The best designer lipstick shades can make a statement for practically any occasion, so the key is to find the one that suits your style and personality. There are a lot of lipstick brands that range in price. It feels like magic when you can find one to permanently occupy your purse. Sometimes it’s worth paying a little more to get more bang for your buck.
Some people love to splurge on their makeup, others swear by their drugstore staples. Designer lipsticks are a must-have for those who value both style and substance in their makeup collection. These luxurious lip products offer not only vibrant and long-lasting color but also an indulgent experience from the moment you pick up their elegantly designed tubes. Crafted with meticulous attention to detail, designer lipsticks often boast innovative formulations that provide intense pigmentation, hydration, and a silky-smooth texture for a flawless application.
What sets these lipsticks apart is their extensive shade range, curated to cater to diverse skin tones and preferences. The packaging is often a work of art itself, featuring intricate designs, sleek metallic finishes, and iconic logos that make a statement on any vanity. Many designer lipstick brands also prioritize quality ingredients and cruelty-free practices, ensuring you can feel good about the product you’re applying. Whether you’re looking for a classic red, a nude for everyday wear, or a bold statement shade, designer lipsticks offer the epitome of beauty and sophistication for those who want to make a statement with their makeup.
Whether you want to give your lips a pop of color or wear a modest nude, there is a designer brand that suits you. But with tons of choices out there, it can be hard to settle on just one type. Well, don’t worry! StudyFinds compiled a list of the top five best designer lipsticks from ten expert websites to find the perfect products to add to your makeup collection. As always, we’d like to see your own recommendations in the comments below!
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Beauty ExpertsChanel launched its first makeup collection in 1924. Since then, the reputable brand has continuously crafted revolutionary beauty products. “Chanel lipsticks represent composition and luxury. Its vast spectrum of shades, ranging from neutral nudes to rich reds to pastel pinks, comes in various finishes with formulas that meet every need,” informs Editorialist.
Chanel’s Rouge Allure Ink not only goes on smoothly but will stay on your lips for hours on end. “If you’re someone who always has a whole day planned out, then this is the right lipstick for you. It also contains vitamin E and several plant oils such as avocado oil that will moisturize your pout,” explains Chic Pursuit.
If you are someone who loves lipstick but doesn’t wear it every day, consider this matte, stay-put lipstick. “This is an all-time favorite! The pigment is so intense and bright, and the formulation dries down to a beautiful, velvety matte. For a crisp line, finesse with a lip brush, or you can dab on with a fingertip for a soft-focus stain,” says Vanity Fair.
High on many best designer lipstick lists, Tom Ford is considered the most hydrating. “The 08 Flamingo shade by Tom Ford Lip Color series is formulated with soja seed extract, Brazilian murumuru butter, and chamomilla flower oil that nourishes your skin and gives you an ultra-creamy texture. This lipstick has a vibrant color, is highly pigmented, and nourishes your lips from within. In addition, it is a lightweight formula that offers you instant hydration. If you love vibrant colors and creamy textures, this should be your go-to color,” offers Style Craze.
Tom Ford lipsticks are very easy to apply. “Tom Ford’s lipsticks are well known for their durability and comfort. This lipstick is made using natural ingredients such as soja seed extract, murumuru butter, and chamomile flower oil making it even more authentic,” explains Times of India.
You can’t go wrong with scooping up any Tom Ford lipstick, or any of the products for that matter. “The luxury of a Tom Ford lipstick cannot be overstated. The formula glides on like butter and is truly buildable so you can adjust the product to behave more like five different lipsticks with five different levels of color payoff depending on how much you apply. There are well over 40 shades to choose from, but my favorites are probably Wild Ginger and Fox Fire,” says Byrdie.
Many expert sites admit that some of the most iconic lipstick shades come from the Dior vault. “One of the most popular shades is the Rouge Dior Ultra Rouge Lipstick in #999 Ultra Dior, a vivacious red that enhances all skin tones. The 999 shade appeared in 1953 when Christian Dior created the shade for 99 of his models to wear in his fashion show. You can find the iconic lipstick in multiple formulas like liquid, satin, matte, metallic, and the newly launched velvet,” informs Editorialist.
Dior Rouge is a bit more of an investment, but it sets within minutes to a matte finish that lasts all day and into the night. “I tested Dior’s iconic 999 Forever Dior red and 100 Forever Nude, and they held on longer and felt more sophisticated than most competitors. Inexpensive long-lasting lipsticks can look a bit theatrical; this one makes a matte finish look polished, not painted on,” explains Forbes.
Many experts say that they were never steered wrong with the purchase of the Dior Rouge lipstick. “Only one application is needed and it stays on all night long. I went for a bold approach by purchasing it in red, but up next, I think I need to try Forever Paris because of how much I love pink right now,” boasts Who What Wear.
With 20 shades, Charlotte Tilbury Matte Lipstick is long-lasting and made with a lightweight formula that will moisturize your lips. “When it comes to popular matte lip shades, Charlotte Tilbury is behind one of the very best: Pillow Talk. Several Instagram and TikTok beauty influencers are working tirelessly at all times to find less expensive alternatives to the original as it’s a stunning shade of pink and will work well with neutral nudes,” boasts Chic Pursuit.
Pillow Talk is a shade from Charlotte Tilbury that has become iconic in the beauty world. “A single slick of this matte nude pink will enhance the natural color of your lips to a bespoke effect, while a few more layers build to a more dramatic true mauve for a dose of understated glamour,” explains Vogue.
Many people shy away from matte lipsticks because they feel dry, and a lot do. That is not the case with Charlotte Tilbury’s matte-but-moisturizing lipstick. “It somehow lasts all day without getting flaky, caky, or drying. It has a silky application, a velvety finish, and a pretty shade selection, hitting all the marks that separate the good lipsticks from the great,” offers Byrdie.
For more than 20 years, Armani Beauty has provided some of the best formulations with its lipsticks. “Armani has held its prestigious place as an industry leader. Each shade glides on effortlessly and leaves a lasting color without smudging or fading, which is something we always look for. Armani Beauty lipsticks are very versatile, and they all have very different textures and formulas—I love to use them to create different moods and looks,” shares Editorialist.
Giorgio Armani’s matte and velvety formula in these lipsticks doesn’t look dry or harsh like most other matte lipsticks. “Known as the ‘Armani Red,’ this rich, highly pigmented crimson strikes a perfect balance between cool and warm, and is a definitive classic for the Old Hollywood look,” says Vogue, about shade 400.
Everyone needs a budge-proof lipstick in their makeup bag, no matter where you are off to. “This lightweight formula will lock into your lips for eight hours of wear, if not more—just be sure to survey the damage if you eat something greasy or oily,” says Grazia Magazine.
Note: This article was not paid for nor sponsored. StudyFinds is not connected to nor partnered with any of the brands mentioned and receives no compensation for its recommendations.
Whenever I’m having a bad day, I swipe on my favorite shade of lipstick or lipgloss, which I embarrassingly admit, tends to change week-to-week. As a beauty editor, I’m required to hoard and test approximately 1,000 lipsticks a year. I’m not complaining; instead, I’m here to tell you that this is a job I don’t take lightly. To help you make an informed decision about your next unavoidable beauty splurge, I’ve tested the good, the bad, and everything in-between. Today’s focus? Luxury lipsticks.
Right now, I’m loving YSL Rouge Volupté Shine Lipstick Balm, which comes housed inside of gold packaging that looks and feels luxe. The oil-infused formula applies like lip balm and gives lips an instant hydration boost and high-shine color. I’ve been reaching for the neutral-toned shade named Nude Lavalliere over and over again, which is making it very difficult to test out new lip launches.
As much as I love my YSL balm, there are plenty of more luxe options worth raving out: stay-all-day mattes, date night reds, and environmentally friendly lipstick refillables. With so many options on the market, it can feel impossible to shop for just one, especially when finding the perfect product really comes down to personal preference.
To make your search for the perfect luxe lipstick easier, we’ve curated a list of popular picks loved by stars (and normal people, too). Take note: Tracee Ellis Ross loves Pat McGrath Labs MatteTrance Lipstick and Kaia Gerber loves YSL Rouge Volupte Shine Lipstick Balm just as much as I do. Obviously, they have great taste.
Keep scrolling to shop our picks and find the perfect match for you.
This formula is so thin and silky that it feels like a balm, but delivers intense, glossy color.
You can always rely on famed makeup artist Pat McGrath’s products for serious color payoff. Celebs sure do. Naomi Campbell, Hailey Baldwin, and Jennifer Lopez are just a few of the stars who wear McGrath’s beloved cosmetics.
If you can’t live without Christian Louboutin pumps, then you might as well add this one to your shopping list. This isn’t one that we recommend losing in the bottom of your handbag. It deserves to be shown off as frequently as possible.
Everyone needs a budge-proof lipstick in their makeup bag, especially for wearing under a protective face mask. This lightweight formula will lock into your lips for eight hours of wear (if not more—just be sure to survey the damage if you eat something greasy or oily).
British makeup artist Charlotte Tilbury has more celebrity clients than we can count and it makes sense! Her products are top of the line. We’re particularly obsessed with this vibrant shade of pink that looks double take-worthy on all skin tones.
Here’s how Guerlain’s Rouge G lipstick collection works: Simply choose a shade of Guerlain lipstick on the brand’s site and then pick a case that best fits your aesthetic. And that’s not even the best part. The packaging features a double-mirror design so you can expertly swipe on lipstick on-the-go.
French fashion designer Pierre Hardy is responsible for dreaming up these stylish and sustainable lipsticks cases. When you near the end of your favorite shade, you can easily purchase a refill of a new shade or the one you’ve been loving.
Meet the elevated version of the tinted lip balm you reach for time and time again. This silky formula is as addictive as it is stunning and its weighed gold casing makes it feels extra luxe.
This lipstick features an innovative petal-shaped tip that’s designed to make it extra easy to apply your favorite shade—no selfie camera or mirror required. Seriously.
You can’t go wrong with scooping up any Tom Ford lipstick (or any of the aforementioned options, either, TBH) but this one’s made for the makeup-lover who can never have enough shimmer. Achieving a glitter lip quite literally has never been so easy.