The Best Lipsticks for 2022

Founded by three sisters on a mission to formulate makeup products with all-natural ingredients, Rituel de Fille has been making waves in the beauty world since it launched, and when you try its Forbidden Lipstick, it’s easy to see why. The boldly pigmented lipstick is naturally moisturizing and boasts long-lasting color, and the dark brownish-red Ravenous shade has just the sort of dangerous bite that we’re craving this year.

It was Audrey Hepburn who famously said, “I believe in primping at leisure and wearing lipstick” and “I believe in pink.” And if you ask us, it seems like less than a coincidence that she uttered those two statements together, because the only thing better than lipstick and the color pink is a pink lipstick. To channel Ms. Hepburn, reach for this bareMinerals lipstick in the loveliest of pink shades, aptly named Confidence. The clean, vegan formula is deeply moisturizing and provides intense pigment so you’ll feel nothing but confident every time you wear it.

When you want the spotlight to be on another part of your makeup look, but a naked lip simply won’t cut it, a pinkish nude can be just the solution you’re looking for. And Emilie Heathe’s Mude shade is designed to provide exactly that. A balance of mauve and nude that complements and enhances your natural lip color, this lipstick delivers a lightweight glossy sheen and tons of hydration.

Trying a bright, bold, new color can sometimes feel like a risk, but with this ultra-affordable Maybelline lipstick, you don’t have to spend big to score big. The high-pigment, extreme matte formula boasts intense color with a cushiony, lightweight feel, and the More Berry shade offers your lips a rich purple hue with a side of adventure.

LAWLESS Beauty is known for making products that are packed with nourishing ingredients and strong pigment, and its Satin Luxe Cream Lipstick is no exception. Free of all parabens, lead, sulfates, synthetic fragrance, and other potentially harmful ingredients that you wouldn’t want to swallow, the lipstick has a satin finish and rich color, and the Saddle shade is the ultimate rich, fudgey brown.

When makeup guru Charlotte Tilbury said, “Give a woman the right lipstick, and she can conquer the world,” she must’ve had her best-selling Pillow Talk in mind. The iconic lipstick has been a cult favorite since it launched, and its nude pink color is one of those rare, miraculous shades that looks great on just about everyone, so it’s one of the few things from 2020 and 2021 that we’re absolutely planning to take with us to the new year.

Red lipstick is a classic look and one that remains even as other trends come and go, but finding a good red lipstick isn’t always so easy. Some are too orangey, others are too blue; some are too muted, and some are too bright. That’s why when it comes to finding the perfect red, we’ve put our faith in Mr. Red himself, Christian Louboutin. Known for the iconic, red-bottomed shoes, the brand is also the force behind some of the most luxurious lipsticks around. The Lips Fluid lightweight, creamy formula glides smoothly onto your pout and offers full-coverage color in one swift swipe, and the Et Voici Et Voila shade is the bold, bright red Louboutin has come to be known for in lipstick form.

ILIA has become a go-to source for beauty that’s as clean as it is beautiful, and that’s no more evident than with its Color Block Lipstick. The vegan formula is super-hydrating and delivers full coverage and lasting color with four times more pigment than any other lipstick the brand makes, and it leaves lips feeling supple and soft for hours. Wild Rose, a pink mauve shade with neutral undertones, will instantly bring a dose of sophistication and elegance to any face, whether you’re makeup-free or donning an elaborate look. 

Pantone’s 2022 color of the year may be a shade of periwinkle, but you can take the purple cue in a whole other, bold direction with this lipstick from e.l.f. Cosmetics. The lush, creamy lipstick soaks lips in decadent color to make a statement like no other while delivering intense moisturizing power. Even with the holiday season just behind us, the Sugarplum shade will have you feeling as light as a sugarplum fairy all year long.

Over the last two years, most of us have had to cancel at least one trip, be it the Euro trip you’d dreamed about your whole life or simply going home for the holidays. Needless to say, we’re all in grave need of a vacation — or even a Staycation. So, whether you’re flocking to a sandy beach somewhere far away or holing up in a hotel for a night for a chance of scenery, this matte lipstick from Huda Beauty is just the thing to reach for. The cool-toned fawn brown will have you ready for some rest and relaxation as soon as it hits your lips and is the perfect way to add a little excitement to a neutral.

—
Gabby Shacknai is a New York-based journalist, who covers beauty and wellness, food and travel, and consumer-facing business. Gabby is a former Condé Nast editor and currently works as a freelance writer, contributing to Forbes, ELLE, Women's Health, Fortune, Departures, and many other outlets.

Get Shondaland directly in your inbox: SUBSCRIBE TODAY