Spread of some of the lipsticks in question. Links: L’Oréal – Target | Covergirl – Ulta | Milani – Walgreens | Maybelline – Walgreens | Rimmel London – Ulta
You’re probably reading the title of this post with some mild apprehension. “Ugh, not another post about pink-brown, ‘your lips but better,’ Kylie Jenner-inspired lipsticks.” While this might be yet another post about this popular makeup trend, I can guarantee you won’t be bored. This trend is about to be thoroughly tackled from the drugstore angle!
I’ve tested the most popular pink-brown drugstore lipstick shades and formulas against one another to find the best affordable “your lips but better” pinky-brown lipstick. Here are my reviews of each one, rated from worst to best. Enjoy!
Table of Contents
#8: Milani Color Statement Moisture Matte Lipstick in 61 Matte NakedGeneral FactsProduct Breakdown#7: Revlon Super Lustrous Creme Lipstick in 473 Mauvy NightGeneral FactsProduct Breakdown#6: Rimmel London The Only 1 Lipstick in 700 Naughty NudeGeneral FactsProduct Breakdown#5: L’Oréal Infallible Le Rouge in Tender BerryGeneral FactsProduct Breakdown#4: Wet n Wild MegaLast Lipstick in 912C In The FleshGeneral FactsProduct Breakdown#3: Covergirl Colorlicious Lipstick in 265 Romance MauveGeneral FactsProduct Breakdown#1: NYX Turnt Up Lipstick in Flutter Kiss and Maybelline Color Sensational Creamy Matte Lip Color in 660 Touch of Spice (Tie)General FactsProduct BreakdownGeneral FactsProduct BreakdownWhat Do You Think?#8: Milani Color Statement Moisture Matte Lipstick in 61 Matte Naked
Best lipstick if you like vanilla-scented lip products
Lipstick Photo – Walgreens
General Facts
Purchase Price: $5.79 Availability In Store: Walgreens, CVS Packaging: sturdy plasticProduct Breakdown
Formula Type: fairly dry (highlights dry patches and pigment builds up) Application: smooth, easy to apply Pigment Intensity: most opaque option Longevity: 2 hours Moisture Level: minimal Undertone: brown with some gray Taste: Marshmallow-Vanilla Smell: Vanilla Appearance Once Set: lips look wrinkly and dry Staining: uneven staining concentrated at outer lip line Second Layer Application: moderately difficult, pigment builds up Transfer to Food/Drink: slightly Worth the Price: No#7: Revlon Super Lustrous Creme Lipstick in 473 Mauvy Night
Best lipstick if you don’t like scented lipsticks or if you don’t like wearing lipstick
Lipstick Photo – Ulta
General Facts
Purchase Price: $7.99 Availability In Store: Walgreens, CVS, Target, Ulta Packaging: sturdy plasticProduct Breakdown
Formula Type: extremely moisturizing Application: glides on smooth Pigment Intensity: sheer (but buildable) Longevity: < 1 hour Moisture Level: high (but short) Undertone: purple Taste: none Smell: none Appearance Once Set: moisture and pigment begin to fade (15 minutes) Staining: practically none Second Layer Application: easy, just like applying first layer Transfer to Food/Drink: high Worth the Price: Yes for formula, No for short-lived moisture and pigment#6: Rimmel London The Only 1 Lipstick in 700 Naughty Nude
Best lipstick if you have an intense sweet tooth
Lipstick Photo – Ulta
General Facts
Purchase Price: $6.99 Availability In Store: Walgreens, CVS, Target, Ulta Packaging: sturdy plastic, slightly hard to twist upProduct Breakdown
Formula Type: balmy, extremely moisturizing Application: glides on smooth Pigment Intensity: moderate Longevity: < 1 hour Moisture Level: high (but short) Undertone: yellow with some brown Taste: super sweet candy Smell: super sweet candy Appearance When Set: strong pigment stain, moisture gone in 15 minutes Staining: strong Second Layer Application: easy, just like applying first layer Transfer to Food/Drink: moderate Worth the Price: Yes for long-lasting pigment, No for short-lived moisture#5: L’Oréal Infallible Le Rouge in Tender Berry
Best lipstick if you like berry-toned nudes
Lipstick Photo – Target
General Facts
Purchase Price: $9.99 Availability In Store: Walgreens, CVS, Target, Ulta Packaging: sturdy plastic, product tip protrudes above baseProduct Breakdown
Formula Type: moderately moisturizing Application: glides on smooth Pigment Intensity: moderately opaque Longevity: 1.5 hours Moisture Level: moderate Undertone: yellow Taste: mild cosmetic Smell: mild cosmetic Appearance Once Set: slightly enhances lip wrinkles, slight pigment buildup Staining: mild even stain across lips Second Layer Application: easy, just like applying first layer Transfer to Food/Drink: low Worth the Price: NoMid-post break! Here’s a handy chart showing where each of these lipsticks falls with respect to their undertone. Their position shows how much of each undertone they contain.
Covergirl – Ulta | Milani – Walgreens | Wet n Wild – Walgreens | Maybelline – Walgreens | Rimmel London – Ulta | L’Oréal – Target | Revlon – Ulta | NYX – Target
#4: Wet n Wild MegaLast Lipstick in 912C In The Flesh
Best lipstick if you’re on a makeup budget
Lipstick Photo – Walgreens
General Facts
Purchase Price: $2.99 Availability In Store: Walgreens, CVS Packaging: weak plastic (cap easily cracks)Product Breakdown
Formula Type: between moisturizing and drying Application: moderately tugs on lips Pigment Intensity: pretty opaque Longevity: 2 hours Moisture Level: medium Undertone: brown with some yellow Taste: cosmetic Smell: cosmetic Appearance Once Set: pigment becomes drier, slightly enhances lip lines Staining: moderately even stain across lips Second Layer Application: moderately easy Transfer to Food/Drink: low Worth the Price: 100% Yes#3: Covergirl Colorlicious Lipstick in 265 Romance Mauve
Best lipstick for channeling your inner late ’90s/early ’00s girl
Lipstick Photo – Ulta
General Facts
Purchase Price: $7.99 Availability In Store: Walgreens, CVS, Target, Ulta Packaging: sturdy plasticProduct Breakdown
Formula Type: moisturizing Application: glides on smooth Pigment Intensity: pretty opaque Longevity: 2 hours Moisture Level: high Undertone: gray with some brown Taste: mildly cosmetic Smell: mildly cosmetic Appearance When Set: nearly the same as when it was applied Staining: natural stain evenly spread across lips Second Layer Application: easy, just like applying first layer Transfer to Food/Drink: low Worth the Price: Yes#1: NYX Turnt Up Lipstick in Flutter Kiss and Maybelline Color Sensational Creamy Matte Lip Color in 660 Touch of Spice (Tie)
NYX
Best lipstick if you love grey toned nudes
Lipstick Photo – Target
General Facts
Purchase Price: $6.49 Availability In Store: CVS, Target, Ulta Packaging: sturdy plasticProduct Breakdown
Formula Type: moisturizing Application: glides on smooth (small surface area makes it super easy) Pigment Intensity: moderately pigmented Longevity: 1 hour Moisture Level: high Undertone: evenly gray-purple Taste: mildly sweet cosmetic Smell: mildly sweet cosmetic Appearance When Set: pigment becomes more grey-toned, moisturizing like a lip balm Staining: mild natural stain on lips Second Layer Application: easy, just like applying first layer Transfer to Food/Drink: moderate Worth the Price: YesMaybelline:
Best lipstick if you love matte lipsticks
Lipstick Photo – Walgreens
General Facts
Purchase Price: $7.99 Availability In Store: Walgreens, CVS, Target, Ulta Packaging: sturdy plasticProduct Breakdown
Formula Type: moderately moisturizing Application: glides on smooth Pigment Intensity: opaque Longevity: > 2 hours (both pigment and moisture!) Moisture Level: high Undertone: evenly brown-yellow Taste: mildly cosmetic Smell: mildly cosmetic Appearance When Set: looks just like when initially applied Staining: great even stain on lips Second Layer Application: easy, just like applying first layer (slight pigment buildup, but dissipates over time) Transfer to Food/Drink: low Worth the Price: YesWhat Do You Think?
Any pink-brown/nude lipsticks I should’ve tried during this lipstick testing adventure? Which drugstore lipstick is your ultimate favorite? Let me know below!