Best High-End Lipstick Formulas 2018 | Top 10 + Share Your Favorites
Today, I’m asking for your Best High-End Lipstick Formulas (specific shades, please!). The 10 most recommended High-End Lipsticks are listed below, and the list will automatically update as more recommendations are made!
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10 Best High-End Lipstick Formulas
Just acquired first Pats. Both Pat formulas are exquisite, but find Audacious more comfortable. Pat finishes are lovely, though. Can’t find much fault with Bite or Besame, either. An abundance of riches!
I submitted my recommendations for two of my absolute favorites: Dior Addict Lip Tattoo and Lancôme Matte Shaker. Dior Lip Tattoo – I have three: Natural Cherry (761), Natural Nude (351) and from their Summer 2018 – Cool Wave collection, Watermelon (551). From Lancôme Matte Shaker: Magic Orange (for summer) and Vintage Beige (gorgeous shade). They are light, I don’t feel them on my lips, great staying power, transfer proof (for Dior) or very little transfer (Lancôme) and are not drying.
Nicole D
I just brought Dior Lip Addict Tattoo in Watermelon. This is my first time using this formula and I find it watery and patchy. Also sheer and doesn’t last long. Do you use any special method to apply these? I’m thinking of returning it for the $30 price tag.
Denise S, I’ve noticed as well that the Watermelon’s formula is a bit more watery than the two permanent shades I have (Natural Nude and Natural Cherry).
When it comes to Watermelon and Natural Nude I prefer to apply it in two layers as I find that the colour intensifies when it dries down. Natural Cherry is quite intense from the beginning and one layer is enough for me. Here is my method of apply it:
1. I always apply a lip balm before starting to do any makeup on my face (it will have the time to get absorbed until I get to lipstick). I use one without silicones as I want it to get absorbed into the lips and not to sit on top of them, giving me the false sensation that they are hydrated.
2. Once you get to the lips, remove any lip balm excess (usually I use a Kleenex to gently blot or my finger)
3. I take out the doe foot applicator and swipe gently only one side of it (the side with which I apply the lipstick). The other side remains saturated with colour.
4. I always start in the middle of the lip and apply the first layer from the middle towards the end. It will be sheer this first layer. I let it dry for about 10-15s and then depose the quantity left on the other side of the doe foot applicator in the middle, turn the applicator on the side used for application and apply a second layer.
5. I repeat the same with the other lip.
6. If I see any sheer patches, I pat with the applicator directly on that spot. I don’t get any if I let the colour to dry between the two layers.
7. I blot at the end if necessary, just to remove any excess that may get inside. I use a Kleenex and gently close my lips on it once. I prefer to do this type of blotting with lip stains instead of patting them with a tissue. On me, once the lipstick dries down, the colour intensifies. I don’t have particularly pigmented lips and I’m a NW15.
I have Watermelon as I write to you and I feel it comfortable as compared to other liquid lipsticks (KVD or Anastasia); these are particularly drying on me and have a waxy feeling. What I love about the Dior Lip Tattoo formula is that even when it fades, it leaves a stain behind. I can always apply a balm on top of it later in the day to revive the colour (a clear or a rosé balm). I never use a lip pencil with this formula.
Hope this helps but if you don’t like the formula or if you find it too bothersome to apply, you may return it.
Thank you Nicole D. so much for all of the helpful application tips for this formula! I tried to make it work several times but it quickly faded and totally disappeared on me. Too much effort for a $30 lip stick.I hated to do it but I returned it. I have most of the high end liquid lip sticks and enjoy wearing them but I usually end up applying a gloss or balm on top after wearing them for a bit as they start to feel too drying. Have you tried Maybelline Super Stay Matte Ink lip sticks? They are thin consistency lip stains that last all day and only cost $10. They remind me of the Dior formula but they last until you take them off.
It’s been my pleasure Denise S! Don’t you worry about returning it; you did good. The same thing happened to me with the caviar eye stick from LM in Orchid. The glitter/shimmer particles separate and fall off. Another user from Temptalia’s community has it and works great. I guess it’s a batch problem. The Watermelon’s formula is more watery compared to the other two from the permanent line. It’s not worth struggling with it as you’ve said.
Thank you for the tip on Maybelline! I will check them tomorrow as I go to Walmart. I recall seeing someone on YT talking about these matte lipsticks (can’t remember who). A chance that you reminded me. I will check them for sure; quality at a cheaper price? Count me in 🙂
Of these that I’ve tried, I like Urban Decay and MAC the best. I find NARS Audacious lipsticks to have such a beautiful finish but they are so damned pigmented they can be hard to use. I can’t just swipe it on because if I go outside my lipline at all, wiping it away means smearing pigment everywhere. It’s just finicky. I much prefer NARS’ pencil format lipsticks and wish they came in the color selection of the Audacious line!
I also find Bite lipsticks somewhat overly creamy and heavy.
Wowwww, I totally agree with you on everything! MAC just seems really lazy lately in terms of creativity and quality. I highly recommend Pat McGrath LuxeTrance lipsticks if you want something lightweight, pigmented. and easy to apply. It’s just too bad about the price.
Oooh thanks for the tip! I have one of them LuxeTrance lipsticks on my wishlist (can’t remember which one off the top of my head, my wishlist is on my laptop and I’m at work) but I am on a low buy in general and a hard no buy for lipstick until I winnow down my collection somewhat. My goal is to have ten lipsticks and that…..will take awhile to achieve, lol.
I wish the MAC lipsticks were really by formula. I just adore MAC Matte and Satin formula, but I borderline hate all the rest. 😆
I just added the Amplified Creme Formula to the Recommendation, as it’s one of my faves and they have so many different formulas (some great, some not…for example, I’m not wild about the Mattes but that’s a personal preference). So you can add the formulas (formulae) you like.
I agree with you about listing MAC by formula. My favorites are the Lustres and Satins. I like the Mattes. I’m just ok with the Cremesheens and Amplifieds. I don’t like the Retro Mattes, and I hate the Frosts. (All of these loves, likes, and hates have to do with how they feel and wear on my lips, not how they look.)
Overall, MAC and Chanel are my two favorite high-end lipstick brands, though I tend to think of MAC as more of a mid-range brand, if that makes sense.
I added the MAC Amplified Creme formula because that formula, specifically, is one of my all time favourites. I didn’t think to check if anyone else had added it also so sorry if I’ve duplicated someone else’s submission.
This is my personal list in order: Pat McGrath LuxeTrance/MatteTrance, Urban Decay Vice, NARS Audacious, Bite Beauty Amuse Bouche, and MAC. I would put NARS and Bite Beauty tied together at second place since their formulas are very creamy and pigmented, but they don’t really do metallic lipsticks. Meanwhile, Urban Decay has some of the most flattering metallic lipsticks, even if they are limited edition most of the time. I’m just a sucker for metallic things in general though!
I used to rate MAC lipsticks as higher on the list, but I feel like they’re lacking in colour selection. When they do release newer shades, the quality is sorely missing. They also increased the lipstick prices by $1 when they released the latest Patrick Starrr collection. A dollar increase per lipstick isn’t that much, but it doesn’t sit well with me… At least make sure the quality is there.
Why is Pat McGrath #1 on my list? Her lipsticks are SO pigmented and lightweight. When I swipe them on my lips, it doesn’t even feel like I’m wearing lipstick! I fell in love at first swipe. Literally. I bought 6 lipsticks during the 20% off sale, then I ended up buying 7 more, most of them being LuxeTrance. Now I’m on a NO-BUY policy…
I have few shades from Pat McGrath Luxetrance/Mattetrance lipsticks. I find them too pigmented at times and they don’t have enough slip to them especially the reds. I still prefer Bite beauty Amuse Bouche and Hourglass lipsticks.
My absolute favorite formula for matte lipstick is Shu Uemura. They’re so soft and go on effortlessly and just don’t feel like I’m putting on a matte lipstick. They last long, don’t feel drying, don’t crack, etc. I only wish they came out with more shades!
I think the Besame and Pat McGrath lippies are sensational.
I absolute love Dior and Shiseido. Hard to name top fav shades because I own around 30 total of the Dior. But here’s some that I reach for often..
Dior Addict Lacquer stick in Walk of Fame,
Dior Addict Lacquer Plump in Starstruck
Dior Rouge Dior in Charnelle
Shiseido lipstick in OR418
Here are my favorite lipsticks in order of favorite to least favorite:
Bobbi Brown Nourishing Lip Color in Blush
Bobbi Brown Art Stick in Bare
NARS Satin Lipstick in Rosecliff
NARS Sheer Lipstick in Dolce Vita
I just bought my first Charlotte Tilbury and I have to say, I’m really impressed! Not overly matte, not drying at all, really gorgeous color.
So I’ll recommend that one!
Also throwing the love to my all time favorite formulas, NARS and MAC.
I love lists like this because while I enjoy both UD Vice and Bite AB lipsticks, seeing them both recommended so highly makes me want to purchase more UD lipsticks which are much less expensive than Bite.
I really like the Pat McGrath lipsticks, in both LuxeTrance and Matte Trance.
I also like Charlotte Tilburys matte lipsticks but am not a fan of her K.I.S.S.I.N.G. formula.
For the more affordable lipsticks I really love MAC, except their super matte ones as they dry my lips out.
I own four Pat McGrath Luxetrance lipsticks and each one has the same perfect quality of formula and coverage. Donatella, Lust Angeles, Strange, and She’s So Deep
Does Sephora’s cream lipstains/liquid lipstick count as “high-end”? They’re the most comfortable for longwear, transfer-proof color that I’ve come across.
Also my most used lipsticks are actually low end ones that are easy to swipe on, non-drying, and cheap enough to stash everywhere. (Soap and Glory, Rimmel, etc)