LIPSTICK

For some years we categorised lipsticks in these Awards as 'Matte' or 'Moisturising'. But today – as this year’s winner proves – matte formulas are so much more moisturising and comfy that it's not such an issue any more. These, then, are the best lipsticks we trialled across the WHOLE lipstick category: matte, shiny, and liquid formulations, which are increasingly popular. Congrats to Delilah, meanwhile, for a brace of winners in this category.

As ever, the winning lipsticks are available in a pretty wide shade spectrum, but if you're not sure where to start, go for the shade our testers trialled; with make-up, we specifically ask brands to submit products that should suit all (or most…) skin tones, since our testers range from pale alabaster complexions to Afro-Caribbean testers. You can, as per usual, check out their other shade options online.

SILVER (JOINT) AWARD Artistry Cream Lipstick

Designed to be ultra-hydrating and to leave lips ‘soft, moisturised and comforted’, the formulation of this ‘one-stroke’ lipstick includes white chia seed oil, ginseng and shea butter, delivering a ‘satin-shine’ finish, while offering long-lasting hydration. It’s allergy-tested, dermatologically-tested, with a 100% recyclable carton. This is offered by Amway, who have a network of distributor/consultants across the country, but the product is also freely available direct from their own website (at a very slightly lower price if you’re one of their registered customers). There are around a dozen shades in the line-up spanning berry red to neutrals; testers trialled the rosewood-toned Weekend Rose, which would definitely complement any skintone. 

£22.90 - click to buy 

OUR TESTERS’ COMMENTS:

‘The creamy texture to this made it very comfortable to wear; my lips felt very comfortable and the lipstick did not feel heavy’ • ‘I felt like this had a matte finish and I thought it may dry my lips out – but it didn't. The shaping of the bullet made it so easy to get a precise application, too without the need for a lip brush, while colour was easy to adjust from a sheer wash to an intense full lip’ • ‘The lid to the tube was magnetic which meant no risk of it coming off in my bag and ruining the contents’ • ‘Such a creamy lipstick, which felt so comfortable on the lips – and although highly pigmented it was easy to adjust the depth of colour by adjusting the pressure applied’ • ‘It lasted well when meeting friends for coffee, though started to disappear when dining. I would recommend this as it’s a lovely lipstick that gives a soft finish; it does last a while and the colour was beautiful – in fact, a colleague did ask me what the brand and colour was; she really liked it and said she will be ordering one’ • ‘This lipstick ticks a lot of boxes: it glides on easily, provides a natural-looking sheer wash of colour that is richly pigmented, and colour can be built up with several applications. It feels comfortable to wear, is supremely moisturising and is also long-lasting. These are all the qualities I would expect in a great lipstick.’

£22.90 - click to buy 

SILVER (JOINT) AWARD Delilah Colour Intense Liquid Lipstick

It’s the second Silver in a row for this lipstick, from an all-British make-up range, founded by make-up pro Rupert Kingston; Delilah – PETA-certified and vegan – did incredibly well in the 2022 Beauty Bible Awards and are back for glory again across several categories, in 2023. A liquid lipstick, this offers super-intense colour that is designed to stay put for up to nine hours, 'enriched with natural mineral clays for a supple matte finish.' But at the same time, it's formulated to 'help lock in moisture, leaving the lips smooth and saturated.' Applied via a soft-tipped wand, it has a discernible scent of 'sweet English berry and vanilla. Of the four shades now available, testers received Flame, a stop-you-in-your-tracks red – and everyone needs one of those, in her make-up arsenal. 

£20 - click to buy 

OUR TESTERS’ COMMENTS:

‘Stayed on a long time, through coffee and lunch. Smells lovely – slightly vanilla-y –  and easy to apply. I will be searching out other shades and the Delilah brand itself as I have never used it’ • ‘Easy to use and has great staying power without drying your lips. I would have no hesitation in recommending it’ • ‘Even though I am not a fan of matte finishes, the sheer sticking power of this product is just so impressive’ ’ • ‘The colour was very vibrant and prompted a colleague to mention it whilst on a Teams meeting!! I was very, very impressed with the "staying power" of this lipstick, too; it is by far the best performing lipstick I have EVER used, lasting all day; I continued with my numerous cups of coffee/tea etc. and the lipstick remained on my lips rather than being transferred to the cup’ • ‘Once on my lips I did not notice it and the colour did not move, and lips did not feel sticky or dry’ • ‘Would I buy it? YES, 100% YES! Yes, it’s a great lip product, really delivers on pigment, quality and performance and the packaging looks classy. I love that you can clearly see the shade through the packaging’ • ‘This was a real gem to wear. It almost felt non-existent on the lips – it wasn't sticky, my lips remained moisturised and I almost forgot I was wearing any product.’

£20 - click to buy 

SILVER (JOINT) AWARD No7 Velvet Matte Lipstick

Until recently, a tenner was our ceiling for a Beauty Steal Awards, but we’ve had to revisit that in the light of the ‘cost of living crisis’, when prices have been spiralling. This IS the most affordable of the winners, available in a choice of eight shades, for creating what this Boots brand describe as ‘a classic, bold, colour-rich matte look.’ Enriched by murumuru and mango, it also promise to be ‘smudge-proof, budge-proof, for eight-hour wear.’ And here’s what our real-life testers – who trialled brown-y pink Amonite (Boots’ spelling!) – fed back…

£12.95 - click to buy 

OUR TESTERS’ COMMENTS:

‘I applied this at 6pm, walked in the cold November air to choir practice, sang for a couple of hours, went to the pub then ate a packet of cheese and onion crisps. The lipstick made it as far as the crisps, but didn’t transfer onto the wine glass even though it had been in place for three hours; after the crisps, there was still a slight blush of residual colour. This became my “go to” lipstick for the winter months’ • ‘Someone said I looked very put-together, wearing this; I will be buying this and trying out a variety of shades!’ • ‘Would I buy again? Absolutely. I think anyone would enjoy using this lipstick formula – it’s an absolute delight. It totally outperforms all other lipsticks I have tried’ • ‘I have never been a lipstick lover, but I may well be a convert now! Wow, just wow’ • ‘If you like matte lipsticks, I recommend this as it feels really nice on – albeit I personally found it slightly dry, which most matte lipsticks are. I found it much better with a slightly tinted balm on top’ • ‘This lipstick is divine! There is nothing not to like about it. It feels smooth, but is subtle in that you can't feel it sitting on your lips. You can eat comfortably, without there being a lipstick flavour left in your mouth. Overall, it’s really creamy and feels incredibly luxurious’ • ‘A dream of a product – I need never try out any other lipstick again’ • ‘I applied this straight from the applicator. It was really smooth and super, super easy to apply, even for a novice like me!’

£12.95 - click to buy 

BRONZE AWARD delilah Colour Intense Cream Lipstick

Already recipient of several other beauty industry awards, this hydrating lipstick is a second winner in this category, from delilah. (Yay for them! That’s no mean feat, against the competition.) As the name suggests, it’s highly pigmented, but also creamy, enriched with ‘spherical polymers that provide a velvety feeling for easy glide-on application,’ as they put it. Antioxidant vitamin E also features, adding to the hydration factor – but at the same time, delilah promise a long-wear effect, with Colour Intense Cream Lipstick. At time of writing there are nine shades in the collection, ranging from a beige-neutral to a strong red, with this ‘suits-all-skintones’ entry being a pretty, paleish pink brown-y rose tone.

£24 - click to buy 

OUR TESTERS’ COMMENTS:

‘After five decades of wearing lipstick, I can honestly say this is the best I have ever worn. I thought delilah’s liquid lipstick would be hard to beat but this is even better – what a gem of a find. The colour is lovely; it lasts well but the main benefit to me was how moisturised my lips felt with no dry feeling whatsoever’ • ‘The moisturising qualities of a lip balm in a lipstick, yet it’s  surprisingly longer lasting than a lot of lipsticks. It passed the coffee test, though after a two-course meal re-application was needed’ • ‘I would recommend it to others – I did to my sister, and she bought one’ • ‘A good all-round lipstick that feels really nice on the lips’ • ‘This lipstick  was a dark horse.  I haven’t heard of the brand before and I was so surprised that the creamy formula stayed on the lips. This is definitely a long-wearing lipstick; I applied, and four hours and one lunch later it was still hanging in there, which surprises me because its creamy, creamy lipsticks don’t normally last that long’ • ‘Would definitely re-purchase because it has a flattering finish, smooth and creamy texture and feels lightweight and moisturising’ • ‘I would wear it for a shift at work, or for going out when I knew I’d be able to touch it up as needed. I applied straight from the tube, and it went on like a dream - it has a really nice smooth texture, and glides on very easily.’

£24 - click to buy