Best Lipsticks— From MAC to Jeffrree Star

For the sake of beauty, people (especially women) have been coloring their lips for thousands of years way back to the ancient Sumerian and Egyptian times. Picking a single lipstick color is truly make or break, and when done right, it can really make a person stand out from the crowd. However, when it comes to choosing the best lipstick color, it can be a challenge especially if one is always busy or is clueless about which brands are worth buying or not. There are several factors to take into considering— their facial complexion, the size of their lips, or whether the brand is cruelty-free or not. One also might want to consider his or her budget and the kind and quality of ingredients that are used in lipstick products. In the end, the best way to go about this is for each person to go out there is trial and error—trying out different brands and shades to match their own preferences, features, and style. But from past experiences experimenting around with lipstick, these are the five brands of lipstick that are our top choices as of today:

1. Inglot Lipstick

Originally founded by a Polish-Canadian chemist, Inglot cosmetics sell its lipsticks for $13 a pop for regular ones and $16 for anything in the matte line. For those looking to spend as least as possible, this is where he or she can get the most bang for her buck, as Inglot lipsticks are the cheapest in this list. Carrying a mild yet sweet scent, Inglot lipsticks might not have as much of a variety compared to Mac, but the colors themselves are really good and many online reviews seem to reach a consensus that the quality is just as top notch. Unfortunately, apart from Macy’s you can only buy Inglot in store or on their site because retail stores like Ulta Beauty or Sephora do not carry this brand.

2. MAC Lipstick

One of the most popular and reputable lipstick brands out there, the standard ones go for $17.50, which is still not bad for its price range. Mac lipsticks don’t go on sales as often as other brands and it can go up to $25 depending on what kind you are looking for. The scent is almost like vanilla and these are fantastic toppers for any base colors. The best thing about MAC is the variety of colors it offers. It probably has the most assortment of shades to pick out from and if you go into any Mac store, there are beauty specialists who are more than happy to help you find your color. Outside of a MAC store, you can get their lipsticks in most major department stores and retailers like Ulta, Sephora, Macy’s and Nordstrom.

3. Jeffree Star’s Velour Liquid Lipsticks

For a cosmetic company that merely started four years ago, Jeffree Star has really built up its reputation and gained recognition for its products in a short period of time. For $18 a pop, their lipsticks can still be considered one of the cheaper brands one can get his or her hands on without compromising the quality. When first trying on Jeffree Star’s Liquid Lipsticks, the scent of root beer wafts from the formula. The appeal is the affordability, quality, and the fact that the color really stays on for a long while. Another perk to this is that it doesn’t make the lips feel sticky or caked. The hues also have a good diversity ranging from matte to metallic, and from light to bold. Because Jeffree Star is still such a novice brand, it is only available at their store in person or online.

4. Jouer Hydrating Lipsticks

These are a plus if one has lips that are prone to drying out and getting extra chapped when applying other lipsticks. What makes this so smooth to apply is the Brazilian Cupuaçu Butter they include as a part of their ingredients. For $24 a stick, Jouer is pricier than the last three brands on this list, but is so worth it the extra care is required. The shades are also the most limited within this line (only six), but Jouer definitely sells other kinds of lipstick— liquid, treatment, gloss, and toppers— that are cheaper and contribute to their overall variety of color. Examples of other places outside of their store you can find their products are at Nordstrom and Sephora.

5. NARS Lipliners

Out of the whole list, NARS is probably the most expensive. Their lip liners alone range from $24-$27 depending on the thickness and kind, while the rest of their lipsticks start from $34. NARS currently has Velvet, Precision, Velvet Matte, and Glossy lip liners. Though the prices may be, quite understandably intimidating, the quality of the lipstick will not disappoint. The best part about it is how well it blends in with the rest of the lip color without having them stick out like a sore thumb. The lip liners are very well known and have even won the Reader’s Choice Awards in Allure. Because NARS is one of the more renowned cosmetic brands such as MAC, you can instantly find this is most beauty retailers as well such as Ulta Beauty , Sephora, Macy’s, Nordstrom, and even Walmart.