Update July 27, 2025: National Lipstick Day is coming up on July 29, 2025, and with it, brands will be offering sales on lip products. You absolutely don’t need to buy any lip product or participate in this marketing event, but for those who want to, this post would be a good starting point for some recommendations. I keep an updated list of sales linked in the menu at the top of this website (Beauty Sales). You can check that out if you are looking for sales, but this week, in particular, I will be adding lip product sales that I come across. I also have a lip product index, if you’d like to see more than I have featured below.

If you are trying to avoid National Lipstick Day sales but need some encouragement, I have a post called ‘Beauty Sales: Let’s talk about where you can save money and why there is no rush.’ Some of the stores listed in that post have since closed, but the message remains accurate and relevant.

I know I’m not the only one to notice the overabundance of lip balms and lip oils lately. I am happy for those who enjoy that style of lip product and now have plenty to choose from. On the other hand, there are also many stains and longer-wearing matte formulas being released. I understand the need for this type of lip product, and some people certainly need low-maintenance products. As for me, a traditional cream bullet lipstick remains my favorite lip product. I’ll take comfort over long wear and touch-ups over maintenance-free any day. I draw the line at cream formulas that feather into the fine lines around my lips and sink into my lip lines.

My favorite lipsticks have changed a little over the years as brands have discontinued some formulas. So, I figured I’d talk you through my updated lipstick favorites. There are some formulas that you may have heard me rave about, which are not among my top picks. In those situations, I enjoy the formula, but either I can’t find a shade that I love, or something about the formula annoys me. I’ll list those at the end for anyone curious.

So, here are four lipsticks (and an honorable mention) that I have come to rely on for good wear time, easy reapplication and touch-ups, at least medium pigmentation, and flattering shades for my skin tone (NARS Tahoe, Estee Lauder 4W4). I have an olive undertone, and my lips have a purple undertone; these both play a significant role in how lipsticks look on me.

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**Charlotte Tilbury K.I.S.S.I.N.G Lipstick, $35-$38 (refillable case costs more)

The Charlotte Tilbury cream formula was slow to become a favorite of mine. I’ve discovered that I have to remove any moisture or lip balm from my lips to get staying power and prevent this formula from collecting in the corners of my mouth. Once I figured that out, it was easier to enjoy this lipstick. I also started using this formula more when Estee Lauder reformulated their Pure Color Envy Lipsticks. Today, I am showing you the limited edition Lunar New Year shade, Kiss of Mystery. It is still available for sale from the Charlotte Tilbury website and is part of the K.I.S.S.I.N.G. line of lipsticks. It has a light, sweet scent, but I don’t notice it after application. For my full review and a swatch of Glowing Jen, click here. I also have a post of me wearing the newer shade, 90’s Pink (click here).

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	$ 38.00 Sale Price $ 38.00 Regular Price
Charlotte Tilbury Hot Lips 2 Lipstick in Glowing Jen/Satin at Nordstrom

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	$ 35.00 Sale Price $ 35.00 Regular Price
Charlotte Tilbury KI.S.S.I.N.G. Lipstick in Stoned Rose at Nordstrom

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Maybelline Color Sensational Cream Finish Lipstick, $5.64-$8.49 (varies by retailer)

If I’m having a terrible allergy day, the scent of the Maybelline Color Sensational Lipstick irritates me. But most of the time, I don’t notice the smell lingering much. Maybelline’s Color Sensational Lipsticks have been a favorite of mine since I started wearing makeup. I am still impressed by the pigment and longevity every time I use them. They are flattering and don’t accentuate my lip lines, and they never feather into the fine lines around my upper lip. If you have a lanolin sensitivity or allergy, then you won’t be able to use this formula. I get along great with lanolin, so it isn’t an issue for me.

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**Estee Lauder Pure Color Creme Lipstick, $40

It took me a long time to get over the reformulation of the Pure Color Envy Lipsticks from Estee Lauder. They replaced that formula with the Pure Color Creme Lipstick, and I reviewed the shade Covetable back in 2023. My only gripe with this formula is that it is more satin than creme, and I wouldn’t mind if it had a little more shine. However, it is comfortable and wears very well since it isn’t slippery. I have occasionally experienced streakiness issues with the shade, Covetable, in the past. However, I have not noticed that in a long time. It may be that it’s not as noticeable when I’m not actively looking for something to critique. That can happen sometimes when you are a reviewer. The Estee Lauder Pure Color Creme Lipsticks have a light scent, but I don’t notice it after application, and it seems to fade as the lipstick ages. I can’t smell the scent as strongly in Covetable as I can in Level Up, which I just bought in March 2025.

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	$ Sale Price $ 40.00 Regular Price
Estée Lauder Pure Color Creme Lipstick, 488 Level Up – New Shade

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**Pat McGrath SatinAllure Lipstick, $30

The SatinAllure formula is not as pigmented as I’d expected, but after application, it appears to have higher pigmentation. I’m not sure how it accomplishes this, but I feel that way every time I wear it. I’d say it has medium pigmentation, like the brand claims (especially after testing more shades). This formula is fragrance-free, which is a great bonus for me. It has a beautiful shine that lasts, and it is comfortable to wear. Wear time with the SatinAllure formula is slightly shorter than I’d like. I can wear it for about 3 hours before needing a touch-up, compared to 4 hours with other lipsticks. It took a little patience, a couple of orders, and several trips to Sephora, but I was able to find a few shades that I love. I started with Negligee, and while I enjoy it, I do prefer to wear it with a lip liner. In the picture below, I am wearing Negligee without lip liner so you can see how the shade looks on its own. If you’d like to see how it looks with liner, you can click here to see my original review of Pat McGrath’s SatinAllure Lipstick.

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	$ 30.00 Sale Price $ 30.00 Regular Price
PAT McGRATH LABS SatinAllure™ Lipstick in In The Flesh at Nordstrom

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Honorable Mention: **Armani Lip Power Longwear Satin Lipstick, $45

The Armani Lip Power formula is a bit drying for me, but it lasts well and looks smooth on my lip lines. Since I prefer a moisturizing feel with shine, I tend to use other formulas more than this one. However, it is a good one when I know it won’t be as easy to touch up my lipstick. You can see my review of the shade 107 here and shade 400 (which didn’t work as well for me) here.

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	$ 45.00 Sale Price $ 45.00 Regular Price
ARMANI beauty Lip Power Long-Lasting Satin Lipstick in 107 Sensual at Nordstrom

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Lipsticks That I Left Out

Some lipsticks that would “rank” higher if I found more suitable or preferable shades:

• Revlon Super Lustrous Lipsticks – Raisin Rage and Desert Escape were top favorites until I discovered more flattering options.
• Propa Beauty Luminous Satin Lipstick – This is a great formula, but after trying five shades and not finding a favorite, I couldn’t bring myself to try any more.
• Huda Beauty Cream Lipstick – Same story as Propa Beauty. I couldn’t find a shade that I like enough to wear regularly.

Some lipsticks I’d include, if not for one major problem:

• MAC MACximal Sleek Satin Lipsticks – Regardless of how I prep my lips or how much I apply, this formula tends to slide into the corners of my mouth.
• L’Oreal Colour Riche Lipsticks – It turned out that the fragrance of these lipsticks was setting my allergies off. I must have been congested when I started to think I was ok with it last fall.

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Now, I can appreciate a tinted lip balm. Especially if I’m spending a day out and I know I’ll want to reapply my lip color, but I won’t want to be precious about it. However, if it’s a day when I’m working from home all day, or I’m going somewhere that I know has clean bathrooms and I won’t mind spending the extra time in there reapplying my lip color, I prefer a traditional cream lipstick. If you’re a fan of tinted lip balms, I’ve reviewed the Lancome Lip Idole Butterglow, Clinique Almost Lipstick, Tarte Maracuja Juicy Lip Balm, and more recently, the new Maybelline Lifter Glaze Oil Lip Balms and Revlon Super Lustrous Glass Shine Balms.  And if lip oils are more your speed, I have a review on the Clarins Lip Comfort Oil (compared to the e.l.f. Glow Reviver Lip Oil). National Lipstick Day is coming up on July 29, 2025, and with it, brands will be offering sales on lip products. So, if you have your eye on anything, I would hold off until then.

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What’s your favorite type of lip product?

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If you’d like to check out more of my content, here are some places to start. 

• Blush Index
• Brands A-Z
• Bronzer & Highlighter Index
• Brush Index
• Concealer Ranking
• Eyeshadow Index
• Foundation Round-Up
• Lipstick Index
• Makeup Storage and Organization Ideas
• My Favorite Makeup
• Powder Round-Up

Disclaimer:  I purchased all products featured with my own money.  This site receives a minimal commission from participating in the WordAds program and using affiliate links.  For my full disclosure policy, click here.