High-End Lipsticks | 2016 Editor's Favorites
Well, this was incredibly difficult even narrowing it down to 32, and I ended up strategizing my picks by making sure to include some of the best formulas that came out, even though I would have easily been able to double my favorites just due to the sheer volume of new lipsticks released and reviewed this year. Here’s the list I started with (57 shades), for reference!
What were your favorites?
Shiseido Rose Crush (RD715) Rouge Rouge Lipstick ($28.00 for 0.14 oz.) is a muted, medium-dark rosy plum with warm undertones and a creamy, lightly...
Shiseido Rose Crush (RD715) Rouge Rouge Lipstick ($28.00 for 0.14 oz.) is a muted, medium-dark rosy plum with warm undertones and a creamy, lightly...
Bite Beauty Kale Amuse Bouche Lipstick ($26.00 for 0.15 oz.) is a deep, blackened green with subtle, cool...
Bite Beauty Kale Amuse Bouche Lipstick ($26.00 for 0.15 oz.) is a deep, blackened green with subtle, cool...
Make Up For Ever M102 Artist Rouge Lipstick ($22.00 for 0.12 oz.) is a rich, plum-berry with subtle, warm...
Make Up For Ever M102 Artist Rouge Lipstick ($22.00 for 0.12 oz.) is a rich, plum-berry with subtle, warm...
NARS Kate Audacious Lipstick ($32.00 for 0.14 oz.) is a slightly muted, medium purple with warm, pink undertones and a creamy, lightly glossy finish. ...
NARS Kate Audacious Lipstick ($32.00 for 0.14 oz.) is a slightly muted, medium purple with warm, pink undertones and a creamy, lightly glossy finish. ...
Urban Decay Manic Vice Lipstick ($17.00 for 0.11 oz.) is described as a "rosy wine [with a Cream finish]." It's a...
Urban Decay Manic Vice Lipstick ($17.00 for 0.11 oz.) is described as a "rosy wine [with a Cream finish]." It's a...
Make Up For Ever C211 Artist Rouge Lipstick ($22.00 for 0.12 oz.) is a subdued, medium-dark rosy mauve with warm...
Make Up For Ever C211 Artist Rouge Lipstick ($22.00 for 0.12 oz.) is a subdued, medium-dark rosy mauve with warm...
Bite Beauty Gold/Sour Cherry Amuse Bouche Lipstick Duo ($14.00 for 0.10 oz.) is a holiday party duo if I've seen...
Bite Beauty Gold/Sour Cherry Amuse Bouche Lipstick Duo ($14.00 for 0.10 oz.) is a holiday party duo if I've seen...
Make Up For Ever C604 Artist Rouge Lipstick ($22.00 for 0.12 oz.) is a deep black with neutral undertones and a...
Make Up For Ever C604 Artist Rouge Lipstick ($22.00 for 0.12 oz.) is a deep black with neutral undertones and a...
Bite Beauty Pickled Ginger Amuse Bouche Lipstick ($26.00 for 0.15 oz.) is described as an "electric coral." It's...
Bite Beauty Pickled Ginger Amuse Bouche Lipstick ($26.00 for 0.15 oz.) is described as an "electric coral." It's...
Shiseido Rouge Rum Punch (RD504) Rouge Rouge Lipstick ($28.00 for 0.14 oz.) is a muted, medium-dark plummy-berry with cooler undertones and a soft...
Shiseido Rouge Rum Punch (RD504) Rouge Rouge Lipstick ($28.00 for 0.14 oz.) is a muted, medium-dark plummy-berry with cooler undertones and a soft...
Bobbi Brown Uber Rose Luxe Lip Color ($35.00 for 0.12 oz.) is a medium-dark plum with subtle, cool undertones...
Bobbi Brown Uber Rose Luxe Lip Color ($35.00 for 0.12 oz.) is a medium-dark plum with subtle, cool undertones...
Urban Decay Mosh Pit Vice Lipstick ($17.00 for 0.11 oz.) is described as a "berry plum [with a Comfort Matte...
Urban Decay Mosh Pit Vice Lipstick ($17.00 for 0.11 oz.) is described as a "berry plum [with a Comfort Matte...
Bite Beauty Mauvember 2016 Amuse Bouche Lipstick ($26.00 for 0.15 oz.) is a muted, medium-dark pinky plum with cooler undertones and a satin finish. ...
Bite Beauty Mauvember 2016 Amuse Bouche Lipstick ($26.00 for 0.15 oz.) is a muted, medium-dark pinky plum with cooler undertones and a satin finish. ...
Bite Beauty Taro Amuse Bouche Lipstick ($26.00 for 0.15 oz.) is a muted, medium-dark grayed purple with subtle,...
Bite Beauty Taro Amuse Bouche Lipstick ($26.00 for 0.15 oz.) is a muted, medium-dark grayed purple with subtle,...
Urban Decay Crisis Vice Lipstick ($17.00 for 0.11 oz.) is described as a "plum-rose [with a Cream finish]." It's...
Urban Decay Crisis Vice Lipstick ($17.00 for 0.11 oz.) is described as a "plum-rose [with a Cream finish]." It's...
MAC Galaxy Grey Liptensity Lipstick ($21.00 for 0.12 oz.) is a muted, medium grayish lavender with a cream...
MAC Galaxy Grey Liptensity Lipstick ($21.00 for 0.12 oz.) is a muted, medium grayish lavender with a cream...
Backtalk is a muted, medium pink with subtle, warm undertones and a satin finish. It had good pigmentation--just shy of full coverage--with a lightly...
Backtalk is a muted, medium pink with subtle, warm undertones and a satin finish. It had good pigmentation--just shy of full coverage--with a lightly...
Tom Ford Aperture (03) Soleil Lip Foil ($53.00 for 0.10 oz.) is a deep brown with warm, red undertones and plum, violet, and teal pearl. This one...
Tom Ford Aperture (03) Soleil Lip Foil ($53.00 for 0.10 oz.) is a deep brown with warm, red undertones and plum, violet, and teal pearl. This one...
NARS Apoline Audacious Lipstick ($32.00 for 0.14 oz.) is a muted, medium pink with warm, rosy undertones and a satin sheen. It had good pigmentation...
NARS Apoline Audacious Lipstick ($32.00 for 0.14 oz.) is a muted, medium pink with warm, rosy undertones and a satin sheen. It had good pigmentation...
20. Naked Ambition (120) Estee Lauder Hi-Lustre Pure Color Envy Lipstick
PPermanent. $32.00/0.12 oz.
Estee Lauder Naked Ambition (120) Hi-Lustre Pure Color Envy Lipstick ($32.00 for 0.12 oz.) is a muted,...
Estee Lauder Naked Ambition (120) Hi-Lustre Pure Color Envy Lipstick ($32.00 for 0.12 oz.) is a muted,...
Make Up For Ever C502 Artist Rouge Lipstick ($22.00 for 0.12 oz.) is a muted, light-medium grayed lavender with...
Make Up For Ever C502 Artist Rouge Lipstick ($22.00 for 0.12 oz.) is a muted, light-medium grayed lavender with...
Tom Ford Velvet Orchid Lip Color ($60.00 for 0.10 oz.) is a medium, muted rosy plum with warm undertones and...
Tom Ford Velvet Orchid Lip Color ($60.00 for 0.10 oz.) is a medium, muted rosy plum with warm undertones and...
MAC Mulling Spices Liptensity Lipstick ($21.00 for 0.12 oz.) is a deep, medium-dark red with strong, cool, pink...
MAC Mulling Spices Liptensity Lipstick ($21.00 for 0.12 oz.) is a deep, medium-dark red with strong, cool, pink...
Bite Beauty Squid Ink Amuse Bouche Lipstick ($26.00 for 0.15 oz.) is a deep, blackened navy blue with cool...
Bite Beauty Squid Ink Amuse Bouche Lipstick ($26.00 for 0.15 oz.) is a deep, blackened navy blue with cool...
Bite Beauty Thistle Amuse Bouche Lipstick ($26.00 for 0.15 oz.) is a muted, medium mauve with neutral-to-cool...
Bite Beauty Thistle Amuse Bouche Lipstick ($26.00 for 0.15 oz.) is a muted, medium mauve with neutral-to-cool...
Violate is a soft, medium mauve with warm undertones and a lightly glossy, cream finish. It had very nearly opaque pigmentation with a lightly...
Violate is a soft, medium mauve with warm undertones and a lightly glossy, cream finish. It had very nearly opaque pigmentation with a lightly...
Amulet is a medium plum with warm undertones and fine pearl. It had semi-opaque pigmentation with a lightweight, slightly emollient texture that...
Amulet is a medium plum with warm undertones and fine pearl. It had semi-opaque pigmentation with a lightweight, slightly emollient texture that...
MAC Deep Rooted Lipstick ($17.00 for 0.10 oz.) is described as a "brown taupe [with a Matte finish]." It's a...
MAC Deep Rooted Lipstick ($17.00 for 0.10 oz.) is described as a "brown taupe [with a Matte finish]." It's a...
Too Faced Honey Bear La Creme Lipstick ($22.00 for 0.11 oz.) is a muted, medium-dark rosy plum with warm...
Too Faced Honey Bear La Creme Lipstick ($22.00 for 0.11 oz.) is a muted, medium-dark rosy plum with warm...
Urban Decay Wildfire Vice Lipstick ($17.00 for 0.11 oz.) is described as a "metallic orange with gold pearl [with...
Urban Decay Wildfire Vice Lipstick ($17.00 for 0.11 oz.) is described as a "metallic orange with gold pearl [with...
Urban Decay Twitch Vice Lipstick ($17.00 for 0.11 oz.) is described as a "soft purple with blue undertone [with a...
Urban Decay Twitch Vice Lipstick ($17.00 for 0.11 oz.) is described as a "soft purple with blue undertone [with a...
Tom Ford Snowdon Lips & Boys Lip Color ($36.00 for 0.07 oz.) is a muted, medium-dark plum with warm, red undertones and flecks of lighter copper and...
Tom Ford Snowdon Lips & Boys Lip Color ($36.00 for 0.07 oz.) is a muted, medium-dark plum with warm, red undertones and flecks of lighter copper and...
You have Sour Cherry twice!
I’m so sorry 🙁 There’s an issue in the code, and it should be fixed now but since I could not fix it, it took longer to get it done.
Hey Christine, it looks like you’ve got Bite’s Sour Cherry in both spot 11 and 12.
I love that formula enough to put it twice though 🙂
I’m delighted to see unconventional colours make the list!
I’m so sorry, Cherry! There was a bug in the code, and unfortunately it was not something I could fix myself so I had to wait for my team to fix it.
#11 and #12 are the same Bite Sour Cherry
I’m so sorry, Jenny! Technical error on the code 🙁 I wasn’t able to fix it myself so it took longer, but it should be fixed now.
Lots to admire; lots to acquire. Wow, how these vary from person to person. Deeply rooted is firmly a purple on me, and massive dupe for abh Veronica. Never would have picked that for first abh lol, had I known. The abh looks pinky mauve in the tube, but worn, is very similar to deeply rooted. Thought I had something very unique! Esp having missed stavros. I think the liptensity dedicated page has no link to what became perm, and what remains LE. That would be helpful. The year of the lip, truly. Course, it could continue, if the remaining brands do a complete overhaul. This is a great reminder of what we may have overlooked, put off, or decided against, the first time ’round.
Deeply Rooted is a cool shade, though. I wish it was purpler on me, lol!
Ok, bite! Who wants a dual end with Squid Ink and Kale? Everyone!!!! That would be ideal, as lots of us cannot justify full size. I know you read this, bite. So, do it. Vast sales potential. I’ve tried both, and they look fairly good, prob due to the dark, traditional, menswear look of the shades. But at my age, seems irresponsible to get full size. I’d jump on a two end in a New York minute. I’d even be willing to stalk it. Just do it, already!
A dual-ended would be neat!
KJH, so would I! Bite, hear us RAWR!!! ??
Chrstine both 11 and 12 are Bite Sour Cherry or was that on purpose?
No, I’m so sorry, there was a bug in the code that was causing it to duplicate. It should be fixed now, and I apologize that it took so long to fix.
Ah, #11 and #12 are the same identical lipstick.
Yes, I’m so sorry for that error, Cristiana. There was something wrong in the code, causing it to duplicate. It was not something I was able to fix, so it took longer to get resolved. I’m very sorry to have caused everyone such confusion. I can see that it was a real issue today and made this post pretty worthless!
I thought maybe you just REALLY liked that lipstick. LOL,
Out of the above, I have a TON on my wishlist, but so far own just 3! All UD, too. Amulet, Wildfire and Violate. Love ’em and get loads of complements on each.
Surprised to not see Tom Ford Seadragon not make the list, though! I tried on Aperture, but it just didn’t look right on me, for some odd reason. But Seadragon is sooo beautiful and super flattering!
Next up, either EL Naked Ambition, UD Manic or Shiseido Red Queen! And Bite Kale, too!
Three great shades, Nancy!
Seadragon is nice, but there were just too many others I liked more 🙂
I am a lipstick collector, for sure. I only own a few from your list. BITE sour cherry is a fave, but Mauvember was not. A few of my favorites this year were: Charlotte Tilbury Secret Salma, Queen, and Bond girl, YSL Volupte in oil Rouge Tuxedo and Smoking Plum;
How opaque/transforming are the two Volupte in Oils?
I say semi-opaque(?) I get so many complements when I wear the Rouge Tuxedo , as it gives a once bright pop, while the smoking plum is a rich plum (not too dark) They feel light yet emollient. and of course, the YSL mango scent — I am a fan.
Thank you!
Bite Sour Cherry is on the list twice as 11 and 12 – must have been a really good lipstick!
I’m sorry for causing you problems, Tina, with reading this list – how confusing that must be. There was an error in the code itself, so it was something that took longer to fix. I’m so sorry again.
No problem! Looks great now – sorry for the flood of comments you got about it!
Great list!!! Numbers 11 and 12 are the same thing, though.
Yes, I am so sorry. It took awhile to get it fixed (it was in the code itself that generates the order of the list), so I’m very sorry about that.
No apologies necessary. 🙂
Bite Sour Cherry is listed as both 11 and 12. It’s just that great 🙂
I’m so sorry, Natalie! There was an error in the code that was causing it to duplicate but was outside my ability to fix. It took longer to get it resolved, and again, I am very sorry for the inconvenience.
No worries!
Hi Christine-
Both #11 and #12 are Bite Beauty Sour Cherry.
Just wanted to let you know. Happy holidays!
I’m very sorry for that, Vanessa. There was a bug in the code itself, so I was not able to get it fixed right away but should be fixed now. I’m sorry!
I feel like there were too many lipsticks even for a fiend like me this year. As far as favourites, I was completely blown away by how lovely Kale turned out, and how surprisingly wearable it is for a night out. But just the fact that there’s a purple Nars Audacious lipstick named “Kate” is enough to have made my year.
It was truly overwhelming this year, Kate! I was so loathe to go up to 32 but could not fathom cutting the list down much more!
It’s great that so many high end (and expensive) lipsticks have made the grade and are beautiful to wear.
Lots to choose from this year!
I want Squid ink, UD Mosh Pit, and NARS Kate!!!
I own Crisis, and I ADORE IT!!
Squid Ink is sooo fun!
You know it’s the Year of the Lip when you “only” have the top 32 listed and that’s only the HE category, hahahhha Forget the lip injections, I need to grow another lip to wear all of them 😉 I think out of the HE, BITE Taro was the most unique for me, and so thrilled I could pull it off!
I know, right? If UD/MUFE hadn’t done their big revamps this year, I think it would have been more manageable – barely – but there were a LOT of lipsticks this year.
Hey, I hope the coder is not your b-i-l, because by now, you must want to kill him or her! It’s no biggie. (Except for the perfectionists, like a certain Christine Mielke…)
It was (Shaun works on other projects primarily now), but it is fixed 🙂
Look at the colors! Just look at all the colors!!! Can you imagine a list like this even 10 years ago? So exciting!
Right?? I mean, Lancome just put out a blue gloss that is more than tinted (though not opaque but still)
Yes! I’m so happy to see mainstream brands putting out funky colors. I can’t imagine this list even five years ago, and definitely not 10.
Great list!
I love the three TFord shades you listed as well as Bite’s sour cherry…..a fabulous red! So many colours it’s hard to narrow down.
Sour Cherry is a beautiful red!
I’m still bummed out that I never got Apoline, such a pretty shade. And Backtalk is also a great one. And Honey Bear!
Honeybear <3
KALE look interesting!
It’s a very fun shade!
I was disappointed to miss Bite Taro. I had it on my wishlist for a while but ended up not getting it. Then when I got the full set of minis I expected it to be in there, but found out that it was no longer part of the line. I guess it must have been LE but I didn’t notice that earlier. When you posted the 4 gorgeous LE neutrals for spring from Bite, I bought them all up immediately though.
Hope you love the new neutrals!
Thanks! Just received them a couple days ago and they’re gorgeous! Will have to try them soon to see if I need backups of any of them.
Yeah Bite! You go you awesome Canadian company you!
😀