Lipsticks (Over $15) | 2018 Editor's Favorites
If there was any category that was hardest to keep short and sweet, it’d be this one: there are so many fantastic lipsticks out there, and brands release new shades nonstop. Sometimes I feel like I’m catching up on eyeshadow palettes, but I always feel buried under lip products. This category is stacked with competition! I started with 55 shades I really enjoyed and narrowed it down to the 36 listed here.
Best of 2018
Lipsticks (Over $15)
I gravitate toward corals, mauves, and plums, but I also have a deep appreciation for more unusual lip colors, like Fenty’s exploration of non-traditional shades like Ya Dig, Clapback, and Turks & Caicos. You’ll also find me happily drooling over more luminous, lightly glossy, and shimmery finishes so favorites like Bite’s Sugar Flower, Urban Decay Heatwave / Outspoken, Pat McGrath’s Electra / Club Kiss, and Too Faced’s TF20 / Hot Flash should really be no surprise at all.
What higher-end lipsticks did you reach for this year?
P.S. — You can view swatches of my favorites here.
P.P.S. — If you enjoy reading/viewing my favorites, make sure you check out my all-time favorites here, products I’m thankful for (2018 series), and all of my editor’s recommended products here.
Top Lipsticks (Over $15) of 2018
Guerlain #21 Rouge G de Guerlain Lip Color (2018) ($32.00 for 0.12 oz.) is a bright, pinky-red with cool undertones and a cream finish. It was richly...
Guerlain #21 Rouge G de Guerlain Lip Color (2018) ($32.00 for 0.12 oz.) is a bright, pinky-red with cool undertones and a cream finish. It was richly...
Bite Beauty Crushed Chili Amuse Bouche Lipstick ($26.00 for 0.15 oz.) is a deep, coppery-red with warm undertones and a satin finish. It had opaque...
Bite Beauty Crushed Chili Amuse Bouche Lipstick ($26.00 for 0.15 oz.) is a deep, coppery-red with warm undertones and a satin finish. It had opaque...
Bite Beauty Saffron Fire Amuse Bouche Lipstick ($26.00 for 0.15 oz.) is a vivid, medium coral with stronger, warm orange undertones and a satin...
Bite Beauty Saffron Fire Amuse Bouche Lipstick ($26.00 for 0.15 oz.) is a vivid, medium coral with stronger, warm orange undertones and a satin...
Pat McGrath Flesh 5 MatteTrance Lipstick ($38.00 for 0.14 oz.) is a deep, reddened plum with warm undertones and a satin finish. It was intensely...
Pat McGrath Flesh 5 MatteTrance Lipstick ($38.00 for 0.14 oz.) is a deep, reddened plum with warm undertones and a satin finish. It was intensely...
Pat McGrath Executive Realness MatteTrance Lipstick ($38.00 for 0.14 oz.) is a muted, medium-dark plum with subtle, warm undertones and a satin...
Pat McGrath Executive Realness MatteTrance Lipstick ($38.00 for 0.14 oz.) is a muted, medium-dark plum with subtle, warm undertones and a satin...
Too Faced Hot Flash Throw Back Lipstick ($22.00 for 0.10 oz.) is a reddish-burgundy with cool undertones and fine, ruby red and fuchsia pearl. It had...
Too Faced Hot Flash Throw Back Lipstick ($22.00 for 0.10 oz.) is a reddish-burgundy with cool undertones and fine, ruby red and fuchsia pearl. It had...
Too Faced TF 20 Throw Back Lipstick ($22.00 for 0.10 oz.) is a deep, raspberry pink with cool, blue undertones and pink and red sparkle and pearl. It...
Too Faced TF 20 Throw Back Lipstick ($22.00 for 0.10 oz.) is a deep, raspberry pink with cool, blue undertones and pink and red sparkle and pearl. It...
Shiseido Shizuka Red (223) VisionAiry Gel Lipstick ($26.00 for 0.05 oz.) is a medium-dark copper with warm, rusty red undertones and a cream finish. ...
Shiseido Shizuka Red (223) VisionAiry Gel Lipstick ($26.00 for 0.05 oz.) is a medium-dark copper with warm, rusty red undertones and a cream finish. ...
Guerlain #03 Rouge G de Guerlain Lip Color (2018) ($32.00 for 0.12 oz.) is a medium-dark, red-plum with warm undertones and a cream finish. The...
Guerlain #03 Rouge G de Guerlain Lip Color (2018) ($32.00 for 0.12 oz.) is a medium-dark, red-plum with warm undertones and a cream finish. The...
NARS Sheena Audacious Lipstick ($34.00 for 0.14 oz.) is a muted, medium coral with warm undertones and a satin sheen. The pigmentation was fantastic...
NARS Sheena Audacious Lipstick ($34.00 for 0.14 oz.) is a muted, medium coral with warm undertones and a satin sheen. The pigmentation was fantastic...
Tom Ford Beauty Chadwick Lips & Boys Lip Color ($36.00 for 0.07 oz.) is a slightly muted, medium-dark reddened plum with warm undertones and a cream...
Tom Ford Beauty Chadwick Lips & Boys Lip Color ($36.00 for 0.07 oz.) is a slightly muted, medium-dark reddened plum with warm undertones and a cream...
Bite Beauty Pink Salt Amuse Bouche Lipstick ($26.00 for 0.15 oz.) is a medium-dark, rosy mauve with subtle, warm undertones and a satin finish. The...
Bite Beauty Pink Salt Amuse Bouche Lipstick ($26.00 for 0.15 oz.) is a medium-dark, rosy mauve with subtle, warm undertones and a satin finish. The...
Chanel No. 5 Rouge Allure Velvet ($37.00 for 0.12 oz.) is a rich red with subtle, cool undertones and a satin finish. It had nearly opaque...
Chanel No. 5 Rouge Allure Velvet ($37.00 for 0.12 oz.) is a rich red with subtle, cool undertones and a satin finish. It had nearly opaque...
Pat McGrath Venus in Furs MatteTrance Lipstick ($38.00 for 0.14 oz.) is a muted, medium-dark, rosy mauve with warm undertones and a satin finish. The...
Pat McGrath Venus in Furs MatteTrance Lipstick ($38.00 for 0.14 oz.) is a muted, medium-dark, rosy mauve with warm undertones and a satin finish. The...
Pat McGrath Vendetta MatteTrance Lipstick ($38.00 for 0.14 oz.) is a rich, medium-dark red with subtle, cool undertones and a semi-matte finish. The...
Pat McGrath Vendetta MatteTrance Lipstick ($38.00 for 0.14 oz.) is a rich, medium-dark red with subtle, cool undertones and a semi-matte finish. The...
Bite Beauty Hot Harissa Amuse Bouche Lipstick ($26.00 for 0.15 oz.) is a medium-dark copper with warm, red undertones and a satin sheen. The color...
Bite Beauty Hot Harissa Amuse Bouche Lipstick ($26.00 for 0.15 oz.) is a medium-dark copper with warm, red undertones and a satin sheen. The color...
MAC Epic Lipstick ($18.50 for 0.10 oz.) is a muted, medium-dark purple with neutral-to-warm undertones and a cream finish. It had rich color payoff...
MAC Epic Lipstick ($18.50 for 0.10 oz.) is a muted, medium-dark purple with neutral-to-warm undertones and a cream finish. It had rich color payoff...
Pat McGrath Modern Woman MatteTrance Lipstick ($38.00 for 0.14 oz.) is a muted, medium mauve with subtle, cool undertones and a satin finish. The...
Pat McGrath Modern Woman MatteTrance Lipstick ($38.00 for 0.14 oz.) is a muted, medium mauve with subtle, cool undertones and a satin finish. The...
Urban Decay Trip Vice Lipstick ($17.00 for 0.11 oz.) is a bright, medium-dark plum with warm undertones and a satin finish. The lipstick had opaque...
Urban Decay Trip Vice Lipstick ($17.00 for 0.11 oz.) is a bright, medium-dark plum with warm undertones and a satin finish. The lipstick had opaque...
Urban Decay Outspoken Vice Lipstick ($18.00 for 0.11 oz.) is a brighter, medium plum with warm undertones and a metallic finish. It had opaque color...
Urban Decay Outspoken Vice Lipstick ($18.00 for 0.11 oz.) is a brighter, medium plum with warm undertones and a metallic finish. It had opaque color...
Shiseido Streaming Mauve (208) VisionAiry Gel Lipstick ($26.00 for 0.05 oz.) is a medium-dark, rosy mauve with warmer undertones and a cream finish....
Shiseido Streaming Mauve (208) VisionAiry Gel Lipstick ($26.00 for 0.05 oz.) is a medium-dark, rosy mauve with warmer undertones and a cream finish....
Guerlain #91 Rouge G de Guerlain Lip Color (2018) ($32.00 for 0.12 oz.) is a slightly muted, medium red with subtle, cool undertones and fine, ruby...
Guerlain #91 Rouge G de Guerlain Lip Color (2018) ($32.00 for 0.12 oz.) is a slightly muted, medium red with subtle, cool undertones and fine, ruby...
Pat McGrath Faux Pas MatteTrance Lipstick ($38.00 for 0.14 oz.) is a medium-dark lavender with subtle, cool undertones and a cream finish. It was...
Pat McGrath Faux Pas MatteTrance Lipstick ($38.00 for 0.14 oz.) is a medium-dark lavender with subtle, cool undertones and a cream finish. It was...
Urban Decay Heatwave Vice Lipstick ($18.00 for 0.11 oz.) is a rich, deep copper-brown with warm, red undertones and a metallic finish. It had rich,...
Urban Decay Heatwave Vice Lipstick ($18.00 for 0.11 oz.) is a rich, deep copper-brown with warm, red undertones and a metallic finish. It had rich,...
Thicc is a soft, medium pink with warmer undertones and a cream finish. The pigmentation was opaque in one stroke, which applied evenly across my...
Thicc is a soft, medium pink with warmer undertones and a cream finish. The pigmentation was opaque in one stroke, which applied evenly across my...
Tom Ford Beauty Scott Lips & Boys Lip Color ($36.00 for 0.07 oz.) is a medium-dark plum with subtle, warm undertones and a soft, pearly sheen. It had...
Tom Ford Beauty Scott Lips & Boys Lip Color ($36.00 for 0.07 oz.) is a medium-dark plum with subtle, warm undertones and a soft, pearly sheen. It had...
Pat McGrath Soft Core MatteTrance Lipstick ($38.00 for 0.14 oz.) is a medium pink with subtle, warm undertones and a semi-matte finish. The color...
Pat McGrath Soft Core MatteTrance Lipstick ($38.00 for 0.14 oz.) is a medium pink with subtle, warm undertones and a semi-matte finish. The color...
Pat McGrath Club Kiss BlitzTrance Lipstick ($38.00 for 0.13 oz.) is a deep berry with subtle, cool undertones paired with red and purple pearl and...
Pat McGrath Club Kiss BlitzTrance Lipstick ($38.00 for 0.13 oz.) is a deep berry with subtle, cool undertones paired with red and purple pearl and...
Pat McGrath Electra BlitzTrance Lipstick ($38.00 for 0.13 oz.) ...
Pat McGrath Electra BlitzTrance Lipstick ($38.00 for 0.13 oz.) ...
Bite Beauty Sugar Flower Crystal Crème Shimmer Lip Crayon ($24.00 for 0.06 oz.) is a medium-dark pink with warm undertones and flecks of purple and...
Bite Beauty Sugar Flower Crystal Crème Shimmer Lip Crayon ($24.00 for 0.06 oz.) is a medium-dark pink with warm undertones and flecks of purple and...
Pat McGrath Full Blooded MatteTrance Lipstick ($38.00 for 0.14 oz.) is a deep, reddened plum with cool undertones and a satin finish. It had nearly...
Pat McGrath Full Blooded MatteTrance Lipstick ($38.00 for 0.14 oz.) is a deep, reddened plum with cool undertones and a satin finish. It had nearly...
Fenty Beauty Clapback Mattemoiselle Plush Matte Lipstick ($18.00 for 0.06 oz.) is a deep, muted navy blue with cool undertones and a semi-matte...
Fenty Beauty Clapback Mattemoiselle Plush Matte Lipstick ($18.00 for 0.06 oz.) is a deep, muted navy blue with cool undertones and a semi-matte...
Marc Jacobs Beauty Sugar and Spice Le Marc Lip Crème ($30.00 for 0.12 oz.) is a medium-dark plum with soft, warm undertones and a satin finish. The...
Marc Jacobs Beauty Sugar and Spice Le Marc Lip Crème ($30.00 for 0.12 oz.) is a medium-dark plum with soft, warm undertones and a satin finish. The...
Turks and Caicos is a deep, bluish-teal with cool undertones and a semi-matte finish. It had rich color payoff that adhered evenly across my lips,...
Turks and Caicos is a deep, bluish-teal with cool undertones and a semi-matte finish. It had rich color payoff that adhered evenly across my lips,...
Fenty Beauty Ya Dig Mattemoiselle Plush Matte Lipstick ($18.00 for 0.06 oz.) is a bright, cornflower blue with cool, almost violet undertones and a...
Fenty Beauty Ya Dig Mattemoiselle Plush Matte Lipstick ($18.00 for 0.06 oz.) is a bright, cornflower blue with cool, almost violet undertones and a...
Urban Decay 100 Degrees Vice Lipstick ($18.00 for 0.11 oz.) is a bright, medium pinky-coral with warm undertones and a glossy, shiny finish. It...
Urban Decay 100 Degrees Vice Lipstick ($18.00 for 0.11 oz.) is a bright, medium pinky-coral with warm undertones and a glossy, shiny finish. It...
What a sensational year for really strong, bold lipsticks. My standout favourites of this list are Crushed Chilli by Bite and Electra from PMG.
Now that’s a list! I will now drool over the Pat McGrath lipsticks yet again.
My favorites this year were Bite Beauty Amuse Bouche in Sagittarius; Too Faced Throw Back Lipstick in TF20, Hot Flash, Hoochie, and Too, Too Hot; MAC x Patrick Starrr Slay Ride; MAC Girls Smarty Pants Lipstick in Shimmer & Spice; UD Rebel, Outspoken, Cherry, Devilish, 66, Ready, and Singe; UD x Kristen Leanne Bun Bun; Kat von D Studded Creme Lipstick in Divine.
Chadwick by TF! One of the best lipsticks this fall. Wonderful color!
While I did get several of these (UD Outspoken, 100 Degrees, Nars Sheena, Pat McGrath Executive Realness), I am shocked by how many of these are on my WL!
As for one’s I reach for most; PMGL Omi, Strangé, Executive Realness, Flesh Fatale and She’s Heaven, Nars Sheena and Siouxsie, MAC Viva Glam I, Paramount, Cosmo, Aaliyah’s More Than A Woman, Mehr, and my new Slay Ride x Patrick Starrr, UD Disturbed, Bruise, Amulet, Cruz, Troublemaker and Outspoken, Tom Ford’s Derek and Seadragon. I think that does it?
I don’t have any of these shades, but I totally agree with the formula choices! Lipstick is my “splurge item” in makeup. Sure, this year I bought a buttload of eyeshadow palettes like a sucker, but I also spent a pretty penny on lipstick. Lipstick will always be my luxury item and a good, solid formula in nice packaging (*hefty*) gets me every time and feels like money well spent. Sure those PMG lipsticks are redonks expensive, but I now own five, all picked up for at least 25% off and were worth every damn cent. Not that I don’t have a ton of less expensive lip loves too (rimmel nudes for life and soap and glory) and am now off to check out your list of those…..
Favourites for me this year and every year, it seems – MAC Craving and Plumful, Smashbox Red Rage, Chanel Pirate and a new one for me, Givenchy Fuchsia in the Know.
Chanel Pirate is my all-time favorite red! (I also love Chanel No. 5, Guerlain #21, and MAC Russian Red).
PMG Full blooded looks so gorgeous on you!
I would have had a really hard time doing a round up like this since my personal preference to color would weigh in so much.
I love that there are so many A+ in this category!
My favorite in recent memory is Bite Beauty Amouse Liquefied Lipstick in Cassava. It’s very pigmented, very creamy, smells great, lasts a long time.
The application can be a little messy with just the doefoot applicator, so I use a brush to smooth it on.
But it’s so worth it. It’s a deep, cool-toned burgundy. Every time I wear it, I get compliments and it makes my teeth look very white in pics. It reminds me of Nars satin pencil in Palais Royale.
I think this is a limited edition color, so I bought 2 extra!
Also, I love Bite Beauty in Pink Salt— another limited edition color.
And of course— Hourglass made a Confession limited edition lipstick duo in shades called My One Desire and At Night. I love them both, but I bought an extra back-up for My One Desire. It’s a mauve pink that is very pigmented and creamy. Love the formula! Just wish it wasn’t limited edition and also so expensive.
Elson & Attitude by Pat McGrath will always be favorites of mine. And I will always love the Bite lipsticks, never can go wrong with their bullets or liquid lipsticks.
I can’t believe I forgot the Hourglass Confessions. I grabbed two of their duos from their holiday 2018 release and I definitely see why they’re loved.
Sooo many here are beautiful! But Heatwave (UD) & Club Kiss (PM) – the latter VERY similar to TF 20 (TF) stand out for me.