Liquid lipsticks have risen to popularity in recent years, and for good reason!
While traditional stick-application lipsticks have their benefits, liquid lipsticks allow for more flexibility and a more precise application. They also have more variety in color and finish.
Thus, it’s no surprise that you may want to try your hand at one of the newest holy grails of makeup.
However, picking the best one can be hard, especially if you’re new to makeup. Not all liquid lipsticks are created equal, so doing your research is important.
To make your search for the best drugstore liquid lipstick that helps you look your best without breaking the bank, we’ve done the hard part for you! Below, we’ve compiled a list of 15 our of favorite beginner-friendly, drugstore liquid lipsticks.
Top 15 Best Drugstore Liquid Lipsticks:
1. theBalm Meet Matte Hughes Long-Lasting Liquid Lipstick
These long-wearing liquid lip colors from the Balm Cosmetics apply smoothly and dry down to a comfortable matte finish. Don’t be afraid to show your true colors with these highly-pigmented shades, in a long-lasting formula that’s ready to commit.
It has a faint, pleasant scent. However, if you’re sensitive to fragrances, especially that close to your nose, you may want a different choice.
It goes on smooth and comes in 8 different shades. This allows you to get the perfect match every time.
2. Maybelline SuperStay 24 2-Step Liquid Lipstick Makeup
Take your lip look to the next level with this 2-step liquid lipstick kit.
The Maybelline SuperStay liquid lipstick kit includes both a liquid lipstick and lip balm. As a result, it allows you to look your best while keeping your lips in perfect shape.
The liquid lipstick comes in an easy to travel with the tube as well as a Microflex lipstick. This allows you to line and fill in your lips with ease for a smooth, flawless finish.
The lip balm helps lock in moisture. Not only does this keep your lips healthy but it also helps prevent your lipstick from drying, caking, or flaking.
This kit comes in a variety of shades, ranging from deep reds to pales nudes. This allows you to find the perfect shade for you, no matter the occasion is.
3. L’Oreal Paris Infallible Pro Last 2 Step Lipstick
Looking for a high-intensity color that’s transfer-resistant? Look no further than the L’Oreal Paris Infallible Pro two-step liquid lipstick.
Due to is smooth, opaque formula, this liquid lipstick glides on with a moisturizing feeling. It can last up to 24 hours but won’t dry out your lips.
This is because of its two-step feature.
First, swipe on a coat of the high-intensity lipstick.
It comes in a variety of colors so that you can find the best shade for you. Plus, if you want to have more options than just a liquid lipstick, you can also buy it in different formulas.
Next, lock in moisture and preserve your perfect pout with the included Pro Seal lip balm for all-day wear with none of the dryness.
4. Colourpop Ultra Matte Liquid Lipstick
With all of its benefits, this lipstick by Colourpop is one of the best liquid to matte lipsticks.
It goes on opaque and dries with a flawless matte finish. Application is easy, so you’ll be rocking your perfect lip look in no time.
The Colourpop liquid lipstick comes in a large range of colors to help meet the needs of every skin tone and every event. However, it’s important to know that color may vary.
This is due to differences in computer screens as well as color variation when paired with different skin tones.
Expert Advice: In order to make sure that your matte lip is as good as possible, you should exfoliate before application. This will remove any dead skin that could cause your makeup to appear textured or uneven.
5. Honest Beauty Liquid Lipstick
Honesty Beauty’s name comes from the fact that their formulas are made to be as beneficial as possible. And their liquid lipstick is no exception.
The Honesty Beauty liquid lipstick is designed without any synthetics. It’s also vegan and cruelty-free.
Avocado oil and hyaluronic acid help improve lip health by keeping your lips looking hydrated and smooth. Avocado oil adds and seals in moisture while hyaluronic acid absorbs it and infuses moisture into your skin.
In 2019, this liquid lipstick won the Allure Best of Clean Beauty and even has patens pending for its technology.
It comes in a variety of colors for every skin tone, each one gliding on smoothly with opaque color.
Expert Advice: Looking for the best way to achieve that perfect pout? Try using a light shade on the center of your lips and a slightly darker shade on the outside for a naturally plumping ombre.
6. Revlon Ultra HD Matte Liquid Lipstick
This Revlon lipstick is one of the best 100& wax-free liquid to matte lipsticks. It comes in a variety of different shades so that you can get the perfect color match every time.
Despite being a matte, this drugstore liquid lipstick goes on smooth with a velvety feeling. You can customize it to best fit you by choosing from the three finishes: soft, hyper, or metallic.
Note that this liquid lipstick does have a smell.
It’s a light vanilla and mango scent that is pleasant. However, if you’re sensitive to fragrance, this may not be the best liquid lipstick choice for you.
The Revlon lipstick is designed to last for up to eight hours, but it’s made so it doesn’t dry out your lips. Just in case, however, make sure to remove your lipstick every night and moisturize well.
7. Milani Amore Shine Liquid Lipstick
Sometimes, simple is better, and that’s exactly what Milani achieves with this easy to apply liquid lipstick. As one of the best liquid lipsticks out there, the Amore Shine lipstick mixes convenience with beauty.
To apply, all you have to do is swipe on a quick coat of your choice of liquid lipstick. Then, to help blend, you can press your lips together and clean up the edges if you wish.
The result is a high-intensity color that lasts for up to 8 hours.
Milani is a US-based lipstick born out of eastern Los Angeles, a foundation that inspires their makeup. The result is 13 shades of high shine liquid lipstick that allows you to express your personality in fun, beautiful ways.
Plus, they’re cruelty-free!
8. COVERGIRL Melting Pout Matte Liquid Lipstick
Covergirls Melting Pout liquid lipstick uses a 100% vegan formula.
This liquid to matte lipstick is a highly pigmented lipstick that will make the color pop and last for up to 24-hours. It is also infused with nourishing ingredients to help improve your skin while you use it.
The gel formula prevents stickiness and tacky feeling that comes from other products and features a cushiony soft applicator. It applies glossy but dries to a matte finish.
9. Matte Cigarette Liquid Lipstick
If you’re looking to master a more grunge aesthetic with your liquid lipstick, look no further than this cigarette themed liquid to matte lipstick box.
The box itself is fashioned to look like a cigarette carton, and each lipstick is designed to resemble a cigarette. This set features 4 shades ranging from pale red to a deep purple color.
It is long-lasting and waterproof thanks to its natural formula featuring beeswax, Vitamin E, and vegetable oil.
It is also easy to remove with any lip cleansing oil. The variety offers a wide range of uses and lets your lips match the occasion.
10. Ownest 24 Colors Matte Velvety Liquid Lipstick Set
This kit has everything you need to look your absolute best no matter what the occasion is. It features 24 different lipstick colors in a wide range of colors.
While all of the colors glide on smoothly with a velvety texture, they have different finishes. 20 of the shades have a liquid to matte finish, while the other 4 are glossy and shiny.
The formula includes vitamin B3 and glycerine which results in a long-lasting and waterproof lipstick. To help make sure that your perfect pout lasts, however, you may want to avoid eating greasy foods.
Expert Advice: Matte lipsticks can dry out your lips, and glossy lipsticks can increase UV damage. To help nullify both of these effects, try applying a moisturizer with SPF before application and after removal.
11. NYX PROFESSIONAL MAKEUP Liquid Suede Cream Lipstick
Available in bold shades, this super-pigmented liquid matte lipstick is velvety soft and infused with nourishing ingredients.
While most liquid to matte lipsticks can dry out your lips, the NYX lipstick is designed with avocado oil and Vitamin E. This makes it a long-wearing, creamy lipstick that looks and feels great.
It’s also waterproof.
Note that this liquid lipstick can take a while to dry to that perfect matte finish. For thicker coats, it can take up to three minutes.
Expert Advice: Lip liners aren’t so much used anymore for preventing runs as they are for defining your lips. To help achieve the perfect corners and cupids bow, use a lip liner that matches your lips, not your lipstick.
12. I’M MEME I’M Tictoc Lipstick Satin
This lipstick moisturizes the lips with a silky satin, cashmere-soft finish, and lightweight texture. It’s enriched with Argan Oil and Mango Seed Butter ingredients that soothe and reduce the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles while delivering a healthier, fuller look.
These moisture-rich ingredients also help keep your lips from drying out. As a result, it helps improve your lips’ health and appearance while helping you look amazing.
The heart-shaped tip of the lipstick has curves and edges to make it easier to apply a full clean lip in one go and helps control the amount of lipstick exposed to avoid it from breaking. It glides on smoothly for the perfect pout every time.
13. e.l.f Liquid Matte Lipstick
This rich formula glides on your lips, locking in moisture without running or bleeding, and lasts for hours. Whether you’re after a dramatic look with bold liquid eyeliner and red lips or an easy-makeup day with light foundation and a softer, more natural color, this lipstick will help you look your best.
The slim, diamond-shaped applicator wand gives you the most control. As a result, you’ll have more precision and a better application of color for flawlessly beautiful lips.
The inclusion of Vitamin E helps keep your lips moisturized and in good health. Plus, it helps the lipstick to go on smoothly and come off easily without drying out your lips.
It’s designed to be easy to travel with. As a result, you can easily slip it into your bag or pocket and take it with you for whenever you need a touch-up.
To top it all off, the formula is vegan and 100% cruelty-free.
14. wet n wild Megalast Liquid Catsuit Metallic Lipstick
As one of the best drugstore liquid lipsticks, the Wet n Wild Megalast lipstick will have you looking purrfect with its feline metallic sheen. It comes in 4 vivid, full-coverage colors that are designed to last all day.
You may want to apply a second coat if you find the first application isn’t opaque with you. Metallic finishes have a tendency of appearing thinner, even if they are full-coverage.
It glides on smoothly. And, it’s formulated with Vitamin E for healthier, happier lips that look amazing and soft.
15. Rimmel London Provocalips 16hr Kiss-Proof Lip Colour
This two-step drugstore liquid lipstick is designed to last up to 16 hours without transfer, running, or fading. Rimmel designed it to look just as good in the evening as it did when you applied it that morning.
It’s kiss-proof and transfer-proof so it only comes off when you want it to.
The lipstick is an exclusive 2-step product: apply the color to your lips and leave to dry for one minute. Apply again to lock and give shine.
It’s lightweight and flexible formula adapts to the movement of your lips to add intense color and improved lock and shine.
More drugstore products:
- Drugstore Hairsprays
- Drugstore Setting Powders
- Drugstore Pore Minimizers
- Drugstore Toners for Oily Skin
- Drugstore Contour Kits

Joan S. Wilson is a lifelong makeup and skincare enthusiast. She used to work as a makeup artist for 5 years. Joan is always curious and wants to learn more when it comes to makeup and skincare. She tries her best to make other people’s skin health better. This is why Joan is so passionate about writing articles on beauty topics. She always looks for products that are high-quality, dermatologist-tested, and does that it says on the label. In every article, she shares her knowledge to make your life healthier and happier!