The Finest Matte Lipsticks: Lengthy-Lasting Hydrating Formulation

I was thrilled when Greenberg called out Hourglass Unlocked Soft Matte Lipstick as one of her all-time favorites because it’s mine, too! I can confidently extol the creamy, long-lasting benefits of this primer-infused lipstick, which delivers ultra-rich color that lasts all day. It comes in a beautiful array of romantic pinks, deep mauves, and sophisticated neutrals that work for a wide range of skin tones (I own three), plus it’s free of parabens, phthalates, mineral oil, and sulfates. “This lipstick has it all,” says Greenberg—and I agree. “It includes priming ingredients, which eliminate the need for an extra step in your routine, lasts all day and is available in a gorgeous selection of colors. It’s also vegan and cruelty-free, which is a huge plus.”

Pat McGrath has achieved almost god-like status among celebrity makeup artists and beauty founders for many reasons, the main one being that her products are absolutely mesmerizing. Her MatteTrance Lipstick is no exception, delivering rich, opaque color with a soft and weightless feel. “This is one of the most comfortable matte lipsticks out there,” says Todd. “It gives you ultra-vivid matte color with just one swipe.” It also happens to be one of Taylor Swift’s go-tos and part of the Taylor Made Lip Kit ($68), a classic red affair featuring Taylor’s on-set duo: MatteTrance Lipstick in Rouge 8 and PermaGel Ultra Lip Pencil in Vengeance.

Love Prada’s style on the runway but not ready to invest in ready-to-wear? You’re in luck: Prada Beauty is here to bring a touch of luxury to your makeup arsenal. This refillable silver lipstick tube is a gorgeous accessory in its own right and we love the brand details that go right down to the product itself (note the faint but undeniably Prada nylon fabric print on the lipstick bullet). This creamy, long-lasting lipstick offers lightweight buildable coverage that lasts up to six hours and can be used to create soft or more accentuated matte looks. The formula is also incredibly moisturizing, thanks to ingredients like soothing jojoba oil and Bifidus extract, which helps to strengthen the lip barrier. When you inevitably use this gorgeous lipstick to its last swipe, simply order the refill size to cut down on unnecessary waste—very chic, indeed.

When it comes to getting serious beauty for your buck, L’Oreal’s Colour Riche Matte Lipstick is in a category of its own. For less than half the price of most lipsticks on this list, you’ll get the benefit of its comfortable, hyaluronic acid-infused formula and 22 beautiful shades of colors ranging from petal pink to sultry plum. These ultra-saturated shades are engineered to stay put for up to 16 hours, so you can eat, drink, smile, and kiss to your heart’s content. We also love the slim bullet design, which allows for ultra-precise application.

Treasures are hiding in your drugstore’s beauty aisle and this lipstick is proof. With its buttery-smooth texture and highly pigmented formula, NYX Soft Matte Lip Cream is a fan-favorite of makeup artists and beauty editors alike. “NYX has a few matte formulas in their lineup, all of which feature long-lasting formulas at an affordable price point, but this is my favorite,” says Greenberg. “I only wish it came in a wider shade range, as I would love to see more reds in the lineup.” That said, it’s an excellent product for the price, coming in at only $7 a pop!

Leave it to Rihanna to create a matte lipstick that hits all the right notes. Fenty Beauty Stunna Lip Paint serves up weightless, long-wearing color that really pops—perfect for creating a statement-making look. It comes with a lip-defining precision wand that makes application super easy. “You can literally apply this in one swipe,” says Todd. “It doesn’t bleed or smudge, and is super transfer-resistant.”

If you, like me, prefer a sheer matte lipstick for daytime wear, you’re going to love Glossier Generation G. It has a natural, blurred effect that gives your lips a flush of color, ideal for creating a just-kissed look. It’s also buildable, so if you prefer a more accentuated lip, you can do that too. As someone with perpetually dry lips, I love that this lipstick is made with skin-conditioning ingredients such as blue agave extract and vitamin E. It’s one of those lipsticks that I own in multiple colors so I can subtly switch up my look as the seasons change.

If anyone can solve the mystery of Taylor Swift’s latest matte lipstick look, it’s her current makeup artist Pat McGrath. According to McGrath, Taylor’s been wearing her line’s LiquiLUST Legendary Wear Matte Lipstick in a red shade called Elson—which is probably the main reason why that shade and all the other shades of this lipstick are sold out on Sephora. But this lipstick is a hit for more reasons than one; the vegan formula has a luscious texture that hydrates lips and never feels drying. It also lasts for up to 12 hours and delivers bold, beautiful color that would make anyone look and feel like pop royalty.

Huda Beauty’s Liquid Matte Lipstick is Todd’s go-to when she wants to create a lipstick look that absolutely will not budge. “This lipstick provides vibrant color, full coverage, and is totally flake, streak, and transfer-free,” she says. “The creamy, liquid formula dries down to a buttery, suede-like finish.” Because it’s made with moisturizing ingredients like olive oil and vitamins A and E, you’ll never have to sacrifice comfort for a totally transfer-proof pout.

MAC has long been known for its bold and colorful products, so it’s no surprise that the brand’s moisturizing matte lipstick made our list. It combines the qualities of a lip balm and a matte lipstick to give your lips an intense splash of color that looks just as great as it feels. The velvety formula is infused with seed oils that hydrate and prevent it from drying out lips, while creating a filter-perfect finish that lasts for up to 12 hours. “This is a great option if you struggle with dry lips,” says Greenberg. “It is a softer matte thanks to the hydrating ingredients, so if you want a 100 percent dry matte formula, this may not be the best fit.”

As a beauty lover with chronically dry lips, I consider myself lucky to have found Chanel Rouge Allure lipstick early in life—my first designer makeup purchase was a classic red shade of Rouge Allure Luminous Intense Lipstick in 2007, and I’ve been a devotee ever since. According to Greenberg, I was on the right track: “Chanel is known for gorgeous lip formulas that are great for dry and mature skin,” she says. “The price is well worth it, as the formula is long-lasting and feels luxurious on the lips.” I own several Rouge Allure lipsticks including the Velvet Matte formulation and find it incredibly comfortable and moisturizing. It doesn’t settle into lip lines or stain dry skin—and sometimes I think it leaves my lips in better shape than they were when I applied it.

No other lipstick on this list comes close to having the range of Maybelline’s SuperStay Matte Lipstick. Its 40 shades cover a wide spectrum of colors, from delicate nudes and pinks to powdery pastels, vibrant corals, and deep purple. There’s even a stunning inky-black shade for moments when you want to let your rebellious side shine. With its high-pigment matte finish and an arrow-shaped applicator for precise artistry, this tried-and-true lipstick has a shade (or several!) for everyone.

Laura Mercier’s Velour Extreme Matte Lipstick has a devoted following, thanks to its wide shade range (24 in total) and skin-conditioning formula, all wrapped up in a highly pigmented liner-meets-lipstick format. “The slim precision bullet applicator makes it a lipstick-liner hybrid and an all-star in my kit,” says Todd. “The formula is intensely rich with an incredibly vivid color payoff. The super-matte finish makes this lipstick incredibly long-wearing, so you’ll rarely have to reapply.” Because it sets so well, it may not be the best choice for those with drier lips—though prepping with lip balm and finishing with a light gloss may do the trick.

It’s no accident that we have lipsticks from three pop stars’ makeup lines on this list—not only are A-list performers like Lady Gaga, Rihanna, and Taylor Swift creators of culture and arbiters of taste, they know what it takes to make lipstick with staying power. Gaga’s Haus Labs in particular turns out some of the highest-performing products on the market, and its Hy-Power Pigment paint lives up to its name. Transfer-proof, long-lasting, and highly pigmented, this product is not just a lipstick; it can be used as eyeliner, eyeshadow, body paint, and more. Whip it out the next time you’re going for a high-impact look with supercharged endurance.

Inspired by the rich, velvety texture of rose petals, Violette_FR’s award-winning matte lip formula is the perfect mix of stunning color and comfort. While there are only three shades, each is a sumptuous “couture” color blend that radiates warmth and mystery. It catches the light in a dimensional way that never looks flat and can easily be built up to create an ombre lip. Violette_FR surpasses the FDA’s cosmetic requirements for the U.S. and follows the stricter set of rules set forth by the European Cosmetic Directive for safe ingredient use. The brand’s products are also vegan and cruelty-free. If a premium beauty experience and environmental consciousness are of equal importance in your mind, this stunning lipstick was made for you.