12 Best Lipsticks and Lip Products, According to Bobbi Brown

Lip colors come in all kinds of formulas and shades: lip balms with tint, lip gloss with subtle pigment, high-shine lipstick, opaque lip stains, and liquid lipstick, all of which can come in different finishes including sheer, satin finish, matte, and shimmer. Some formulas also include ingredients that result in plumping effects.

Sometimes lip color can be tricky to apply or require a bit of maintenance, especially when it comes to really bold, saturated colors. Keep in mind that lightweight, sheer, tinted, creamy formulas will be easy to wear and more comfortable for long periods of time, while soft matte formulas and velvety, liquid formulas can feel a bit drying and uncomfortable (but make a stronger statement).

Wearing a lip balm underneath lipstick can make the lipstick more comfortable and nourishing, but it will sheer out the color and finish, which can be corrected with adding multiple layers. Applying an emollient, like a moisturizing lip balm for hydration, and then blotting it off with a tissue will help moisturize your lips without affecting the finish too much. (Try it and you’ll find the color glides right on.) Look for lightweight or weightless lipstick formulas, either balms or moisturizing lipsticks, with hydrating ingredients like vitamin E, coconut, jojoba, or shea butter for a long-wearing pout.

Skincare is important with lips, too. Any dryness and flaky skin on lips will be highlighted by matte lipsticks—make sure you buff your lips gently with a lip scrub or, better yet, swipe a warm, wet washcloth to remove any flakes. Smooth lips help increase the staying power of matte liquid lip color.

“You really have to understand that women have different color lips, and it affects the way lipstick looks. And also textures really affect color. So if you're someone that says, "I really want a bright color, but I don't look good in it," try it sheer. Try a gloss. Easier to wear than a matte. Matte is the most unforgiving application, and it's a statement lipstick.” says makeup mogul Bobbi Brown.

Here, Brown recommends her favorite lip products:

1. 1. Rouge Coco Gloss by Chanel. A long-wear, moisturizing gloss.
2. 2. Rouge Allure Liquid Powder by Chanel. A liquid matte lip color with a handy applicator.
3. 3. 7 Deadly Sins Audacious Lipstick palette by Nars. From nude to red lipstick, a color palette with range.
4. 4. Confession Ultra Slim Lipstick by Hourglass. A satin finish, long-wearing lip color.
5. 5. LuxeTrance Lipstick by Pat McGrath Labs. Hydrating emollient in a range of shades.
6. 6. Multi-Use Gloss by Nars. Hydrating lightweight gloss, with coconut and vitamin E.
7. 7. Color Splash Seaglass Lipstick by Tarte. For crayon-level pigmentation.
8. 8. Flesh Tone Lip Pencil by Kevyn Aucoin. Lightweight, smudge-proof lip liner.
9. 9. Lip2Cheek by Trinny London. Good for a swipe across the lips and a glide across the cheek (or eyes).
10. 10. Intense Matte Lip + Cheek Pencil by Nudestix. Long-wearing lip liner and matte finish lip formula.
11. 11. Jelly Lip Gloss by Squish Beauty. Smooth, with jojoba oil.
12. 12. Rosebud Salve by Smith’s. Multipurpose emollient for softening dry and flaky lips.

Get the MasterClass Annual Membership for exclusive access to video lessons taught by the world’s best, including Bobbi Brown, RuPaul, Anna Wintour, Marc Jacobs, Diane von Furstenberg, and more.