I have a confession – my lipstick obsession knows no bounds! It’s the one beauty must-have I never leave the home without, a habit that’s stuck with me for years.
It all started as a kid, raiding my mom’s lipstick stash with my sister for dress-up fun, trying every shade imaginable. That playful spark turned into a lifelong love, and now I’m sharing my top gems – from drugstore steals to luxe hues over $50 that feel like a dreamy splurge.
Whether you’re a lipstick minimalist who just wants one reliable everyday shade or a full-on collector like me who has an entire drawer dedicated to lip products – this list has something for every budget and every vibe.
NOTE: These shade recommendations come from a brown-skinned girly, but the quality shines for all!
Pair these lipsticks with killer outfits – check my other blog posts for the best steals! And follow @thechicniche on instagram for more fashion & beauty recommendations!
How I Chose These Picks
I’ve tried a lot of lipsticks over the years – a lot – and these are the ones that have genuinely earned a permanent spot in my collection. I looked at four things when making this list: formula quality, shade range for deeper skin tones, longevity, and where the price actually matches the product. No fillers, no sponsorships – just honest picks I actually wear 💄
My Picks
Let’s dive in – these are my top 7 lipsticks, ranked from budget to luxe, with a bonus treat at the end!
- Revlon Super Lustrous Lipstick
- Maybelline Longwear Matte Lipstick
- Rare Beauty Tinted Lip Oil
- Mac Silky Matte Lipstick
- Charlotte Tilbury Matte Revolution Lipstick
- Dior Hydrating Shine Lipstick
- Hermès Satin Lipstick
- BONUS (Click here to go to the end)
Revlon Super Lustrous Lipstick
A creamy classic that delivers bold color on a budget. Rum raisin is one of those universally flattering shades that somehow works on every skin tone – deep, berry-toned and effortlessly chic. The formula is incredible moisturizing for a drugstore lipstick and the color payoff is way better than the price tag suggests. This has been a cult favorite for decades for a reason.
Best for: Everyday wear, beginners, anyone who wants a reliable classic without spending too much
Shade: 535 Rum Raisin
Price: $6.49
Maybelline Longwear Matte Lipstick
This matte gem stays put all day without breaking the bank. If you’ve bought a drugstore matte lipstick that dried your lips out or faded patchy within an hour – this one is different. The Stay Exceptional shade is a warm nude-brown that looks stunning on medium to deep skin tones and the formula doesn’t budge through coffee, meals or a full day errands.
Best for: Long days, matte lovers, anyone who wants a transfer-proof formula on a budget.
Shade: Stay Exceptional
Price: $9.19
Rare Beauty Tinted Lip Oil
A hydrating tint with lasting color and a flirty, glossy shine. Rare beauty’s lip oil sits in that perfect sweet spot between a lip gloss and a lipstick – you get a wash of color, serious hydration, and a gorgeous shine without feeling sticky. Serenity is a soft mauve-pink that enhances your natural lip color rather than overpowering it. Perfect for a no-makeup makeup day.
Best for: Minimal makeup looks, dry lips, everyday natural glam.
Shade: Serenity
Price: $22.00
MAC Silky Matte Lipstick
Velvety matte finish with iconic shades for every mood. MAC has been a staple in professional makeup kits for decades and for good reason – the formula is unmatched at this price point. Warm Teddy is a beautiful warm nude-brown that is essentially a perfect everyday shade for brown skin tones. It’s one of those shades that makes you look put together with zero effort.
Best for: Professional settings, matte lovers who want a step up from drugstore, brown skin tones.
Shade: Warm Teddy
Price: $25.00
Charlotte Tilbury Matte Revolution Lipstick
This matte beauty offers long-lasting color with a luxe vibe. Charlotte Tilbury’s Matte Revolution is one of those lipsticks that just feels different the moment you apply it – it glides on like butter and somehow manages to be matte without being drying. Pillow Talk Medium is a warm berry pink that looks stunning on deeper skin tones and has that effortlessly editorial quality that makes your whole makeup look feel elevated.
Best for: Special occasions, anyone who wants a matte that doesn’t dry out lips, gift giving
Shade: Pillow Talk Medium (Warm Berry Pink)
Price: $35.00
Dior Hydrating Shine Lipstick
A luxe, glossy formula that pampers lips with radiance. If you’re going to splurge in one glossy lipstick, make it this one. The formula is incredibly comfortable – it feels like a lip treatment more than a lipstick, with serious moisture and a glass-like shine that lasts. Dior Cannage is a gorgeous rosy nude that catches the light beautifully and feels incredibly refined.
Best for: Evening looks, anyone who wants hydration and color in one, luxury gift ideas
Shade: 716 Dior Cannage
Price: $46.00
Hermès Satin Lipstick
A splurge-worthy satin finish in a chic, elegant case – and the best part? It’s refillable! Hermès lipstick is as much about the experience as it is about the product. The iconic orange case is genuinely beautiful and feels like jewelry on your vanity. But beyond the packaging, the formula delivers – Rose Épicé is a warm spiced rose that is incredibly wearable and the satin finish is a silky smooth without being slippery. If you’re treating yourself or someone you love, this is the one.
Best for: The ultimate treat-yourself moment, luxury gift giving, collectors
Shade: Rose Épicé
Price: $77.00
Gisou Hydrating Lip Oil
A luscious, honey-infused lip oil that hydrates with a glossy glow. If you’ve been seeing this everywhere on social media lately, the hype is real. Gisou’s lip oil is infused with Mirsalehi honey which is genuinely nourishing for dry lips, and the Watermelon Sugar shade gives you the prettiest clear pink shimmer that works on absolutely every skin tone. It’s the kind of product you reach for first thing in the morning and the last thing at night.
Best for: Lip care addicts, glowy minimal makeup looks, the person who has everything
Shade: Watermelon Sugar – Clear Pink Shimmer
Price: $28.00
Quick Comparison Guide
Here’s a quick breakdown to help you decide:
| Budget | Mid-Range | Luxury | Matte | Hydrating | |
| Revlon | ✓ | ✓ | |||
| Maybelline | ✓ | ✓ | |||
| Rare beauty | ✓ | ✓ | |||
| Gisou | ✓ | ✓ | |||
| MAC | ✓ | ✓ | |||
| Charlotte Tilbury | ✓ | ✓ | |||
| Dior | ✓ | ✓ | |||
| Hermès | ✓ | ✓ |
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the best long-lasting drugstore lipstick?
The Maybelline Longwear Matte lipstick is genuinely one of the best long-lasting formulas at any price point. It stays put through meals, drinks and a full day without significant fading.
What lipstick shades work best for brown skin tones?
Warm nudes, berry tones, warm pinks and deep reds tend to be universally flattering on brown skin tones. From this list, Rum Raisin (Revlon), Warm Teddy (MAC) and Pillow Talk Medium (Charlotte Tilbury) are particularly stunning on deeper complexions.
Are lips oils worth it?
Yes – especially if you have dry lips or prefer a more natural, low-maintenance look. The Rare Beauty Tinted Lip Oil and Gisou Lip Oil both offer real hydration benefits alongside beautiful color, making them more of a lip treatment than just a cosmetic product.
Is the Hermès lipstick really worth $77?
If luxury beauty is something you enjoy and appreciate, yes. The formula is beautiful, the refillable case means you’re investing in something long-term, and the experience of using it genuinely feels special. That said, you can absolutely achieve a similar satin finish with MAC at a third of the price.
My lipstick obsession shines with these ravishing gems—perfect for any chic look! Explore more budget-friendly gems on my blog and follow along on instagram @the.chic.niche for daily beauty and style inspiration 💄🌿