Lipsticks Over $15 | 2020 Editor's Favorites
No real surprises on this list–shade extensions from my favorite formulas were a pleasure to test, like Estee Lauder Pure Color Envy, Pat McGrath MatteTrance, and MAC Lipstick (which is a reliable favorite!). New formulas like Fenty Beauty Slip Shine and Bite Beauty Lip Crayons made it onto the list, along with new-to-me Becca Ultimate Love Lipstick was a nice, more mid-end find for the year.
If you’re unfamiliar with how I like to do my year-end favorites, here’s the low down: I pull from the products I reviewed in 2020, regardless of whether they were new, limited edition, or an established range I’ve only just gotten around to reviewing. These are personal favorites, so they may or may not be the highest rated products reviewed during the year (though they will tend to be better rated, naturally!). (You can check out best of 2019 if you missed last year’s.)
Temptalia’s Favorite Lipsticks Over $15 | 2020
Bite Beauty Red Velvet Power Move Creamy Matte Lip Crayon ($24.00 for 0.05 oz.) is a medium-dark red with cooler undertones and a satin finish. It...
Bite Beauty Red Velvet Power Move Creamy Matte Lip Crayon ($24.00 for 0.05 oz.) is a medium-dark red with cooler undertones and a satin finish. It...
Bite Beauty Acai Smash Power Move Creamy Matte Lip Crayon ($24.00 for 0.05 oz.) is a deeper, medium-dark berry with moderate, cool undertones and a...
Bite Beauty Acai Smash Power Move Creamy Matte Lip Crayon ($24.00 for 0.05 oz.) is a deeper, medium-dark berry with moderate, cool undertones and a...
Shiseido Sleeping Dragon (227) VisionAiry Gel Lipstick ($26.00 for 0.05 oz.) is a rich, darker copper-red with warm undertones and a satin finish. It...
Shiseido Sleeping Dragon (227) VisionAiry Gel Lipstick ($26.00 for 0.05 oz.) is a rich, darker copper-red with warm undertones and a satin finish. It...
Pat McGrath Divine Romance MatteTrance Lipstick ($40.00 for 0.14 oz.) is a rich, brighter plum with subtle, cool undertones and a satin finish. It...
Pat McGrath Divine Romance MatteTrance Lipstick ($40.00 for 0.14 oz.) is a rich, brighter plum with subtle, cool undertones and a satin finish. It...
Tom Ford Beauty Destroy Lip Spark ($55.00 for 0.1 oz.) is a rich, medium-dark red with subtle, cool undertones and a mix of finer, ruby red shimmer...
Tom Ford Beauty Destroy Lip Spark ($55.00 for 0.1 oz.) is a rich, medium-dark red with subtle, cool undertones and a mix of finer, ruby red shimmer...
Estee Lauder Undefeated Pure Color Envy Sculpting Lipstick ($32.00 for 0.12 oz.) is a deep, reddened plum with subtle, warm undertones and a luminous...
Estee Lauder Undefeated Pure Color Envy Sculpting Lipstick ($32.00 for 0.12 oz.) is a deep, reddened plum with subtle, warm undertones and a luminous...
Estee Lauder Unshakeable Pure Color Envy Sculpting Lipstick ($32.00 for 0.12 oz.) is a muted, medium-dark rosy brown with subtle, warm undertones and...
Estee Lauder Unshakeable Pure Color Envy Sculpting Lipstick ($32.00 for 0.12 oz.) is a muted, medium-dark rosy brown with subtle, warm undertones and...
Becca Candy Apple Ultimate Lipstick Love ($24.00 for 0.12 oz.) is a bright, medium-dark pink-red with cool undertones and a luminous sheen with...
Becca Candy Apple Ultimate Lipstick Love ($24.00 for 0.12 oz.) is a bright, medium-dark pink-red with cool undertones and a luminous sheen with...
Becca Hibiscus Ultimate Lipstick Love ($24.00 for 0.12 oz.) is a bright, medium reddened-berry with subtle, cool undertones and barely-there pearl...
Becca Hibiscus Ultimate Lipstick Love ($24.00 for 0.12 oz.) is a bright, medium reddened-berry with subtle, cool undertones and barely-there pearl...
Charlotte Tilbury Super Starlet Kissing Lipstick ($37.00 for 0.12 oz.) is a slightly muted, medium-dark coppery-red with subtle, warm undertones and a...
Charlotte Tilbury Super Starlet Kissing Lipstick ($37.00 for 0.12 oz.) is a slightly muted, medium-dark coppery-red with subtle, warm undertones and a...
Becca Sorbet Ultimate Lipstick Love ($24.00 for 0.12 oz.) is a medium-dark pink with subtle, warm undertones and a cream finish. It had nearly opaque...
Becca Sorbet Ultimate Lipstick Love ($24.00 for 0.12 oz.) is a medium-dark pink with subtle, warm undertones and a cream finish. It had nearly opaque...
Bite Beauty Hard Cider Power Move Creamy Matte Lip Crayon ($24.00 for 0.05 oz.) is a muted, medium-dark brown with subtle, warm undertones and a cream...
Bite Beauty Hard Cider Power Move Creamy Matte Lip Crayon ($24.00 for 0.05 oz.) is a muted, medium-dark brown with subtle, warm undertones and a cream...
MAC Baroque the Internet Lipstick ($20.00 for 0.1 oz.) is a muted, medium-dark pink with strong, warm undertones and a satin finish. It was intensely...
MAC Baroque the Internet Lipstick ($20.00 for 0.1 oz.) is a muted, medium-dark pink with strong, warm undertones and a satin finish. It was intensely...
Estee Lauder Unrequited Pure Color Envy Sculpting Lipstick ($32.00 for 0.12 oz.) is a medium-dark pink with moderate, warm undertones and a luminous...
Estee Lauder Unrequited Pure Color Envy Sculpting Lipstick ($32.00 for 0.12 oz.) is a medium-dark pink with moderate, warm undertones and a luminous...
Estee Lauder Power Trip Pure Color Envy Sculpting Lipstick ($32.00 for 0.12 oz.) is a rich, medium-dark ruby red with strong, cool undertones--which...
Estee Lauder Power Trip Pure Color Envy Sculpting Lipstick ($32.00 for 0.12 oz.) is a rich, medium-dark ruby red with strong, cool undertones--which...
Becca Cranberry Ultimate Lipstick Love ($24.00 for 0.12 oz.) is a slightly muted, medium-dark red with subtle, warm undertones and a cream finish. The...
Becca Cranberry Ultimate Lipstick Love ($24.00 for 0.12 oz.) is a slightly muted, medium-dark red with subtle, warm undertones and a cream finish. The...
Lisa Eldridge Velvet Blush True Velvet Lipstick Colour ($32.00 for 0.12 oz.) is a deep, muted plum with subtle, warm undertones and a semi-matte...
Lisa Eldridge Velvet Blush True Velvet Lipstick Colour ($32.00 for 0.12 oz.) is a deep, muted plum with subtle, warm undertones and a semi-matte...
Becca Rouge Ultimate Lipstick Love ($24.00 for 0.12 oz.) is a brighter, medium-dark orange-red with moderate, warm undertones and a cream finish. ...
Becca Rouge Ultimate Lipstick Love ($24.00 for 0.12 oz.) is a brighter, medium-dark orange-red with moderate, warm undertones and a cream finish. ...
Chanel Camelia Pourpre (637) Rouge Allure Luminous Intense Lip Colour ($40.00 for 0.12 oz.) is a rich, reddened plum with subtle, warm undertones and...
Chanel Camelia Pourpre (637) Rouge Allure Luminous Intense Lip Colour ($40.00 for 0.12 oz.) is a rich, reddened plum with subtle, warm undertones and...
Shiseido Firecracker (219) VisionAiry Gel Lipstick ($26.00 for 0.05 oz.) is a bright, medium red with strong, warm orange undertones and a satin...
Shiseido Firecracker (219) VisionAiry Gel Lipstick ($26.00 for 0.05 oz.) is a bright, medium red with strong, warm orange undertones and a satin...
Estee Lauder Tenacious (527) Pure Color Envy Sculpting Lipstick ($32.00 for 0.12 oz.) is a muted, medium-dark mauve with neutral-to-warm undertones...
Estee Lauder Tenacious (527) Pure Color Envy Sculpting Lipstick ($32.00 for 0.12 oz.) is a muted, medium-dark mauve with neutral-to-warm undertones...
Fenty Beauty Retro Rose Slip Shine Sheer Shiny Lipstick ($22.00 for 0.098 oz.) is a light-medium coral with moderate, warm undertones and fine,...
Fenty Beauty Retro Rose Slip Shine Sheer Shiny Lipstick ($22.00 for 0.098 oz.) is a light-medium coral with moderate, warm undertones and fine,...
Becca Tangy Ultimate Lipstick Love ($24.00 for 0.12 oz.) is a vivid, medium-dark red with cooler undertones and fine, ruby pearl throughout a luminous...
Becca Tangy Ultimate Lipstick Love ($24.00 for 0.12 oz.) is a vivid, medium-dark red with cooler undertones and fine, ruby pearl throughout a luminous...
MAC Out With a Bang Lipstick ($20.00 for 0.1 oz.) is a deep, reddened-plum with cooler undertones and very fine, multi-colored pearl (seemed primarily...
MAC Out With a Bang Lipstick ($20.00 for 0.1 oz.) is a deep, reddened-plum with cooler undertones and very fine, multi-colored pearl (seemed primarily...
NARS Lea Audacious Lipstick ($34.00 for 0.14 oz.) is a muted, darker copper with warm, red undertones and a satin finish. The texture was smooth,...
NARS Lea Audacious Lipstick ($34.00 for 0.14 oz.) is a muted, darker copper with warm, red undertones and a satin finish. The texture was smooth,...
Estee Lauder Tempt Me Hi-Lustre Pure Color Envy Lipstick ($32.00 for 0.12 oz.) is a muted, medium plummy brown with moderate, warm undertones with a...
Estee Lauder Tempt Me Hi-Lustre Pure Color Envy Lipstick ($32.00 for 0.12 oz.) is a muted, medium plummy brown with moderate, warm undertones with a...
Pat McGrath Temptress Divinyl Lip Shine ($36.00 for 0.08 oz.) is a deep, red-coral with fine, multi-colored pearl strewn throughout. The texture was...
Pat McGrath Temptress Divinyl Lip Shine ($36.00 for 0.08 oz.) is a deep, red-coral with fine, multi-colored pearl strewn throughout. The texture was...
MAC Snowfilter Lipstick ($20.00 for 0.1 oz.) is a muted, medium-dark reddened-plum with warmer undertones and a luminous sheen. It is a Lustre...
MAC Snowfilter Lipstick ($20.00 for 0.1 oz.) is a muted, medium-dark reddened-plum with warmer undertones and a luminous sheen. It is a Lustre...
UOMA Beauty Bahia Black Magic Metallic Lipstick ($26.00 for 0.12 oz.) has a medium-dark, plummy red base with warmer undertones and green-gold shimmer...
UOMA Beauty Bahia Black Magic Metallic Lipstick ($26.00 for 0.12 oz.) has a medium-dark, plummy red base with warmer undertones and green-gold shimmer...
Fenty Beauty Vamps Who Brunch Slip Shine Sheer Shiny Lipstick ($22.00 for 0.098 oz.) is a muted, medium-dark plum with subtle, cool undertones and...
Fenty Beauty Vamps Who Brunch Slip Shine Sheer Shiny Lipstick ($22.00 for 0.098 oz.) is a muted, medium-dark plum with subtle, cool undertones and...
Pat McGrath Electric Lotus Divinyl Lip Shine ($36.00 for 0.08 oz.) is a brighter, medium pink-coral with moderate, warm undertones and a luminous...
Pat McGrath Electric Lotus Divinyl Lip Shine ($36.00 for 0.08 oz.) is a brighter, medium pink-coral with moderate, warm undertones and a luminous...
Glossover Averages
Your Year in Review: Lipstick Edition — Part 2
I thought it would be interesting to read through how readers used products throughout the year, what favorites emerged, what products fell by the wayside… so, if you want to join in, copy and paste the questions below and add your answers via a comment!
- What were your most-used mid-end/high-end lipsticks? this past year
- What lipstick colors did you gravitate toward the most this past year?
- Any shades you’d like to use more in 2021?
What were your most-used mid-end/high-end lipsticks this past year? MAC Siempre Selena Retro Matte Liquid Lipstick, Baroque The Internet, and Marque Ultimate Lipstick, PML She’s Heaven, Omi, Executive Realness and Deep Orchid.
What lipstick colors did you gravitate toward the most this past year? “Nude” and MLBB, plus red and plums.
Any shades you’d like to use more in 2021? Terracotta and orangey reds!
I never stopped wearing lipstick at home, instead I turned toward loving old faves that had been pushed to the side. I fell back in love with my MatteTrance, LuxeTrance, and new love Buxom’s bullet lipstick (so creamy!). I also started using gloss a lot at home too. My lips have been ungodly dry this year, almost splitting several times. The only things that could keep them ok were thick balms and glosses.
Wow! That was the year of plummes and dark reds for you Christine!
Apparently, lol!
What were your most-used mid-end/high-end lipsticks this past year? Em Cosmetics Infinite Lip Clouds, PMGL Luxetrance, Bite Beauty Luminous Creme Lipstick in Musk, Tom Ford Lip Color in Casablanca
What lipstick colors did you gravitate toward the most this past year? My usual MLBBs but mostly because I was really trying to completely finish a couple of favorites that were getting older.
Any shades you’d like to use more in 2021? I’d really love not to purchase any lips at all this year. I have so many, and I need to use them.
What were your most-used mid-end/high-end lipsticks? this past year?
My most used mid end lipstick this year was MAC’s Fresh Moroccan, which I completely finished.
What lipstick colors did you gravitate toward the most this past year? I gravitated towards some lighter shades than what I have in the past – more mid tone shades of orange/red and rosy browns.
Any shades you’d like to use more in 2021? I think I would like to pursue more rosy brown kind of lipsticks that are less stark and more in keeping with my colouring.
Of the above lipsticks – Shiseido’s Sleeping Dragon is the one I covet the most. Lea by Nars is next.
What were your most-used mid-end/high-end lipsticks this past year? MAC Craving, Party Line and Full Fuchsia; Smashbox Red Rage
What lipstick colors did you gravitate toward the most this past year? Pinky plums like Craving (is that how you’d describe that colour?) and cooler reds
Any shades you’d like to use more in 2021? Nope. I know what shades look flattering on me and I don’t want to waste money trying orange or nude lipsticks when I already know they don’t flatter me.
What were your most-used mid-end/high-end lipsticks this past year?
MAC Milan Mode (finished one); Chanel Mademoiselle; Tarte Island Life
What lipstick colors did you gravitate toward the most this past year?
Pinks and pinkish-plums
Any shades you’d like to use more in 2021?
Plummy reds; brownish reds
I’m currently enjoying MAC Wham from their summer Bronzer collection.
I’m completely in love with those warm, plummy shimmers. They were very popular in the late 90s and early 2000s with Stila Luce and Natalie, Lorac Ashley, Olay cosmetics (!!!) Autumn Leaves, Estee Lauder Maple Sugar, and MAC Sophisto. This one doesn’t disappoint.
What were your most-used mid-end/high-end lipsticks this past year? It’s hard to remember. I only wore bullet lipsticks the first three months of the year, then we had to start wearing masks. UD Vice Lipstick in Sheer Rapture, for sure. I remember wearing these: MAC S’sexy, Uoma Beauty Black Magic Metallic Lipstick in Bahia, Pat McGrath LuxeTrance in Pink Ultraness and Psycho Candy.
What lipstick colors did you gravitate toward the most this past year? Rosy browns, mauves, warm browns, fuchsias, and reds. Most of the year I just wore clear lip balm, though, because of having to wear a mask.
Any shades you’d like to use more in 2021? I just want to wear what I have again. So…all of them? lol
What were your most-used mid-end/high-end lipsticks this past year? Without a doubt MAC Matte Lip Mousse in “My Better Half”, followed by Bite Lip Crayon in “Glacé”
What lipstick colors did you gravitate toward the most this past year? I’ve always been all over the place when it comes to lip colors, but I have always loved me a classic apple red and this year was no different
Any shades you’d like to use more in 2021? Not really. Because my lipstick collection is all over the place color-wise I feel happy with the pretty diverse selection I have to choose from