10 Excellent Liquid Lipsticks That Are Cheaper Than Kylie’s Lip Kit —and Available Right Now
Teens and slightly misguided adults alike all shed a collective tear (in some cases, probably more like a sob) when, in a turn of events that surprised no one, Kylie Jenner‘s Lip Kit sold out in under a single minute. Millions of Refresh buttons wore out from overuse. Life savings were squandered on eBay. It was a mess.
Still, as beauty lovers and pop culture know-it-alls, it makes sense that we’d want to get our hands on the insta-legendary Lip Kit by Kylie—because how could one’s curiosity not be piqued by the absolutely insane buzz surrounding a $29 lipstick-and-liner set in just three shades, released by an 18-year-old reality star best known for, well, her ever-expanding lips?
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We love a great liquid lipstick as much as the next makeup hoarder, and we do give the girl props for releasing something that’s so on point right now. There are a few liquid lipsticks that have stood the test of time, but for the most part, they’re a relatively new formula to the market in the past few years. They’re long-wearing, remarkably persistent (as in, you can eat a cheeseburger without a smear in sight), and usually matte—all things we covet highly in a lip formula.
Instead of waiting patiently for Kylie to release a new crop of Lip Kits, we suggest looking to these 10 liquid lipsticks, which are truly the best we’ve tried—and they’re all under the original $29 retail price of King Kylie’s kit. They also come in way more colors, which is another plus.
Hourglass Opaque Rouge Liquid Lipstick ($28)
Chic packaging and a nourishing, smudge-proof formula make this the kind of lip color that we keep in our bags at all times—you know, “for emergencies.” The colors are pigmented and insanely vibrant (no sheerness here), and Canvas, a soft dusty rose, is perfect for attaining that your-lips-but-sexier effect.
Obsessive Compulsive Cosmetics Lip Tar ($15)
This cult fave is beloved for its vegan formula, weightless feel, and vibrant pigment that will not budge, not to mention the impressive range of colors from Hush, a pale neutral pink, to Black Dahlia, a red so dark it’s nearly black. The packaging was recently revamped into a gloss-like tube with a doe-foot applicator from its original squeeze-tube, which makes the application process a breeze.
Kat Von D Everlasting Liquid Lipstick ($20)
Everlasting, indeed. We’d argue that this liquid lip color was the one that first caught our attention, and we know we’re not alone—its “life-proof” formula and countless color choices convinced us that Kat Von D’s makeup was legit. Vegan, cruelty-free, and packed with moisturizers like vitamin E and sunflower seed wax, this one’s just as much of a keeper now as it was when we first discovered it. Bow N Arrow, a deep, slightly pinkish nude, is right on point for the plumped-up Kylie look.
NYX Liquid Suede Cream Lipstick ($7)
NYX is the bomb for affordable makeup that’s truly awesome, and they do lip color really, really well—which, of course, includes this new offering, which sold out in most shades almost immediately. Don’t worry: The nudes will be restocked soon, and in the meantime, there’s a bright red called Kitten Heels that is calling your name.
Anastasia Beverly Hills Liquid Lipstick ($20)
The woman responsible for taking brow-grooming to the big leagues (i.e. the mass market) has a liquid lipstick that may just rival her brow products in excellence. A single coat of the stuff will give you bold matte coverage that lasts all day, and Vamp is almost an exact dupe for Kylie’s True Brown K, if that’s what you’re into.
Ciaté London Liquid Velvet Matte Lip Slick ($19)
Yep, Ciaté makes more than just nail polish! This creamy, highly pigmented formula comes in only five shades, but each one has enough rich color and staying power to make up for the lack of variety. The reds are especially gorgeous—Risqué is the consummate orange-tinted poppy red for brightening up any face in a flash.
Stila Stay All Day Liquid Lipstick ($24)
An O.G. favorite that’s been around forever, these slim, unmistakable tubes are a mainstay in every color lover’s makeup routine. Bellissima, a pale neutral pink, gives the right amount of lip-enhancing color, while the makeup artist-beloved Beso is the true red of your dreams. The formula has just enough smooth texture to keep it from being entirely matte, so the finish is super flattering and not at all drying, thanks to a dose of vitamin E and avocado oil.
Revlon ColorStay Ultimate Liquid Lipstick ($6.59)
If a little shimmer and sheerness is more to your liking than punchy mattes, but you still want something that’ll stay put, then this “food-proof” liquid formula is exactly what you need. Each shade has some translucency and shine to it, but unlike most sheer, satiny formulas, the wear time rivals some of our favorite mattes. #1 Nude has just the right amount of neutral color to flatter all complexions, but for a bit more drama, Royal Raisin is our top pick.
Lush Lipstick ($19.95)
We can’t say enough good things about this slightly under-the-radar option, which may very well be one of the most moisturizing we’ve tried. With jojoba oil and rose wax, it’ll leave your lips looking super soft, and it delivers a pop of major pigment that dries down to a silky semimatte finish. We’re partial to the reds, namely the glamorous cherry-red Decisive.
Too Faced Melted Liquified Long Wear Lipstick ($21)
Lots of liquid lipsticks set quickly and are hard to adjust once they’re on your lips, so you’re totally screwed unless you get it right the first time. This formula does no such thing: Rather, it stays wet and malleable for a couple of minutes after application, so it’s not the end of the world if you stray outside the lines. It does have a slightly shinier finish, but if you want the super-matte look, just set with powder. The nude shades here are nicely nuanced, which means you’ll for sure be able to find one that suits you.
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