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!
#8: Milani Color Statement Moisture Matte Lipstick in 61 Matte Naked
Best lipstick if you like vanilla-scented lip products
General Facts
Product 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
General Facts
Product 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
General Facts
- Purchase Price: $6.99
- Availability In Store: Walgreens, CVS, Target, Ulta
- Packaging: sturdy plastic, slightly hard to twist up
Product 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
General Facts
- Purchase Price: $9.99
- Availability In Store: Walgreens, CVS, Target, Ulta
- Packaging: sturdy plastic, product tip protrudes above base
Product 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: No
Mid-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.
#4: Wet n Wild MegaLast Lipstick in 912C In The Flesh
Best lipstick if you’re on a makeup budget
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
General Facts
Product 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
General Facts
Product 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: Yes
Maybelline:
Best lipstick if you love matte lipsticks
General Facts
Product 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: Yes
What 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!
