Let’s be honest: there’s no season that is kind to our lips. Just as we recover from winter winds whipping them into a chapped, cracked mess, summer brings in the dehydrating salty water and drying heat. Neither of which lend themselves to a silky smooth lipstick application. As a result, plans to wear red lippy to Christmas parties are benched, and lip balms take precedence once again.
However, what if we told you there are lipstick formulas that have been created with the specific purpose of nourishing as well as colouring the lips?
Surprise, surprise, there are! In fact, there’s six of them we think are pretty great.
Read on for our favourite hydrating lipsticks that are made to replenish and soothe dry, chapped lips, while adding pigmented pops of colour.
Nude by Nature Moisture Shine Lipstick
For a colour-rich finish that looks like a lipstick but feels more like a balm, look no further than the Nude by Nature Moisture Shine Lipstick. It contains shea butter, jojoba oil and microspheres to provide a moisturising effect without feeling heavy.
“I love lipstick that is a little sheer, and this lipstick has the benefit of having a satiny sheen to it as well. Unlike other semi-sheer lipsticks I’ve tried that don’t last more than 30 minutes or look patchy on the lip line, I’m overall impressed with this product!” – laneofjane
$22.95 currently $11.47 at Chemist Warehouse
jane iredale Triple Luxe Long Lasting Naturally Moist Lipstick™
Enriched with nourishing moringa oil, plus a blend of waxes, the jane iredale Triple Luxe Long Lasting Naturally Moist Lipstick™ provides a wash of natural colour while protecting and hydrating dry, chapped lips.
“This lipstick glides on like a dream and stays moist on the lips while being well pigmented. It lasts well and gives a satin finish that is buildable depending on how much you apply from a tint to a full on glamour look.” – Frenchy1
$41.40 at Adore Beauty
Maybelline New York Colour Sensational Color Elixir Lip Color
Don’t be fooled by the gloss-esque texture. The Maybelline New York Colour Sensational Color Elixir Lip Colour formula feels like a balm when applied and is as pigmented (and non-sticky!) as lipstick.
“This is hands down the best lipstick that I’ve ever tried. It has vibrant, stunning colour and it goes on smooth and feels great on – almost like a balm.” – Dmgale
$19.95 at Chemist Warehouse
ulta3 Moisturising Lipstick
If you’ve got a spare $3.99 lying around, the ulta3 Moisturising Lipstick offers a rich, velvety colour, while locking in moisture. So even dry lips will feel nourished and retain their colour.
“I bought this in silver pink as I needed yet another pink lipstick! It’s a beautiful very pigmented, shimmery pink lipstick that is nice and creamy.” – pmyles
$3.99 at ulta3
Burt’s Bees 100% Natural Lipstick
Available in 14 bold shades ranging from vibrant berries to scarlet hues, the Burt’s Bees 100% Natural Lipsticks are infused with beeswax and raspberry seed for a nourishing, smooth finish with a pop of colour.
“It is very comfortable to wear and apply, very creamy in texture. Glides on easily. After application my lips feel soft and moisturised. Not sticky or tacky.” – Amazeballs16
$19.95, currently $13.97 at Adore Beauty
CLINIQUE Pop™ Matte Lip Colour + Primer
Who said matte lipsticks can’t be hydrating? CLINIQUE’s PopTM Matte Lip Colour + Primer doubles as a deeply nourishing lip primer and a highly pigmented, suede-finish lipstick.
“Once put on it stays on. I eat, I drink and once per night I touch it up. It doesn’t really fade and it certaintly doesn’t smudge It’s also a good size, which made it very long lasting The color is super intense and the consistency is very smooth. I found it not as drying as other matte lipsticks.” – C.L.A.U
$40 at Clinique.com.au
Main image credit: @elsahosk
Do you have a favourite hydrating lipstick formula? If so, what is it?
I need moisturising ones.
The Nude by Nature lipstick was really hydrating
The Nude by Nature lipstick is really hydrating
I find lipstick drying and irritating if I wear it too often. I prefer lip balm
I remember really wanting to try the Burts Bees lippies when they first came out and I never did… The NBN ones are nice but they can expire fast.
I prefer tinted balms like Lano! IMO The best one is the spiced version – two applications give this amazing rouge colour and lips are moisturised.
Lanolips is fantastic but I recently transitioned to vegan so I can no longer wear it!
I love to wear a tinted lip gloss.
BH how did you know my lips are cracked? Perhaps it was my Rewards Room order.
Haha! I love this! My little man always has Carmex on hand for his cracked lips. Do you use a lip exfoliant?
Actually speaking of lip exfoliant, I have a lip scrub from lush. and I’m not sure how to use it.. do I just scrub my lips with it then wash it off or keep it on? it doesn’t say on the bottle. thought I’d ask if anyone potentially here knows?
I’ve not tried any of these brands but I always find the my Mac lipsticks super hydrating and my last birthday I was gifted a Chanel lipstick and it was the most moisturising one I’ve probably ever felt.
I think I’ve tried all of these! Lipstick addict!!! I love the Jane Iredale the best!
I’ve never tried Jane Iredale makeup!
Estee Lauder had THE MOST WONDERFUL lipstick formula that never dried lips, was comfortable no matter what and looked super for hours and hours. Unfortunately they changed it and even though this was ages ago I still haven’t got over it.
I love NBN lipsticks. They’re so creamy and leave my lips super soft.
I love a good lippy that hydrates and feels smooth. My fav is Burt’s Bees. Nice scent too.
My lips would love a moisturising lippie!
I like NBN ones, am using some Flower ones at the moment.
Is Flower Drew Barrymore’s baby?
Might have to give these a try, the nude by nature looks really good.
Love the shade of the Jane Iredale one.
Lipsticks are a very cool makeup product! Transforming really!
At the moment I like wearing a tinted lip gloss or balm. I have tried the Nude by Nature lipstick and I do really like the formula.
Do not have fave. remember liking NBN but it goes off too fast.
Burts bees are quality stuff.. love em
Burts Bees always keeps my lips hydrated, plus I love the colour range
Nude by Nature would be my choice.
Ohhhhh, now I gotta try them!
I’m not prone to dry lips, so I always favour long-lasting lippies.
if only we didnt have to wear masks everyday
Yes! I so miss wearing lippy!
My lips aren’t prone to dryness, so I favour long-lasting lippies.
I made one reply, but can’t seem to comment on this article!
Oh, the irony – that comment posted! I’m confused.
I tend to stick to tinted lip balms, but some of these sound worth a try.
I usually use tinted lip balms for my dry lips.
Absolutely love the Nude by Nature lipsticks, all the shades are so wearable
I prefer moisturising lipsticks for my dry lips
i dont like any of these ones
Lip exfoliant before hand works
I quite like Nude by Nature lipsticks
I love the nude by nature lipsticks
I tried Carmex for the first time recently and they are really nice!
I have tried the Clinique one and it is quite moisurising. Unfortunately, it doesn’t last long on me.