These Are The Greatest Lipsticks Of All Time
From office days to statement party looks, the best lipstick will give you confidence as much as comfort. While a strong pigment should provide staying power, the best formula glides on and feels hydrating all day long; it’s as easy to apply at home as it is in the back of a taxi and requires minimal touch-ups throughout the day.
Fortunately, lipstick formulas have come a long way in the last few years and all of the above is easily attainable. These days you’re as likely to find hyaluronic acid in your favourite lipstick as you are in your face cream and the rising popularity of lip glosses and oils have introduced an exciting new wave of hybrid formulas.
With so many genuinely incredible iterations and shades, we couldn’t choose just one lipstick to rule them all. Instead, we’ve edited it down to 15 of the best lipsticks of all time.
The Best Lipsticks To Buy In 2025
Nars
Powermatte Lipstick, £ 30,00
Best Matte Lipstick
NARS Powermatte is hands down one of the best matte lipsticks we’ve ever tried. The formula is highly pigmented and super smooth – it glides onto your lips. There’s no layering required, this matte lipstick is a one swipe and you're done job. While NARS Powermatte comes in a range of shades, the bold orangey-red Feel My Fire gets our vote. It looks incredibly sophisticated with brushed up brows and a hint of bronzer.
Glossier
Generation G Matte Lipstick, £ 20,00
Best Hybrid Lipstick
Get the matte look while hydrating your lips with this Glossier lipstick, available in 9 shades that will compliment any skin tone. We love that you can really build the colour of this one, it could work as a lip tint just like it could be a bold lipstick.
Chantecaille
The Cosmos Collection Lip Chic, £ 16,00
Best Lipstick For Dry Lips
Somewhere between a tinted lip balm and a lipstick you’ll find Chantecaille’s Lip Chic. From the nourishing botanical oils to the nostalgic 90s shade selection, this summer’s limited edition Cosmos Collection Lip Chic’s are our favourite to date. With two gorgeous shades to choose from and a seriously hydrating formula, this is easily the best lipstick for dry lips.
VIEVE
Satin Slip Lipstick, £ 23,00
Best Nude Lipstick
In our opinion, Jamie Genevieve has created the best nude lipstick with VIEVE Satin Slip Lipstick. Nightie is a soft pink nude, while Kink has a brown undertone that looks incredible against a tan. The Satin Slip Lipstick is proving incredibly popular, so to avoid any potential disappointment, we don't recommend delaying your purchase for too long.
Rare Beauty
Soft Pinch Tinted Lip Oil, £ 21,00
Best Glossy Lipstick
Thanks to the Y2K trend, glossy lips are back and in a big way. If you’re not keen on revisiting the gloopy, sticky formulas you remember as a teenager, you’ll be thrilled to know Selena Gomez has created the best glossy lipstick with Rare Beauty Lip Oil. Jam packed with nourishing jojoba and sunflower seed oils, this formula is hydrating and smoothing. FYI Joy and Happy are the shades of choice.
Laura Mercier
High Vibe Lip Colour, £ 28,50
Best Bright Lipstick
If you’re looking to make a statement with your lips this summer, take a look at Laura Mercier's High Vibe Lip Colour. With high resolution pigment, you can expect a full-bodied finish with this lipstick. Makeup artist Wendy Asumadu used Pop, a punchy purple shade across her eyes, lips and cheeks for one of the Pride makeup looks she created for us. We also love the aptly named Bright shade, which is a gorgeous pinky red.
Lisa Eldridge
True Velvet Lip Colour, £ 27,00
Best Long-Wearing Lipstick
Proven to last for up to ten hours, this staple is hard to beat (or budge). Whether it’s a night out or a long workday, the enduring coverage and high-powered pigment packed into this velvety formula will see you through any occasion and practically any amount of food and drink. Better still, the fourteen-shade range on offer means there’s a statement berry, vibrant pink or elegant nude for everyone.
Hourglass
Unlocked™ Satin Crème Lipstick, £ 37,00
Best Satin Lipstick
To elevate your day-to-day lip combo, look to Hourglass for a buildable coverage and gorgeous satin sheen. It’s glossy, pigmented, and with the help of vegan waxes, argan and avocado oils, it’s so conditioning, you’ll likely forget you’re even wearing lipstick at all.
Anastasia Beverly Hills
Liquid Lipstick, £ 22,00
Best Liquid Lipstick
When a particular occasion calls for a lip that lasts, a liquid lipstick will be your go-to. This cult favourite from Anastasia Beverly Hills gained significant popularity online back in 2016, but almost a decade later, it’s still just as loved. The creamy texture dries down instantly but – thanks to an extra saturated pigment – will endure almost anything. And with 45 shades on offer, you’ll be spoiled for choice.
Rare Beauty
Kind Words Lipstick, £ 21,00
Best Red Lipstick
The confidence that a red lip gives you is unmatched – but the risk of the colour bleeding can put people off. Luckily, Rare Beauty’s shade Devoted is revered for avoiding just that, even if you haven’t used a lip liner; it’s carefully formulated to be as rich in pigment as flexible in movement. It essentially hugs the lips, giving a transfer-proof staying power and a soft, cushiony feeling, so no feathering or smudging will interfere with your look.
Byredo
Shimmering Lipstick, £ 45,00
Best Shimmering Lipstick
In true Byredo fashion, this eye-catching lipstick adds a hint of luxury to any look. It gives a beautiful glimmering effect (think subtle shimmer, rather than glitter ball) with a formula that’s lightweight, non-drying and easily applicable using the precise, tapered applicator.
Charlotte Tilbury
Hot Lips, £ 29,00
Best Plumping Lipstick
It doesn’t take strategic over-lining to achieve fuller-looking lips when you’re armed with Charlotte Tilbury’s Hot Lips. While antioxidants and plant extracts work hard to condition and protect your pout, innovative 3D glowing pigments infused into the surface of the bullet give the flattering illusion of a plumped finish. Choose from a range of celebrity-inspired shades – from Nicole Kidman to Jennifer Anniston – and thank us later.
Victoria Beckham Beauty
Posh Lipstick, £ 37,00
Best Travel Lipstick
The only thing better than an innovative formula is when it’s paired with innovative packaging. Westman Atelier’s is packed peptides, Meadowfoam extract and a Hydro Suede Technology to create a comfortable and hydrating wear under the matte finish, but what we love most is the nifty case it comes in. Complete with a sleek, easy-to-grip design and a secret magnetic mirror hidden in the cap, they’ve made it that much easier to touch up while on-the-move, or for when holiday packing leaves room for just one lipstick.
Isamaya
Lip Lacq, £ 32,00
Best Tinted Balm
If a traditional lipstick feels to heavy but you need a pop of colour, we recommend opting for a tinted lip balm. This crowd-pleaser from Victoria Beckham Beauty just recently arrived at Space NK, and it’s the perfect summer staple. With a nourishing balm-like texture and an eye-catching pigment, you get the best of both worlds (not to mention, it’s simple to touch up while you’re on the move.)
Isamaya
Lip Lacq, £ 32,00
Best Lip Lacquer
Even if you haven’t tried one, we bet you’ve come across a lip lacquer. ISAMAYA’s is not only tapping into the trending wave of lip oils and lightweight formulas that hydrate from within, but its shade range caters for minimalists and maximalists alike. Swipe Lotus over a nude lipstick for a subtle but shimmering finish, or go bold with Ultraviolet, a rich, glossy amber hue.
Read More
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• How To Enhance Your Natural Lashes • Laura Mercier vs Nars Tinted Moisturiser
