These liquid lipsticks have great reputations but would they pass our stringent reviews? We test 7 holy grails, including 1 from Huda Beauty!

There are just some names that we hear about more than most when it comes to matte liquid lipstick formulas: Kat Von D, NYX, Lime Crime… the list goes on! Often regarded as holy grail lip products, there’s no doubt that these are popular favourites amongst beauty enthusiasts.

Still, we can’t help but wonder: are they as good as their reputations? Or are they simply flukes wrapped in amazing packaging? With this in mind, we set out to try seven of the most raved about matte liquid lipstick formulas out there, testing them against a stringent set of conditions to see if they’ll really worth your hard-earned money.

Read on to see whether cult favourites like Colourpop Ultra Matte Lip, Maybelline Super Stay Matte Ink Liquid Lipstick, Stila Stay All Day Liquid Lipstick, Kat Von D Everlasting Liquid Lipstick, Huda Beauty Liquid Matte Lipstick, Lime Crime Velvetines, and NYX Soft Matte Lip Cream perform. Buckle Pucker up, ladies!

1. Colourpop Ultra Matte Lip

Reviewer: Emily 

To say that I was apprehensive to review this product would be an understatement, really. In general, I tend to veer away from matte lip products as I find them to be too drying on my lips. Nevertheless, I was pretty excited to try out these iconic matte liquid lipsticks. At the top of my list? Colourpop, which is known for delivering on super long-lasting matte formulas and amazing pigment.

Is it long-lasting?

^{(Left): Upon first application. (Right): After eight hours.}

If there’s anything I can guarantee about the Colourpop Ultra Matte Lip, it is definitely its strong staying power. I applied it on at the beginning of the day, expecting it to fade out by mid-afternoon — especially after my greasy lunch of fried chicken — but miraculously, most of the pigment stayed on despite my utter disregard for maintaining it (you know, by eating like this, as you do to maintain your lipstick).

It is a little faded around the edges and there’s some feathering going on, too, but the damage is pretty minimal. And this is after lunch, a snack break, and brushing my teeth in between. Safe to say, this is one lipstick that will probably last throughout a nuclear apocalypse.

Staying power: 9.5/10

Does it dry out lips?

^{(Upper): Upon first application. (Lower): After eight hours.}

This is a big, big yes from me. I could already see the formula settling into the dips and cracks of my lips instantly upon application, despite slathering on lip balm before application and prepping the night before by exfoliating most of the dead skin off. To be fair, it is hardly noticeable within the first three hours or so, but the fourth hour is just about when the flaking starts.

Perhaps it would be less drying on someone who drinks more water (as someone who opts for caffeine more than H2O, I’m probably not the best candidate), but my lips definitely had the same consistency as sandpaper by the time I wiped it off at the end of the day. Boo.

Hydrating: 4/10

Does it deliver in terms of pigment?

To test out the pigmentation of the formula, I swiped it across my wrist to get a better look at how much you can in just one stroke. As you can tell from the picture, it really delivers in this aspect. Trust us, you’re not going to have to need to build this baby up at all. I liked how the formula felt on my lips, too— it is not too sticky, and dries off pretty quickly. However, this does mean that you have to correct any shaky lines or unevenness rapidly as well, because it is budge-proof once it settles.

DV Tip: Dip a cotton bud into your favourite micellar water or cleansing product and use it to go around the lines of your lips to correct any small mistakes! This prevents you from having to remove it in its entirety and rubbing your lips raw with each attempt.

Pigmentation: 9/10

Is it easy to remove?

My attempts at removing this matte liquid lipstick too three WHOLE cotton pads soaked in micellar water, and it didn’t even get all of the product out entirely! You can make out the imprint of it still on my wrist, and I made sure to press down hard each time to get the product out to no avail. It was even worse when it came to removing it off my lips, because I could literally see flakes of dead skin fluttering off with each attempt. Plus, the colour stained my lips, making it impossible for me to wear any light lip shades over the next few days. Yikes!

Easy removal: 5/10

Overall rating: 27.5/40

I would definitely recommend this for someone who a) has less dry lips or b) prioritises pigment and staying power over anything else. It delivers beautifully on these aspects, and the sheer variety of shades available is a huge plus too. Plus, it is really affordable, with each shade coming in at SGD8.90 (USD6.50). You can even consider getting the Lip Bundles, which provides four full-sized shades at the low, low price of SGD27.40 (USD20).

The Colourpop Ultra Matte Lip is available on its site and retails for SGD8.90.

2. Maybelline Super Stay Matte Ink Liquid Lipstick

Reviewer: Kristen Juliet Soh 

I had a pretty positive experience the last time I reviewed the Maybelline Super Stay Matte Ink Liquid Lipstick, but considering the popularity of the product (one is sold every minute, apparently!) I decided to try it out again to see if it truly lives up to its hype.

Is it long-lasting?

^{(Left): Upon first application. (Right): After eight hours.}

I was surprised to see how the product lasts through the day, even after eating a hearty meal. In fact, it is pretty much transfer-proof once it dries down, and that all happens within about 10 seconds! There’s no doubt that it’s long-lasting too, and I love how it good it looks even at the end of the day. Touch-ups are not required at all. 

Staying power: 10/10

Does it dry out lips?

^{(Upper): Upon first application. (Lower): After eight hours.}

The Maybelline Super Stay Matte Ink Liquid Lipstick definitely doesn’t feel drying on lips. I’ve noticed that it doesn’t really emphasise on lip lines either, though it is more likely to highlight dry patches and flaking after a whole day of wear.

Hydrating: 8/10

Does it deliver in terms of pigment?

I love how application feels incredibly smooth on my lips. As you can tell from the swatch on my wrist, one swipe is pretty much sufficient when it comes to delivering on pigment, too. No qualms about the Maybelline Super Stay Matte Ink Liquid Lipstick when it comes to this aspect.

Pigmentation: 10/10

Is it easy to remove?

I attempted removal with a micellar water first, which proved to be impossible as you can see from the picture above. It does come off relatively easier with a oil cleanser, though, it does leave behind remnants and requires some tugging and soaking with a lip and eye makeover remover to get rid of it entirely.

Easy removal: 5/10

Overall rating: 33/40

The product is actually a mainstay in my makeup stash ever since the first time I reviewed it and I’ve gone on to collect many more colours. While it’s not the easiest to remove at the cleansing stage, I appreciate that I can leave home without the product because I never had to worry about it budging – it remains almost exactly fresh-looking at the end of the day, without fail. Its comfortable wear also make me like the product very much. If there’s one product that I know I’m going to keep reaching for and topping up, I know this will be it.

The Maybelline Super Stay Matte Ink Liquid Lipstick is available at all Guardian and Watsons outlets as well as at major supermarkets. It retails for SGD17.90.

3. Stila Stay All Day Liquid Lipstick

Reviewer: Emily Heng

Everyone I know seems to adore the Stila Stay All Day Liquid Lipstick, so I was pretty excited to try this one out. Claiming to give users a creamy, full-matte coverage and colour that lasts all-day, it is also infused with avocado and vitamin E to keep your pucker hydrated and moisturised throughout the day.

Is it long-lasting?

^{(Left): Upon first application. (Right): After eight hours.}

In terms of staying power, I would say that Stila doesn’t fare too badly, but it doesn’t stay on as well as the other products mentioned in this review. It doesn’t appear too noticeable in this before-and-after shot, but the formula was pretty feathered along the edges, and I would find lipstick stains all over my hands if I accidentally brushed up to touch my face throughout the day. Most of it faded off my inner lip by the time I was done with lunch, and it was smudging everywhere with the way I was attacking my chicken rice. Definitely not my top pick when it comes to staying power!

Staying power: 7/10

Does it dry out lips?

^{(Upper): Upon first application. (Lower): After eight hours.}

The vitamin E and avocado don’t really come into play here, because I found the Stila Stay All Day Liquid Lipstick really drying. There were flakes and dry patches everywhere by the time lunch time came around despite all the prep work I did the night before with exfoliating and a coat of lip balm. And that was before consuming anything! By the end of the day, there were very noticeable and multiple flakes sticking to my lips, as you can see from the picture above. Suffice to say, I was thoroughly grossed out.

Hydrating: 4.5/10

Does in deliver in terms of pigment?

The formula is significantly thinner as compared to the Colourpop, but I would say that it still delivers on pigment pretty well. I could get a strong dash of colour in a single swoop, though I find that the texture of the lipstick dry down a little strangely. And by that, I mean that it felt sticky and tacky on my lips, weighing down heavily as more time passed. It genuinely felt as if my lips were coated in a fine layer of elastic, and it only got more and more uncomfortable as the day went on. I was seriously tempted to wipe it off on several instances, but I held off to maintain fairness of this review.

Pigmentation: 5/10 (only because it dries down weird). 

Is it easy to remove?

This was SO STRESSFUL to remove. You would think that considering it smudges everywhere, it would be easy to remove, but alas. I think I cried blood, sweat and tears attempting to remove it in its entirety, and I still failed to do so after three cotton pads of micellar water. Though, to be fair, it might be easier to remove if I didn’t choose it in a bright red shade. I finally gave up after the third cotton pad, and resorted to just scrubbing it out with soap frantically whenever I had the opportunity throughout the day. Naturally, it stained my lips so badly I couldn’t wear any other shade throughout the week.

Easy removal: 2/10

Overall rating: 18.5/40

To be entirely honest, I truly fail to see the appeal when it comes to this formula. I’m starting to think everyone collectively hallucinated that this product is good in any way, but the reviews on both the Sephora US site and SG site beg to differ, apparently. Perhaps it would have worked better on me if I was little more conscientious about maintaining the lip colour or if I tried to speed up the drying down process by using a hair dryer, but as someone with a busy schedule, well… all I have to say is ain’t nobody got time for that.

The Stila Stay All Day Liquid Lipstick is available at all Sephora outlets and retails for SGD32.

4. Kat Von D Everlasting Liquid Lipstick

Reviewer: Kristen Juliet Soh 

I’m excited about the Kat Von D Everlasting Liquid Lipstick not just because of the host of great reviews I’ve seen. I’m also psyched to try it because of the super wide variety of colours the collection carries. There are several edgy colours (for example, black, blue, and grey!) to go for, and they all look very bold and saturated when I swatched them.

Is it long-lasting?

^{(Left): Upon first application. (Right): After eight hours.}

I would say that the Kat Von D Everlasting Liquid Lipstick does alright when it comes to its long-lasting ability. However, oily food looks to be its biggest nemesis. The plate of baked pasta I had got rid of a lot of it, as you can tell. Most of it does still stay on throughout the day, but there is a definite need for touch-ups, especially if you need your lipstick to last all day.

Staying power: 6/10

Does it dry out lips?

^{(Upper): Upon first application. (Lower): After eight hours.}

I liked how this one doesn’t feel drying on lips at all, nor does it emphasise on any lip lines or dry patches. It is more moisturising than the Maybelline one, that’s for sure, but it also means that it doesn’t last as long on lips either.

Hydrating: 9/10

Does it deliver in terms of pigment?

In terms of pigment, it delivers on saturated colour in just one swipe and is also buildable if you want a more solid shade, but I find that it gives a slightly patchy finish, which isn’t flattering. It isn’t really that obvious in person, but you can see it clearly in photos, as seen in the close-ups above.

Pigmentation: 8/10

Is it easy to remove?

This one was by far the easiest to remove among the three I’ve tried, even with micellar water! It still requires some tugging (as you can see from the redness on my wrist) but it does come off immediately with an oil cleanser, so that’s a positive.

Easy removal: 8/10

Overall rating: 31/40

Overall, I would definitely still wear the Kat Von D Everlasting Liquid Lipstick. The colour was true to what you see in the tube and I love how it really pops on the face. The only minor trouble is the patchy application, but it can be easily resolved if I spend a bit more time to even it out. For the gorgeous colour, I’m also quite happy to touch up when it budges by mid-day.

The Kat Von D Everlasting Liquid Lipstick is available at all Sephora outlets and retails for SGD31.

5. Huda Beauty Liquid Matte Lipstick

Reviewer: Emily Heng

Huda Beauty has finally, finally made it onto our shores (or, Singapore Sephora’s site, at least) so naturally, I had to give their liquid matte lipsticks a shot. It has received rave reviews both locally and internationally, with the success of the product prompting them to launch another variation of it: the Demi Matte Cream Lipstick, which sounds pretty intriguing, too! Still, I decided to stick to the original matte formula for this review to see how it’d fare against the others.

Is it long-lasting?

^{(Left): Upon first application. (Right): After eight hours.}

I would say that the Huda Beauty Liquid Matte Lipstick does a decent job when it comes to staying power. Sure, some of it has faded off by the end of the day, but the colour is still pretty noticeable, and it doesn’t run when I reach up to touch my face or my lips. It even survived multiple teeth brushing and snack breaks without any extreme feathering or smudging, so I have no major complaints in this area. I’ll go with a solid 8.5/10 for this.

Staying power: 8.5/10

Does it dry out lips?

This one was pretty drying, though not to Colourpop’s extent, at least! I could feel the formula settling into the cracks and dry patches of my lips the instant I put it on, though I felt it didn’t appear all that noticeable. Naturally, it gets progressively worse as the day goes by, though, with some cracking occurring and flakes appearing. Still, at wasn’t drying to the point where it felt extremely uncomfortable or where I felt I had to take it off immediately.

Hydrating: 6/10

Does it deliver in terms of pigment?

As compared to the other two that I’ve tried so far, I have to say that this is my favourite in terms of pigment. It delivers on a bold swipe of colour, dries down reasonably quickly, and feels weightless on lips. It does dry a little slower as compared to the rest, but it also means that you have some leeway when it comes to making any corrections. I find that it dries to completeness at about the ten second mark, which is not too long for me.

Pigmentation: 9/10

Is it easy to remove?

Surprisingly enough, this was reasonably easy to remove! It didn’t stain my lips, and most of it came off in just two micellar soaked cotton pads. Considering how the last few attempts resorted in my lips being rubbed raw, this was a immense relief to use. My lips emerged from it unscathed and ready for whatever other shade I was in the mood for the next day. Phew!

Easy removal: 9/10

Overall rating: 32/40

As of now, the Huda Beauty Liquid Matte Lipstick is my favourite of the lot! There’s still the NYX one to contend with, but I like how it is the most well-rounded of the liquid matte lipsticks I have tried so far. It delivers on pigment, is decently easy to remove, lasts several hours, and while drying, is not unbearable in the least.

The Huda Beauty Liquid Matte Lipstick is available on Sephora online and retails for SGD40.

6. Lime Crime Matte Velvetines

Reviewer: Kristen Juliet Soh 

This product is apparently the OG liquid lipstick – it’s already a cult favourite before the liquid lipstick trend was a thing. Many beauty enthusiasts and makeup artists love it for its bold colour and its longevity.

Is it long-lasting?

^{(Left): Upon first application. (Right): After eight hours.}

The Lime Crime Matte Velvetines comes off really easily after eating or even drinking, to the point where I can guarantee that it’s 100% not transfer-proof. In fact, the picture taken was after lunch, not even end of day!

Staying power: 5/10

Does it dry out lips?

^{(Upper): Upon first application. (Lower): After eight hours.}

It may not be the most hydrating formula I’ve tried, but it’s pretty decent. There is no discomfort or tight, dry feeling on my lips throughout the day, which I did appreciate!

Hydrating: 7/10

Does it deliver in terms of pigment?

It has a very patchy finish to it. The colour it gives in one stroke is saturated, for sure, but its patchy consistency makes it look rough and bumpy on lips. The fact that it dries down incredibly fast also means that it is kind of unforgiving if you apply outside of lips – it’s going to be messy trying to clean up, for sure. You’d want to be careful during application if you don’t want to end up re-doing your makeup.

Pigmentation: 5/10

Is it easy to remove?

It can be removed using micellar water with lots of tugging, but it leaves messy, unsightly stains and flakes all over. I find that it can be removed more easily with oil cleanser but be prepared to get a messy “clown-like” stains all over your lips area that requires lots of time to clean up. Yikes!

Easy removal: 5/10

Overall rating: 22/40

I have no doubt that this could have been a dream-come-true when liquid lipsticks weren’t as common. However, now that there are plenty in the market that aren’t just long-lasting but also very comfortable, it makes this classic favourite less appealing. While it boasts of bold colour, its fast-drying property makes me anxious about making “mistakes” during application. I also don’t like how it emphasises on dry patches, looks very patchy, and gets everywhere during cleansing. If you’re thinking about getting a liquid lipstick, I’d say give this a miss – there are many better ones out there.

The Lime Crime Matte Velvetines is available on its site as well as on Lazada. It retails for SGD31.20

7. NYX Soft Matte Lip Cream

Reviewer: Emily Heng

The NYX Soft Matte Lip Cream has been around for a while now — in fact, I’m pretty sure they’re one of the first few brands in the market that pushed out their matte lipstick formulas — and people have been loving it ever since, citing how much they love the easy-to-apply formula and affordable price point. I was surprised to see how much smaller it was compared to the other tubes I’ve been trying so far, but nevertheless, I was so excited to see how it would hold up compared to the other matte lipstick formulas I’ve been trying.

Is it long-lasting?

^{(Left): Upon first application. (Right): After eight hours.}

As you can tell, most of the product is pretty much GONE after a whole eight hours of work, feasting, and an occasional coffee break or two. There is barely any remnants of product left, and this was after I had rice and soup for lunch, which I guess is a good testament to the product’s staying power. I suppose it could have been due to the fact that my Soft Matte Lip Cream is a bit of a lighter shade, but I was told by a friend that this is actually a common experience for NYX lipstick users, regardless of the shade chosen. Interesting!

Staying power: 3/10

Does it dry out lips?

Definitely not! I can say with total confidence that the NYX Soft Matte Lip Cream is definitely the most hydrating of all the matte lip formulas I’ve been trying so far. It smooths over most cracks and imperfections, gliding on easily without stumbling throughout. Sure, most of the colour might have been gone by the eight hour mark, but at least it didn’t leave my lips a peeling, flaky mess at the end of it, which is a massive relief if I have to say so myself.

Hydrating: 9/10

Does in deliver in terms of pigment?

This one is the most lacking in terms of pigment. I took a closer shot so you guys could see how it’s a little streakier towards both ends, with the formula being a little more watery as compared to the others. I also had to layer on multiple coats on my lips for the colour to even show up in the first place, which I was not a big fan of. Thankfully, it doesn’t feel too heavy on lips, at least, with it being easy to build on as well.

Pigmentation: 6/10

Is it easy to remove?

This was the EASIEST to remove by far, which makes sense considering how it pretty much wore off mid-way through the day. Just one good swipe of my micellar water soaked cotton pad, and it all came off seamlessly.

Easy removal: 9/10

Overall rating: 27/40

Personally, I’m not a big fan of the formula, but I can see it appealing to people who are looking for a matte finish lipstick that feels comfortable on lips throughout the day. If you don’t mind having to touch up and making adjustments throughout the day, I’d say the NYX Soft Matte Lip Cream is the one for you.

The NYX Soft Matte Lip Cream is available at all NYX Boutiques, such as at Bugis Junction and Plaza Singapura as well as at all Sephora outlets. It retails for SGD16.

 

Overall scores for ALL Matte Liquid Formulas, ranked from best to worst:

1. Maybelline Super Stay Matte Ink Liquid Lipstick
2. Huda Beauty Liquid Matte Lipstick
3. Kat Von D Everlasting Liquid Lipstick
4. Colourpop Ultra Matte Lip
5. NYX Soft Matte Lip Cream
6. Lime Crime Matte Velvetines
7. Stila Stay All Day Liquid Lipstick

All in all, it ultimately depends on what you’re looking for in a matte liquid lip formula, though. If you’re looking for one that hits all of the boxes, go for the Maybelline Super Stay Matte Ink Liquid Lipstick, of course. If you’re focused on more for longetivity? Go for Colourpop, instead. As for a hydrating formula, the Kat Von D Everlasting Liquid Lipstick is what delivers, whereas Huda Beauty and Maybelline tops when it comes to pigmentation.