Pulling off a deep red, near black, or dark berry lipstick come winter is easier said than done. Getting the right shade is one thing, but if your wintery skin isn’t glowing, prepare to look like a homeschooled jungle freak on crack when you waltz in with that Cherries in Snow shade smeared on your face. Because we know you’re afraid of commitment and don’t want to spend $70 on a dark purple Dior lipstick only to have it make you look like you’ve been drinking grape Kool-Aid, we’re presenting a roundup of the best winter lipstick shades that you can find around the corner in your local CVS, Walgreens, or what-the-fuck ever.
1. L’Oréal Paris Colour Riche Le Matte Lip Pen in Mad for Matte
A classic red lip should be your first choice come winter, and this matte look is easy to pull off thanks to a pointed tip on the pen. You’ll get a nice outline without bleeding, which is literally the worst with a bold lip. Plus, it stays put—v important when you’re chugging eggnog.
2. Pacifica Liquid Lipstick in Bae
Wine shades are definitely in for winter and colder months in general. This shit works well for date nights and if you truly aren’t afraid of being bold as fuck.
3. Wet N Wild Silk Finish Lipstick in Mink Brown
I know brown lipsticks can be a little intimidating and, full disclosure, aren’t going to look amazing on everyone (shout-out to my v pale friends). However, this shade has hints of red, making it easy to work with on nearly every skin tone. Plus, the $0.99 price tag means you can buy it, try it, and toss it if you hate it.
4. Rimmel Apocalips Matte Lipstick Velvet in Meteoric Matte
Velvet is 100% in right now (which we have mixed feelings about), but this shit lasts longer than the velvet trend is likely to. It dries out kinda fast, though, so slather on a good amount of ChapStick beforehand.
5. NYX Matte Lipstick in Aria
If you want to push the envelope and rock a violet lipstick (bless), this is what you need. Again, since it’s a drugstore brand, you’re more able to buy it and try it WITHOUT feeling bad about tossing it if you hate it. You’re likely to love this shit, though—it’s super bold, vibrant, and looks great especially on darker skin tones for winter.
6. Rimmel Moisture Renew Lipstick in Berry Rich
WOOOOOO Berry. If you, like me, are pale year-round, you love to rock a berry lip in winter. This shade is nice and bright without being incredibly loud. Rock this shit for an understated yet sophisticated look.
7. CoverGirl Colorlicious Lipstick in Tempt Berry
While we’re on the berry train, we can’t forget CoverGirl. This lipstick is super hydrating, so you can rock the deep color (with a niiiice little shine) without worrying about constantly touching up.
8. Revlon Ultra HD Matte Lipcolor in HD Passion
If you can’t decide on literally anything ever and love a liquid lipstick cause you can’t quite handle a regular one, here ya go. This shit brings in red, purple, and deeper hues so bold that you LITERALLY don’t need any other makeup. For reals.
Image: Nik MacMillan / Unsplash
Winter is upon us, and I’ve been ready and waiting for this shit since that time during Labor Day Weekend when I blacked out in a star spangled bikini and woke up wanting to banish myself to Canada for my actions. So, yeah, I’m pretty fucking ready for winter. Not just because it gives me an excuse to do nothing and see no one live my best life with my Netflix account, but also because I can finally break out my winter lip color, which is v similar to my spring, summer, and fall lip color, but I get less shit for wearing it. And, trust me, if I’m choosing to leave my house in the dead of winter it’s because my bff forced me off the couch at gunpoint I have a damn good reason, and you best believe I will be armed with the appropriate lip wear. So, anyways, let’s talk winter lip colors, k?
1. It’s All About The Nudes
Nude lips are always in, but for this winter, try a more sophisticated pinkish-brown off-nude to elevate your winter look. These nudes look moodier than your basic nude lip, which is perfect because I am always striving to be the moodiest bitch in NYC. We suggest buying Josie Maran Argan Love Your Lips Hydrating Lipstick. Not only is the shade to die for, but the people at Josie Maran should be using their talents at NASA because this shit is fucking groundbreaking. The outer shell of the lipstick is made with moisturizing argan oil, while the inner shell is made with highly pigmented color so your color will stay locked into place without peeling off halfway through happy hour. It’s a Christmas miracle.
2. Bold Red
Bold red lips for Christmas? Groundbreaking. So, FINE, it’s not original, but it’s timeless and classy and don’t pretend like you won’t be puckering up the second December 1 hits. And prepare to lose your fucking mind because this just in: Rihanna is releasing a liquid lip paint in the shade, you guessed it, bold red Stunna, like, really fucking soon. Like, cancel-your-Thanksgiving-plans-because-it-drops-on-November-23rd soon. We already told you how obsessed we are with her Fenty lip gloss, which I was fully prepared to hate because I retired all lip glosses with my Juicy Couture track suit years ago, but now use religiously. Similar to how her lip gloss works for all skin tones (which I am still convinced is witchcraft tbh) so too will her red lip shade. Regardless of if it complements my skin tone or not I will be buying it to feel closer to Rihanna, and you should too.
3. Forbidden Fruits
Berry lips were literally everywhere during fashion week, and we’re actually not mad about it. These hues are flattering on everyone AND they scream winter-chic. We suggest trying the Clinique Chubby Stick in Pudgy Peony, which if you can excuse the name (seriously v sorry I used the word “chubby” and “stick” before noon on a Monday), it’s actually amazing to use. The berry balm is v moisturizing and it gives your lips more of a berry tint instead of full-on color so you’ll look more chic and less extra.
4. Crimson Hues
If you’re trying to be sort of different and original but not too different and original (think Ariel Winter channeling Kylie Jenner in a thirst trap Insta) then crimson hues are about to be your go-to lip color this winter. Brick-red hues, like Nars Semi Matte Lipstick in VIP Red, are about to be all over the brunch scene soon—I’m calling it right now. Nars’ semi-matte formula is made with Vitamin E to make it long-lasting AF and keep the color locked into place no matter how many mimosas you chug. Plus your lips are left looking velvety and full-bodied with a sheer finish that will look great on your after-brunch Snapchat story.
5. Vampy AF
Let me be clear: I don’t need any one season to tell me when and where it’s appropriate to don dark, vampy lip colors, because in my opinion the time and place for that is literally always. Even if that time and place is my couch at 5pm on a Sunday. Just saying. One of our favs vampy lip colors is Urban Decay in Blackmail, and that’s not just because I feel personally connected to the name. Well, at least not the only reason. This highly pigmented lip color goes on as a matte and stays on for hours. And by hours, I mean it can outlast you between the hours of 11pm-4am. You’re welcome.
