro Matte Lipstick in “Stirred”
Here’s a burgundy matte lip that lasts all day. The 16-hour long-wear formula delivers intense color, and remains comfy enough on your lips that you’ll forget you’re wearing it. We’ve eaten full meals with this one on and can attest that it does not budge.
6Best drugstore matte lipstick for dark skin: Milani Amores Matte Lipe Creme in “Divine”
Milani’s matte liquid lipstick delivers the kind of highly saturated color that looks stunning on darker-skinned babes. The formula glides on lips for a soft, buttery feel and leaves a luxe suede finish.
7 Best clean drugstore matte lipstick: Honest Beauty Liquid Lipstick
If you’re looking for a clean option of liquid lipstick, Honest Beauty’s patented CleanPower Technology and vegan formula is an awesome pick. Its flexible feel is powered by hyaluronic acid that helps give you all the staying power you want in a matte lip without the over-drying, and of course, we love the high-pigment payoff.
8Best drugstore long lasting matte lipstick: Maybelline New York SuperStay Matte Ink Liquid
Our senior fashion and beauty editor swears by this incredibly long-lasting matte formula that she deems the “holy grail of lipsticks.” It comes in 30 deeply pigmented shades and features a unique arrow-tip brush for a precise application. Plus, it always delivers a flawless matte finish. Just beware: It really does last all day, so use an oil-based cleanser to help wipe it off at night.
