Photographed by: Bethany Vargas; Fashion Stylist: Kyle Luu; Hair: Ruby Howes; Makeup: Kennedy; Manicure: Analysse Hernandez; Set Design: Heath Mattioli; DP (Motion only): Grant Bell; Production: PENNY; Writer: Kirbie JohnsonSave this storySave this story
We’ve come a long way from those first lip colors, which were made of crushed stones combined with wax, but the gratification we get from finding a signature shade explains a lot about why our forebears bothered experimenting with flowers, berries, and even beetles and fish scales in their quest to tint and add shine to their lips.
When you find your new lip color—whether it’s a sheer glossy tint or an opaque matte bullet—it quickly becomes so much more than a mix of pigments. It’s a way to brighten up your look and your mood, a discovery to share with friends, a talisman worth keeping in your bag so you can reach for it, oh, I don’t know, a thousand times a day. Except for our Allure Best of Beauty Lips winners, of course; you will only reach for that once daily.
This year, we owe a debt of gratitude to the makeup artists and cosmetic chemists who keep on reimagining lip colors, pushing the millennia-old cosmetic forward into new territory, and giving us the most glamorous matte lipsticks, boldest red lip tints, and sexiest liquid lipsticks we’ve ever seen.
Scroll to discover our 15 Allure Best of Beauty Lips winners.
Best of Beauty Awards 2026: Lips
Shop your favorite category or keep scrolling for the year's best lip glosses, oils, and balms.
See our winners:LargeChevron
- Best Lipsticks
- Best Lip Stain
- Best Lip Oils
- Best Lip Glosses
- Best Lip Balms
- Best Lip Scrub
- Best Lip Crayon
- Best Lip Liners
Best Lipsticks
Best Cream Lipstick: Dear Dahlia Lip Paradise Sensual Lip Glow
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Best Cream Lipstick
Dear Dahlia Lip Paradise Sensual Lip Glow
Amazon
Why It Won: Sheer, radiant color in eight romantic shades—including plum, petal pink, and peach—that instantly had us smitten. Dear Dahlia Lip Paradise Sensual Lip Glow delivers luminous color with an ingredient list (sweet almond, argan, and shea butter oils, and cacao seed butter) that reads like a lip treatment.
Tester feedback from Best of Beauty editorial assistant Arietta Hallock
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"This lipstick lives up to the glow factor promised in its name! It’s semi-sheer yet buildable with a gloss-like finish that many other lipsticks have failed to master." —Arietta Hallock, Best of Beauty editorial assistant
Best Satin Lipstick: Maybelline New York Moisturizing Serum Lipstick
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Best Satin Lipstick
Maybelline New York Moisturizing Serum Lipstick
Amazon
Visuals director Kathryne Hall applies the Maybelline New York Moisturizing Serum Lipstick.
Kathryne Hall
Why It Won: This has to be the cushiest way to wear bold lip color! One swipe delivers tons of pigment from a hydrating bullet containing hyaluronic acid and moringa seed and avocado oils, which keep the satin shades of Maybelline New York Moisturizing Serum Lipstick feeling soft on lips, without overt shine or smudging. You can have a tall iced tea without leaving behind so much as a lip print on your glass. There’s one very pretty soft rose in the eight-shade collection, joined by enough ’90s-esque browns—brick red, decadent truffle, deep raisin—to make the cast of Friends proud.
Tester feedback from associate social media manager Katie Gunderman
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"The Maybelline New York Moisturizing Serum Lipstick is the easiest everyday lipstick I own. It's creamy and pigmented while also being super-moisturizing. I love that it feels hydrating and barely there. And the satin finish has really good wearability that fades beautifully (mostly after eating) throughout the day." —Katie Gunderman, associate social media manager
Best Matte Lipstick: Hung Vanngo Beauty Creamy Matte Lipstick
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Best Matte Lipstick
Hung Vanngo Beauty Creamy Matte Lipstick
Shop
Sephora
Content production director Noel Jean applies the Hung Vanngo Beauty Creamy Matte Lipstick.
Noel Jean
Why It Won: When you are at the top of the red-carpet makeup world—working with Selena Gomez, Julia Roberts, Scarlett Johansson, and more—you learn a thing or two about perfecting glamorous, saturated, matte lipstick. Lucky for the rest of us, makeup artist Hung Vanngo has shared that knowledge through his Hung Vanngo Beauty Creamy Matte Lipstick—each bullet delivers a pure shock of opaque color that feels as creamy and decadent as it looks. You are sure to find a classic hue that’s flattering for you in this 18-shade collection, which includes not one, not two, but four vivid reds, just as many roses, and three peachy browns (all with different undertones to suit different complexions). That kind of attention to detail has brought us the most exquisitely pigmented matte lipstick we’ve tried in a long time.
Tester feedback from content production director Noel Jean
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"One thing I cannot stand is matte lipstick that dries out my lips, but I was pleasantly surprised by how hydrating and smooth the Hung Vanngo Beauty Creamy Matte Lipstick is. The pigment is vibrant and required only one swipe to get my desired color! The finish is matte, but doesn't look chalky. This price point is a bit steep for a lipstick, but the quality definitely shows in the formula and pigment payoff." —Noel Jean, content production, director
Best Liquid Lipstick: Haus Labs Atomic Shake Lip Lacquer
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Best Liquid Lipstick
Haus Labs Atomic Shake Lip Lacquer
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Sephora
Associate social media manager Katie Gunderman applies the Haus Labs Atomic Shake Lip Lacquer.
Katie Gunderman
Why It Won: It’s not matte. It’s not velvety. It’s not glossy. Haus Labs Atomic Shake Lip Lacquer is in a class of its own, and we are all here for it. The rectangular tube houses a liquid lip color with a finish that is more like a stain—it melds with your lips instead of looking like it’s sitting on top of them—but the color payoff is as intense as the boldest lipstick. It makes for a lived-in take on dramatic lip color that feels sexy and unique. It doesn’t feather or crease in lip lines. Another thing it doesn’t do? Budge. Like, not at all. You can eat, drink, use a straw, wipe your mouth, and eat a box of Popsicles—this lip color is not going anywhere.
Tester feedback from associate social media manager Katie Gunderman
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"The Haus Labs Atomic Shake Lip Lacquer is like no other product I've ever used! It's a liquid formula that's high shine but dries down completely. There's no transferring and no stickiness, but it still looks like a gloss. There are a good number of shades in the collection, as well as a couple of sheer and opaque finishes. I like to wear it like a gloss over lip liner—all I need is a few swipes. If you like the sticky, moisturizing quality of a gloss, this may not be for you, but if you need something to last and not get caught in your hair, then this is definitely for you. Latex lips are so in!" —Katie Gunderman, associate social media manager
Best Lip Stain
Best Lip Stain: Violette_FR Lip Nectar
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Best Lip Stain
Violette_FR Lip Nectar
Sephora
Managing editor Alessandra Foresto applies the Violette_FR Lip Nectar.
Alessandra Foresto
Why It Won: If your lips feel dry just at the sight of the words “lip stain,” you haven’t tried Violette_FR Lip Nectar. With its glossy finish and silky, shea butter-spiked formula, this tint actually feels hydrating on lips, leaving them smoother, shinier, and bathed in longwearing color. The formula is an oil-in-water emulsion that features longwear pigments, so you get the shine of a gloss and the durability of a stain in one chic, gold-capped tube. Violette is a French makeup artist, and wow, does she know reds: Her lip stain comes in incredibly sexy, deep tones (bordeaux Amarante Noire, blackened cherry Dahlia Noir); sweetly romantic shades (warm berry Bêtise, bright pink Pois de Senteur); and earthy versions (terra-cotta Rose de Moab, dessert rose Souci d’Automne) that would look at home in Le Marais.
Tester feedback from managing editor Alessandra Foresto
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"I love the staying power of lip stains (you try finding time to reapply your lip color when you're running from meeting to meeting), but I absolutely hate dry lips. This is by far the most moisturizing lip stain I've ever tried that doesn't fade away in 0.2 seconds. It actually stays shiny, like a gloss but better, for hours on end and doesn't dry matte or flaky like other lip stains sometimes do. Even as it fades, it leaves behind a nice, soft, shiny wash of color. The photo above was taken after breakfast, an iced coffee, and sushi! I love the color range as well: My favorites are Amarante Noire, Souci d’Automne and Bêtise." —Alessandra Foresto, managing editor
Best Lip Scrub
Best Lip Scrub: Poppy & Pout Sweet Mint Exfoliating Lip Scrub
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Best Lip Scrub
Poppy & Pout Sweet Mint Exfoliating Lip Scrub
Amazon
Why It Won: We already knew that sugar and mint work well together (exhibit one: mojitos). But we just recently learned that the crisp, sweet duo makes for an effective lip treatment in Poppy & Pout Sweet Mint Exfoliating Lip Scrub. The mint is cooling and soothing, sugar crystals gently slough away flakes, and coconut and sunflower oils make even dry, chapped lips feel soft and look smooth again.
Tester feedback from Best of Beauty editorial assistant Arietta Hallock
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"Lately, lip stains are my favorite product, but my lips dye unevenly when they’re dry and cracked. This refreshing scrub smooths my canvas before I apply a tint. Even when I'm just doing a little self-care before bed, I'll scrub it on with my finger before a swipe of ChapStick." —Arietta Hallock, Best of Beauty editorial assistant
Best Lip Balm
Best Lip Balm for Day: Personal Day Emotional Support Lip Balm
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Best Lip Balm for Day
Personal Day Emotional Support Lip Balm
Shop
Ulta Beauty
Revolve
Beauty director Sarah Kinonen applies the Personal Day Emotional Support Lip Balm.
Sarah Kinonen
Why It Won: When one editor squeezed every last iota of balm out of this lime green tube, immediately replaced her empty with a fresh one, and then did it again and again, we knew we’d found something special here. Personal Day Emotional Support Lip Balm is a glossy, hydrating treatment that soothes chapped lips intensely but discreetly—it doesn’t feel tacky, doesn’t have a taste, and it’s fragrance-free.
Tester feedback from beauty director Sarah Kinonen
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“Lili Reinhart knew what she was doing when she named this one because, based on the number of the tubes I’ve gone through, this is absolutely my 'emotional support lip balm.' It’s lightweight, coats lips in a glassy, not sticky, balm, stays put for hours through multiple meals and cans of Diet Coke (another emotional support crutch, but that’s a conversation for another day), and is packaged in the cutest green tube (my favorite color!). I have a tube in every bag, on my desk at work, and on my nightstand. How much more emotional support can it give?!” —Sarah Kinonen, beauty director
Best Lip Balm for Night: Gisou Honey Glaze Collagen Therapy Lip Mask
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Best Lip Balm for Night
Gisou Honey Glaze Collagen Therapy Lip Mask
Amazon
Why It Won: This adorable little lip mask looks like it’s sitting inside a honeypot, and smells just as sweet, with its honey-buttercream scent. Gisou Honey Glaze Collagen Therapy Lip Mask’s rich formula cushions lips with the hydrating nectar, soothing and treating chapped skin, and leaving lips soft and flake-free by morning. Now that’s a sweet treat!
Tester feedback from Allure Beauty Box content manager Hannah Brower
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"I need lip balm on at all times, which also means I know how quickly one can wear off. The Gisou Honey Glaze Collagen Therapy Lip Mask gives my lips a glossy sheen and lasting hydration, has the sweetest subtle scent, and looks absolutely adorable sitting on my desk. I call that a win, win, win, win." —Hannah Brower, content manager, Allure Beauty Box
Best Tinted Lip Balm: Eadem Le Chouchou Lip Softening Balm
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Best Tinted Lip Balm
Eadem Le Chouchou Lip Softening Balm
Amazon
Senior shopping director Shanna Shipin applies the Eadem Le Chouchou Lip Softening Balm.
Shanna Shipin
Why It Won: The glaze of color, the bouncy jelly texture, and the skin care-like ingredients combine to drench lips in vivid moisture. Eadem Le Chouchou Lip Softening Balm softens and removes flakes with gentle exfoliators (such as lactic acid), moisturizes with natural oils and butters (moringa, Brazilia açai, and shea), and treats fine lines with peptides. Meanwhile, the range of 10 shades (mostly pinks, plums, and browns) are subtly, sweetly scented, plus one unscented option. The cooling metal applicator is a refreshing plus.
Tester feedback from senior shopping director Shanna Shipin
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"I am convinced this is the mountaintop of lip balms. It’s cushiony, moisturizing, and rich—but never sticky!—and gently exfoliates to smooth over pesky or painful flakes. That kind of work can usually only happen with a lip mask overnight, but you can work double time with this balm during the day. A revelation! The shades (and their corresponding scents) are a dream, too. While I love Boba Bounce to add some depth and intrigue to my look, I am absolutely reliant on Guava Fresca for every day. It’s the perfect pinky-coral that’s just pure happiness in a swipe. The metal-tip applicator instantly pulls you into a me-moment, in the way ice cubes on your wrists can center or instantly cool you down. And the chrome packaging means I can’t miss it in my bag…or bags, I should say, because I keep one in each." —Shanna Shipin, senior shopping director
Best Lip Oils
Best Color Lip Oil: Dior Addict Lip Glow Oil
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Best Color Lip Oil
Dior Addict Lip Glow Oil
Nordstrom
Ulta Beauty
Sephora
Editorial assistant Jennet Jusu applies the Dior Addict Lip Glow Oil.
Jennet Jusu
Why It Won: The classic Dior Addict Lip Glow Oil, which is as intensely shiny and hydrating as ever, has now been reformulated to include a wider range of gorgeous, reflective colors (16 in all) and three finishes, including Sparkly (glittering peach, shimmering pink) and Glaze (deep-red cherry, creamy latte). The especially high-shine Juicy tints in sheer pinks (millennial, blush, rose), reds (bright cherry, deep cranberry), and berries add glossy color without any tackiness.
Tester feedback from editorial assistant Jennet Jusu
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"For lip products, I stick to the rivers and lakes I’m used to: clear, sticky, and long-lasting formulas from the drugstore aisle. That said, I was pleasantly surprised to give Dior its props. The Addict Lip Glow Oil in 087 Spicy was not my initial pick because it looked so pink, and I'm not a fan of tinted gloss. However, the smooth application and shiny finish were too good to argue with. My lips are also naturally pink, so the shade didn’t look any different than a clear gloss, but it is sparkly. I like to use it with my no-makeup makeup looks or a casual beat when I want to step up from my usual clear gloss. So, I have to admit, it’s worth the splurge." —Jennet Jusu, editorial assistant
Best Sheer Lip Oil: Poundcake Cake Theory Lip Tone Equalizing Oil
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Best Sheer Lip Oil
Poundcake Cake Theory Lip Tone Equalizing Oil
Amazon
Why It Won: Did the chemists at Poundcake read our minds? Maybe. They made a lip oil that has everything we want: Poundcake Cake Theory Lip Tone Equalizing Oil comes in sunshine-y canary yellow, and gorgeous rosy and brick red colors, with the kind of pretty shine that makes lips look healthier and poutier—without the stuff we don’t want, namely that oily feel that can make other lip elixirs a little…er, slimy? Messy? Slippery? All of the above? This tinted formula strikes the ideal balance between hydration (with jojoba and avocado oils) and the shine you want from a lip oil, while feeling cushy but not slick. The radiant finish has an almost magical way of making lips look fuller and softer—truly a your-lips-but-better product that’s easy to apply (no mirror required), looks polished all by itself on low-maintenance days, and makes a no-brainer finishing touch for any makeup look.
Tester feedback from former Best of Beauty editorial assistant EllaAnna Revell
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"Obsessed! This is my favorite lip oil, by far. The formula is thick but not goopy or sticky, and it looks gorgeous on its own or over a liner!" —ElleAnna Revell, former Best of Beauty editorial assistant
Best Lip Crayon
Best Lip Crayon: MAC Dazzlelips Crayon
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Best Lip Crayon
MAC Dazzlelips Crayon
Nordstrom
Ulta Beauty
Commerce editor Sarah Han applies the MAC Dazzlelips Crayon.
Sarah Han
Why It Won: A nod to ’90s metallic lipstick, MAC Dazzlelips Crayons have a nostalgic vibe, even if you’re not old enough to remember “Genie in a Bottle”-era frosted lips. You get to scribble the color on with a crayon, which is always fun, not to mention convenient. It’s also really, really pretty. This is not a retro metallic; it’s a modern, juicy, shimmery version that makes lips look like they’re coated in molten pinks, berries, neutrals, and of course, a brown.
Tester feedback from associate social media manager Katie Gunderman
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"The MAC Dazzlelips Crayon is the perfect blend of lip liner and lipstick. If you're a fan of a softer lip liner, you'll be a huge fan of this product. The formula is similar to other crayons having a slightly stiffer consistency than a lipstick, but that's what makes it perfect to line and define your lips before filling them in. The satiny, metallic finish gives it more wearability than if it were high-shine. There's also a shimmer in the crayon, so your lips still catch the light. It's not quite full metallic, but it gives you such great dimension." —Katie Gunderman, associate social media manager
Best Lip Gloss
Best Lip Gloss: Kiko Milano 3D Hydra Lipgloss
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Best Lip Gloss
Kiko Milano 3D Hydra Lipgloss
Amazon
Editorial assistant Jennet Jusu applies the Kiko Milano 3D Hydra Lipgloss.
Jennet Jusu
Why It Won: So. Much. Shine. This glimmering lip gloss brings on the sheen, and then some. It is unapologetically glassy and indisputably gorgeous, making lips look full, luscious, and so shiny that they’re almost reflective. Kiko Milano 3D Hydra Lipgloss comes in 30 shades, including juicy pinks (Pearly Watermelon, Sparkling Hibiscus Pink, Sparkling Strawberry), pretty purples (Deep Purple, Pearly Lavender), and rich reds (Golden Red, Fire Red, Cherry Red) that make Dorothy’s slippers seem subdued.
Tester feedback from associate social media manager Katie Gunderman
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"I'm personally in a Y2K revival era (despite being born 2001). I can't get enough cute hair clips, bright colors, and glitter everything. The Kiko Milano 3D Hydra Lipgloss packs the high-shine glitter punch I've been obsessed with. The shade 04 Pearly Peach Rose is a stunning light, frosty pink that looks amazing under all of my liners. It's nonsticky, slightly sheer, and comes in 30 shades, so there is no excuse to not find your perfect match." —Katie Gunderman, associate social media manager
Best Lip Liners
Best Pencil Lip Liner: Kevyn Aucoin Beauty Unforgettable Lip Definer
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Best Pencil Lip Liner
Kevyn Aucoin Beauty Unforgettable Lip Definer
Ulta Beauty
Dermstore
Bluemercury
Why It Won: The makeup artist’s version of a classic No. 2 pencil, Kevyn Aucoin Beauty Unforgettable Lip Definer is a handy and versatile necessity. With its soft, natural-looking finish and large shade range (six in all), this pencil camouflages into lips for seamless color—defining and shaping Cupid’s bows, creating a crisp border for lipstick or gloss, and making lips look believably fuller without seeming penciled on. The liner’s blend of soft waxes and emollients feels comfortable, and there’s a brush on one end for blending and buffing—but this pencil looks so natural, you might not even need it.
Tester feedback from social media manager Bianca Richards
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"I will never complain about having too many lip liners, especially when it comes to the full range of Kevyn Aucoin's Unforgettable Lip Definer collection. He's regarded as one of the greatest makeup artists ever, delivering looks and techniques that we still reference today. This lip definer collection is filled with nude shades meant to complement your own lip shade. I gave a few to my friends, and each one found their perfect shade for a natural, defined lip, something they say is pretty rare. What makes this lip definer even better is the dual-ended applicator with a brush to diffuse the liner, and a formula that's creamy and blendable. It's a perfect add-on that makes this lip liner truly unforgettable." —Bianca Richards, social media manager
Best Stain Lip Liner: Kulfi Lassi Lips Staining Lip Liner
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Best Stain Lip Liner
Kulfi Lassi Lips Staining Lip Liner
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Sephora
Allure Beauty Box content manager Hannah Brower applies the Kulfi Lassi Lips Staining Lip Liner.
Hannah Brower
Why It Won: What is a stain lip liner? So glad you asked! Kulfi Lassi Lips Staining Lip Liner goes on rich and creamy, and then gradually fades into a slightly softer tint. This is less a total reinvention of lip liner, and more a clever twist on bold lip pencil that morphs into a sexy, blurred look as the day (and night) goes on. And even as it softens with time, the effect is longwearing, no matter how many cups of coffee or glasses of wine you have in the day. Another genius touch: There’s a sharpener on one end of this twist-up pencil, so the color (which comes in seven shades, from cool beige to deep mahogany) is always precise.
Tester feedback from Allure Beauty Box content manager Hannah Brower
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"As a self-proclaimed lip liner connoisseur, I'm rarely without one, and this Kulfi lip liner has quickly become a favorite. The stain effect gives it incredible staying power, so it lasts through coffee, meals, and everything in between while still looking great—and intact." —Hannah Brower, content manager, Allure Beauty Box
Written by Elizabeth Siegel
Frequently Asked QuestionsHow does Allure test lipsticks, glosses, oils, and balms for Best of Beauty?
Our editors test lip products across a range of skin tones, wear times, and conditions, including meals, meetings, and events. Each product is evaluated for comfort, pigment payoff, hydration, staying power, and finish. We look for formulas that deliver color and care without drying, feathering, or flaking.
Are there longwear or transfer-proof lipsticks in the Best of Beauty winners?
Yes, many winners are designed to last through eating, drinking, and all-day wear. These include matte liquid lipsticks, blotted stains, and transfer-resistant bullet formulas. We prioritize options that stay put without cracking, drying, or fading unevenly.
Do the winning lip products work for dry or sensitive lips?
Absolutely. Several of the lip winners are infused with hydrating ingredients like hyaluronic acid, shea butter, and plant oils. You'll find nourishing lip balms, tinted treatments, and moisturizing glosses that offer comfort and color without irritation, especially great for chapped lips.
What kinds of lip products are included in the Best of Beauty awards?
This category includes lipsticks (matte, satin, cream), glosses, lip stains, balms, liners, oils, and hybrids. Whether you want a bold red that lasts all night or a sheer gloss that doubles as a treatment, you’ll find high-performing picks across formats and finishes.
Are there lip products that work for deeper skin tones or neutral undertones?
Yes, our lip category includes shades tested across a range of skin tones, including rich nudes, bold berries, and undertone-balanced reds. We look for universally flattering shades as well as nude tones that enhance deeper and olive complexions.
Like what you see from Allure's Best of Beauty Awards?
