Top 6 Matte, Non Drying & Mask Friendly Lipsticks You Must Have

Given where we're headed with the pandemic, I think we can all agree that masks are going to be an integral part of our outfits going forward. But that does not mean we should give up on our beloved lipsticks. I mean, what is a great makeup look without an amazing lip color to pull the whole look together? In fact, on most days I only need my favorite lipstick to get ready.

Now that we have accepted that masks are going to be in our lives for a while, I'm sure we're all looking for transfer-proof and smudge-proof makeup, with lipsticks being on top of that list.

While creamy lipsticks are known to be very comfortable, they come with a number of challenges. Some of these include:

• It is inconvenient and can leave a huge lipstick stain on your mask, your clothing, or even other people's clothing.
• A lot of product gets wasted with repeated transfer and touch-ups.
• The lipstick can spread onto your teeth and leave embarrassing marks unless it is checked and applied properly. 
• In addition to this, transferable lipsticks can also leave behind a trail of marks on the rim of cups and utensils. 
• The lipstick can also spread onto your face and be quite unhygienic, causing breakouts around the mouth region.

The most obvious solution to these problems, one might think is a good old matte lipstick. But often when we think of a matte, transfer-proof lipstick, the first thing that comes to mind is dryness and discomfort. However, it does not always have to be so. 

Some of the key benefits of using matte lipsticks include:

• It is hygienic.
• Stays put and reduce product wastage.
• Eliminates the hassle of transfer and reapplication. 
• It can be comfortable and non-drying while also being long-lasting.

Here are 6 lipstick brands that are a perfect mix of matte and comfort. I have tried and tested these out myself and will also be recommending my favorite shades from each range. 

1. Nyx Professional Makeup Lip Lingerie Push-Up Long Lasting Lipstick

This is one of Nyx's newer launches. It's a liquid lipstick in a crayon form and has a buttery soft texture during application and eventually settles into a comfortable matte finish. The lipstick has great pigmentation in just one swipe and comes with a sharpener at the end for precision.

The product leaves a minty, tingling sensation on the lip which in a way, serves the purpose of 'push-up'. The range has 12 beautiful rich, nude shades that will suit pretty much any skin tone. It has a non-drying formula and does not transfer after settling.

Shade recommendation: Seduction
Where to buy: Amazon | Nyx

2. Sephora Cream Lip Stain Liquid Lipstick

These are some of the best liquid lipsticks I've ever come across. As the name suggests, the lipstick has a creamy texture and settles into a perfectly comfortable matte on the lip. The formula is very lightweight and feels like you have nothing on once it dries down on your lips.

The creaminess of the lipstick ensures that your lips don't dry out throughout the day while staying put with no transfer and lasts up to a good 8 hours, without any touch-up.

While the lipstick can wear off slightly with the consumption of oily food, the color pigmentation remains the same and does not come off unless an oil cleanser or micellar water is used; thereby, making it the perfect mask friendly option.

Shade recommendation: Vintage Rosewood
Where to buy: Sephora.com

3. Maybelline New York Super Stay Matte Ink Liquid Lipstick

This is an OG from Maybelline and definitely my go-to when I know I'm eating a large meal. You just have to put it on and forget about it for the rest of the day; no touch-ups required. It has a thick, rich consistency and one dip can coat your entire lip.

It has a rather sticky texture on application and sets into a slightly tacky film on the lip which ensures that they don't dry out. A word of caution though is to ensure that the lipstick is dry before you purse your lips, otherwise, the product will get picked up from the inner part of the lip, making it look patchy and uneven.

However, once it has dried, it is absolutely transfer-proof. In fact, it really lives up to its claims of lasting up to 16 hours because it is going to be impossible to get it off your lips completely without some sort of oil-based remover. So you can confidently sport any of the gorgeous 40 odd shades from this range under your mask.

Shade recommendation: Fighter
Where to buy: Amazon | Buymebeauty

4. L'Oreal Paris Infallible Pro-Matte Liquid Lipstick

I have come to grow very fond of this particular lipstick. Especially because of how similar it is to Maybelline's Super Stay Ink lipsticks. The formula, wear time, texture and feel are very similar to Maybelline's but I do feel that the consistency is slightly lighter and dries down a tad bit faster.

That being said, it still does take a minute for the lipstick to dry down,  but once settled, it does not budge. Like the Super Stay Ink, it does have a tacky feel on the lips and you will need an oil-based remover to get it off completely at the end of the day.

Shade recommendation: Cowboy
Where to buy: Amazon 

5. Nyx Professional Makeup Lip Lingerie Liquid Lipstick

Don't get this confused with the first Nyx lipstick mentioned in this article. This right here is the original Nyx Lingerie lipstick featuring a range of nude shades for every skin tone. It is a lightweight liquid lipstick with a slightly creamy texture that finally settles into a powder matte finish.

Once dry, it feels like you have absolutely nothing on your lips but at the same time, they don't feel dried out. The lipstick has a sweet scent and dries down quite fast. So, you can be assured that your mask isn't going to have any of those nasty lipstick stains.

Shade recommendation: Cabaret Show
Where to buy: Amazon | Nyx

6. The Balm Meet Matt(e) Hughes Liquid Lipstick

This range of 12 liquid lipsticks from The Balm Cosmetics is one of the most underrated of all time. With a lightweight, long-lasting, and non-drying formula, these lipsticks are a real winner and have a really great color pay-off.
They have a creamy texture and settles on the lips in a nice matte finish. The vanilla-mint scent combined with the adorable "loyal" names makes these lipsticks a delight.

While it can fade slightly after a heavy, greasy meal, it is quite long-lasting and stays for a good 8 hours with minimal fading. Once dry after application, it leaves a slight tackiness on the lips which ensures that they don't dry out and the lipstick does not transfer.

Shade recommendation: Trustworthy 
Where to buy: Amazon | theBalm

Now if you do have that one lipstick you just cannot do without, you could try some of these simple DIY hacks to reduce lipstick transfer to your mask:

1. Blotting

The simplest method is to remove excess product from your lips by blotting it with a wad of tissue paper.

2. The finger check

To avoid spreading onto your teeth, once you have applied your lipstick, put your index finger into your mouth, in between your lips, and pull it out to ensure that all the excess lipstick around the inside of your lips is removed. Here is a short video to demonstrate tips 1 and 2.

3. Translucent Powder

Alternatively, you could place a thin sheet of tissue on your lips and dab a little bit of translucent powder on it to set the lipstick in place. Here is a quick video demonstration.

Make sure to wait for the lipstick to dry completely and also ensure that you don't layer on too much product because it can crumble and transfer.  

While these lipsticks are great non-drying options, it is always best to exfoliate and moisturize your lips regularly. Because, at the end of the day, no lipstick is going to look good on chapped, dry lips.

If you're not one to use fancy lip exfoliants, there are simple DIY tricks you can do at home. Here are some of the easiest lip exfoliation ideas you can do in under 5 minutes. 

DIY lip exfoliation at home:

1. Make a sugar lip-scrub

Mix 2 tablespoons of granulated sugar with a teaspoon of olive oil or coconut oil and one teaspoon of honey to form a thick mixture. Apply this onto your lips and gently scrub in a circular motion for about 5 minutes before washing it off. This simple scrub will leave your lips soft and hydrated.

2. Gentry scrub with a bath towel

After taking a shower or washing your face, scrub your moist lips gently with a textured bath towel or washcloth to get all the dead and dry skin off to reveal soft, supple lips.

3. Brush your lips with a soft toothbrush

You could also use a soft, clean toothbrush to gently brush your lips while taking a shower to get rid of the dry skin. It is important to ensure that your lips are moist and the brushing is done gently to avoid damage. 

4. Apply lip balm

Make sure to be generous with the lip balm after exfoliating. There is no such thing as too much lip balm! A lip mask could also do wonders right after exfoliation.

5. Hydrate with lots of water

Finally, do not forget to hydrate. It's a no brainer! 

You can use any of these lipstick suggestions under your mask on your next trip out without having to deal with the stress of smudging and retouching every now and then. They're not just smudge-proof and comfortable on the lips but are also quite pocket friendly with a wide range of shades to choose from.

Finally, a little bit of lip care and preparation can go a long way in ensuring that your lipsticks last and look great at all times.