10 Best Dark Drugstore Lipsticks For 2023

Look like a diva and flaunt some bold lip colors that flatter your complexion.

Reviewed by Nyssa Green, Makeup Artist
Written by Baishali Bhattacharya, Certified Image Consultant, Certified In Makeup Artistry
Edited by Srijani Roy Chowdhury, Certified In Makeup Artistry, Certified Style & Image Consultant
Fact-checked by Srijita De, Certified Style & Image Consultant  • 
All products recommended on StyleCraze are independently selected by our editorial team. If you make a purchase through any of these links, we may receive a commission. Learn more about our product selection process here.

There is something bold and classy about dark lipsticks. They look edgy and make you stand out from the crowd. The best drugstore dark lipsticks have a range of classic deep shades, including dramatic burgundies, rich plums, gorgeous reds, and bronze chocolates.

If you want to nail the perfect, bold lip look, you don’t have to burn a hole in your pocket. Instead, different drugstore brands have come up with long-lasting lip colors that are highly pigmented and offer intense color pay-offs. This article has rounded up some of the best dark drugstore lipsticks that will instantly lift your whole look. Keep scrolling and take your best pick!

Top Picks
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Best Overall: Maybelline New York Super Stay Matte Ink – Exhilarator
Price on Amazon
Best Pigmented:Milani Color Statement Lipstick – Best Red
Price on Amazon
Best Satin Finish:Burt's Bees Satin Lipstick – Blush Basin
Price on Amazon
Best Lightweight:Wet n Wild MegaLast Liquid Catsuit Matte Lipstick – Video Vixen
Price on Amazon
Best For Daily Wear: Rimmel London Lasting Finish Lipstick – Shade 001
Price on Amazon
Best Nourishing:Flower Beauty Petal Pout Lipstick – Fuchsia Flush
Price on Amazon
Best 24 Hour Wear:Revlon ColorStay Ultimate Liquid Lipstick
Price on Amazon
Best Herbal: Palladio Herbal Lipstick – Juniper
Price on Amazon
Best Matte: Black Radiance Perfect Tone Matte Lip Crème – Naughty Brown
Price on Amazon
Best Moisturizing Formula: e.l.f. Cosmetics SRSLY Satin Lipstick
Price on Amazon

Who Looks The Best With Dark Drugstore Lipsticks?

Dark lipsticks are a gorgeous addition to your makeup arsenal and give your lips a bolder, fuller, and dramatic touch. The best part about dark drugstore lipsticks is that no matter your skin tone, they look good on everyone. However, it is imperative that you choose the right shade of dark lipstick that will perfectly complement your natural skin tone. If you have a lighter skin tone, opt for shades that have slight pink undertones. Conversely, if you have a darker skin tone, shades with a brown undertone work well.

Now, let’s check out the different dark lipstick recommendations below that you should give a try very soon!

10 Best Dark Drugstore Lipsticks

1.Best Overall: Maybelline New York Super Stay Matte Ink – Exhilarator

4.3
Maybelline New York Super Stay Matte Ink – Exhilarator Image: Maybelline New York

The Maybelline New York Super Stay Matte Ink is a cult-favorite among makeup lovers. It is richly pigmented and has a moisturizing and transfer-proof formula. The long-lasting lipstick provides a supreme matte finish for up to 16 hours. This liquid lipstick comes with an arrow-shaped applicator that makes the application process easier and provides precise results. Exhilarator is a deep, dark red lipstick that perfectly complements all skin tones.

Pros

  • Smudge-proof
  • Transfer-proof
  • Long-lasting
  • Highly pigmented
  • Value for money

Cons

None

protip_icon Quick Tip
Once you’re done for the day, use Maybelline’s SuperStay Eraser lipstick remover to remove the product effortlessly.

Why It’s Worth Buying: The overwhelming 76,391 positive reviews on Amazon show how popular this product is with happy users.
Price at the time of publication: $7.98

2.Best Pigmented: Milani Color Statement Lipstick – Best Red

4.4

The Color Statement Lipstick by Milani is a must-have for everyone looking to create a bold statement with their makeup look. It is enriched with a skin-friendly and nourishing blend of ingredients like vitamins A and C to fight free radical damage and restore the lips’ natural color. The shade Best Red is suitable for cool undertones and lasts all day long.

Pros

  • Moisturizing
  • Smudge-proof
  • Buildable coverage
  • Long-lasting
  • Value for money
  • Cruelty-free

Cons

None

Price at the time of publication: $10.51

3.Best Satin Finish: Burt’s Bees Satin Lipstick – Blush Basin

4.2
Burt’s Bees Lipstick Image: Burt's Bees

This dark drugstore lipstick is designed to last the entire day and provide 8-hour moisturization, full coverage, and a satin smooth finish. This affordable dark lipstick is made with naturally nourishing ingredients like beeswax, moringa oil, raspberry seed oil, and vitamin E. Moringa oil is enriched with essential fatty acids that condition and soften the lips, whereas the raspberry seed oil boosts skin elasticity, making your lips look luscious.

Pros

  • Moisturizing
  • Long-lasting
  • Full coverage
  • Vegan
  • Cruelty-free
  • Paraben-free
  • SLS-free
  • Petrolatum-free
  • Phthalate-free

Cons

None

Why It’s Worth Buying: A whopping 8,490 reviews on Amazon make it obvious that users genuinely love this product.
Price at the time of publication: $5.49

4.Best Lightweight: Wet n Wild MegaLast Liquid Catsuit Matte Lipstick – Video Vixen

4.1
Wet n Wild MegaLast Liquid Catsuit Matte Lipstick – Video Vixen Image: Wet N Wild

The Wet n Wild MegaLast Liquid Catsuit Matte Lipstick goes on glossy and settles into a richly pigmented matte finish. Video Vixen is a mulberry merlot shade that offers intense pigmentation without drying your lips. The lightweight formula of this budget-friendly lipstick glides smoothly on your lips and lasts all day.

Pros

  • Long-lasting
  • Lightweight
  • Highly pigmented
  • Non-drying
  • Value for money
  • Vibrant color payoff

Cons

None

Price at the time of publication: $4.99

5.Best For Daily Wear: Rimmel London Lasting Finish Lipstick – Shade 001

Get ready within minutes every morning with this everyday wear shade by Rimmel. This red shade is suitable for all skin tones. The creamy formula of the lipstick is enriched with highly saturated pigments and provides a comfortable wear for up to eight hours. It provides intense color payoff with a soft and non-drying, glossy finish.

Pros

  • Long-lasting
  • Goes on smooth
  • Highly pigmented
  • Moisturizing
  • Mild fragrance
  • Transfer-proof

Cons

None

Price at the time of publication: $5.49

6.Best Nourishing:Flower Beauty Petal Pout Lipstick – Fuchsia Flush

4.2
Flower Beauty Petal Pout Lipstick – Fuchsia Flush Image: Flower Beauty

The Flower Beauty Petal Pout Lipstick features a rich formula that provides a deep color payoff in just a single stroke. This matte drugstore lipstick is enriched with a nourishing blend of ingredients that condition your lips and provide antioxidant protection. The long-lasting lipstick provides an intense matte finish that works for all occasions. If you want a dark drugstore lipstick to create a bold statement at your next gathering, try Fuchsia Flush, a deep purple hue ideal for cool undertones.

Pros

  • Nourishing
  • Conditions the lips
  • Long-lasting
  • Highly pigmented
  • Cruelty-free

Cons

None

Price at the time of publication: $7.07

7.Best 24 Hour Wear:Revlon ColorStay Ultimate Liquid Lipstick

4.6
Revlon ColorStay Ultimate Liquid Lipstick Image: Revlon

The Revlon ColorStay Ultimate Liquid Lipstick offers a brilliant satin-finish. It has a long-wearing formula that provides intense color payoff. Its lightweight texture glides on smoothly and evenly, without drying or cracking the lips.
The formula is transfer-resistant and can last for up to 24 hours. This drugstore lipstick brand’s patented applicator is designed to hug the contours of the lips, allowing for precise application and a flawless finish. The packaging is sleek and portable, making it easy for on-the-go use and perfect for touch-ups throughout the day.

Pros

  • Lightweight
  • Long-lasting
  • Smudge-proof
  • Fade-proof
  • Travel-friendly

Cons

None

protip_icon Pro Tip
Once your lips are fully coated, and the formula has set, gently press your lips together over a napkin or tissue to eliminate excess product and avoid slippage.

Price at the time of publication: $9.99

8.Best Herbal: Palladio Herbal Lipstick – Juniper

4.3
Palladio Image: Palladio Herbal Lipstick – Juniper

Nourish your lips with the goodness of aloe vera with the Palladio Herbal Lipstick. It has a richly pigmented formula that provides a smooth, high-quality finish every single time. This moisturizing lipstick stays on throughout the day without budging, therefore it surely deserves a spot in your lipstick collection. Juniper is an intense plum shade that can work on cool, warm, or olive skin tones.

Pros

  • Moisturizing
  • Highly pigmented
  • Long-lasting
  • Affordable
  • Cruelty-free
  • Paraben-free
  • Gluten-free

Cons

None

Price at the time of publication: $7.99

9.Best Matte: Black Radiance Perfect Tone Matte Lip Crème – Naughty Brown

4.2
Black Radiance Perfect Tone Matte Lip Creme Image: Black Radiance

If you are looking for a creamy dark liquid lipstick that offers a supreme matte finish, the Black Radiance Perfect Tone Matte Lip Crème is the ideal pick for you. This non-drying lipstick provides a smooth and soft finish and can be worn alone or layered to give a more intense color payoff. The shade Naughty Brown is ideal for women with warmer undertones.

Pros

  • Transfer-proof
  • Soft brush applicator
  • Long-lasting
  • Non-drying

Cons

None

Price at the time of publication: $3.99

10.Best Moisturizing Formula:e.l.f. Cosmetics SRSLY Satin Lipstick

4.1
e.l.f. Cosmetics SRSLY Satin Lipstick Image: E.l.f.

The e.l.f. Cosmetics SRSLY Satin Lipstick has a high-performance, long-wearing formula that delivers a bold, vibrant color. It is formulated with nourishing ingredients such as macadamia seed oil, jojoba oil, and meadowfoam seed oil, which nourish and condition the lips. It is indeed one of the best drugstore lip products with its creamy texture that glides on smoothly and evenly, without pulling or tugging on the lips. The highly saturated pigment provide full coverage with just one swipe. This product is a must-have for anyone looking for a high-quality, affordable lipstick that delivers bold color and nourishing benefits.

Pros

  • Highly pigmented
  • Long lasting
  • Smudge-proof
  • Paraben-free
  • Phthalate-free
  • Triclosan-free
  • Hydroquinone-free
  • Vegan
  • Cruelty-free

Cons

None

Dark drugstore lipsticks come in an assortment of deep lip shades that can bring out the best in you. Let us check out the best ways to choose the right shade for you, depending on your skin undertone.

How To Choose The Best Dark Drugstore Lipsticks

  • Warm Undertones

All you ladies with warm undertones, deep shades with orange undertones like a rosy coral will complement your skin tone very well.

  • Cool Undertones

If you have a lighter skin tone or a cool undertone, go for shades of blue, pink, and reds.

  • Neutral Skin Tone

When we talk about neutral skin tones, there’s no shade that this skin tone can’t pull off. From a rich burgundy to a deep red, you can go with any shade you like.

The Bottom Line

Dark lip colors like burgundy, red, and chocolate are eye-catchy and give you that classic and unique look to make a lasting impression. But it is not always possible to invest in high-end expensive lip colors. If you love trying new shades, start investing in dark drugstore lipsticks that are available at pocket-friendly prices. They offer intense color and moisturize your lips and prevent them from chapping. The Maybelline New York Super Stay Matte Ink – Exhilarator delivers an attractive matte finish and looks good on most skin tones, the Burt’s Bees Satin Lipstick – Blush Basin improves skin elasticity and softens the lips, and the Palladio Herbal Lipstick – Juniper glides on smoothly and moisturizes the lips. In addition, these lipsticks are highly-pigmented, smudge-proof, and are long-lasting. Go through the product reviews to choose the right dark lipstick shade that will perfectly complement your natural skin tone.

Why Trust StyleCraze?

The author, Baishali Bhattacharya, is certified in makeup techniques and loves trying out different products and reviewing them for people. She has curated the list of dark drugstore lipsticks after carefully studying different brands and skimming through hundreds of reviews posted by users online. These lipsticks, which are highly pigmented and offer intense color payoffs, are long-lasting, smudge-proof, and transfer-proof. Moreover, they set you apart in the crowd with your bold look and are cost-effective.

Frequently Asked Questions

Does dark drugstore lipstick look good on everyone?

Yes. Dark shaded lipsticks can look good on almost everyone, regardless of the skin tone. For lighter skin tones and eyes, go for dark shades that have pink undertones, while shades with brown undertones are ideal for darker skin tones.

What does wearing dark lipstick mean?

Wearing dark lipstick makes one appear confident and bold. It makes the wearer stand out in parties and gatherings.

Do dark lipsticks make you look older?

No, but dark lipsticks draw attention to the uneven skin tone, fine lines, and patches on the lips.

Does dark lipstick look good on pale skin?

Yes, dark lipsticks, especially blue-toned ones look great on pale skin.

Is dark lipstick appropriate for work?

No, not all dark shades are appropriate for work. However, you may try out dark browns and maroons occasionally.

Does a dark brown lipstick suit dark skin?

Yes, a dark brown lipstick suits dark skin. You may also choose coffee brown, plum brown, or nude brown shades for darker skin tones.

Can I wear dark lipstick during the day?

Yes, wear dark lipstick during the day but keep your makeup subtle and do not overdo the eyes.

Does dark lipstick make your lips look smaller?

Yes, dark lipsticks may make your lips appear smaller and thinner.

Can you wear dark lipstick in summer?

Yes, wear dark lipstick in summer to add vibrancy and an edge to your overall appearance.


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