National Lipstick Day (July 29) is the official social media holiday to pay tribute to the most iconic product in makeup history, but we remain obsessed year-round.
We're not alone: the global lipstick market last year hit a whopping $9.5 billion, according to Allied Market Research, which reported the fastest-growing segment of the lippie market is matte formulas.
Serving pouts of all shapes, sizes, colors and conditions, here are some of the American Salon team's favorite lip colors and treatments!
Color-Meets-Care
For when your lip tint needs to pull double duty as a long-term moisturizer.
NARS Afterglow Sensual Shine Hydrating Lipstick
This moisturizing lipstick lasts for hours with lustrous shine, and can be layered to build from sheer to medium coverage. We love the weightless feel of the formula, which contains shea and mango butters plus a decadent Monoï hydrating complex.
Summer Fridays Lip Butter Balm
This daytime lip mask hydrates and soothes instantly with a healthy color deposit (though you can also use it at bedtime as an overnight lip treatment). It’s glossy but not sticky, long lasting, and smells (and tastes) heavenly.
This cool lip jelly by Selena Gomez' beauty brand melts into a lightweight oil to moisturize dry, chapped lips and to hydrate like a bomb balm. Its bold, saturated pigment lasts and lasts.
Just Gloss
Color: no. Shine: oh yussssss.
Etienne Ortega Liquid Icon Hyper Gloss
Lana Del Rey’s Coachella 2024 appearance had everyone asking about her high-voltage, long-lasting lip that complemented her sparkly blue and silver Dolce & Gabbana fit.
She got it from her makeup artist, whose namesake brand features this intense, non-sticky gloss that gives reflective vinyl shine.
Liner
For defining your pout, either alone or as the base for a complementary color.
Rokael Beauty Redefined Lip Shader
Ten deeply pigmented, perfect neutrals make up this collection that can line lips, blend into lipstick, or shade to create an ombré effect. The liner/ lip brush packaging combo is key here, as is the product's smooth and creamy texture that makes for beautiful blending.
Packaging & Details
We love it when a great formula goes the extra mile to delight lippie aficionados.
Pat McGrath Matte Trance Lipstick
Who wouldn't squeee over the gold pout on this lipstick tube? It's the perfect case for the velvety product itself, which glides on in one stroke and lasts for hours. The intense shades go on with a subtle sheen that wear down to a natural matte finish within a couple hours of application.
Winky Lux Purrfect Pout Lipstick
Color us obsessed with the kitty cat at the core of this delicate, silky sheer lipstick. We also appreciate its semi-sheer finish, fruity scent, and hydration that comes from vitamin E and jojoba.
Plumping
For those times when your lips need a little bit more oomph than color alone.
Tarte Maracuja Juicy Lip Plump
There was a reason this color balm went viral on TikTok. It provides a glossy pop with a range of shades, and adds a subtle plumping punch with a cooling sensation. The formula’s hero ingredients contain two winners: hyaluronic acid and maracuja oil.
Buxom Full-On Beauty Lip Cream Gloss
We’re fans of the lovely creamy texture, the yummy vanilla scent, the wide color selection, the sheen, and the subtle tingling that lets you know it’s puffing up your pout as well.
Stays for Days
If you’ll be going strong past 4 AM, so will they.
The Lip Bar Nonstop Liquid Matte
This highly pigmented lippie goes on like a gloss and dries to a matte finish, and then stays … and stays … and stays. Yet, lips stay moisturized for hours. (New for National Lipstick Day ‘24: the limited edition Very Rich metallic shade, shown.)
Benefit Benetint Rose Lip & Cheek Stain
This cult favorite stain offers kiss-proof, see-through stained color for cheeks and lips that lasts for hours on hours. It’s naturally sheer and sexy on all complexions, builds nicely, has no transfer, and feels light and gentle on lips.
And, if you're needing intensive treatment to prep stressed lips for their perfect color, here are our go-to …
Lip Treatments
Tint-free therapies for battling dryness and restoring a healthy base to your kisser.
The multi-award-winning natural lip balm hydrates with the power of lanolin and overcomes even the most severe cases of chap, leaving lips soft and supple. It’s got all-day staying power, and a little goes a long way. Comes in unscented plus yummy aromas and flavors like Coconutter and Strawberry.
LIPSMART Ultra-Hydrating Lip Treatment
For painfully dry, chapped, cracked lips that need the big guns in moisture treatment, LIPSMART’s medical-grade formula comes through with immediate relief. Its active ingredient, Phytokine, restores the lips’ natural moisture and helps repair the skin barrier.
Are you truly lipstick obsessed? Take our quiz, How Well Do You Know MAC's Retro Lipsticks? and find out!