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(Beauty Report Card)

The Best Moisturizing Lipsticks I Keep On Rotation During The Winter

Cold weather has met its match.

by Angela Melero

Updated: Feb. 20, 2024

Originally Published: Jan. 14, 2023

Angela Melero

best moisturizing lipsticks

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I’ve been a devoted lipstick lover since the ripe age of 15 (when my mother finally allowed me to wear more than lipgloss and tinted sunscreen). I embraced the magical bullets of color, always reaching for vibrant hues of cherry red, coral, and fuchsia. Fast forward some 20 years later and nothing much has changed. To this day, lipstick remains my secret weapon to elevating my look in an instant. That said, the only time I have issues with my go-to beauty strategy is in the dead of winter, when the chilly temps dry out my lips to the point of cracking and flaking. And we all know that long-wear, high-pigmented lipstick formulas often mean stiff, cakey finishes. Luckily, my superhero skill for lipstick hunting has led me to accumulate an arsenal of the best moisturizing lipsticks that keep my lips hydrated without sacrificing color.

Yes, over the years, I’ve tested and tried a variety of formulas that truly shine (literally) in the bleak winter months. I should also mention that I follow a strict lip care routine that includes daily lip scrubs, rich balms, and an overnight mask. Even as I move from indoor to outdoor, migrating from cold to hot temps, my lips manage to remain soft, supple, and colorful as can be.

Ahead, take a look at the moisturizing lipsticks (and trusty lip care items) that keep my winter looks in check even in the most dire of weather situations. Mother Nature is no match for a true lipstick devotee.

Lip Care

The Kissu Lip Mask

The Kissu Lip Mask

While I don’t use this mask year-round, it definitely comes in handy in the winter. I like to slather this squalane-infused jelly on my lip before bed a few times a week to wake up with a softer, more hydrated pout.

Honey Lip Scrub

Honey Lip Scrub

I have been using this scrub for years, and I’m constantly restocking it. The yummy cocktail of honey, castor sugar, and jojoba oil sloughs my dry lips of dead skin and any flaking, resulting in a clean workspace for my favorite lipsticks.

The Original 101 Ointment Multipurpose Superbalm

The Original 101 Ointment Multipurpose Superbalm

I think I have a version of this balm in every purse and compartment in my home and car. I love having one within arm’s reach for a quick boost of moisture and hydration.

Reds

Simply Ageless Moisture Renew Core Lipstick in Special Espresso

Simply Ageless Moisture Renew Core Lipstick in Special Espresso

I am a HUGE fan of CoverGirl’s Simply Ageless collection (including its foundation in collaboration with Olay!), and that includes these lipsticks. I love that this rich burgundy red packs on the color but keeps my lips feeling pillowy and soft.

Icon Semi-Matte Refillable Lipstick Set in The MVP

Icon Semi-Matte Refillable Lipstick Set in The MVP

I’m currently on my second refill of this perfectly named blue-red shade. Rihanna can do no wrong with me, but she really outdid herself with these high-octane lippies that are as vibrant as they are hydrating.

Color Block Lipstick in Flame

Color Block Lipstick in Flame

I always gravitate towards orange-y red shades, and this version from Ilia is my current favorite. Despite its matte finish, it never dries out my lips or creases over time.

Nudes

Always N' Forever Liquid Lipstick

Always N' Forever Liquid Lipstick

I typically avoid liquid lipsticks since they have a tendency to create a stiff, drying film over my lips (that eventually cracks and cakes), but this SweetStreet option goes like soft velvet. I’m obsessed with the nude shade as well, it leans more on the warm brown side so it doesn’t wash out my olive skin.

Flawless Jade Shine Liquid Lipstick in Sweet Apricot

Flawless Jade Shine Liquid Lipstick in Sweet Apricot

In addition to the stunning, luxe packaging, this liquid lipstick goes on almost-gloss like, with high-shine that lasts for hours. The color payoff is subtle, so I typically reach for it when I want a more subdued lip.

Hyaluronic Happikiss Lipstick in Pillow Talk

Charlotte Tilbury

Hyaluronic Happikiss Lipstick in Pillow Talk

My ears perk up whenever I hear hyaluronic acid is infused in a lipstick formula — and yours should, too. The moisture-locking ingredient that works wonders on your face, can do the same magic for your lips. In fact, Charlotte Tilbury went so far as to include it in the name of this lovely lipstick, which delivers a soft and nourishing feel.

Pinks

MatteTrance Lipstick in Extravaganza

MatteTrance Lipstick in Extravaganza

Just like my reds, I love a strong, commanding pink lipstick. And what better way to kick off 2023 than with its Pantone Color of the Year, Viva Magenta? Pat McGrath makes the perfect formula in the festive shade, one that offers a velvety finish, major pigment, and long-lasting wear, sans dryness.

Phyto-Rouge Shine in Sheer Rosewood

Phyto-Rouge Shine in Sheer Rosewood

Yes, the price tag of this lipstick is steep. But, take it from me, it’s worth the investment. The hydrating formula, which boasts a proprietary Hydrobooster complex, works like a lip gloss, balm, and lipstick in one. So, essentially you’re getting more bang for your buck, right?

Green Edition Butter Cream Lipstick

Green Edition Butter Cream Lipstick

Another drugstore treasure to add to your arsenal! Part of Maybelline’s sustainability collection, the Green Edition lipsticks are made with natural-origin ingredients (like cocoa butter) and are mindfully packaged with a mix of new and recyclable materials. I just love the soft and moisturizing glide-on texture of these little beauties.

This article was originally published on Jan. 14, 2023