We Swiped, Blotted, and Wore the Best Fall Lipsticks of 2024

Mar. 15, 2025

In This ArticleView AllIn This ArticleOur Top PicksReviewsExperts Also RecommendWhat to KnowBehind the ScenesWhy Trust PEOPLE?What is PEOPLE Tested?

In This ArticleView All

In This Article

View All

Our Top Picks

Reviews

Experts Also Recommend

What to Know

Behind the Scenes

Why Trust PEOPLE?

What is PEOPLE Tested?

Photo:People / Tamara Staples / Jessica Juliao / Alyssa Brascia / Tamara Staples

People / Tamara Staples / Jessica Juliao / Alyssa Brascia / Tamara Staples

It’s about that time that we shelve our shorts andreach for jeans, shrug oncozy cardigans, and swapglossy lip oilsfor rich, fall lipsticks. But you may be asking what separates an autumnal shade from a summer hue.

Experts Say

These are the fall lipsticks that will make your makeup routine turn a new leaf.

Best Matte:Maybelline SuperStay Liquid LipstickJump to Review

Best Matte:Maybelline SuperStay Liquid Lipstick

Best Matte:

Best Satin:

Best Liquid:Revlon ColorStay Limitless Matte Liquid Lipstick at Amazon$11Jump to Review

Best Liquid:Revlon ColorStay Limitless Matte Liquid Lipstick at Amazon$11

Best Liquid:

Best Red:Pat McGrath Labs MatteTrance Lipstick at Nordstrom$39Jump to Review

Best Red:Pat McGrath Labs MatteTrance Lipstick at Nordstrom$39

Best Red:

Jason Wu Hot Fluff Lipstick at Target$12Jump to Review

Jason Wu Hot Fluff Lipstick at Target$12

Saie Glossybounce Hydrating Lip Gloss Oil at Amazon$22Jump to Review

Saie Glossybounce Hydrating Lip Gloss Oil at Amazon$22

Too Faced Lady Bold Lipstick at Ulta$29Jump to Review

Too Faced Lady Bold Lipstick at Ulta$29

Chanel Rouge Allure Velvet Luminous Matte Lip Colour at Ulta$50Jump to Review

Chanel Rouge Allure Velvet Luminous Matte Lip Colour at Ulta$50

Best MatteMaybelline SuperStay Liquid LipstickPHOTO: UltaView On Ulta$11$6 at Amazon$10 at TargetStar QualitiesSuper-pigmented formula coats lips with very few swipesAngular doe-foot allows for precise applicationBudget-friendly price and drugstore accessibilityRed FlagsNot hydrating enough for dry lipsGone are the days of juicy summer glosses — instead, it’s the matte formula’s time to shine. This liquid lipstick from Maybelline offers concentrated color with just a few swipes, which we achieved quickly (and cleanly) thanks to its pointed applicator foot that painted the contours of our lips effortlessly. Plus, you’d be hard-pressed to find a shade better suited for chilly weather thana classic red.This rich hue dried down quickly and stayed fairly transfer-proof throughout the day, making it a great choice for people who want matte lipstick with long wear time. Our one qualm? It’s not the most hydrating formula for those with dry lips. However, at just $5 (on sale), we wouldn’t hesitate to recommend this liquid lip to anyone who wants a fall lipstick refresh on a budget.Best Shade“Exhilarator,” 51 percent off at AmazonFormula:Liquid |Finish:Matte |Benefits:Highly pigmented, 16 hours of wear |Shades:30 |Long-wearing:YesPHOTO: People / Tamara StaplesPHOTO: People / Tamara Staples

Best MatteMaybelline SuperStay Liquid LipstickPHOTO: UltaView On Ulta$11$6 at Amazon$10 at Target

Best MatteMaybelline SuperStay Liquid Lipstick

Best Matte

Maybelline SuperStay Liquid Lipstick

PHOTO: Ulta

View On Ulta$11$6 at Amazon$10 at Target

Star QualitiesSuper-pigmented formula coats lips with very few swipesAngular doe-foot allows for precise applicationBudget-friendly price and drugstore accessibilityRed FlagsNot hydrating enough for dry lips

Star QualitiesSuper-pigmented formula coats lips with very few swipesAngular doe-foot allows for precise applicationBudget-friendly price and drugstore accessibility

Super-pigmented formula coats lips with very few swipes

Angular doe-foot allows for precise application

Budget-friendly price and drugstore accessibility

Red FlagsNot hydrating enough for dry lips

Not hydrating enough for dry lips

Gone are the days of juicy summer glosses — instead, it’s the matte formula’s time to shine. This liquid lipstick from Maybelline offers concentrated color with just a few swipes, which we achieved quickly (and cleanly) thanks to its pointed applicator foot that painted the contours of our lips effortlessly. Plus, you’d be hard-pressed to find a shade better suited for chilly weather thana classic red.

This rich hue dried down quickly and stayed fairly transfer-proof throughout the day, making it a great choice for people who want matte lipstick with long wear time. Our one qualm? It’s not the most hydrating formula for those with dry lips. However, at just $5 (on sale), we wouldn’t hesitate to recommend this liquid lip to anyone who wants a fall lipstick refresh on a budget.

Best Shade“Exhilarator,” 51 percent off at Amazon

Best Shade

“Exhilarator,” 51 percent off at Amazon

Formula:Liquid |Finish:Matte |Benefits:Highly pigmented, 16 hours of wear |Shades:30 |Long-wearing:Yes

PHOTO: People / Tamara StaplesPHOTO: People / Tamara Staples

Best Satin

PHOTO: Sephora

Star QualitiesHas a creamy, comfortable texture for all-day wearPigmented formula kept its shade for several hoursDidn’t bleed into fine lines or featherRed FlagsCould get the same look for less

Star QualitiesHas a creamy, comfortable texture for all-day wearPigmented formula kept its shade for several hoursDidn’t bleed into fine lines or feather

Has a creamy, comfortable texture for all-day wear

Pigmented formula kept its shade for several hours

Didn’t bleed into fine lines or feather

Red FlagsCould get the same look for less

Could get the same look for less

With satin being one of the easiest lipstick finishes to find, it’s not hard to replicate the look of this lip with a cheaper option (we’ve recommended theL’Oréal Paris Colour Riche Satin Lipstickin the past for its creamy consistency and budget-friendly price). However, we think this lipstick is worth the small investment for its pigment-packed color, lightweight feel, and staying power.

Best Shade“Forest Hills”

“Forest Hills”

Formula:Bullet |Finish:Satin |Benefits:Lightweight, comfortable wear, doesn’t feather |Shades:18 |Long-wearing:Somewhat

PHOTO: People / Alyssa BrasciaPHOTO: People / Alyssa BrasciaPHOTO: People / Alyssa Brascia

Best LiquidRevlon ColorStay Limitless Matte Liquid LipstickPHOTO: Ulta$11 at Amazon$11 at Target$14$11 at Walmart

Best LiquidRevlon ColorStay Limitless Matte Liquid Lipstick

Best Liquid

Revlon ColorStay Limitless Matte Liquid Lipstick

$11 at Amazon$11 at Target$14$11 at Walmart

Star QualitiesSuper long-lasting, no-budge formulaGreat value for priceVery pigmented, requires little productRed FlagsToo drying for dehydrated lips

Star QualitiesSuper long-lasting, no-budge formulaGreat value for priceVery pigmented, requires little product

Super long-lasting, no-budge formula

Great value for price

Very pigmented, requires little product

Red FlagsToo drying for dehydrated lips

Too drying for dehydrated lips

We love this deep plum shade because of its fall-appropriate hue, which won’t dull throughout the day even after winds whipping your hair across your lips and sips of pumpkin spice lattes out of festive to-go cups. Plus, it’s on sale for just $10 — so you might as well check outmulled wine,caramel brown, and other fall shades, too.

Best Shade“Hype Girl”

“Hype Girl”

Formula:Liquid |Finish:Matte |Benefits:Long-wearing, low price |Shades:16 |Long-wearing:Yes

PHOTO: People / Jessica JuliaoPHOTO: People / Jessica Juliao

Best RedPat McGrath Labs MatteTrance LipstickPHOTO: Sephora$39 at Nordstrom$39 at Sephora$39 at Ulta

Best RedPat McGrath Labs MatteTrance Lipstick

Best Red

Pat McGrath Labs MatteTrance Lipstick

$39 at Nordstrom$39 at Sephora$39 at Ulta

Star QualitiesLeft a smooth, velvety finish on our lipsFormula felt weightless and comfortableBuildable, rich pigmentRed FlagsOne of the priciest tubes we’ve triedSwift’s exact shade is often sold out

Star QualitiesLeft a smooth, velvety finish on our lipsFormula felt weightless and comfortableBuildable, rich pigment

Left a smooth, velvety finish on our lips

Formula felt weightless and comfortable

Buildable, rich pigment

Red FlagsOne of the priciest tubes we’ve triedSwift’s exact shade is often sold out

One of the priciest tubes we’ve tried

Swift’s exact shade is often sold out

You officially have Swiftie status if you know that Pat McGrath’s MatteTrance Lipstick in the shade “Elson” is one of the “Fortnight” singer’sgo-to reds. You probably also know that means it’s often unavailable, making “Vendetta,” its vampy sister, the best (and most fall-friendly) choice right now.

Though it’s not as long-wearing as other lipsticks we tried, this formula did withstand most of our eating, drinking, and chatting throughout the day — save for a bit of transfer here and there (after all, we’ve all seen those red kiss marks on Travis Kelce’s cheeks). You can get a rich color from just one swipe, but if you want to start out sheer, this formula is also quite buildable. “Remember, you don’t have to apply lipstick directly from the bullet,” says Kendal. “You can always tap some into your lips with your finger for a wearable stain.”

Best Shade“Vendetta”

“Vendetta”

Formula:Bullet |Finish:Matte |Benefits:Lightweight,  |Shades:34 |Long-wearing:Somewhat

PHOTO: PeoplePHOTO: People / Tamara StaplesPHOTO: People / Tamara StaplesPHOTO: People / Tamara StaplesPHOTO: People

Pro Tip

Jason Wu Hot Fluff Lipstick$12 at Target

Jason Wu Hot Fluff Lipstick

$12 at Target

Saie Glossybounce Hydrating Lip Gloss Oil$22 at Amazon$22 at Sephora$22 at Kohls.com

Saie Glossybounce Hydrating Lip Gloss Oil

$22 at Amazon$22 at Sephora$22 at Kohls.com

Too Faced Lady Bold LipstickPHOTO: Ulta$29 at Ulta$29 at Macy’sView on HSN

Too Faced Lady Bold Lipstick

$29 at Ulta$29 at Macy’sView on HSN

Chanel Rouge Allure Velvet Luminous Matte Lip Colour$50 at Ulta$50 at Saks Fifth AvenueView on Chanel.com

Chanel Rouge Allure Velvet Luminous Matte Lip Colour

$50 at Ulta$50 at Saks Fifth AvenueView on Chanel.com

Three makeup artists, Kendal, Reneau, andKatie Jane Hughes, plus PEOPLE directors weighed in on what shades to wear this fall.

Pro TipMake your lipstick last longer with a few pro tricks. “Don’t over-moisturize your lips with balm before lipstick application. Instead, apply your lip moisturizers the night before (before bed). Do a thin layer of lipstick color, powder over it with translucent powder, and add a final layer of lipstick over the powder.” — Hughes

Make your lipstick last longer with a few pro tricks. “Don’t over-moisturize your lips with balm before lipstick application. Instead, apply your lip moisturizers the night before (before bed). Do a thin layer of lipstick color, powder over it with translucent powder, and add a final layer of lipstick over the powder.” — Hughes

People / Jessica Juliao

What to Know About Fall Lipsticks

Texture

When you’re looking for new colors, consider texture before anything else, saysErica Taylor, L’Oréal Paris League of Experts makeup artist.

The main lipstick finishes you’ll find aresatin,glossy, andmatte, and satin tends to be the most hydrating, while matte is the most drying (though this isn’t always the case).

“I definitely go for more hydrating formulas as the weather starts to chill, but nothing too shiny because of wind and the potential for stickiness,” Hughes says.

Ingredients

The ingredients will also make all the difference as to whether or not your tube of choice will be hydrating, as some mattes, like thePat McGrath MatteTrance Lipstick, apply like butter (the sweet spot for a fall lip).

Standout Ingredients

However, Kendal advises us to prepare our skin beforehand to keep our painted lips from drying out. “It’s important to take extra care to exfoliate and prep the lips with a comforting balm or lip mask,” she says.

Shades

The right shade for you, season-abiding or not, is completely subjective depending on your personal preferences. However, there are color schemes you can follow if you want to fit the festive palette of fall.

“A good fall lip color is usually a bit richer and pigmented, but still wearable,” says Reneau. “I tend to favorberry shades, moodier reds, or deeper pinks.” While you can find a slew of spiced colors in the collections of any of the picks above, our experts found themselves drawn to an array of earth-inspired colors.

According to Taylor, a good rule of thumb is to go a little darker than your natural lip color. “I look forone to two shades deeper[than my natural tone] for an effortless lip,” she says. So, if a plum shade feels too out-of-the-box for you, then a my-skin-but-deeper shade could be just what you need this fall.

Pro Tip“If you have fine lines and your lipstick is prone to spreading, using alip liner, even a colorless one, will keep that in check. A light dusting oftranslucent powderaround the lip line will help too.” —Diane Kendal

“If you have fine lines and your lipstick is prone to spreading, using alip liner, even a colorless one, will keep that in check. A light dusting oftranslucent powderaround the lip line will help too.” —Diane Kendal

People / Tamara Staples

To find the very best lipsticks for fall, we consulted three makeup artists for their advice and recommendations. Then, we dug into the stats from four of our lipstick tests (totaling over 70 liquid and bullet lipsticks), to produce the most comprehensive list of fall-ready lippies based on the following attributes:

Our Expert PanelKatie Jane Hughesis a celebrity makeup artist and founder ofKJH.brand. Her list of past celebrity clients includes Dua Lipa and Rosie Huntington-Whiteley.Diane Kendalis a celebrity makeup artist with extensive experience in the editorial beauty space, creating the looks behind dozens of fashion campaigns and shows (including Jason Wu, Tommy Hilfiger, and Tory Burch, most recently). Her celebrity clientele includes Hailey Bieber and Kaia Gerber, to name a few.Elyse Reneauis the Executive Director of Global Beauty at Too Faced Cosmetics. She has years of experience in backstage makeup, crafting the looks for several Alice + Olivia presentations during NYFW.Erica Tayloris a L’Oéal Paris League of Experts makeup artist with over 25 years of experience in the cosmetic industry. She shares tips and techniques with her 1.6 million followers on TikTok.Jackie Fieldsis the deputy beauty director at PEOPLE with more than eight years' experience editing beauty and fashion content. She has been with the brand since 2005.Brittany Talaricois PEOPLE’s deputy style director who oversees the brand’s digital style and beauty coverage. She is also a style contributor to the PEOPLE Every Day podcast.

Our Expert Panel

Katie Jane Hughesis a celebrity makeup artist and founder ofKJH.brand. Her list of past celebrity clients includes Dua Lipa and Rosie Huntington-Whiteley.Diane Kendalis a celebrity makeup artist with extensive experience in the editorial beauty space, creating the looks behind dozens of fashion campaigns and shows (including Jason Wu, Tommy Hilfiger, and Tory Burch, most recently). Her celebrity clientele includes Hailey Bieber and Kaia Gerber, to name a few.Elyse Reneauis the Executive Director of Global Beauty at Too Faced Cosmetics. She has years of experience in backstage makeup, crafting the looks for several Alice + Olivia presentations during NYFW.Erica Tayloris a L’Oéal Paris League of Experts makeup artist with over 25 years of experience in the cosmetic industry. She shares tips and techniques with her 1.6 million followers on TikTok.Jackie Fieldsis the deputy beauty director at PEOPLE with more than eight years' experience editing beauty and fashion content. She has been with the brand since 2005.Brittany Talaricois PEOPLE’s deputy style director who oversees the brand’s digital style and beauty coverage. She is also a style contributor to the PEOPLE Every Day podcast.

We created thePEOPLE Tested seal of approvalto help you find the very best products for your life. We use our unique methodology to test products in three labs across the country and with our network of home testers to determine their effectiveness, durability, ease of use, and so much more. Based on the results, we rate and recommend products so you can find the right one for your needs.

In short, PEOPLE Tested provides recommendations you can trust — every day, every purchase.

source: people.com