Best Estee Lauder Lipsticks Guide
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- Bottom Line Up Front
- Selection Criteria
- 1. Pure Color Revitalizing Crystal Balm
- 2. Pure Color Illuminating Shine Sheer Lipstick
- 3. Pure Color Envy Sculpting Lipstick
- 4. Pure Color Envy Matte Sculpting Lipstick
- 5. Pure Color Envy Hi-Lustre Light Sculpting Lipstick
- 6. Pure Color Envy Paint-On Liquid LipColor
- 7. Pure Color Whipped Matte Lip Color with Moringa Butter
- Alternatives to Estée Lauder Lipstick
- 1. L'Oréal Colour Riche Lip Colour
- 2. Revlon Super Lustrous Lipstick
- 3. NYX Soft Matte Lip Cream
- FAQs
- Best Estee Lauder Lipsticks: Bottom Line
Estée Lauder is an iconic brand that started not too long ago at the tail end of the 1940s. It began with Lauder and her husband and made their initial foray into the skincare world. Since then, they’ve grown to include makeup and fragrances without compromising their love of skincare. After all, you need a healthy base for your makeup to look flawless!
When I was working the cosmetics counter in my teens, I spent my shift playing around with all the makeup they carried, and Estée Lauder was always worth swiping a few samples! I still sometimes let myself splurge on their Double Wear Foundation and skincare, but when it comes to lip colors, they have a wide range of formulas for any makeup look.
This best Estée Lauder lipsticks guide will lay out all the details to make the best choice for your lips!
Bottom Line Up Front
I’m a sucker for lustrous lipstick, so my favorite lipstick of Estée Lauder’s is the Pure Color Envy Hi-Lustre Sculpting Lipstick. The ultra-creamy formula is incredibly long-lasting, so a tube of lipstick lasts forever! Their shade range in this formula is decent, but I would love to see more variety in the future – fingers crossed!
Because Estée Lauder is a luxury brand, their prices reflect that – most of their lipsticks fall within the 40-dollar range. So, shop with care! Pro tip: I use rewards programs to collect points and then redeem them on luxury makeup and skincare that I wouldn’t spend money on.
A lustrous, creamy lipstick that creates a new look of lip-shaping volume and definition.
Selection Criteria
This guide touches on every lipstick that Estée Lauder carries. But I break down my favorites based on a few factors.
- Shade range: Having a vast shade range is essential for any beauty product, but lipstick is so personal that I think having several hues is good practice for any lip color line. Not every shade is universally loved or fits with every skin tone, so the variety opens up a ton of options for everyone, not just a select few people.
- Matte and lustere options: Whether you’re a die-hard fan of matte or luster – or love both equally – this guide encompasses every finish so you can find the look for you!
- Sticks and liquids: I love lipstick in its more solid form, but I can’t leave out liquid pigments – they still count!
Now let’s explore all the lipstick Estée Lauder has to offer!
1. Pure Color Revitalizing Crystal Balm
Half balm, half lip color, this stick pulls double duty and keeps your lips healthy while giving you a little pigment. This formula is completely buildable, so you can start with a slight tint of color or go full coverage with a few extra swipes. Since this formula is sheer, the hues are more versatile and can suit most skin tones.
My skin tone is so fair I’m practically translucent, and since I’m a redhead, I have more pink undertones to my skin, making for naturally pink lips. My favorite shade of this formula is Divine Crystal – it’s a dark nude that makes my lips tint slightly darker and more magenta. I love the look of it on the darker-skinned models, too!
Pros
- It offers hydration that makes lips appear plumper throughout the day.
- The crystallized powder makes lips sparkle and shine.
- Made up of 92% naturally derived ingredients.
Cons
- More mature lips may want to avoid crystallized finishes – the sparkle can settle into the fine lines and make them stand out.
Estee Lauder Pure Color Revitalizing Crystal Lip Balm - 003 Sun Crystal (A glowing coral with a cool undertone and shimmer finish) - .11 oz / 3.2 g - Delivers a hint of glowing color, flattering all skintones and complementing your natural beauty. 
2. Pure Color Illuminating Shine Sheer Lipstick
Sheer shades are for non-lipstick days. This is the perfect choice when lipstick is a little too much for the occasion. With a burst of color with lots of shine, this ultra-hydrating formula is a glamorous alternative to your tinted lip balm. It’s effortlessly chic and adds some plumpness to your lips without overwhelming color.
The sheer shades are buildable and can be highly pigmented one day and subtle the next. The slim stick works for any lip shape, helps stay within your natural lip line, and makes for easier travel on the go!
Pros
- Triglycerides and hyaluronic acid helps reduce flakiness and the appearance of fine lines.
- Comfortable for prolonged wear with long-lasting shine.
- Twenty hues to pick from.
Cons
- It has a slight taste and scent, which can be a problem for those who are more sensitive.
Glide on a pop of bright, illuminating, buildable color-a burst of sheer, brilliant, hydrating shine. Super sleek. Super shiny. Super sexy. This is high-powered glamour, enhanced with plumping moisture.
3. Pure Color Envy Sculpting Lipstick
The super creamy formula in the Sculpting Lipstick is highly pigmented – you only need one swipe to finish off your look. This lipstick ‘sculpts’ the lips by using complex colors that shape the lip with light. The color sinks into your skin and looks natural and transfer-proof for all-day wear that’s comfortable and light.
This is one of my favorites – the creme finish looks super professional for more formal events but glamorous enough for a fun and powerful style. It’s a powerhouse lipstick that feels invisible but is full coverage. Most importantly, it goes on incredibly smooth and feels like pure luxury.
Pros
- This lipstick has the most diverse shade range – it has 42 versatile shades to try.
- If you’re shopping online, you can use the virtual try-on to find your best shade.
- The stick itself is designed for precise application straight from the tube.
Cons
- There’s so much to love about this lipstick. The only real hesitation is the high price tag.
Features an ultra-creamy texture that glides on easily & covers evenly. Formulated with time-released Moisture Complex to draw & seal in moisture.
4. Pure Color Envy Matte Sculpting Lipstick
Everything there is to love about the original Sculpting Lipstick, with a matte finish. This bold finish is a modern take on lip color, and with all the hydrating power of the creme formula, this matte finish doesn’t dry out your lips or leave them flaky. The matte finish is velvety and soft, and it doesn’t sink into the lines of your lips.
With up to eight hours of long wear, you can rock this formula at a work meeting for a confidence boost or on a weekend evening out. While I don’t usually go for matte lipstick, matte formulas are slightly more subdued, and while you can make a statement with attitude, I like that matte finishes come across as more adult.
Pros
- It offers full coverage that doesn’t need reapplication.
- Excellent staying power.
- Versatile lipstick for any occasion.
Cons
- The shade range is a little lacklustre compared to the original version.
This long lasting lipstick saturates lips with statement-making, wearable color designed to flatter all skintones. High-performance lipstick stays color true and wears for 10 impactful hours while resisting bleeding, feathering and creasing.
5. Pure Color Envy Hi-Lustre Light Sculpting Lipstick
The Hi-Lustre version of the Sculpting Lipstick looks radiant – I love that it makes the lips pop and is the center of the makeup look. When I want to draw attention to my pout over anything else, I love the lustrous finish for the luxurious feeling. The dimensional shades of all the Sculpting Lipsticks are glamourous, but this lipstick takes it to another level.
I think this lipstick is essential in every makeup bag – the creamy, hydrating texture turns up your makeup look while still being wearable for everyday life! I love the Angel Lips for a nude shade for subtle color, and I love the bright, bold reds, but they’re super popular, so they tend to be on backorder.
Pros
- Up to eight hours of long-wear pigment.
- Medium coverage with a light-as-air texture for a makeup-free feeling.
- Extra hydrating and nourishing with smooth application.
Cons
- Even fewer shades in this line than in the other Sculpting Lipsticks.
A lustrous, creamy lipstick that creates a new look of lip-shaping volume and definition.
6. Pure Color Envy Paint-On Liquid LipColor
If you love your lipstick in liquid form, the Paint-On Liquid LipColor is a winner. My main concern about liquid lip products is that the formula will feel heavy, cakey, or – worst of all – sticky. Estée Lauder does liquid lipstick right. It’s much lighter than I imagined, and unlike other liquid lipsticks, there is no transfer.
The formula goes on smooth and light and has maximum coverage for bold and vibrant shades! The packaging is pretty dull, but the magic is inside the tube, which makes up for it.
Pros
- They’re currently introducing new shades, so it’s the perfect time to try out this formula.
- Impressive staying power that doesn’t transfer or smudge.
- The precision applicator makes swiping the product on your lips easy.
Cons
- Currently only available in matte shades.
Lavishing the lips in an intensely rich and comforting finish, Pure Color Envy Paint On Liquid Lipcolor provides full colour in a liquid formula. Smooths the lips, leaving them comfortable with a range of matte, vinyl and metallic finishes.
7. Pure Color Whipped Matte Lip Color with Moringa Butter
If we’re choosing lipsticks based on packaging alone, this would be the winner – the elegant tube is so pretty, that it makes the application feel more luxurious! This isn’t lipstick in solid form, but it’s a mousse with an applicator for liquid pigment. The formula is decadently thick, and the application is incredibly smooth. It feels luxurious and silky while still being lightweight and natural.
Hydrated with Moringa Butter, this mousse feels hydrating and with up to twelve hours of wear, reapplying isn’t a concern. I find the finish to be soft, and while matte isn’t my go-to, this is the exception because it doesn’t dry out my lips throughout the day.
Pros
- The precise applicator controls the product, so you can apply as little or as much as you choose.
- The shades were carefully chosen to be as versatile as possible, and if you’re buying online, the website features models of various complexions.
- Long-wear for up to twelve hours.
Cons
- Limited shade range.
Mattes that feel as sexy as they look. Velvety smooth, weightless and non-sticky. Infused with lip loving nourishment including a rich cushion of Moringa Butter and Hyaluronic Acid.
Alternatives to Estée Lauder Lipstick
If Estée Lauder is out of your budget, some alternative brands have high-quality cosmetics at a more accessible price tag.
1. L’Oréal Colour Riche Lip Colour
For a budget lipstick that ticks every box, L’Oréal Colour Riche is one of my favorite drugstore lipsticks that’s always dependable. The well-respected brand only releases high-quality formulas, and this lipstick is no exception. The creamy lipstick is comfortable and hydrates your lips. With infused Argan oil, my lips have always been incredibly nourished after I apply it.
Pros
- Has an extensive shade range.
- Comes in a cream finish and a matte finish.
Cons
- You won’t get the longest staying power out of this lipstick.
Indulge in richness beyond compare with our most luxuriously rich color and hydration; Colour Riche Lipstick is enriched with nourishing ingredients like Omega 3, Vitamin E, and Argan Oil to soften lips.
2. Revlon Super Lustrous Lipstick
Revlon is another easy-to-find brand that makes killer lipsticks. My new favorite shade is Extra Spicy, a spicy red hue. It’s more of a fall color, but to me, it’s fall all year! I’ll admit, with some other lipsticks I’ve tried, I’ve had to do the layering of chapstick and lipstick to hydrate my lips, but with Revlon lipsticks, it’s never a concern with the creamy consistency.
Pros
- Light formula that feels natural on the lips.
- It has a matte finish version, too.
Cons
- It’s not long-wear and needs to be reapplied throughout the day.
This cult-classic, iconic lipstick is the perfect combination of high-impact color and a super-moisturizing formula.
3. NYX Soft Matte Lip Cream
I’m obsessed with the NYX Soft Matte Lip Cream for a liquid lipstick option! While I tend not to go for matte or liquid lipsticks, this brand is the exception. I was introduced to NYX when I first began my makeup journey, and their lip cream has been a staple in my makeup bag ever since.
Pros
- Incredibly affordable.
- The wand achieves precise application.
Cons
- I find that it can be a little drying.
In statement-making matte colors, our nude-based shades of Soft Matte Lip Cream deliver a burst of creamy color that sets to a stunning matte finish.
FAQs
Question: Does Estée Lauder have a long-lasting lipstick?
Answer: For the most extended, most comfortable wear, Pure Envy Sculpting Lipstick gets the most staying power, according to Estée Lauder. It’s highly pigmented, so fading and transfer are less of a concern than with other lipsticks.
Question: How do you make lipstick last longer?
Answer: To get the most luscious-looking lips, you have to do a bit more than simply swipe on your favorite pigment. Even the longest wear lipsticks need a little help. To keep your lipstick looking fresh and clean, you should do a few things to prep.
Exfoliate your lips – use a gentle scrub to remove flakes and reveal the soft skin below. With some quick exfoliation, you can completely change the application and wear of the lipstick.
Wear lip liner – I used to underestimate the power of a good lip liner, but it changed my lipstick game once I incorporated it into my routine. Not only does it make the edges of your lip look more defined, but it can also stop your lip color from bleeding outside your lip line and keep your lipstick where it belongs.
Question: What color lipstick makes your teeth look whiter?
Answer: You may be surprised that red lipstick can make your teeth appear whiter, but it does – but only if it’s blue-toned! I used to shy away from reds because I assumed red lipstick made your teeth look more yellow, but blue tones cancel out yellow. By keeping blue-toned reds close to your teeth, it makes them look like you just got them whitened.
Best Estee Lauder Lipsticks: Bottom Line
Estée Lauder has a fantastic range of lipsticks for whatever your preferences are! I love more creamy textures, so those are the formulas I embrace wholeheartedly, but their mattes are also hydrating and not at all cakey.
While Estée Lauder cosmetics are on the higher end of the price range, it’s worth spending a little extra for the unbeatable quality. Since it’s such an investment, I suggest looking at shopping for lipsticks in person, but if you’re shopping online, check the return policy and check out the testing tools they developed to help you picture how the hues will look on you.
Have fun and play around! Lipstick is so varied, and there are tons of different shades to try. You may even find your new signature shade in an unexpected place.
A lustrous, creamy lipstick that creates a new look of lip-shaping volume and definition.
Recommended Reads:
• How to Find the Best Lipstick And Which Shades Suit You Best?
