We can all salute Kylie Jenner for making the past couple of years the era of full, plump and most importantly, matte lips. This trend of un-smudgeable, perfectly lined, full lips has shown no sign of ending anytime soon. Cosmetic brands are encouraging the trend by releasing new lines constantly, and we as consumers are eagerly waiting to try them all.
But, unfortunately we aren’t all Kardashians and we can’t afford to try each and every new lipstick that comes out, especially when prices range from $4 to $90 (yes, I’m talking about you, Christian Louboutin).
So to save your souls (and wallets), we’ve gathered a list for you makeup junkies (in no particular order other than price) of the most popular lippies on the market, ranging from high-end to drugstore, that give the best matte finish – and of course, Kylie’s lip kits are included – along with a review to give you a hint of what each lippie is like.
Expensive
Christian Louboutin Velvet Matte Lip Color ($90)
For a whopping $90, you get a beautifully packaged lipstick from the beloved Christian Louboutin. This lippie comes in nine different shades and glides on incredibly smoothly. They are highly pigmented so the colors are vibrant and exactly what you expect. One great thing about this matte lippie is that it doesn’t dry out your lips, and it doesn’t flake, which most matte lipsticks have a tendency to do.
As for quality, we give this product a 10 out of 10. However, the price is just unrealistic – you’re pretty much paying for the luxury brand. But, the packaging is so adorable, which makes it hard to say no to this product.
Kylie Cosmetics Liquid Matte Lipsticks ($29)
Every time Kylie revealed what shade of lipstick she used, that shade would be sold out everywhere immediately. She eventually got so sick of us stealing her shades that she decided to just create her own line of lipsticks to have an endless supply for herself. But, she made our lives difficult at first. Her famous lip kits were incredibly hard to get our hands on (and they still are), unless you follow the official social media accounts religiously. The kits sell out in minutes. I was obsessed enough to snatch my own Dolce K kit and was not as amazed as I was expecting to be.
The liquid lipstick is incredibly pigmented, the color glides on beautifully and it lasts all day with little need to reapply. The only downfall is that it dries and flakes rather quickly and a lot for that matter. Plus, when you purse your lips together, it’s very sticky and uncomfortable. The lip pencil that comes with the kit has no flaw though. Use it as a base, and some of those problems are resolved.
Mid-Priced
MAC ($17)
To me, MAC lipsticks are the holy grail of lipsticks. Not only are their matte lippies great, but all of their lipsticks are phenomenal for the price. Plus, the packaging is so sleek and clean. With so many shades to choose from, you are bound to find the perfect one for you. It takes a few layers to get the desired look, but the pigment is great, and both the color and the formula are strong. Most importantly, it doesn’t dry or flake. It lasts almost all day, though you do have to reapply every now and then (which we actually prefer to do anyway so you have a fresh look all day), and it’s still great quality – definitely a staple product in any makeup kit.
Here’s a pro tip: you can trade in six empty MAC lipstick containers and receive one new lipstick for free!
DOSE of Color Matte Lipsticks ($18)
If you watch makeup videos on Instagram, then you’ve definitely heard of DOSE. We consider it an “Instabrand”. If you don’t watch the videos, then you probably don’t know it, but no need to worry because we’re introducing you to a great product. DOSE has average everyday shades like Truffle, but they also have a shade like Purple Rain – a must buy, even though you’ll probably never wear it outside of your room. The best and worst thing about DOSE is that there aren’t many shades offered, but you are able to mix the products. The formula allows the liquid lipsticks to be mixed together to create new shades. Other than that, the pigmentation is amazing. The colors are very vibrant, so take caution when selecting your shade. It takes about two or so layers to get the desired look and for the lipstick to last for an extended amount of time (unless you eat greasy, messy foods, then you can say goodbye to your perfectly lined lips). It dries and flakes a bit, but not too badly.
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Affordable
NYX Soft Matte Lip Cream & NYX Soft Matte Lipstick ($6)
NYX is one of our favorite cosmetic brands that has high-quality products at incredibly affordable prices (especially for a college budget). If we had to choose between the high-end brands or any other drugstore brand for matte lippies, NYX would definitely be the one we reach for.
The Lip Cream works best as a top coat over any lipstick or even on its own. The color is incredibly pigmented, and is very long-lasting. After you give it a chance to dry a bit, the color does not budge. The best part about it is that it is the only matte lip cream that does not feel dry at all – not one bit.
The lipstick feels a bit heavier on the lips. The color is still strong, and it’s a little drier than the lip cream, but that’s only because it’s a lipstick, so the formula is a bit stiffer. Wear this under the lip cream and you’ll be impressed with the results.
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If you keep up with cosmetic news, you probably heard that Colourpop and Kylie Cosmetics use the same formula for their matte liquid lipsticks. What was even more shocking is that Colourpop’s is nearly seven times cheaper than Kylie’s. So, we really are just paying $29 for Kylie’s name on a plastic tube of $6 lipstick. Once I heard this news, I had to get my hands on some of these lippies. I was amazed with the results. In my opinion, they were much better than Kylie’s in many ways.
The first thing I noticed when wearing these is that they do not feel dry, sticky and flaky at all. It was a miracle. The color is so pigmented and vibrant that it puts Kylie’s to shame. The second the product touches your lips, it will smudge so horribly because the formula is made to stick quick and long. After it dries, there is literally no moving that color. The product also glides on so smoothly and beautifully. Colourpop has instantly become one of our favorite brands (their other products are great too) and we highly recommend it due to its prices and quality.
Maybelline Color Sensational Creamy Matte Lip Color ($7.49)
There isn’t much to say about this product, except that it’s awesome. It glides on smoothly and immediately looks thick and velvety. It also has a very beautiful finish and is long-lasting.
Rimmel Lasting Finish by Kate Moss Lipstick ($4-5)
This lipstick is another popular favorite. This lippie has a nice fragrance, which makes the application process very enjoyable. There aren’t too many shades to choose from in this line, but each shade that is offered goes well with multiple skin tones. The product is very smooth and the color comes off well, plus it doesn’t dry out your lips. The only downside to this lipstick is that it doesn’t give a strong matte finish. There is a little shine to it when applied, but that also depends on which shade you use.
Revlon Ultra HD Matte Lip Color ($8.99)
I wasn’t expecting much when I first tried this product, but was pleasantly impressed. First, the packaging has a frosty body much like DOSE, but it’s flatter and oval – a very attractive drugstore product. It takes a few layers to get the color to become apparent and to get the desired look because it is a decently sheer formula. But, after a number of layers, it still isn’t sticky or heavy on the lips. It also has a pleasant taste and scent to it. It does not give that super dry, powdery matte look you would normally look for in matte lippies. It’s a very creamy product. If you’re looking for a more matte finish, just dab some translucent loose powder on your lips to get that effect. Overall, I think it’s great – not too dry with a hydrating finish for your lips.
If you’re looking for the perfect matte lip product, consider trying one from this list! From pricey to affordable, there is a lippie for everyone in a shade that you’re bound to love! So, pucker up and tweet us pictures of your favorite matte lip look (@HerCampusDrexel)!