The Best Matte Lipsticks to Wear Every Day
Long-lasting, transfer-free options you'll live in.
I've worn lipstick every day since I turned 15-years-old—that's not an exaggeration. So it's safe to say that I'm well-acquainted with all the best lipsticks. I have tried the gamut—red lipsticks, peach lipsticks, the best lipsticks for medium skin tones—but the best matte lipsticks will always be my favorites.
"Matte lipsticks really became popular when Kylie Jenner came out with her lip kits, and we all had a million of those different colors," says professional makeup artist Allison Kaye. But their long wear and high pigment have stood the test of time, making them a staple in every makeup artist's kit.
Below, I've rounded up the best matte lipsticks, each of which has been rigorously tested by Kaye or a Marie Claire editor.
Best Matte Lipsticks
- Best Matte Lipstick Overall: Yves Saint Laurent Tatouage Couture Velvet Cream Matte Liquid Lipstick
- Best Affordable Matte Lipstick: Maybelline Super Stay Matte Ink Liquid Lipstick
- Best Luxury Matte Lipstick: Armani Beauty Lip Maestro Liquid Matte Lipstick
- Best Everyday Matte Lipstick: Too Faced Melted Matte PSL Liquid Lipstick
- Best Subtle Matte Lipstick: Thebalm Meet Matt(e) Hughes Long Lasting Liquid Lipstick
If I want my lipstick to outlast drinks and meals, I opt for this formula from Yves Saint Laurent. It smells fantastic and feels luxurious to the touch, making for an excellent overall application experience. It also never budges, feathers, or fades and has survived many a dinner party intact. It's well worth the high price tag, and since it doesn't require frequent reapplication, one bottle lasts for ages.
Pros: Editor-approved; Longwearing; Comfortable; Smells good; Highly pigmented
Cons: Expensive
Once I tried this luxurious, sweet-smelling lipstick from YSL, I became a lifelong fan.
"The Maybelline SuperStay is my tried-and-true," says Kaye. "I especially recommend it if you're doing a red lip." Because red can be really tricky, and this lipstick has multiple different shades of red, you'll have a bunch of options to choose from. "The staying power is truly incredible. I use it on clients, and they have eaten and done a lot of talking while wearing the lipstick, and it still stays so well."
Pros: Makeup artist-approved; long wearing; Minimal transfer; Affordable
Cons: Can be drying
I wore this to New York Fashion Week, courtesy of professional makeup artist Amrita Mehta, who used Maybelline on my lips.
Kaye gushes about Giorgio Armani's matte lipstick. "I love the nude pink shades. I think that they just have nailed the perfect colors. They're also very creamy and have very good staying power," she shares.
Pros: Makeup artist-approved; Creamy texture; Longwearing
Cons: Some users report that it transfers
If I could live in this lipstick, I would. It's a subtle shade of orange that never fails to brighten any makeup look. It smells delicious (like actual pumpkin spice!), tastes sweet, and stays on all day. Even when it fades after I've eaten, it does so subtly rather than creating a stark rim of color on the edges of my lips. An added bonus? Beauty Director Deena Campbell, compliments me almost whenever I wear it.
Pros: Editor-approved; Smells good; Creamy texture
Cons: Some users report that it quickly fades after meals
Too Faced's PSL-themed matte lipstick is an ode to fall, but I love wearing it all year round.
I picked up this hidden gem on a whim because of its adorable packaging, and I quickly became obsessed, running back to the store to pick up two more shades. The lightweight formula feels like a cream but, of course, dries matte. It comes in several shades of pink and mauve, perfect for those days when you want just a hint of color. My favorite shades are Committed and Charming, but you can't go wrong with any of them.
Pros: Editor-approved; Affordable; Not drying; Easy to apply
Cons: Not food- and drink-proof
I found this budget lipstick on a whim, and it quickly became one of my makeup bag staples.
Also Recommended
Several of these liquid lipsticks take up permanent residence in my makeup bag. They come in a plethora of striking shades that are pigmented enough to show up on all skin tones. The creamy formula is a breeze to apply, and because it takes a few seconds for it to dry, it's easy to adjust if you make a mistake. For best results, blot lightly with a tissue after application.
Pros: Editor-approved; Easy to use; Longwearing
Cons: Some reviewers find it to be drying
This ultra-matte option from Anastasia Beverly Hills never fails to create a sultry look.
"Technically, Betise is a lipstick/balm hybrid," explains contributing writer Katherine J. Igoe. "It's incredibly buildable, meaning that the first layer you put on is just a warm, light, gentle flush of color. Then, if you want a deeper hue, put on a second or third layer. Because I have rosacea, a lot of red lipsticks look 'messy' on me (the pinkness in my skin makes my whole face look red). But with a little concealer around my mouth and nose and a single layer of Betise, I have a gorgeous rouge-y glow."
Pros: Editor-approved; Vegan; Cruelty-free; Buildable
Cons: Not available in a wide a range of shades
Even though this lipstick has a matte finish, it's unbelievably creamy to the touch. While some users find it too thick, I love how luxurious this lipstick feels—and how deeply pigmented the formula is. It's one of the few lipsticks that has a light pink color capable of showing up on my already pink lips, which gives it a five-star rating in my book.
Pros: Editor-approved; Highly pigmented; Thick texture
Cons: Expensive; Can be messy
NARS' Powermatte Lip Pigment always delivers a burst of highly pigmented color.
"Huda Beauty has amazing matte lipsticks," says Kaye. "I have never found them to be too drying to the point where they're cakey or cracking. They have great staying power, and their formula seems to be very, very creamy on top of it being matte, and I love it."
Pros: Makeup artist-approved; Available in a wide range of colors; Hydrating
Cons: Requires reapplication
These lipsticks were my favorites in college—and they remain so today. They have surprisingly great staying power, are easy to apply, and you simply can't beat the price. Plus, they're available in countless colors, so you can easily find the exact shade and undertone you want. My personal go-to's are Matte Love and Sangria.
Pros: Editor-approved; Affordable; Easy to use; Longwearing; Cruelty-free
Cons: Drying
Milani's matte lipsticks have held a special place in my heart since college, and with good reason: They stay on for hours without budging.
This liquid lipstick stays on so well. Because its formula is infused with ingredients like jojoba oil, it moisturizes lips so that you won't find yourself dying for chapstick at the end of a long day. It also comes in several vibrant shades, from oranges to purples to reds, each highly pigmented, so it consistently appears on any lip shade.
Pros: Editor-approved; Contains hydrating ingredients; Longwearing
Cons: Heavy formula
I unabashedly love Kylie Jenner's lip kits. The color truly does not budge, even after hours of talking, eating, and drinking. You'll get the best results if you use the liner first, as directed. But I'm not really a liner person, so I just carry around the liquid lipstick itself, and it still has incredible staying power.
Pros: Editor-approved; Longwearing; Highly pigmented
Cons: Expensive; Pencil is fragile
I never give into hype without trying something first, and Kylie's matte lip kits, in my opinion, deserve the praise.
What to Look for
- Staying Power
Most people opt for matte lipsticks because they believe they have better staying power than their glossy and satin counterparts. "The staying power, in my opinion, is the most important part of it," Kaye shares. She suggests swatching your matte lipstick options on the inside of your wrist. Rub at the swatch with your finger after the formula dries to see if it budges, feathers, or comes off easily.
- Hydration
Matte lipsticks often feel more drying than satin, cream, and glossy formulas. However, some matte lipstick formulas are more drying than others. If you already struggle with chapped lips and want to play it a little safer when it comes to your lipstick, look for a product infused with hydrating ingredients like hyaluronic acid.
Meet the Expert
Allison Kaye is a professional makeup artist specializing in celebrity and influencer services, best known for styling NFL and MLB players' wives and girlfriends. She also offers classes on makeup application. She is currently based in Florida.
