The bestselling lipsticks you need to know about

January 1 | 4 minute read

Words by Emily Deacon and Sherine Youssef

Originally published on | March 14

Love lipstick? Then you'll love this: the very best bullets, from sheer balms to liquid mattes, in every finish and formula that you can buy right now.

We know most serious beauty lovers own their fair share of lipsticks - there's the ones in your makeup kit, the couple stashed in your car, desk drawer, gym bag... the list goes on.

The power of lipstick cannot be overstated: one swipe and lips are dressed in anything from a wash of satin to all-out saturated and matte colour. The right lipstick can instantly lift your mood, revive your complexion and add sparkle to your eyes. But it's not just about colour and coverage, as modern lipstick formulas do more than that - they also add a dose of hydration and even, sometimes, active skincare ingredients. We love some double duty beauty!

Whether you're after an iconic neutral you can slick on sans-mirror in the back of an Uber, or a sultry, Old Hollywood red for your next big night out, we've compiled a list of the best lipsticks you need right now.

Best hydrating lipstick

Chantecaille Lip Chic

A long-wearing and glossy wash of colour that's never, ever sticky? It is possible thanks to this sleek lipstick. Spiked with hyaluronic acid to hydrate and plump the lips, it's a lip-loving formula that delivers high-shine colour that can be built up or dialed down. Once you try the feel of this formula, you'll never look back.

https://contenthub-delivery.mecca.com/api/public/content/i-014488-m1-chantecaille-lipchic-idfdseoYpELjAtOKJFxAg.jpg?v=29175a40

Best creamy lipstick

Hourglass Confession Ultra Slim High Intensity Refillable Lipstick

Arguably one of the most appealing aspects of this lipstick is its sleek packaging - it's about as chic as it gets. The refillable gold applicator houses a creamy formula that saturates lips in longwearing colour, and the slim shape means you'll never colour outside the lines.

https://contenthub-delivery.mecca.com/api/public/content/i-028376-m1-hourglass-confessionultraslimhighintensityrefillablelipstick-EQoFIzB8MUGcwGfrP6AYNA.jpg?v=7834d202

Best all-rounder lipstick

NARS Lipstick

Good luck picking just one lipstick from this cult collection. With a staggering 52 shades that span the spectrum from nudes and pinks to reds and berries, there are three finishes (sheer, satin and matte) and they're all packed with lip conditioners and antioxidants, so your pout will feel as good as it looks. Seriously, good luck.

https://contenthub-delivery.mecca.com/api/public/content/i-039591-m1-nars-lipstick-1Msxt2H6vEqbrmzJzqfGQ.jpg?v=3d2c332e

Best liquid lipstick

Stila Stay All Day Liquid Lipstick

If you thought matte lipstick was heavy and drying, you've obviously never tried this wand. One swipe drenches lips in lightweight yet full-coverage and saturated colour, while the added vitamin E and avocado oil conditions lips so they feel comfortable all day long.

https://contenthub-delivery.mecca.com/api/public/content/i-014353-m1-stila-stayalldayliquidlipstick-pMOpz22L08U8N4oAwsLQ.jpg?v=4cfa1a8d

Best smoothing lipstick

Rose Inc. Lip Sculpt Amplifying Lip Color

We love a crayon! You can scribble them straight onto your lips and you're good to go. This features a velvety formula loaded with good-for-lips ingredients, like squalane, ceramides and vitamin E, so it glides on like a balm and plumps lips before setting like a matte.

https://contenthub-delivery.mecca.com/api/public/content/I-052714-I-052714-M1-RoseInc-LipSculptAmplifyingLipColor-Quartz-NdAS3hoivUyl3eBvImo9Q.jpg?v=8e2dc315

Best matte lipstick

Kylie Cosmetics Matte Lip Kit

The matte lip kit that birthed a beauty empire. Featuring a full-size pencil lip liner and matte liquid lipstick, this duo is Kylie Jenner's secret to a wear-anywhere matte pout that stays put (and comfortable!) all day and night.

https://contenthub-delivery.mecca.com/api/public/content/i-052849-m1-kyliebeauty-mattelipkit-v8AQpqH4R0aBLYDdm4IjIg.jpg?v=83925477

Best red lipstick

M.A.C Lipstick in ‘Ruby Woo’

Fact: you will feel confident and powerful when you wear this vivid red lipstick [best-red-lipsticks]. An absolute M.A.C Cosmetics classic, ‘Ruby Woo’ is a matte finish, blue-toned red that has countless fans around the world (including Taylor Swift). One big benefit of a blue-toned lipstick? It'll make your teeth appear whiter. What's not to love?

https://contenthub-delivery.mecca.com/api/public/content/i-030512-m1-maccosmetics-lipstick-pxQzHOSpEiccnrh8fN3dw.jpg?v=24ccf34a

Best universally flattering lipstick

Charlotte Tilbury Matte Revolution in ‘Pillow Talk’

A neutral-pink with the most flattering, matte-but-moisturising finish, this cult shade can be found in makeup artist kits and on red carpets the world over. And while the original rosy-beige suits a wide range of skin tones, the Pillow Talk family now has a new-kid-on-the-block deeper-toned 'Pillow Talk Medium' shade, for a little extra depth.

https://contenthub-delivery.mecca.com/api/public/content/I-051702-1-I-051702-A1-CharlotteTilbury-MatteRevolution-MvIkKXG7MkSRFOsqd1bAaA.webp?v=c340cc30

Best neutral lipstick

Westman Atelier Lip Suede Les Nudes

Why have one neutral when you can have four? The quartet of shades in this palette, ranging from a brown-based nude to a deeper, sultrier wine-ish neutral, are sheer and have a creamy, suede-like texture (thank you, jojoba and avocado oils). Wear them solo or mix them up to create your own bespoke colour.