The 30 Best Matte Lipsticks to Shop Now (Trust Us, We’ve Tried Hundreds)
October 24, 2024
A glossy lip will always have a place in our hearts, but if a statement lip is what you’re after, nothing beats matte lipstick. Between the saturated color payoff, velvety-looking finish, and impressive staying power, there’s a lot to love about these shine-free formulas. And while you might assume matte lipsticks would feel chalky, the right formulas are anything but. These days, the best matte lipsticks feel comfortable (and even—dare we say—hydrating), so you can easily rock a velvety pout without feeling like your lips are drying out.
If you’re looking for a new matte lipstick to add to your arsenal, keep scrolling. Ahead, we’re sharing 12 of our favorites, plus tips on removing your long-lasting lipstick once the day is done.
Satin vs. Matte Lipstick: What’s the Difference?
The most obvious difference between satin lipstick and matte lipstick is the finish. The former tends to have a bit of shine—it’s not quite glossy, but it’s not velvety, either. These lipsticks typically come in a classic lipstick tube and can offer sheer to intense color, depending on the formula you choose. Matte lipsticks, by contrast, lack any shine whatsoever. Instead, they have a smooth, velvety finish, almost like an eggshell. Matte lipsticks come in both solid and liquid formats and tend to offer intense color payoff.
Another way the two may differ is in how long they last. Traditional satin lipsticks are creamy in texture and will generally begin to fade within a few hours of wear. They’re also prone to transferring, particularly if you take a sip of coffee or munch on a snack while wearing your lipstick. Matte lipsticks, on the whole, are long-lasting. Many formulas can be worn for up to 16 hours (or more!) without fading, smudging, or transferring, making them a great pick for those who don’t want to touch up their lipstick every few hours.
Editor’s tip: If you need a refresher on how to apply matte lipstick for a smooth, even finish, check out our article How To Flawlessly Apply Matte Lipstick Like a Pro.
12 Matte Lipsticks To Shop Right Now
We’re not exaggerating when we say we’ve tested countless matte lipsticks over the years. These 12 are some of our all-time favorites.
1. Valentino Beauty Spike Valentino Buttery Matte Lip Color
Keep your lips feeling hydrated with this buttery matte lipstick, which is infused with a light-reflecting gel for a creamy, smooth matte finish. The luxe formula comes in a dozen versatile shades, from everyday nudes to bold, vampy reds, each of which stays true for up to 10 hours. We also love that the gold studded case (inspired by the brand’s iconic Garavani bag) is refillable—so when you run out, you don’t need to buy an entirely new lipstick.
2. YSL Beauty The Slim Matte Longwear Lipstick
If you want a super-defined lip look without using lip liner, this lipstick is a must-try: It features a square-shaped tip for lining and filling with precision. Use the high point of the square bullet to outline your lips, then use the flat edge of the lipstick to color your pout for long-lasting, pigment-packed matte color that won’t bleed, transfer, or crack.
3. NYX Professional Makeup Lip Lingerie XXL Matte Liquid Lipstick
Those looking for a liquid matte lipstick to add to their collection should give this editor-approved formula a try. It’s creamy and smooth; comes in a whopping 31 saturated shades; and delivers up to 16 hours of fade-, crack-, and transfer-resistant wear. Plus, you can snag it at a drugstore for around 10 bucks.
4. Giorgio Armani Beauty Lip Maestro Velvet Liquid Lipstick
This unique liquid lipstick rides the line between a soft matte and subtle satin finish, thanks to a luminous yet velvety formula that keeps the lips feeling smooth and supple. The lightweight gel lipstick won’t fade, feather, or settle into fine lines, and it wears for up to eight hours with a comfortable, non-sticky feel.
5. Urban Decay Vice Lipstick
Urban Decay’s iconic Vice lipstick will always have a place in our hearts—and our makeup bags. The collection includes 14 bold matte shades, including vibrant reds and soft, wear-anywhere nudes. Pick your favorite hue, then dab the hydrating matte lipstick onto your pout and blend with your finger for a blurred, lived-in look. If you prefer a bold wash of color, swipe it on straight from the tube.
6. Maybelline New York Superstay Matte Ink
With more than 28 vivid hues to choose from, there’s a shade in this liquid matte lipstick collection for virtually everybody. Choose your favorite from the bunch and use the arrow-tip applicator to swipe on the pigment-packed color for a defined matte lip look that wears for up to 16 hours.
7. Lancôme L’Asbolu Rouge Drama Matte Lipstick
Give your lips some TLC with this long-lasting matte lipstick, which is infused with grand rose extract and hyaluronic acid and leaves the lips with lasting moisture and comfort. The luxe formula delivers intense color payoff in a single swipe and boasts a soft, powdery matte finish that feels comfortable on the lips.
8. Prada Beauty Monochrome Hyper Matte Lipstick
If you’re someone who loves the look of matte lipstick but prefers the feel of bare lips, you’ll want to give this unique formula a try. It features Prada’s Micro-Fit technology and glides on smoothly, providing one-stroke coverage with a weightless feel. The finish is completely matte—but if you’d prefer something a bit subtler, the brand also offers a buildable soft matte version.
9. L’Oréal Paris Infallible Matte Resistance Liquid Lipstick
Next time you stock up on your household essentials, pick up a tube (or two) of this liquid matte lipstick. It’s among our favorite drugstore picks for a standout lip look, thanks to its comfortable, hyaluronic acid-infused formula, impressive color range, and wear time (up to 16 hours without smudging or transferring).
10. Violette_FR Petal Bouche Matte Lipstick
Channel your inner Francophile (we all have one) with this bold matte lipstick, which, according to the brand, took a full year to develop. We’d say it’s well worth it: The creamy formula glides on effortlessly and delivers a buildable wash of color that feels weightless on the lips.
11. Freck Beauty Makeout Club Soft Blur Lipstick
Cushiony and comfortable, this long-lasting lipstick from indie brand Freck Beauty is a solid pick to add to your makeup bag. According to the brand, the magnolia bark extract-infused formula wears for up to eight hours without fading, feathering, or transferring, and it offers buildable coverage for a truly custom lip look.
12. SimiHaze Beauty Velvet Blur Matte Lipstick Balm
Finding a pigmented matte lipstick that feels like a lip balm may sound like a tall order, but this unique formula delivers on both counts. Per the brand, the innovative lipstick contains hyaluronic spheres that burst on application, delivering continuous hydration throughout the day. Smooth it on in the morning and enjoy up to 12 hours of comfortable, colorful wear.
How To Remove Matte Lipstick
Most matte lipsticks are designed to last for a long time. On the whole, that’s a good thing—the longer-lasting your lipstick is, the less often you’ll need to reapply it. But it also means that removing your lipstick at the end of the day can be a bit of a hassle if you don’t have the right products on hand.
The best way to take matte lipstick off, we’ve found, is via the double cleansing method. Start by applying a cleansing balm, like the Garnier Makeup Removing Cleansing Balm with Hyaluronic Acid, to your entire face (just be sure to keep your mouth closed). Massage the non-comedogenic formula in to dissolve your makeup, then add warm water, lather, and rinse. Then, wash your face a second time with a gentle water-based cleanser to remove any lingering traces of makeup (skip your mouth area). Right now, we’re loving the Youth to the People Superfruit Gentle Exfoliating Cleanser, which leaves the skin looking glowy and radiant. From there, you can proceed with your skincare routine as usual. Don’t forget to apply lip balm to nourish your pout ahead of your next lipstick application. Try the La Roche-Posay Nutritic Lip Balm for Very Dry Lips, which features a nourishing blend of shea butter, glycerin, ceramides, and vitamin E.
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