Lipsticks

At Lancôme, we believe wearing lipstick is a daily ritual of self-care, a touch of effortless French elegance, and a powerful boost of confidence. From commanding reds to everyday nudes, lipstick can brighten up your entire complexion, pull a look together in seconds, and give you that French je ne sais quoi.

As we age, lips can naturally lose some of their color and definition. A great lipstick beautifully redefines your lip contours, adds a flush of youthful color, and creates the appearance of a fuller, plumper, and more symmetrical smile.

Lipsticks come in different finishes, like a cream or satin lipstick for everyday wear, a classic matte lipstick for intense color payoff and a bold look, a soft matte lipstick for a buildable blurred matte finish, a lightweight liquid lipstick with ultra-pigmented color payoff, or a shiny lipstick with buildable color and long-lasting hydration.

The right lipstick shades for you will depend on your personal lip color preferences and skin tone. Different lipstick shades flatter different skin tones. Explore our expert-curated lip color guides on how to choose your best red lipstick, nude lipstick, purple lipstick, peach lipstick, burgundy lipstick, pink lipstick, or brown lipstick to flatter your skin tone and desired look.

Try-On Now: Makeup Virtual Try-On lets you try on Lancôme’s range of lipstick shades and finishes in seconds.

To help extend the longevity of your lipstick wear time:

• Prep and Exfoliate Gently exfoliate your lips with a sugar scrub or damp washcloth to remove dry flakes. Apply a hydrating lip balm early in your routine but ensure you blot off any excess balm with a tissue right before applying color, as oils break down lipstick.
• Line and Prime the Entire Lip Apply a dedicated lip primer or lip liner to prevent bleeding. Outline and completely fill in your lips with a lip liner that matches your natural lip shade or lipstick. This creates a wax-based, highly pigmented base that helps anchor your lipstick.
• Apply, Blot, and Layer Apply your first layer of lipstick, then gently press a single-ply tissue between your lips to blot away excess oils while leaving the raw pigment in place. Apply a second layer of lipstick over the top to lock in the color intensity.
• Set with Translucent Powder To help with transfer-resistance, place a single-ply tissue over your lips and dust a translucent setting powder through the tissue using a fluffy brush. This absorbs excess moisture and locks the lipstick into a velvet finish without drying out the lips.
• Choose Matte, Liquid, or Stain Formulas Opt for long-wear liquid lipsticks, matte bullets, or lip stains. Avoid high-shine or glossy formulas, as their higher oil content can cause them to slide and transfer.

To prevent lipstick from drying out your lips, be intentional about the lipstick formula you choose, keeping lips hydrated, and practicing smart touch-ups:

Choose Skincare-Infused Lipsticks: Beware of the famously dehydrating ultra-matte liquid lipsticks. Instead, look for modern comfortable matte or creamy formulas infused with nourishing skincare ingredients like Hyaluronic Acid, Squalane, Botanical Extracts, Jojoba Oil, or Vitamin E. These lipsticks, like Lancôme’s L'Absolu Rouge lipsticks formulated with Hyaluronic Acid, Vitamin E, and Pro-Xylane™, provide high-pigment color and a long-lasting finish without stripping your lips of moisture.

Before Application, Create a Hydrating Barrier: To shield your lips from drying pigments, apply a lip balm at the start of your makeup routine to give it time to sink in. Right before applying your lipstick, blot away the excess balm with a tissue so the lipstick can still adhere properly without sliding. Finish with a hydrating lip primer or waxy lip liner applied all over lips to help lock in moisture.

Pro-Tip for Lipstick Touch-Ups: Avoid layering a fresh lipstick coat directly over the dry layer, since this can compound flakiness. When touching up, tap a tiny amount of lip balm or a non-sticky lip oil onto your finger and press it onto your lips. This reactivates the existing lipstick pigment and quickly restores comfort and moisture without ruining your color. If needed, gently tap lipstick onto remoisturized lips to build back your desired color intensity.

At its core, lipstick is an engineered emulsion of waxes, oils, and pigments designed to glide on smoothly, deposit vibrant color, and stay on the lips. While formulas vary widely depending on the desired finish (matte, cream, shiny) and performance (long-wear vs. ultra-hydrating), most lipsticks share this common structural blueprint. L’Absolu Rouge’s key ingredients and benefits are what make our lipsticks stand in a class all by themselves:

Both L’Absolu Rouge Cream & Drama Matte are formulated with:

• Hyaluronic Acid to add moisture & hydration
• Vitamin E known to smooth & soften
• Pro-Xylane™ known to hydrate & replenish as well as reduce the appearance of fine lines while delivering a glide-on sensation

• 30% Rose Balm to add comfort & care
• Up to 18 Hours of wear & care

• Grand Rose Extract to add comfort & care
• All Day wear & care

While it is technically possible to use eyeshadow as lipstick, it is not recommended. Eyeshadows are specifically formulated for use on the delicate skin around the eyes and may contain ingredients that are not safe for ingestion or prolonged contact with the lips. Additionally, eyeshadows are typically not designed to adhere to the lips or provide the same level of comfort, longevity, or color payoff as lipsticks.

Using eyeshadow on the lips may result in a dry, uncomfortable texture, uneven application, and a lack of staying power. It's best to use products as intended and opt for lipsticks or lip makeup products specifically formulated for the lips to ensure safety, comfort, and your best results.