11 of the Best Lipsticks You Need in Your Makeup Bag
I have long been a big lipstick fan. Lipstick was my first favourite makeup product and it has continued to play a big part in my beauty regime. I’ve tried many lipsticks in my life but if I had to choose just 11 of my favourites then these would my top choices. These are 11 of the best lipsticks you need in your makeup bag.
Cruelty-free & Vegan
I get asked a lot about this lipstick. It comes in the cutest packaging. It’s actually a lip balm with a flower inside. It’s perfect for when I want I want a simple swipe of lip balm and it gives off a subtle shimmer of colour too. It works with the natural colour of your lips and provides a hint of rosy pink.
This is the perfect nude lipstick for me. Depending on your skin tone, you might love or hate this lipstick. I’ve heard that some people claim it’s either too brown or orange on them but on my cool skin tone it’s the ideal nude tone. I've worn this when I've had both black and blonde hair and it looks great with either hair colour!
Cruelty-free & Vegan
You’ve probably heard of lipsticks that are classed as a “my lips but better” tone. This is how I’d describe this shade. It’s a rosy pink with a violet undertone. It enhances the natural shade of your lips with an added injection of pigmentation. It’s an ideal tone for everyday wear.
A creamy nude lipstick with a hint of rose. The two problems that many people face with wearing nude lipsticks is that they either can’t find the right shade for them or they don’t like the matte textures of most nude lip products. This has a creamy texture so it’s far easier to wear. It’s long-lasting and extremely comfortable on your lips.
Cruelty-free & Vegan
I first discovered this brand a couple of years ago. Milani offer a fantastic shade of matte lipsticks that serve as great dupes for luxury lipsticks or non cruelty-free varieties. This shade is a highly pigmented matte nude with a brown undertone. It reminds me of a 90s lip colour. I don’t usually like brown lip colours but this one is stunning and suits many different skin tone types.
Cruelty-free & Vegan
I bought this lipstick because it was recommended as a vegan, cruelty-free version of MAC’s Lady Danger. It is indeed a perfect match and as much as I love MAC matte lipsticks, this product is much nicer to wear. It has a soft, creamy texture but stays put like matte lipsticks should. It’s a lovely orange red and it doesn’t dry out your lips either like many matte lip colours do.
Over the years I’ve become less obsessed with adding trending lipsticks to my collection in favour of building a set of classic colours. This is a sophisticated red rose lip colour with a creamy texture. If you’re looking for a classic red then this is one for your collection.
Have you read my post about the lipstick that Audrey Hepburn wore in Breakfast at Tiffany’s? Breakfast at Tiffany’s is one of my favourite films and who can forget the iconic lipstick she applied in the back of the taxi in the last scene? While the true brand and shade of the lipstick is still unknown, this has been voted as the best all time match for the lip colour she wore in the film. It’s a really beautiful coral pink crème lipstick that’s just so pretty to look at and of course, to wear!
Not only is this lipstick beautiful and mesmerising, it also smells like sweets! This lip colour makes me smile every time I get it out to apply. May I add that I have never been a fan of neon lip colours. I owned one neon lipstick about ten years ago, hated how it looked and put an end to that curiosity. However, this lipstick is cleverly designed. It’s a two-tone lipstick which is visible when you look close up. While it’s a neon pink at first glance, look closer and you will see that it has a blue, violet undertone. It warms again the natural pH balance of your lips to create a finish that suits your individual skin tone. Despite the fact that it’s a cream lipstick and not matte, it is long-lasting and fades beautifully as the day goes on. I wouldn’t usually wear a strong colour like this during the summer but this is so easy to wear. The finish of the lip colour on your lips is also subtly two-toned and not a flat shade like most neon tones are.
Cruelty-free & Vegan
A powder puff lip colour with a matte finish. Initially I did not like this lip product however, as time has gone on I’ve come to love it! The trick is to squeeze the tube rather than pushing the product on to your lips. Once on, the colour is matte and vibrant. This shade is a stunning natural pink, ideal for an everyday makeup look.
Cruelty-free & Vegan
This has to be one of the easiest red lip colours I’ve ever worn. The squeezable tube means that you get full control over how much you apply so it’s difficult to get it wrong or to apply too much. As you apply this powder lipstick it has a creamy, soft feeling but once it’s one it sits well and doesn’t smudge. The tone is a striking red with a blue undertone, making it perfect for cool skin tones.
I hope you enjoyed my top picks of the best lipsticks you need in your makeup bag! Finally, if you fancy mixing your own lipstick then check out this blog here where you’ll learn how to mix your own personalised lip shade.
Winky Lux Flower Balm
Cruelty-free & Vegan
I get asked a lot about this lipstick. It comes in the cutest packaging. It’s actually a lip balm with a flower inside. It’s perfect for when I want I want a simple swipe of lip balm and it gives off a subtle shimmer of colour too. It works with the natural colour of your lips and provides a hint of rosy pink.
MAC Velvet Teddy
This is the perfect nude lipstick for me. Depending on your skin tone, you might love or hate this lipstick. I’ve heard that some people claim it’s either too brown or orange on them but on my cool skin tone it’s the ideal nude tone. I've worn this when I've had both black and blonde hair and it looks great with either hair colour!
NYX Velvet Matte Soft Femme
Cruelty-free & Vegan
You’ve probably heard of lipsticks that are classed as a “my lips but better” tone. This is how I’d describe this shade. It’s a rosy pink with a violet undertone. It enhances the natural shade of your lips with an added injection of pigmentation. It’s an ideal tone for everyday wear.
Estee Lauder Rose Tea
A creamy nude lipstick with a hint of rose. The two problems that many people face with wearing nude lipsticks is that they either can’t find the right shade for them or they don’t like the matte textures of most nude lip products. This has a creamy texture so it’s far easier to wear. It’s long-lasting and extremely comfortable on your lips.
MILANI Beauty 69
Cruelty-free & Vegan
I first discovered this brand a couple of years ago. Milani offer a fantastic shade of matte lipsticks that serve as great dupes for luxury lipsticks or non cruelty-free varieties. This shade is a highly pigmented matte nude with a brown undertone. It reminds me of a 90s lip colour. I don’t usually like brown lip colours but this one is stunning and suits many different skin tone types.
MILANI Passion 66
Cruelty-free & Vegan
I bought this lipstick because it was recommended as a vegan, cruelty-free version of MAC’s Lady Danger. It is indeed a perfect match and as much as I love MAC matte lipsticks, this product is much nicer to wear. It has a soft, creamy texture but stays put like matte lipsticks should. It’s a lovely orange red and it doesn’t dry out your lips either like many matte lip colours do.
Clinique All Heart
Over the years I’ve become less obsessed with adding trending lipsticks to my collection in favour of building a set of classic colours. This is a sophisticated red rose lip colour with a creamy texture. If you’re looking for a classic red then this is one for your collection.
Revlon Pink in the Afternoon
Have you read my post about the lipstick that Audrey Hepburn wore in Breakfast at Tiffany’s? Breakfast at Tiffany’s is one of my favourite films and who can forget the iconic lipstick she applied in the back of the taxi in the last scene? While the true brand and shade of the lipstick is still unknown, this has been voted as the best all time match for the lip colour she wore in the film. It’s a really beautiful coral pink crème lipstick that’s just so pretty to look at and of course, to wear!
Anna Sui Neon Pink
Not only is this lipstick beautiful and mesmerising, it also smells like sweets! This lip colour makes me smile every time I get it out to apply. May I add that I have never been a fan of neon lip colours. I owned one neon lipstick about ten years ago, hated how it looked and put an end to that curiosity. However, this lipstick is cleverly designed. It’s a two-tone lipstick which is visible when you look close up. While it’s a neon pink at first glance, look closer and you will see that it has a blue, violet undertone. It warms again the natural pH balance of your lips to create a finish that suits your individual skin tone. Despite the fact that it’s a cream lipstick and not matte, it is long-lasting and fades beautifully as the day goes on. I wouldn’t usually wear a strong colour like this during the summer but this is so easy to wear. The finish of the lip colour on your lips is also subtly two-toned and not a flat shade like most neon tones are.
NYX Powder Puff Squad Goals
Cruelty-free & Vegan
A powder puff lip colour with a matte finish. Initially I did not like this lip product however, as time has gone on I’ve come to love it! The trick is to squeeze the tube rather than pushing the product on to your lips. Once on, the colour is matte and vibrant. This shade is a stunning natural pink, ideal for an everyday makeup look.
NYX Powder Puff Group Love
Cruelty-free & Vegan
This has to be one of the easiest red lip colours I’ve ever worn. The squeezable tube means that you get full control over how much you apply so it’s difficult to get it wrong or to apply too much. As you apply this powder lipstick it has a creamy, soft feeling but once it’s one it sits well and doesn’t smudge. The tone is a striking red with a blue undertone, making it perfect for cool skin tones.
I hope you enjoyed my top picks of the best lipsticks you need in your makeup bag! Finally, if you fancy mixing your own lipstick then check out this blog here where you’ll learn how to mix your own personalised lip shade.
Disclaimer - this post contains affiliate links. For more information read the disclaimer.
