We set our sights on lipstick formulas which grants an instant, luminous sheen to our pouts without drying them out. Below, our favourite pigment-packed satin and matte lipsticks that are most deserving of their wins this year. Plus, award-winning lip stain and lip treatment product too.
Lipstick tip: These four easy steps will help you get perfect matte lips that won’t cake or look dry after a few hours: 1. Exfoliate, 2. Slick on lip balm, 3. Do your makeup to give the balm time to absorb. 4. Apply lipstick.
– Her World Beauty Team
Department/Specialty Store – Editor’s Choice & Readers’ Choice
Matte lipsticks tend to be drying, but this one is really comfortable. The square tip gives precise application, while the slim bullet gives you better control.
Department/Specialty Store – Editor’s Choice
The lipstick gives intense colour payoff yet spreads evenly and smoothly. The lipstick feels weightless and there’s no caking or dryness. The soft-matte finish works on older skin, gently blurring out lip lines.
Drugstore – Editor’s Choice
Perfect for creating that “just bitten” Korean pout, it has a velvety texture that settles into a smooth matte, soft-blotted finish. It doesn’t dry instantly, giving you time to blot it out with your fingers.
Drugstore – Readers’ Choice
From the applicator that hugs the curve of the lips to the weightless texture that delivers high pigment, this is a hard-working product. Tip: apply lip balm beforehand, so lips feel even more comfortable.
Department/Specialty Store – Editor’s Choice & Readers’ Choice
It gives a dewy finish and feels just as moisturising on the lips. We got away with minimal touchups for the first four hours, and it even (surprisingly) lasted through a greasy-soupy meal.
Department/Specialty Store – Editor’s Choice & Readers’ Choice
We say it loudly and proudly: nothing can go wrong with this lipstick. Not only does the creamy, hydrating formula glide on super smoothly, the colour lasts right through drinking and eating with minimum transfer.
Department/Specialty Store – Readers’ Choice
The moisturising formula glides on smoothly without emphasising your dry patches. While the colours were very pigmented, there’s a lightweight and comfortable feel throughout.
Department/Specialty Store – Editor’s Choice
It has a velvety texture that doesn’t crease on the lips. shimmery pigments in the lipstick reflect light to give the illusion of plumper lips. Bonus: the paddle-shaped applicator gives very precise application.
Department/Specialty Store – Readers’ Choice
This liquid lipstick delivers intense and pigmented colour. Applied in the morning, it lasts though drinking and lunch without leaving that awkward ring around the lips. The texture is also not too fluid.
Department/Specialty Store – Editor’s Choice
If you prefer a subtle glossy stain to over-the-top shine, this rich, creamy and pigmented lip stain is it. It takes slightly longer to apply as you have to be more precise, but the long-lasting wear makes up for it. At night, it comes off cleanly with a cleansing oil.
Department/Specialty Store – Readers’ Choice
This is extremely comfortable to wear, with a cooling effect on lips. The colour goes on sheer with just one coat, but it’s easy to get a bolder look by applying more layers.
Department/Specialty Store – Editor’s Choice & Readers’ Choice
You can apply the non-greasy lip treatment any time to hydrate and nourish the lips. What we like: the subtle gloss effect and moisturising formula that lasts for around six hours.
See the full HWBA 2020 winners’ list here OR…
