10 Must-Have Winter Lipstick Shades for 2024
January 16, 2024Lipstick trends, like any other beauty trends, are cyclical. In the summer, you’re likely to see an emphasis on bright hues and lightweight products that won’t melt in the heat, while wintertime is all about drama. Classic winter lip colors include burgundies and berries, but they’re far from the only hues worth trying out once the temperatures dip: Oranges, browns, and even purples can have a spot in your lineup, too.
Ahead, we’ve rounded up 10 of our favorite winter lipstick shades making a splash this season. From creamy, matte-finish formulas to satiny options that offer shine and much-needed moisture, find the best lipstick shades for winter 2024 below.
1. L’Oréal Paris Color Riche Satin Lipstick in S’il Vous Plait
If you ask us, few things scream “winter” quite like a deep, sumptuous plum lip. We’re loving this one from L’Oréal Paris, as it boasts a subtle cool undertone that beautifully complements both fair and darker skin tones. The satin-finish lipstick provides bold, vibrant color in a single swipe and doesn’t bleed, smudge, fade, or feather. And, as an added bonus, the luxurious-feeling lipstick is infused with vitamin E and argan oil, so it leaves dry lips feeling soft and moisturized (a major plus during dry skin season).
Red lipstick never goes out of style, and a deep brick red is the perfect tone for the cooler winter months. With equal parts red and brown, this subtle shade is a bit softer than a crimson lip, but retains all of the intended impact. There are plenty of brick red lipsticks out there, but one of our favorites is this soft matte finish option from Lancôme. The ceramide-infused formula is lightweight, hydrating, and comfortable, and the color applies easily with up to 12 hours of wear. We love how it looks straight from the tube, but if you’re after a softer finish, try applying the lipstick just to the center of your mouth and blending it out with your fingers for an on-trend blurred lip look.
3. NYX Lip Lingerie XXL Matte Liquid Lipstick in Strip n Tease
If you like lipsticks with an opaque, bold matte finish, you may find your new favorite in this formula from NYX Professional Makeup. The long-wearing formula offers up to 16 hours of transfer-resistant wear, and it won’t crack or fade like some other liquid lipsticks are prone to. Though many of the shades are great for winter, Strip n Tease is one of our top picks. It’s a rich, cool brown with deep berry undertones—and the soft-yet-vivid hue is intensely flattering on those with darker skin tones, especially during the cooler months.
Winter lipstick tends to lean dark and vampy, but there’s no rule that says it has to be. In fact, one of our favorite winter lip colors right now is this gorgeous dusty rose shade from Urban Decay. The cool-toned, frosty pink is especially flattering on fairer skin, though it works well on cooler olives, too. Wear it with your favorite skin tint and blush for a no-makeup makeup look, or pair it with berry-toned blush and plenty of icy silver eyeshadow for an on-trend take on the “cold girl” makeup look.
If you asked us to compile a list of the best cream lipsticks, this luxurious option from Giorgio Armani Beauty would most certainly make the cut. The lush, silky-smooth formula feels like a balm but delivers the color payoff you’d expect from a prestige lipstick. To update your statement lip for the cooler weather, try the shade Sultan. It’s a rich, fiery red with just a hint of spicy orange—exactly the warmth you need to power through those cold, dark winter days.
There’s no better way to warm up on a chilly winter day than with a steaming mug of hot chocolate—it’s practically a winter essential. Channel your favorite cozy beverage with this luscious chocolatey shade from YSL Beauty. While brown lipstick can feel intimidating if you’re used to pinks and reds, the rosy undertones in this luxurious color provide the ideal stepping stone for those making their first foray into brown shades. Pair it with brown eyeliner and matte skin for a ‘90s-inspired look, or lean into the lipstick’s glossy finish with dewy skin and a healthy dusting of your favorite highlighter.
When searching for lipstick for winter, skin tone is often an important consideration. Warm shades like brick and maroon tend to flatter those with warmer skin tones, while cool shades like plum and magenta are often most complementary on those with cooler skin. But there are exceptions, and this sumptuous, deep burgundy shade from Valentino Beauty is proof. Neither entirely red nor entirely purple, it’s a shade that can flatter pretty much any skin tone—which is extremely fortunate, because this vampy hue is one of our favorites for a bold mid-winter statement lip.
We love lip gloss—always have, always will. But sometimes, we wish all that shine came with a bit more pigment. Enter: Maybelline’s beloved vinyl-finish liquid lipstick. The longwearing formula offers up to 16 hours of wear with tons of pigment and glassy, mirror-like shine. When you’re not in the mood to rock a vampy lip, try the shade Witty: It’s a soft, dusty mauve that works as well for daytime as it does for after-dark outings.
No one, and we mean no one, does red lipstick like the French (it is, after all, a cornerstone of French girl beauty). If you need proof, look no further than this gorgeous cherry red lipstick from French brand Violette FR. The sumptuous shade is at once bright and sultry, with a velvety matte finish that feels comfortable on the lips. Because the color is so intense, we think this classic lip is best paired with a mostly bare face: A swipe of mascara and a touch of rosy blush is all you need to embody that je ne sais quoi.
If you love the way your lips look after a glass or two of mulled wine, this deep, sultry red lipstick from Gen See is right up your alley. The burgundy shade is almost an exact match for Pinot Noir: rich and dark, with a subtle berry tint. Swipe it onto your pout directly from the tube, or create a trendy ombré lip look by layering it with the tiniest dot of concealer placed at the center of your mouth (just be sure to blend for that perfectly diffused effect).