The 12 Best Matte Lipsticks That Won’t Dry Out Your Lips
You’ll have a velvety, crack-free pout all day long.

Every item on this page was chosen by an ELLE editor. We may earn commission on some of the items you choose to buy.
Try as I might, I’ve never been able to lean into glossy lips. I’ll wear a lip oil or peptide lip treatment on top of my lip liner for special occasions or when I’m feeling fancy, but I need something non-sticky and transfer-proof for daily wear. Call me old-fashioned, but matte lipsticks will forever and always be my go-to—and makeup companies seem to like them, too. Recently, brands like Merit launched new matte lipsticks and MAC reformulated and relaunched its iconic matte formula.
“While glossy lips have dominated summer beauty for the past few years, we’re seeing matte lipstick make a comeback. A good matte lipstick is long-lasting and transfer-resistant, ensuring your look remains sleek and fresh throughout the day and in any weather without the hassle of frequent touch-ups,” says Kirin Bhatty, a celebrity makeup artist based in New York City and Los Angeles. Plus, these matte formulas “aren’t sticky like a gloss—so there's no hair getting caught on lips,” adds NYC and LA-based celebrity makeup artist Sean Harris.
Top picks for the best matte lipsticks of 2024
Many people avoid matte lipsticks because they have a reputation for sucking out all the moisture from your pout, leaving it dry, patchy, and lifeless. However, many of the options on the market today will make you a convert, as some formulas are infused with hydrating ingredients to keep your lips plump and smooth while maintaining a velvety finish. I’ve tried and loved many of them myself, and I also consulted with celebrity makeup artists for their picks. I also asked other editors for their favorites, and carefully read through customer reviews to curate this list of the 12 best matte lipsticks you can get your hands on right now.

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