Everything you need to know about matte lipstick

This year, we’re celebrating the return of matte lipstick online. And if you’ve ever tried one before, you know that the days of those powdery, glittery, overly-waxy lipsticks are dead and gone, and we’re so glad about it.

Not only is matte lipstick online a great alternative to other “sheer” lip colors, but it’s often super creamy, pigmented, and totally customizable to whatever mood you want to create. But since these lipsticks are much more “saturated” than most of your previous shade options, a matte lipstick also tends to feel slightly thicker and less waxy than the average lipstick – which, quite frankly, can be a turn-off to many. So if you’re thinking about trying a matte lipstick for the first time, here are five things you should know before you try one out.

1. They’re still available in just about every shade!

While we used to be limited to the traditional red, nude, and deep wine shades, matte lipsticks have come a long way. There are so many more options out there now that you’ll never know what you’re missing.

The best part is that they’re still pretty affordable, too. A matte lipstick is a little more saturated, but a great way to achieve the same look and feel as your usual lipstick.

2. They’re still incredibly creamy.

When you look at matte lipsticks side-by-side with their typical counterparts, you may find yourself wondering how the makeup industry is able to get such a high payoff out of such a subtle and less waxy formula. Matte lipsticks tend to feel thicker and creamier in the hand than their “sheer” counterparts, but they aren’t necessarily just sitting on the lips. The secret to these lipsticks is that the formula is actually embedded in the lipstick tube, and the lipstick itself is basically a liquid foundation. It just doesn’t feel as waxy because you’re actually “applying” the liquid to your lips, instead of applying the powder.

3. They tend to last longer.

With all the pigments, high-sheen formulas, and waxiness, it’s pretty amazing that matte lipsticks tend to have a much longer-lasting effect than their standard counterparts. 

While they tend to last longer, matte lipstick does not last forever. There’s nothing stopping you from picking up a new lipstick a few months from now and finding it’s dried up and flaky, but you’ll be much more likely to find that a new matte lipstick doesn’t need to be applied as frequently and you’ll be able to have a perfectly full-coverage matte lipstick for longer.

4. They don’t get sticky when you sweat.

Most of us know this already, but let’s just go ahead and make sure that it’s written somewhere here, too. When you apply a lip color that’s actually a liquid foundation formula, that formula doesn’t like the fact that it’s getting sweaty. That’s why many matte lipsticks start getting chunky and dry when you sweat, even if you wear a good moisturizer underneath. It’s kind of ironic, actually, because that’s the exact opposite of what we all want from our lipstick. We don’t want a lip color that’s drying out and causing chapping. 

First impressions count – the initial look that you put on your face is very important. It can be a way to impress someone or make an impression on them. That being said, we have all heard that matte lipstick is the best choice for your lips, and that’s probably right. However, it is still up to you to make your look work! If you are not careful, the matte lipstick online can come across as too bold, too dark, or not subtle enough. To make sure that you pick the perfect matte lipstick online for you, we have done some research and compiled some guidelines that will help you pick a product that is perfect for your lips.