We independently evaluate all of our recommendations. If you click on links we provide, we may receive compensation. Shopping Beauty Products Makeup The 9 Best Liquid Lipsticks We Tested from Revlon, Covergirl, NYX Professional Makeup, and More — All Under $15 Revlon, CoverGirl, and Milani gave us vibrant, wearable lip color that lasted By Kate Watson Kate Watson Kate Watson is a contributing shopping writer at PEOPLE, focusing on fashion and beauty content. With an eye for detail and a love for deep-dive research, Kate strives to deliver engaging stories that make shopping for what you need (or just want) easier. Her words have also been featured in Bridal Guide magazine and NeimanMarcus.com. People Editorial Guidelines Updated on October 4, 2024 05:15AM EDT In This Article View All In This Article Our Top Picks Reviews Add to Cart What to Know Behind the Scenes Why Trust PEOPLE? What Is PEOPLE Tested? Photo: People / Jessica Juliao When you think of a classic lipstick, you likely picture a retractable bullet tube, but it also comes in creamy liquid form with a lip-gloss wand applicator for easy precision. It’s often long-lasting, more pigmented, and less likely to smudge or feather. Best of all, there are plenty of affordable options available. Experts Say “The biggest difference [between high-end and budget liquid lipsticks] is usually how chic the packaging is. The difference in quality is minimal." —Amber Dreadon, celebrity makeup artist This intel brought us to the PEOPLE Tested Lab where we painted our pouts with 17 well-known formulas, carefully considering each for its comfort, pigment, transfer resistance, and overall wear. The final nine are under $15 and scored high for pigment, though some had a give-and-take between comfort and staying power. Our Top Picks Best Overall: SALE Revlon Liquid Lipstick at Amazon $13 $10 Jump to Review Best Smudge-Proof: SALE Revlon ColorStay Limitless Matte Liquid Lipstick at Amazon $14 $11 Jump to Review Best Glossy: SALE CoverGirl All-Day Lip Color with Topcoat at Amazon $12 $9 Jump to Review Best Matte: Essence 8H Matte Liquid Lipstick at Amazon $5 Jump to Review Best Lightweight: SALE Honest Beauty Liquid Lipstick at Amazon $15 $9 Jump to Review Best Long-Lasting: SALE L'Oréal Paris Infallible Matte Resistance Liquid Lipstick at Amazon $14 $9 Jump to Review Most Pigmented: NYX Professional Makeup Soft Matte Lip Cream at Amazon $7 Jump to Review Best True Red: Milani Stay Put Liquid Lip Longwear Lipstick at Amazon $10 Jump to Review Best Color Range: NYX Professional Makeup Smooth Whip Blurring Matte Lip Cream at Amazon $8 Jump to Review Best Lip Liner: Urban Decay 24/7 Glide-On Lip Pencil at Amazon $25 Jump to Review Best Overall Revlon Liquid Lipstick PHOTO: Amazon $13 $10 at Amazon $10 $6 at Target $10 at Walmart Star Qualities Hydrating without feeling sticky Creamy, comfortable texture Widest range of pigmented colors we tested Broad, flat applicator for an even application in fewer swipes Red Flags Slight smudging and product transfer Nearly all the liquid lipsticks we tested were matte formulas, but our best overall stands out for its satin finish. It combines a cream lipstick's natural, flexible feel with a matte's vibrant, opaque color, making it no surprise that it scored big for comfort and pigment. And whether you're looking for a lipstick for fall or one for summer, you're sure to find it here. Our tester said the buttery texture felt like cake frosting without the scent or taste. She loved how her fuchsia purple lips looked after a seamless application with the wide, flat applicator. It didn't emphasize or settle into her lip creases, even after drying for 10 minutes. It held up relatively well, though it did leave almost a full imprint when blotted with a tissue and smeared when she rubbed her hand across her mouth and face for our smudge test. Testers Say "The product looked amazing and had some subtle shine — while not as glossy as a lip gloss, it's still hydrating and moisturizing.” Shades: 24 | Finish: Satin | Size: 0.17 oz. | Key Ingredients: Black currant seed oil, vitamin E PHOTO: People / Jessica Juliao PHOTO: People / Jessica Juliao PHOTO: People / Jessica Juliao PHOTO: People / Jessica Juliao PHOTO: People / Jessica Juliao Best Smudge-Proof Revlon ColorStay Limitless Matte Liquid Lipstick PHOTO: Target $14 $11 at Amazon $11 $9 at Target $11 at Walmart Star Qualities No feathering, bleeding, or smearing Long-lasting with minimal product transfer Intense pigment in one swipe Red Flags Felt unnatural and settled into lip crevices Difficult to remove Revlon’s newest matte liquid lipstick is like a permanent Sharpie for lips — more so than its Satin Ink formula, though in fewer but equally vivid liquid shades. Our tester knew from the first few minutes that it would last all day after her dark plum lips passed the smudge test and hardly transferred onto a tissue without smearing or feathering. Its staying power came at the cost of comfort. For our tester, it felt unnatural and accentuated her lip creases despite containing hydrating ingredients. We found it tolerable but faced the same challenge of scrubbing it (and the faint stain it left behind) off with a makeup wipe. However, this is worthwhile for achieving vibrant, budge-proof lip color, particularly on long, busy days when you don’t have time to worry about touch-ups. Shades: 16 | Finish: Matte | Size: 0.17 oz. | Key Ingredients: Triple hyaluronic acid, upcycled cranberry extract PHOTO: People / Jessica Juliao PHOTO: People / Jessica Juliao PHOTO: People / Jessica Juliao PHOTO: People / Jessica Juliao Experts Say Dreadon suggests using an oil-based cleanser or balm for hard-to-remove liquid lipsticks, like this Elf Cosmetics Cleansing Balm can help restore lip hydration with hyaluronic acid, peptides, and ceramides. Best Glossy CoverGirl All-Day Lip Color with Topcoat PHOTO: Amazon $12 $9 at Amazon $9 at Target $9 at Walmart Star Qualities Top coat added comfort, hydration, and a natural sheen Very little product transfer Surprisingly easy to remove and didn’t stain lips Red Flags Felt tight and dry without top coat Some may prefer an all-in-one glossy lip color This two-piece lip set received an emphatic near-perfect score, with its hydrating top coat as the surprising secret sauce. It melts onto lips like butter and leaves a natural sheen free of sparkles or stickiness, which I’d describe as similar yet slightly juicier than the finish of the Revlon ColorStay Satin Ink Liquid Lipstick. The second layer seemed like a nice bonus feature but proved essential since our brick-red lips quickly felt dry and uncomfortable without it. It also prevented smearing or bleeding and kept our color bright, fresh, and hydrated after 10 minutes of smudge tests. We were shocked by how effortlessly both layers lifted without staining or spreading when it came time to wipe our lips clean. Shades: 11 | Finish: Matte/Satin | Size: 0.13 oz. PHOTO: People / Jessica Juliao PHOTO: People / Jessica Juliao PHOTO: People / Jessica Juliao PHOTO: People / Jessica Juliao Best Matte Essence 8H Matte Liquid Lipstick PHOTO: Amazon $5 at Amazon View on Essencemakeup.com Star Qualities Incredibly lightweight Didn’t dry into lip creases Easy to apply and gave plenty of color in one swipe Most budget-friendly option on our list Red Flags Left a smear across our face and hand during the smudge test Somewhat messy to remove but manageable For the price of an iced coffee, this is one of the best matte lipsticks we’ve ever tried — and from our testing, it’ll hardly transfer onto said drink straw. Most powdery, shine-free formulas feel dry and tight, but this feather-light texture never settled into our lip creases and felt so comfortable, as if we weren’t even wearing lipstick. We only needed one pass of Dark Berry to experience its rich opacity, which appeared just as full after blotting with a tissue and our fingertips. However, it left a burgundy-red track across our face and hand during the smear test. It proved somewhat messy to remove as it moved outside our mouth and left a faint color residue, but it was manageable with one to two makeup wipes. Shades: 9 | Finish: Matte PHOTO: People / Jessica Juliao PHOTO: People / Jessica Juliao PHOTO: People / Jessica Juliao PHOTO: People / Jessica Juliao Best Lightweight Honest Beauty Liquid Lipstick PHOTO: Amazon $15 $9 at Amazon View on Honest.com Star Qualities Smooth texture felt soft and moisturizing without stickiness Hydrating and comfortable compared to other matte lipsticks Easy to apply and remove Red Flags Not as transfer-resistant as others Fewest amount of shades on our list Jessica Alba’s Honest Beauty liquid lipstick wins for its light, wearable texture. Our tester described it as “smooth and buttery,” making it an easy, glide-on application. It felt “really nice” as it settled into her lips for a matte finish so hydrating she’d be comfortable wearing it daily: “It made my lips feel soft and moisturized… without being sticky.” Unfortunately, comfort and hydration meant sacrificing budge-proof resistance. The color smudged and transferred onto just about everything, leading us to believe it wouldn’t last its claimed six-hour wear. While we wish this came in more shades, we love that it lends nourishing pigment to dry lips, particularly in colder months. Shades: 4 | Finish: Matte | Size: 0.12 oz. | Key Ingredients: Avocado oil, hyaluronic acid PHOTO: People / Jessica Juliao PHOTO: People / Jessica Juliao PHOTO: People / Jessica Juliao PHOTO: People / Jessica Juliao Experts Say To help make your liquid lipstick last longer, celebrity makeup artist Allan Avendaño suggests applying it to “completely dry lips” and letting the color dry before blotting with a tissue. Then, powder the tissue over the lip with translucent powder to keep it in place and blur out imperfections. Best Long-Lasting L'Oréal Paris Infallible Matte Resistance Liquid Lipstick PHOTO: Target $14 $9 at Amazon $11 at Target $11 at Walmart Star Qualities Very minimal color transfer or smudging No feathering or bleeding around the mouth during smear test Buildable, rich pigment in two swipes Angled teardrop applicator made for ease and precision Red Flags Felt dry and emphasized lip creases over time Difficult to remove with a makeup wipe Like our best overall pick, this L’Oreal Paris lipstick claims up to 16 hours of wear, and boy, did it prove its staying power. Our tester’s muted pink lips showed minimal color transfer or smudging with “no noticeable feathering or bleeding” around her mouth. I wore it at an outdoor graduation party in 90-degree heat, and it was the only part of my makeup that remained after hours of sweating, drinking, and mingling. The packaging is noticeably luxe, and we loved its wide, flat teardrop applicator: The pointed tip made it easy to outline our lips, and the curved edge helped us reach the inner corners. The formula is vibrant, lightweight, and infused with moisturizing hyaluronic acid, though it felt increasingly dry and settled into our lip creases over time. It was also so transfer-resistant that removing it required scrubbing to wipe it off completely. Shades: 11 | Finish: Matte | Size: 0.17 oz. PHOTO: People / Jessica Juliao PHOTO: People / Jessica Juliao PHOTO: People / Jessica Juliao PHOTO: People / Jessica Juliao Most Pigmented NYX Professional Makeup Soft Matte Lip Cream PHOTO: Amazon $7 at Amazon $7 at Walmart $7 at Ulta Star Qualities Rich lip color in one swipe Matte without looking or feeling dry Creamy, mouse-like texture felt weightless Easy to remove with a makeup wipe Red Flags None at this time! This under-$10 lip cream from NYX Professional Makeup feels lightweight yet packs a hefty punch of color in the best way. In just one swipe, our tester’s lips were vibrantly opaque with bubblegum-pink “Milan,” requiring only a few touch-ups at the corners. The pigment remained “strong” over time and hardly smeared or transferred, which was a surprise — along with how it came off just as easily as it went on. I wore it while eating a ciabatta sandwich, and though it appeared slightly less vivid after, my lips remained evenly hued and very much intact. Consider this your go-to for creating a bold matte lip for work or evenings out without needing to sneak off to reapply, though its compact size makes it easy to keep on hand should you need to. Shades: 11 | Finish: Matte | Size: 0.27 oz. PHOTO: People / Jessica Juliao PHOTO: People / Jessica Juliao PHOTO: People / Jessica Juliao PHOTO: People / Jessica Juliao Experts Say “[There’s] a delicate balance of emollients and powders that create a light-as-air transparent base. The pigments added are true to color, giving incredible vibrancy to each shade.” —June Ning, Head of Product Development at NYX Professional Makeup Best True Red Milani Stay Put Liquid Lip Longwear Lipstick PHOTO: Target $10 at Amazon $13 $9 at Target $13 $9 at Target Star Qualities Vivid pigment Long-lasting and transfer-resistant Comfortable, non-drying matte finish Red Flags None at this time Call off your search for a Taylor Swift-inspired, tried and true red lipstick. This Milani liquid formula in “Red Flag” is the best, according to our tester and Dreadon, who explains how reds come in blue, pink, or orange undertones, but this has a neutral base that "sits right in between.” It had incredibly rich and full-bodied pigment, allowing our tester to get her desired color with just one swipe: “It’s magnetic." Thanks to nourishing ingredients like avocado and vitamin E oil, it had a comfortable, non-drying matte finish and refused to budge. “Ninety-five percent of the product stayed on” after contact with a tissue, her hand, and a coffee cup. Shades: 12 | Finish: Matte | Size: 0.10 oz. PHOTO: People / Jessica Juliao PHOTO: People / Jessica Juliao PHOTO: People / Jessica Juliao PHOTO: People / Jessica Juliao PHOTO: People / Jessica Juliao Best Color Range NYX Professional Makeup Smooth Whip Blurring Matte Lip Cream PHOTO: Amazon $8 at Amazon $8 at Target $33 at Walmart Star Qualities Wide range of vibrant, buildable colors Smooth, lightweight feel Matte without initially feeling tight or dry Red Flags Lots of product transfer and smudging Eventually settled into lip crevices as it dried Like the NYX Professional Makeup Soft Matte Lip Cream, the Smoothie Whip Matte Lip Cream is creamy, weightless, and intensely pigmented — enough to cover a dark spot on our tester’s lip — yet comes in more than double the shades. “I love the richness and depth of the color,” our tester shared after three hot-fushia swipes of “Pillow Fight,” adding, “Even if I were to lose some intensity, I’d be happy with the look” without feeling the need to reapply. Sadly, it proved less transfer-resistant than its sister formula and others we’ve tried: It smeared a great deal during testing and appeared quite evident when blotted on a tissue. As it dried, it also settled into lip creases. Shades: 23 | Finish: Matte | Size: 0.13 oz. | Key Ingredients: Shea and cocoa butter PHOTO: People / Jessica Juliao PHOTO: People / Jessica Juliao PHOTO: People / Jessica Juliao PHOTO: People / Jessica Juliao Experts Say If you are overwhelmed by a thick liquid formula, celebrity makeup artist Pircilla Pae says to place the product on the back of your hand or a makeup palette and thinly apply it using a lip brush. Add to Cart While you’re adding liquid lipsticks to your cart, think about including some of these other PEOPLE-Tested winners. Our editors and independent testers put each one through the wringer and were duly impressed by their standout performance. Urban Decay 24/7 Glide-On Lip Pencil $25 at Amazon $25 at Sephora $15 at Walmart Ilia Lip Wrap Reviving Balm $24 at Amazon $24 at Nordstrom $24 at Sephora Rare Beauty Stay Vulnerable Glossy Lip Balm $20 at Sephora View on Rarebeauty.com $20 at Kohls.com French Girl Rose Lip Polish Lip Scrub $22 at Amazon View on Frenchgirlorganics.com $25 at Revolve What to Know About Budget Liquid Lipsticks Your Shade By now, you know liquid lipsticks pack some serious color, but actually picking a shade can be overwhelming. Start by identifying your skin’s undertone as cool, warm, or neutral based on whether your veins are blue, green, or in the middle. Ning suggests those with cool undertones opt for NYX Professional Makeup Soft Matte Lip Cream shades with a blue base, like Fuzzy Slippers, Onesie Funsie, and Cherry Crème. For warm undertones, she recommends those with red or orange undertones, like Teddy Fluff, Parfait, and Icing on Top. Dreadon says that many brands’ websites, like NYX Professional Makeup, have a virtual try-on tool where you can test-drive these shades before purchasing. Once you have a lip color, you might wonder how it fits with the rest of your makeup. To create a cohesive look, Dreadon suggests matching your lip and blush undertones, like pairing a blue-based red lip (which Avendano says can make your teeth look whiter!) with a rosy blush and an orange-red lip with a peach or pink blush. Finish The finish of your liquid lipstick comes down to personal preference. For a comfortable, non-drying matte, we suggest the Essence 8H Matte Liquid Lipstick and Milani Stay Put Liquid Lip Longwear Lipstick, with the latter slightly more transfer-resistant. If you prefer a hydrating, sheen finish, we suggest our best overall Revlon ColorStay Satin Ink Liquid Lipstick and CoverGirl's Outlast All-Day Lip Color With Top Coat. As a rule of thumb, Avendano suggests balancing your liquid lipstick and eye makeup finishes: “If your eyes are shimmery or glossy, I would keep the lips more matte or a soft satin finish. If the eyes are bare, I would amp [it] up [with] a glossy or shimmery finish.” Price As Dreadon mentioned earlier, luxe packaging can influence the cost of liquid lipsticks (among other factors), but it doesn’t necessarily mean what’s inside is better. Interestingly, our least and most costly options from Essence and Honest Beauty differ by $10 yet received the same overall average rating. We suggest the NYX Professional Makeup Soft Matte Lip Cream for a low-cost, high-performing formula for $7. People / Jessica Juliao Behind the Scenes To find the best affordable liquid lipsticks, our nine testers picked a few from two brands and color-swatched each to find their best shade. After removing the product with a makeup wipe, they used a lip scrub and brush, followed by lip balm to prep their lips for application. Ultimately, we carefully rated each for comfort, pigment, transfer resistance, and overall wear. Comfort: Our testers gently outlined their natural lip shape using a disposable lip applicator and filled it in with formula to consider the texture: whether it was sticky and tacky, hydrating or drying, had any noticeable scent or taste, was comfortable for daily wear, and felt different once dried. Pigment: They also counted the number of swipes needed to achieve their desired color, noting whether it was buildable, vibrant, or faint.Transfer Resistance: After the formula had dried for 10 minutes, each tester pressed their lips onto a folded white tissue to see how well it stayed in place and if it smudged, bled, or faded. They also gently rubbed their lips and smeared the formula outside their mouth to see if it moved or got on their fingers.Wear: The overall look, finish, lasting power, and ease of removal were also considered when rating each product. After compiling our testing results, we determined the top nine winners most worthy of lining your lips, including our best overall, the Revlon ColorStay Satin Ink Liquid Lipstick. People / Jessica Juliao Why Trust PEOPLE? Kate Watson is a contributing commerce writer for PEOPLE with seven years of experience writing beauty content. She most recently covered the best gel nail polishes and anti-aging serums. For this story, she tested several liquid lipsticks and combed through the PEOPLE Tested team’s insights to best assess and write about each product. She also interviewed a brand expert and celebrity makeup artists about how liquid lipstick differs from other lip products and what to consider when shopping for affordable options. Our Expert Panel Allan Avendaño is a L’Oreal Paris celebrity makeup artist who works with clients like Joey King, Sandra Oh, Rachel Zegler, and Isabela Merced. Amber Dreadon is a celebrity and beauty campaign makeup artist. Her clients include Lorde, Angelina Jolie, Phoebe Bridgers, Barbra Streisand, Aldis Hodge, and Elizabeth Debicki. Pircilla Pae is a celebrity makeup artist who has worked with Bella Ramsey, Greta Lee, Jodie Turner-Smith, Jaden Smith, and Kid Cudi. June Ning is the Head of Global Product Development at NYX Professional Makeup. What Is PEOPLE Tested? We created the PEOPLE Tested seal of approval to help you find the very best products for your life. We use our unique methodology to test products in three labs across the country and with our network of home testers to determine their effectiveness, durability, ease of use, and so much more. Based on the results, we rate and recommend products so you can find the right one for your needs. But we don't stop there: We also regularly re-review the categories in which we've awarded the PEOPLE Tested seal of approval — because the best product of today might not be the best of tomorrow. And by the way, companies can never buy our recommendation: Their products must earn it, fair and square. In short, PEOPLE Tested provides recommendations you can trust — every day, every purchase.