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Stocksy / Design by Michela Buttignol
You’ve figured out the dress and the shoes and the jewelry and the hair. The final thing to complete your big day look? Your makeup, of course. And while finding the right foundation and a good (waterproof) mascara is paramount, we’d argue that it’s really your wedding day lipstick that pulls the whole look together. And here’s the thing: These days, any color goes.
“Women are choosing both natural and dramatic colors, so choose whatever makes you feel beautiful and true to yourself for your special day,” suggests celebrity makeup artist Andrew Sotomayor. The good news? No matter whether you want to go for a neutral nude, a vampy plum, or something in between, there’s no shortage of great wedding lipsticks out there, most of which also boast important features such as staying power and hydration (all very important on your wedding day).
Read on for the best flattering lipsticks for brides.
Nudes
Charlotte Tilbury Matte Revolution Lipstick
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Charlotte Tilbury
Price at time of publish: $34
One of the brand’s best-selling shades, this truly is a universally-flattering nude hue. It has the perfect mix of both beige and pink undertones to flatter all complexions. The formula is nothing to scoff at either, touting up to 10 hours of wear time and hydrating vitamin E that ensures your lips stay super soft (and kissable). Also nice: Even though it definitely has a matte finish, it never looks flat or chalky. Credit the brand’s unique, 3D pigments, which makes lips appear glowy and fuller.
Prados Beauty Mirabelle Lipstick
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Prados Beauty
Price at time of publish: $21
Sotamayor is a fan of this lipstick, particularly this warm nude that he says is especially good for those with tan or more golden undertones to the skin. He also lauds it for the addition of vitamin E, which keeps the matte formula nice and moisturizing, as well as the fact that the brand donates 50% of the profits to support the Native American community.
Reina Rebelde Bold Lip in La Jefa
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Reina Rebelde
Price at time of publish: $18
Not only does this nude hue flatter all skin tones, the crayon shape makes it fast and easy to apply, says Sotomayor of one of his favorites. It also boasts full coverage, so you’ll get complete pigment payoff from just one swipe, and a gorgeous satin finish that’s neither too shiny nor too matte. Top tip: “Pair it with a taupe or brown lip liner to create more definition and an extra pouty-looking lip,” Sotomayor suggests.
Butter London Sheer Wisdom Lip Oil in Cinnamon Spice
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Butter London
Price at time of publish: $22
Swipe this on and prepare for the compliments to roll in. The rosy hue is a gorgeous nude that still has enough color on it to make lips pop, yet still looks totally natural. One coat leaves a sheer wash of glossy color, though you can also layer it on if you want a bit more of an opaque look. Either way, a combo of oils (coconut, prickly pear, chia seed, and more) not only give this its beautifully shiny finish, they also add plenty of hydration to your lips.
Haus Labs Le Monster Lip Crayon
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Sephora
Price at time of publish: $22
Ideal for anyone looking for a warmer, peach-based nude, this shade is a winner. And we like the formula just as much as the color—it’s infused with mango seed oil, ceramides, and hyaluronic spheres to ensure it feels super comfortable and moisturizing, despite the demi-matte finish. Plus, the slim, pen-like shape will fit in even the smallest of wedding clutches, and the pointed tip means it can easily double as a lip liner.
Pinks
Ogee Tinted Sculpted Lip Oil in Camelia
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Ogee
Price at time of publish: $28
“These tinted lip balms are made from an organic jojoba oil base and this classic pink works on every skin tone,” says Sotomayor. “It’s sheer, so it just adds a transparent wash of color to your own lip color. But your lips look hydrated and beautiful, and you don’t need a brush for touch-ups,” he adds.
MAC Cremesheen Lipstick in Peach Blossom
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MAC
Price at time of publish: $21
This creamy formula really feels more akin to a balm than a traditional lipstick on your lips, ideal when you’re going to be wearing it for hours on end. The coverage level is medium, though easily buildable, and the finish a beautiful semi-gloss that can be amped up with a separate lip glosser topper or worn on its own. This peach shade also has cooler undertones, making it a good pick for paler complexions.
Yves Saint Laurent Rouge Volupte Shine Lipstick in Rose Nu
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Sephora
Price at time of publish: $39
A true rose, this is an ideal pick for anyone who wants a pink that has a little bit more of a pop to it. The formula is also insanely hydrating, thanks to a base largely made of oils and shea butter. As such, the color melts into lips for an extra comfortable feel, though it also lasts for a surprisingly long time. And how chic is the packaging?
Lottie Slay All Day Liquid Lipstick in Hun
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Lottie
Price at time of publish: $7
Liquid lipsticks are well-known for their serious staying power…the only problem? They can feel really dry and uncomfortable. Happily, that’s not the case here. This pick is infused with jojoba, argan, and castor oils to keep it moisturizing, though you won’t have to sacrifice any weartime. This pink shade, which has subtle brown undertones, also looks great on its own, though layers beautifully and mixes well with other shades of lip liner or gloss.
Danessa Myricks Dewy Cheek & Lip Palette in Dew It Flirty
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Danessa Myricks
Price at time of publish: $32
Sotomayor recommends this palette, not only because the four colors it houses work beautifully on either lips or cheeks, they’re also all perfectly coordinated. You can easily use one for lips and one for cheeks and know that they’ll look great together, he points out. This particular one comes with four pink shades, ranging from a peachy nude to a dusty rose. Dab the color on with your fingertips, a brush, or sponge, suggests Sotomayor.
Reds & Oranges
Hourglass Girl Lip Stilo in Lover
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Ulta
Price at time of publish: $34
A perfect combo of red and orange, this is particularly pretty on those who have warmer undertones in their skin. The formula is weightless and silky, and while it’s not particularly long-lasting, reapplication is very easy, thanks to the crayon shape.
Anastasia Beverly Hills Liquid Lipstick in American Doll
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Sephora
Price at time of publish: $20
says this longwear liquid formula is a favorite of his. “All of the colors are amazing, but the reds are especially good, perfect for creating a classic red lip that won’t kiss off,” he says. Indeed this shade has the perfect mix of blue and red undertones, a truly timeless and sophisticated red. Try keeping the rest of your makeup super simple and letting this lip make a statement.
Revlon Ultra HD Vinyl Lip Polish in Power Up
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Target
Price at time of publish: $9
brides, take note. This coral-pinky-orange is bright and vibrant and totally unexpected for a bride. (We also love it for a tropical destination wedding.) As the name suggests, it touts a high-shine finish that makes the color pop even more, though isn’t in the least bit sticky or messy to apply. Your significant other will also appreciate the yummy mango and vanilla taste. And let’s not forget to mention the wallet-friendly price tag.
Ilia Color Block Lipstick in Wild Aster
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Credo Beauty
Price at time of publish: $28
For a winter wedding or for brides who want more of a dramatic lip, berry tones are the new nude. This particular one is a classic berry that looks gorgeous on all skin tones, and boasts customized pigments that make for four times the color intensity of standard lipstick. It has a great, middle-of-the road satin finish, and lasts for a long time, without ever bleeding or smudging.
Maybelline New York Superstay Ink Crayon Lipstick in Settle for More
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Target
Price at time of publish: $9
Apply this the morning of the wedding and we firmly believe it will stay put until you get back from your honeymoon. Yes, it’s that long-lasting, rendering touch-ups obsolete. It will stay on through all of the kisses and champagne toasts and wedding cake-eating, without every cracking or smudging. There is a litany of shades to choose from, but this vampy plum is gorgeous on darker skin tones or for any bride who wants a moody, dramatic makeup look.
MAKE UP FOR EVER Rouge Artist Lipstick in Cherry Chili
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Sephora
Price at time of publish: $25
Part burgundy, part dark purple, this is another good option for anyone on the hunt for a darker hue. It combines two of the most important attributes in a wedding lipstick, staying power and hydration. Namely, it delivers twenty four hours of hydration, feeling super comfortable on your pout and also ensuring your lips never look cracked or chapped. The color won’t budge either, and the uniquely shaped tip makes precise application easier than ever.
Clear
Ruby Kisses 24K Lip Oil
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Amazon
Price at time of publish: $5
“The transparent shine of this lip oil looks gorgeous and ultra-glossy on its own, but it’s also just a fun thing to know you’ve got some real gold on your lips,” says Sotomayor. (Yes, those are real gold flakes in there.) “Wear it alone or on top of any other lip color, and for this bargain price, consider buying several of them for your bridesmaids to use for their touchups!”
Supergoop! Lipscreen SPF 40
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Walmart
Price at time of publish: $22
If you’re having an outdoor wedding (especially at the beach or during the summer), you’ll want to make sure your lips both look good and are protected from the sun. Enter this option, another one of Sotomayor’s favorites. “It’s totally clear but super shiny, keeping your lips safe and nice and glossy all day,” he says. You can layer it over color, but it also looks nice on its own for brides who want to go lipstick-free on the big day.
Meet the Expert
Andrew Sotomayor is an Emmy-Award winning celebrity makeup artist.
What to Look For In a Bridal Lipstick Shade
Whatever color you want
Forget the idea that brides only have to wear sheer nude or baby pink lipstick. Nowadays, whatever you want goes, so go for the color that makes you feel the most beautiful and the most like you. Try several different shades and formulas ahead of the big day, so you'll be ready with your favorite when you walk down the aisle.
A long-wear formula
It should go without saying, but the last thing you want to be doing is worrying about lipstick smudges all day and all night. Sure, you may want to keep your tube on-hand for the occasional touch-up, but ideally, look for longwear formulas that you know will stay put, says Sotomayor.
Moisturizing ingredients
You also want a lipstick that is going to feel good on your lips—and ensure they’re nice and kissable. Moisturizing ingredients (think oils, butters) will help keep your pout looking and feeling soft and smooth