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Hit List: Best Matte Lipstick Formula

What’s the Best Matte Lipstick Formula that you’ve tried?

Share your pick!  And don’t forget to share why 🙂

My top picks… Burberry’s Lip Velvets and Laura Mercier Rouge Nouveau Weightless Lip Colours (matte ones) seem to be most consistently good.

59 Comments

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Ivana Avatar

I haven´t tried too many, but I really like MAC Matte formula. I especially love Russian Red´s formula since it´s matte but still creamy and not too drying

Christine Avatar

To me it felt pretty dry, although not Ruby Woo dry if you’ve tried that for reference… They are fantastic though if you want something REALLY matte. Just have a good lip balm ready.

Christine #1(Ms. Temptalia) reviewed two of them I think so if you’re looking for another review she has them. 🙂

xamyx Avatar

I’m still waiting for for the powers that be at L’Oréal HQ to come to their senses and bring back the matte formula from the late-90s… Revlon did a really nice one as well, Velvet-something… Both formulas were well-pigmented, budget-friendly, and felt like “regular” lipstick when worn. I get why they were DC’d, as matte lips fell out of favor, but with so many other brands, particularly higher-end, putting them out, now would be a good time to bring them back!

suedechik79 Avatar

Oh yes! The perfect red for me is Stalker. I line with a Loreal lipliner (one of the long lasting ones, just a red), set my lips with base and powder, and that stuff stays all day. OCC is the best if you really know how to work with it well. And their pencils…out of this world.

Wwendalynne Avatar

I will second your vote. Tossed one of these in with my latest Sephora haul. I was super impressed since I hadn’t read a single review. Score!

Alice Avatar

MAC’s mattes (though hautecore is a little streaky), Melt cosmetics, and Limecrime velvetines. I’m glad Limecrime is adding a few darker colors to their velvetine line this month, I hope they add even more in the future.

I’ve heard Kat von D’s everlasting love liquid lipsticks are awesome, but I’m allergic to her lip products 🙁

suedechik79 Avatar

Melt is so matte for me (though I have about 8 of them, I couldn’t help it), they eat away and Im left with that line around the outside of my mouth so quickly. Even setting with base and powder, they are so dry that I find them hard to work with. How do you work with them?

beka Avatar

armani’s lip maestros are nice. i just bought 2 of bite’s matte lip crayons…i haven’t had time to play with them yet, but i think they are going to be nice!

AngieButterfly Avatar

I think the only technically matte lipsticks I’ve tried and like are the Rimmel Kate Moss ones. They’re kind of creamy, opaque and have decent staying power. I also only find them slightly drying overtime, whereas the popular matte lipsticks from Mac and Nars really dry my lips out.

I honestly don’t really like matte lipsticks that much. They aren’t comfortable on me. I am drawn to the creamier, long lasting lipsticks that are on the market, which aren’t technically matte. I like the Tarte Glamazon Pure Performance 12 Hour, Milani Color Statement, and Urban Decay Revolution lipsticks. I do, however, need to try the Bite Beauty mattes. I’ve heard good things.

Xero Avatar

I only really buy drugstore so these aren’t the best out there–but of the ones I’ve tried I actually really like the Wet n Wild Megalast lipsticks and the Rimmel Kate lipsticks. I know the Kate lipsticks didn’t get a very good review on here because of the texture, but I actually don’t mind it at all, and really appreciate their longevity and the way they wear down evenly.

I also have a matte lipstick from Jordana, in Natural, which I really like but since it’s only one shade I can’t speak for the formula of the entire line. Revlon’s matte Superlustrous lipsticks are really good too (save for some shades) but I’m upset at them being discontinued. The new “matte balms” aren’t nearly as good.

Veronica Avatar

I’ll be interested to see some of these suggestions, since matte is my favorite finish in lipstick. Personally, I’ve had good luck with Revlon’s matte formula – Really Red is one of my favorite matte reds. Surprisingly, Wet ‘n’ Wild’s matte shades are pretty comfortable, as well. On the higher end, I’m quite fond of Lipstick Queen – I especially want to try the new luxury line!

suedechik79 Avatar

Its all about how you set it. If you set your lips with a colored eye base (I am currently using Senna’s eye primer, which has the color of a concealer, and a GREAT line of makeup – yay for hyaluronic acid in its concealers!) and powder, line and then apply more powder THEN apply the lipstick, you can turn it in a matte that is almost bulletproof.

Mac’s matte formula is still great, retromattes need less setting for me and are trickier to work with, LimeCrimes controversial Lip Velvetines are just amazing and I get compliments or gasps every time I wear them (though the new pink is too warm for my taste and bare lips should be used only, no setting), Ben Nye’s lipsticks can be set as stated above and act as mattes, and I am LOVING the new Tarte Lipsurgence Matte stick formula. Its almost as good as a lipstick and liner in one, and its totally matte, works almost perfectly without setting with powder and blotting. I really do want every shade. Its just an amazing product.

Kath Avatar

I love the Revlon Matte Balms. To me they feel much nicer than the MAC mattes, which I also like. NYX matte lipsticks are also good, they’re one of the less drying formulas I’ve tried.

Danielle Avatar

I must have really oily lips, but I am all about MAC matte lipsticks! All I have to do is put a non-shiny lip balm on first; I’m loving Eos Strawberry Sorbet at the moment. But, yea, back to lipstick! My favorite MAC lippies are mostly matte formulas because they last me much longer than regular formulas do. I guess it makes sense that I have good luck with matte lipsticks because the rest of my face is also naturally more oily than most.

Jade Avatar

I do genuinely love MAC’s matte lipstick formula, – they’re not just my favourite matte formula, they’re probably my favourite lipstick formula in general. My latest love is Lady Danger. I don’t find them drying, though they don’t impart any moisture, and I find patting a beesting of MAC Lip Conditioner over the top a few hours into wear keeps my lips happy.

Ludmila Assumpção Avatar

I´m obsessed with matte lipsticks.
First of all, I can give a Oscar to MAC Retro Matte. Feels a bit dry on lips, but the finish is GORGEOUS, it seems that your lips are covered in velvet.
Then, Kat Von D. Everlasting Love Liquid Lipstick! They´re confortable to me and so long lasting! A better name for it, would be LIPS TATTOO, matches more with the product and the brand.

Honorable mention for NYX Matte Lip Creams formula. Cheap and awesome! Beautiful colors!

Tuna Lala Avatar

I haven’t tried many but don’t have to. Gave Burberry Lip Velvets a shot and it’s so worth it! I have 3 already so far but my favorite is Pink Azalea.

Laura Avatar

As much as I love the matte look, I rarely feel like taking the time to make it work. Dry, flaky lips are not your friend when you wear matte lipstick!

Definitely my favorite though is the Sephora Cream Lip Stain in Always Red. Not all of the shades are matte, and this is the only one I’ve tried, but I love it. The staying power is unreal – if I stay away from oily foods, it’ll last until I remove it (which has been 12-14+ hours). And my lips don’t want to kill me for days afterward!

FoxyTina Avatar

Milani Color Statement Lipstick in the Cream formula! Long wearing, creamy and not too dry. Feels comfortable. Can’t beat the price: Under $6. I also like Bare Minerals Marvelous Moxie Lipstick.

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