Matte lipsticks make any look polished and more sophisticated. The colors come in many different shades, ranging from bold and bright colors to more nude and cool ones. Depending on your mood and preference, there is definitely a matte lipstick that matches your taste and personality!
When choosing a lipstick, you need to consider the formula or type of lipstick you want, your skin tone, and colors that will suit the type of occasion or event that you'll go to. This article aims to tell you everything there is to know about matte lipsticks, such as how to pick one and what are the top 10 products from well-known matte lipstick brands. We also asked for some tips and comments from beauty professional Elaine Ganuelas!
Quick List - Top Matte Lipsticks
Maybelline
A Lightweight and Highly Pigmented Liquid Lipstick That Can Last Up to 16 Hours
Mac Cosmetics
Glides Smoothly on the Lips and Comes in Many Different Shades
Elaine Ganuelas has been living and breathing the life of all things beauty since childhood. What once started as her passion became her career in 2006. Now she does makeup, hairstyling, image consultation (yes, makeovers), personal shopping, consumer research, and reviews.
Our recommendation articles are carefully researched and crafted by the mybest Philippines team of writers and editors. To stay true to our company’s mission and vision to help users’ selection process easier, we also collaborate with experts from various fields to ensure that our content stays factual and useful.
The expert oversees the Buying Guide only, and does not determine the products and services featured.
Traditional bullets or liquid lipsticks? This is a question that has been going around since the boom of liquid lipsticks a few years ago. They produce the same matte look, but how are they different? Scroll down to find out.
Traditional matte lipsticks are the formulas that we've grown up with. These matte lipsticks give you a shine-free look that you want, but you might need to reapply a few times throughout the day, especially when after you eat or drink.
To get precise lines with bullet-type lipstick, you might need to pair it with a lip liner. Also, depending on the brand, bullet-type matte lipsticks don't usually dry out your lips, and you can protect your lips from dryness by prepping your lips beforehand with some lip balm or cream.
You should also be careful with your clothes, as bullet lipsticks usually transfer to clothes. Once you're done with your lipstick, removal is quite easy- just use a makeup remover or a makeup wipe, and the traces of the lipstick are gone.
Liquid lipsticks have been loved by many because of their staying power on the lips. They provide a bold and precise look that will last you from morning to night. One application is usually enough to get you enough coverage. However, liquid lipsticks tend to be drying to the lips the longer you wear them, and you'll need steady hands to get precise strokes.
For some brands, the formula doesn't fully set, so it might still transfer, but some brands will give you transfer-proof and lightweight liquid lipsticks. Liquid Lipsticks are known to be challenging to remove. Don't try using water-based solutions—liquid lipsticks won't budge.
Opt for oil-based makeup removers or balm-type cleansers to make the removal process easier—apply a bit of cleanser on the lips, let it sit for a moment, then wipe off with a tissue or towel.
Different shades will not look the same with different skin undertones. Most people fall into two categories: warm or cool. However, there are other people who have a neutral undertoneーwhere most shades will look good on them. Read below to find out how to pick the best shade for your undertone!
Those with cool undertones tend to have fairer skin and have a pink, red, or bluish hue to their skins. You can tell your undertone is cool if the veins in your wrist look blue or if your skin tends to burn in the sun before getting a tan.
If you have a cool undertone, go for matte lipsticks with blue or purple undertones. For example, when looking for a red lipstick, go for bluish-reds rather than orange-reds. For nude lips, go for rosy and pink hues.
Having a yellow, golden, or olive hue to the skin is a sign that you're warm-toned. You can tell you have a warm undertone if the veins in your wrist appear green or if you tan easily.
The best lipstick shades for warm undertones are lip colors in warm shades. Shades like bold oranges, fiery reds, and copper browns. When choosing nude lipsticks, choose a lighter nude if you have a lighter skin tone, and choose a deeper nude if you have a darker skin tone.
If you're having a hard time figuring out your undertone, you might be neutral, a mix of both. You are neutral-toned if you have a mix of pink and yellow in the base of your skin. For this undertone, a wider spectrum of colors will complement your skin. For fair skin, try pink hues, mauve for medium skin tones, and berry tones for darker skin tones.
In today's world where beauty companies are starting to come out with new products faster than we can decide which ones to get, it's easy to get overwhelmed with the shade and formula options. Now that you know which undertones go well with your skin tone, we have a guide below on how and when to use common shades of lipsticks.
Red lipsticks are a classic for a reason. They can make any look pop if done correctly. Some celebrities say that red lipsticks are their favorite because they can wear them with anything, especially on lazy days. Just put on a red lip and some mascara, and you'll look like you made more of an effort than you did.
Pink lipsticks can be used for a variety of looks. Just like reds, pinks can also be used as a pop of color for monochromatic outfits, bright pinks can be a statement color for simple outfits, and darker tones can be used to tone-down brighter outfits or give a grungier look.
Different shades of pink lipsticks are good for all occasions, parties, or celebrations like weddings and brunches. However, be careful when using darker-toned, neon, or bright pink shades when going to interviews or formal meetings, as it might not be appropriate.
Leave it to nude lipsticks to give you a simple but sophisticated look. Unlike some colors, nude lipsticks work well with any lip shape. They are also very forgiving when you apply them, so people of any skill level can easily use them.
When you just can't choose what lip color matches with your outfit, try putting on a nude lipstick because they go well with any outfit and any makeup look. You also can't go wrong with nude lipsticks when going to formal events or work-related scenariosーit's suitable for all occasions and situations.
You can use nude lipsticks to make other parts of your face more noticeable, allowing you to accentuate where you want eyes to be drawn. When you worked hard on your eye makeup, you wouldn't want it to be overshadowed by a bold lip, right?
Want to stand out? Instead of opting for traditional colors such as classic red, bright pink, and nude lipsticks, go out of your comfort zone and try going for unconventional colors such as blue, violet, and black. These cool shades are perfect for showing off your wild side, and they can accentuate not only your lips but your whole makeup look us well.
Anyone can pull off blue, violet, orange, green, and black shades for a daring look, but it is definitely best for those with cool-toned skin. To make your makeup look more coordinated, you can also apply eyeshadow in the same color for added emphasis. By tying it all together, you can achieve a cool and daring look!
Given that these shades are unusual, they are definitely not appropriate for most occasions, especially formal and work-related ones. On the other hand, if you're on a night out with friends and want all eyes to be on you, then these lipstick shades are definitely a good place to start! As a tip, to make unusual colors work, keep the eye makeup and the rest of the face makeup minimal.
Products | Image | Click to purchase | Key features | Details | |||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Type | Best For | Staying Power | Available Shades | Net Weight | |||||
1 | Maybelline SuperStay Matte Ink Liquid Lipstick | ![]() | A Lightweight and Highly Pigmented Liquid Lipstick That Can Last Up to 16 Hours | Liquid | unknown | 16 Hours | 35 | 5 mL | |
2 | NARS Matte Lipstick | ![]() | A Vibrant Matte Lippie That Also Moisturizes Your Lips | Bullet | All Skin Tones | Long-Lasting | 30 | 3.5 g | |
3 | L'Oreal Paris Rouge Signature Matte Liquid Lipstick | ![]() | Achieve a Vibrant Yet Weightless Color Payoff | Liquid | unknown | Long Wear | 13 | 7 mL | |
4 | Mac Cosmetics Powder Kiss Liquid Lipcolour | ![]() | Glides Smoothly on the Lips and Comes in Many Different Shades | Liquid | unknown | 10 Hours | 26 | 5 mL | |
5 | Sunnies Face Fluffmatte | ![]() | Ultra-Light Lipstick That Flatters All Skin Tones | Bullet | All Skin Tones | unknown | 24 | 3.2 mL | |
6 | Rare Beauty Kind Words Matte Lipstick | ![]() | MLBB Lipstick That Nourishes Your Lips | Bullet | All Skin Tones | Long-Wearing | 10 | 3.5 g | |
7 | HUDA Beauty Liquid Matte Ultra-Comfort Transfer-Proof Lipstick | ![]() | A Liquid Lip That Won’t Budge but Is Still Comfortable to Wear | Liquid | All Skin Tones | 8 Hours | 16 | 4.2 mL | |
8 | GRWM Cosmetics Lip Speak|On Wednesdays | ![]() | A Nourishing Lipstick With Shades Perfect for All Filipinas | Bullet | All Skin Tones | unknown | 10 | 3.8 g | |
9 | blk Cosmetics Pillow Matte Lipstick|Syrup | ![]() | Has a Pillow-Soft Formula Loved by Matte Lipstick Skeptics | Bullet | unknown | 8 Hours | 8 | unknown | |
10 | Colourette Easy Matte | ![]() | Suitable for Both Mestiza and Morena Skin | Bullet | unknown | unknown | 11 | 4 g |
This Maybelline liquid lipstick is one of the most long-lasting liquid lipsticks around! It boasts long-lasting coverage that lasts up to 16 hours. It is also waterproof and transferproof once it dries down, which makes it stay on your lips whatever you do. Reviewers say this lipstick stays even after drinking and eating breakfast, lunch, and a Samgyupsal dinner!
It has a lightweight finish while delivering bold and vivid pigments. And even though it's matte, it doesn't dry out the lips and is comfortable to wear. The applicator's pointed tip makes it easy for users to draw precise lip lines. The brand also offers a wide shade range, with 35 shades available in the Philippines. These shades range from nudes and reds to pinks and wines, so you have lots of colors to choose from.
Type | Liquid |
---|---|
Best For | unknown |
Staying Power | 16 Hours |
Available Shades | 35 |
Net Weight | 5 mL |
This matte bullet lipstick from NARS is a cult classic, and for good reasons! With 30 shades to choose from, there is sure to be a lipstick for every occasion. There are bold and bright colors for special events, reds if you want a classic lip, and nudes for understated elegance.
Even though it is matte, trust that it won't dry your lips. It contains moringa and passion fruit seed oils to enhance the vibrancy of the shades as well as keep the lips moisturized. This lipstick's texture makes sure that the color applies evenly on the lips. It is also lightweight and won't feel heavy even after hours of use. For these reasons, people love it because it glides on well and isn't drying.
Type | Bullet |
---|---|
Best For | All Skin Tones |
Staying Power | Long-Lasting |
Available Shades | 30 |
Net Weight | 3.5 g |
With 13 shades available locally, this matte lipstick gives an intense and vibrant color payoff for all types of skin tones. You're also in for a surprise because even if its formula is highly pigmented, it feels light as a tint or as if you're wearing nothing on your lips. It boasts of a bare lip sensation with a spread that's two times thinner than lipstick!
L'Oreal's lipstick is easily a favorite because of its lightweight formula and long wear time, which can give all-day coverage. Plus, it is smudge and transfer-proof, so it wouldn't require frequent touch-ups. With just one swipe, you can achieve a fiercer, bolder look!
Type | Liquid |
---|---|
Best For | unknown |
Staying Power | Long Wear |
Available Shades | 13 |
Net Weight | 7 mL |
Mac Cosmetics' Powder Kiss Liquid Lipcolour offers you the most colorful lipsticks that will keep your lips hydrated for 10 hours. These lipsticks have a shine-free, powder matte finish yet a comfortable feel in just one application. If you're the no-fuss kind of person who hates reapplying their lipstick, this just might be the lipstick for you!
This lippie has a soft-focus blurring effect thanks to its hourglass applicator. Moreover, this smooth, vibrant lipstick will not crease, flake, or dry your lips. It also contains Vitamin E and emollients to keep your lips moisturized. Overall, this liquid matte lipstick is perfect for those who are always on the go and want lipstick that's super easy to apply.
Type | Liquid |
---|---|
Best For | unknown |
Staying Power | 10 Hours |
Available Shades | 26 |
Net Weight | 5 mL |
Sunnies Face Fluffmatte lipstick is the ultimate choice for those seeking a weightless, modern matte look. With its award-winning formula, this lipstick can deliver a solid color with just one swipe. Its creamy and blendable texture ensures a comfortable wear with an airy finish. Plus, their twenty-four universally flattering shades, including nude, pink, and red options, caters to all skin tones.
Reviews rave about its lightweight nature, softness, and powdery feel upon application. Its matte finish also remains non-drying, ensuring a smooth glide on the lips. It is easy to use and is also paraben-, cruelty-, and fragrance-free, making it a good option for those with sensitive skin.
Type | Bullet |
---|---|
Best For | All Skin Tones |
Staying Power | unknown |
Available Shades | 24 |
Net Weight | 3.2 mL |
Type | Bullet |
---|---|
Best For | All Skin Tones |
Staying Power | Long-Wearing |
Available Shades | 10 |
Net Weight | 3.5 g |
Type | Liquid |
---|---|
Best For | All Skin Tones |
Staying Power | 8 Hours |
Available Shades | 16 |
Net Weight | 4.2 mL |
While no lipstick is entirely transfer-proof, users report that this one has minimal transfer. They appreciate its smooth application, noting that it glides on without tugging. For those with dry lips, many find it comfortable to wear, mentioning that it doesn't leave their lips feeling dry or cracked. Overall, the GRWM Lip Speak lipstick has garnered positive feedback for its comfortable matte finish.
Type | Bullet |
---|---|
Best For | All Skin Tones |
Staying Power | unknown |
Available Shades | 10 |
Net Weight | 3.8 g |
Many users were impressed with this lipstick, with some even wearing it for special occasions like their oath-taking and describing the packaging as simple yet elegant. Even those who don’t usually go for matte formulas were pleasantly surprised—several mentioned that it felt comfortable on the lips and didn’t cause any dryness.
Type | Bullet |
---|---|
Best For | unknown |
Staying Power | 8 Hours |
Available Shades | 8 |
Net Weight | unknown |
Colourette is quickly becoming every Filipina's favorite local makeup brand. They constantly deliver the most perfect shades that will suit Filipinas the most! This time, the 11 shades available for their Easy Matte bullet lipstick line are an instant hit.
This lipstick is easy to apply and is pigmented enough to not need a second swipe. Their shades also flattering on every skin tone, so you can go with any color that you want and choose a shade that will totally fit your mood! Want the perfect MLBB? Go for Snack. If you favor rosy hues, check out Felt Cute or Cool Down!
Type | Bullet |
---|---|
Best For | unknown |
Staying Power | unknown |
Available Shades | 11 |
Net Weight | 4 g |
Below are some of the most asked questions on the web answered by the mybest team.
While matte lipsticks help you achieve a polished and sophisticated look, they also tend to dry easily, resulting in cracked and cakey lips. While frustrating, there are a couple of solutions such as exfoliating your lips and applying moisturizers that can help address this problem.
To exfoliate your lips, you can try using lip scrubs before applying your lipstick. This will help your lips feel soft and smooth, making it easy to apply lip products. Meanwhile, when it comes to moisturizing your lips, adding lip balm before using your matte lipstick pays off as it can make sure that it applies smoothly without looking wrinkly or chapped.
Having a lipstick that requires minimal to no touch-up is a huge relief, especially to those who simply do not have the time of the day to re-do their makeup. Long-lasting lipsticks might be pricier than regular ones, but they also save you valuable time and effort. Given their usually thick and highly-pigmented formula, matte lipsticks are generally long-wearing, allowing little to no touch-up at all.
However, it is also important to note that the matte and glossy difference is not the only thing to consider. For instance, liquid lipsticks tend to last longer than traditional ones. So, if you're looking for a matte lipstick that can last throughout the day, then it would be best to look for liquid matte lipsticks.
You can also look at the ingredients list—formulas without added moisturizers like vitamin E, shea butter, oils, etc. are dryer and tend to last longer.
If you're aiming for flawless matte lips, then simply putting on matte lipstick and carrying on with your day will likely lead to failure. As much as they are easy to apply, they are also hard to maintain as matte lipsticks dry out your lips, resulting in a chapped and flakey look. To keep this from happening, make sure to moisturize your lips by applying lip balm before putting on your matte lipstick.
For some, just using lipstick is not enough. Aside from your lips, other areas of your face are equally important and deserve the same attention and effort. Check out these other makeup staples to complete your everyday makeup look!
Author: Rie Niijima
Re-editor: Valerie Lagura
Our buying guide was carefully researched and crafted by the mybest team of writers and editors, in collaboration with the expert featured in this article. We used the buying guide as a basis for choosing and ranking the product recommendations, and we looked at reviews and ratings from different E-commerce sites like Lazada, Shopee, and more.
No. 1: Maybelline|SuperStay Matte Ink Liquid Lipstick
No. 2: NARS|Matte Lipstick
No. 3: L'Oreal Paris|Rouge Signature Matte Liquid Lipstick
No. 4: Mac Cosmetics|Powder Kiss Liquid Lipcolour
No. 5: Sunnies Face|Fluffmatte
View Full RankingThe descriptions of each product are referenced from content available on manufacturer, brand, and e-commerce sites.
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