From matte to satin, liquid to bullet, low-key nude to sexy scarlet, these are the lipsticks our beauty experts adore – and we think you will too
Any products in this article have been selected editorially however if you buy something we mention, we may earn commission
Hunting for a the perfect new lipstick isn’t the easiest of shopping tasks so we asked some of our favourite beauty editors, makeup artists and celebrities for their favourite lipsticks of all time. If you’re still on the hunt for The One, their expert recommendations might just inspire you.
Just like finding the best cream bronzer, the best cream blusher or the best budget mascara, there are considerations. You should take into account skin tone, texture, finish and, of course, budget.
26 best lipsticks of all time
Kosas Weightless Lip Color Nourishing Satin Lipstick in Beach House, £24
Loved by: Get The Gloss Beauty Director, Sarah-Jane Corfield-Smith
“I am so fussy about lipsticks I don’t actually own that many. I get very dry lips so anything that’s too moisture-sapping and makes my lips look even more cracked than they already are, is a no from me. Which is why I adore this one. It is so creamy and hydrating it feels more like a balm, but it has the pigment punch of a lipstick. It’s glossy without being sticky and shiny, nor too sparkly. Perfect.”
Code 8 Glaze Lip Lacquer in Minimalist, £28
Image: @lanslondon
Loved by: Lan Nguyen-Grealis, makeup artist
“This liquid lipstick is the perfect accompaniment for a smoky eye and also a great option for people who don’t think they like lipstick. This is because it looks and feels like a gloss, but has lipstick’s staying power. And this great nude shade works really with my cool skin tone. The finish is glossy, which is sometimes tricky to achieve with a liquid lipstick as they tend to normally be matte, and once it’s on it doesn’t budge.”
Victoria Beckham Cheeky Posh Cream Blush Stick in Fame, £39
Image: @marygreenwell
Loved by: Mary Greenwell, makeup artist
Yes, this is technically a cream blush but Mary loves to use it as a lipstick too. “This is the most perfect lip colour for me. It’s three tones darker than my natural lip colour and I love the texture – it’s creamy but not too glossy. VB says it’s for cheeks but for me it is even better for lips!
YSL Beauty Tatouage Couture Velvet Cream Liquid Lipstick in 203 Rose Dissident, £31
Loved by: Sarah Cooper-White, Beauty Director of Woman & Home magazine
“I don’t often wear a bright lip, but I love this pinky-red one because I think the shade suits my cool and pale skin tone. Liquid lipsticks can often feel quite drying and not that nice to wear, but this is comfy and really lasts even when you’re eating and drinking so you can don’t have to touch up or think about your lipstick all day, which makes life a lot easier.”
Glossier Ultralip in Coupe, £22
Loved by: Jemma Thompson, GTG design and social media manager
“Dubbed the ‘cashmere sweatpants of lipstick’, I love this lipstick/balm hybrid. It contains four weights of hyaluronic acid for a quenching moisture hit and feels incredibly comfortable and nourishing to wear. There are nine vegan shades to choose from and the packaging is also made from 50 per cent recycled plastic. The best part is that it has buildable colour to suit my moods, so I can wear it as a lip tint or layer it for a bold lip moment.”
Stila Stay All Day Liquid Lipstick in Beso, £21
Image: @jessicanoahmorgan
Loved by: Jessica Noah Morgan, deputy editor, The Face magazine
Favourite of US politician AOC (Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez) this creamy matte lipstick makes a real statement. “It doesn’t at all budge through breakfast, lunch and dinner,” says Jessica. “It’s completely untransferable and the shade suits all skin tones. In the winter when I look greyer, the lipstick elevates my skin tone. In summer, when I have a more bronzed look, the lipstick complements my tan. If I’m feeling nervous this lipstick will fill me with confidence.”
MAC Satin Lipstick in Fleshpot, £25
Image: @claudiawinkle
Loved by: Claudia Winkleman, broadcaster
Everyone knows MAC’s iconic lip bullets on sight. Claudia’s pick has a satin finish that feels silky on the lips and is buildable for a more impactful look. “If I was out drinking margaritas with the girls and lost my phone, I’d cope, if I left my credit card at home, it wouldn’t be ideal, if I left my keys in the kitchen, I wouldn’t be over the moon but if I didn’t have my lipstick I’d feel bereft, small, lost,” Claudia told us. “This is the only lipstick for me. It was, quite simply love at first sight. When I first tried it on I just knew.” Once discontinued, Claudia’s favourite shade is back and consistently sells out, so if you see it – buy it!
MAC Macximal Silky Matte Lipstick in Ruby Woo, £25
Image: @keshiaeast_
Loved by: Keshia East, makeup artist
We don’t know any makeup lover who hasn’t had this matte red lipstick in their stash at one point. “This is a total classic,” says Keshia. “I tend to wear lipgloss every day, so when choosing a lipstick I like to go hard or to home! Ruby Woo is the perfect red for me – it’s a blue pigmented red so suits my skin tone perfectly.”
Clarins Instant Light Natural Lip Perfector in No 7 Toffee Pink Shimmer, £23
Image: @hannahmartinmakeup
Loved by: Hannah Martin, makeup artist
A non-sticky hybrid between a gloss and a lipstick, this gives a shiny yet natural finish. “It’s so intensely moisturising, your lips feel beautifully nourished and it’s a beautiful tinted shade that is less intense than a lipstick,” says Hannah. “It has more of a lip balm feel with a glossy finish so your lips feel conditioned and look full and plump. It’s also got a slight vanilla scent which I find most pleasing.”
Highr Collective Lipstick in Chateau, £32
Image: @francescaabrahamovitch
Loved by: Francesca Abrahamovitch, makeup artist
Holly Willoughby and Laura Whitmore both love Highr’s vegan lipsticks. This one is a suits-all satin nude beige with the subtlest hint of shine. “My kit go-to is this universally flattering nude shade that looks great on all my clients,” says Francesca. “The best part is, it’s clean and carbon neutral with a clever hidden built-in mirror for easy touch-ups on the go.”
Delilah Colour Intense Cream Lipstick in Floozy, £27.50
Loved by: Patsy O’Neil, makeup artist
This soft cream lipstick delivers a powerful punch of colour, with a silky matte effect. “It’s the best orangey-red shade ever. It never dries out, stays put and is a lovely consistency,” says Patsy.
Charlotte Tilbury Matte Revolution in Red Carpet Red, £29
Loved by: Ateh Jewel, journalist and GTG contributor
This matte ruby red shade is beloved by Charlotte Tilbury fans. “It’s not too much to say that this is a game-changer of a lipstick,” Ateh told us. “It signified a total shift in me, turning up the volume of who I am.”
Charlotte Tilbury Happikiss Colour Balm, £27
Image: Matt Lever
Loved by: Rosie Green, journalist and author
This wet-look balm was an instant hit with Tilbury fans for its smooth application. “I’ve never met a lip balm I didn’t like but this is next level,” Rosie says. “It adds colour, definition and a shot of moisture.”
Lisa Eldridge True Velvet Lipstick in Velvet Ribbon, £27
Loved by: Lisa Caldognetto, makeup artist
Created by MUA Lisa Eldridge this is a highly pigmented, creamy matte with a subtle sheen. “This looks like velvet and feels like pure luxury,” says Lisa. “It delivers a remarkable pigment and your lips mimic a rose petal texture. When you put this lipstick on, you feel like you can do anything as you feel powerful and beautiful!”
Code8 Matte Velour Lipstick in Mambo, £29
Image: @paulinebriscoe
Loved by: Pauline Briscoe, makeup artist
Code8 blended a collection of moisturising waxes to create this moisturising lip shade, designed to suit every skintone. “This is a vibrant cerise, popping pink shade which really suits me. I didn’t think it would suit my dark skin tone; normally I stay away from really bright colours but this pink is amazing and ultra-pigmented,” says Pauline.
By Terry Lip-Expert Matte in My Red, £29
Image: @miramakeup
Loved by: Mira Parmar, makeup artist
“I love a red lipstick but finding that perfect shade for you takes time and effort… however this red is universal, easy to use, stays put even on the longest days and does not feel drying on the lips! It really is a game-changer and goes well with or without a mask!”
Chanel Rouge Allure Velvet in 57 Rouge Feu, £40
Loved by: Emma White Turle, makeup artist
Despite being matte, this has a second-skin feel when you’re wearing it; ultra-soft and not at all drying. “This is my absolute favourite red lipstick,” Emma told us. “It’s the perfect matte red lipstick that is also luminous and easy to wear all day. It cheers me up and makes me feel empowered.”
Dior Rouge Matte in 999, £39
Image: Jin-Woo Prensena
Loved by: Monika Blunder, makeup artist and founder of Monika Blunder Beauty
This matte finish lipstick is enriched with nourishing flower extracts. “This is my all-time favourite lipstick. It’s such a classic red that fits any kind of skin tone and is super versatile. I have had this shade in my makeup kit for years and I also use it on myself. I love the texture and the finish, when you choose a red, it should look modern and sophisticated, so a matte finish is key.”
Victoria Beckham Beauty Bitten Lip Tint in Cherie, £37
Image: @rubyhammer
Loved by: Ruby Hammer MBE, makeup artist
This gel tint is enriched with squalane for ultra-nourishing wear. “I simply love the fuss-free texture of this lightweight nourishing and smoothing hybrid tint,” says Ruby. “I can be sure I look polished without looking over the top every time.”
Hourglass Confession Ultra Slim High-Intensity Refillable Lipstick in I Am, £35
Loved by: Victoria Woodhall, GTG editorial director
“Hourglass was one of the first brands to make a refillable lipstick and when I spied it in Mary Greenwell’s Chanel handbag – it was the only item of makeup in there – I had to find my own shade,” says Victoria. “I Am is the perfect rose pink, the texture is creamy, the colour doesn’t budge and the holder is slim and sophisticated. Mary’s shade was You Are My, a warm-toned light plum, but it was limited edition. Try When I’m With You for a true plum tone.”
Pat McGrath MatteTrance Lipstick in Peep Show, £36
Image: Liz MaCauley
Loved by: Jane Druker, beauty editor and GTG contributor
This is a richly pigmented pale matte lipstick that makes your eyes pop.”It’s the perfect pop of matte lipstick that lifts your look effortlessly so that when you take your face covering off you look pretty and radiant,” says Jane. “It seems to bring out the gold in my eye colour and sets off my blush too.”
Victoria Beckham Beauty Posh Lipstick in Girl, £37
Image: Jem Mitchell
Loved by: Wendy Rowe, makeup artist
For hydration, pigment and a posh pout, this slim lipstick wins Wendy’s heart. “The Victoria Beckham Posh Lipstick in Girl is something I never leave home without. This is so natural for the day, just gives you the right hit of hydration and hint of colour you need and then at night it the best lip colour for a smokey eye. Sexy. Win, Win,” says Wendy.
Juni Cosmetics Luxury Hydrating Lipstick in Lola, £38
Image: @justinejenkins
Loved by: Justine Jenkins, makeup artist
This is a sustainable satin lipstick with skincare benefits, with organic oils, vitamin E and hyaluronic acid. “As a lifelong red lipstick lover and a sustainable beauty expert, this is my perfect lipstick. It’s a gorgeous wearable red, in a plastic-free bullet that you can pop into your recycling bin. Guilt-free and genius!”
Westman Atelier Lip Suede in Les Rouges, £78
Loved by: Ophelia Froud, GTG contributor
These four plumping lip shades can be combined to create a bespoke shade just for you. “My hands-down favourite lipstick is the oh-so-clever vegan lip suede palette,” says Ophelia. “The shiny red pebble palette contains genius rows of fuchsia, brick, tomato red and dusty rose shades free from nasties, packed with antioxidants and collagen-boosting peptides.”
Revlon Super Lustrous Lipstick in Fire and Ice, £4.67
Image: Mike Blackett
Loved by: Ingeborg Van Lotringen, GTG beauty editor and author
Created way back in 1952, this is infused with silk and vitamins and has a smooth application and comfortable wear. “It’s a glossy cream, a finish which I find far more flattering than matte textures,” says Inge. “The red shade somehow has both pink and orange undertones which makes it universally flattering. The colour really pops on every skin tone and lights up your face.”
Max Factor Color Elixir Lipstick in Toasted Almond, £9.37
Loved by: Madeleine Spencer, makeup artist, podcaster and GTG contributor
Vitamin E and antioxidants help this nude shade glide on. “This is my go-to for a perfect nude lip with a hint of pink in it,” says Madeleine. “It’s my ‘I’m not wearing lipstick’ lipstick, leaving my lips pillowy and enhanced but without stealing the show from my eyeshadow, which is usually where I like to add a bit of drama.”
