Lipstick has the power to transform your look and boost your confidence. For Indian women, finding the perfect lipstick that complements their unique skin tone can be a challenge. With countless brands, finishes, and shades available, it’s essential to understand which lipsticks cater to your specific needs. In this ultimate guide, we’ll explore the top 8 best lipstick brands that offer a wide range of shades to flatter every Indian skin tone, from fair to dusky. We’ll also delve into the different types of lipstick finishes and provide expert tips on how to choose the best lipstick for your skin tone and preferences.
Maybelline New York is a globally renowned cosmetics brand that offers an extensive range of lipsticks suitable for various Indian skin tones. Their Color Sensational Creamy Matte Lipstick collection is a favorite among many, featuring shades like Divine Wine, Clay Crush, and Nude Nuance that beautifully complement medium to dusky skin tones. The creamy formula glides on smoothly, providing a matte finish that doesn’t dry out your lips.
For those with fairer skin, Maybelline’s Color Sensational Rebel Bouquet collection offers vibrant pinks and subtle nudes like Fuschia Flare, Peach Buff, and Blushing Pout. These shades are perfect for adding a pop of color to your everyday look or for special occasions.
Maybelline also offers long-lasting lipstick formulas like their SuperStay Matte Ink Liquid Lipstick, which provides up to 16 hours of wear without smudging or fading. Shades like Loyalist, Lover, and Pioneer are excellent choices for those with deeper skin tones looking for a lipstick that can withstand the test of time.
Top Features:
Best Shades: Burgundy Blush, Clay Crush, Nude Nuance
Pros:
Cons:
Best Suited For: Those looking for full coverage, transfer-proof matte lipsticks on a budget.
Lakme is a beloved Indian cosmetics brand that has been catering to the beauty needs of women across the country for decades. They provide an extensive range of lipsticks for every skin tone and occasion. Lakme’s 9 to 5 Primer + Matte Lip Color collection is a popular choice among working women, as it offers a long-lasting matte finish with the added benefit of a built-in primer. Shades like Red Coat, Rosy Sunday, and Pink Perfect suit fair to medium skin tones, while Plum Pick and Wine Bite complement deeper skin tones beautifully.
For those looking for a more luxurious and hydrating option, Lakme’s Absolute Matte Revolution Lip Color collection is infused with argan oil and vitamin E to nourish your lips while providing a rich, matte color. Shades like Burgundy Blast, Cocoa Craving, and Crimson Silk are perfect for dusky skin tones, while Mauve Mix and Pink Flamingo flatter fair to medium skin tones.
Lakme also offers a range of creamy and glossy lipsticks for those who prefer a more hydrating and shiny finish. Their Enrich Satin Lip Color collection features a buttery smooth formula that glides on effortlessly, offering shades like Mauve Magic and Pink Passion that suit various Indian skin tones.
Top Features:
Best Shades: Magenta Pink, Crimson Red, Earthy Brown
Pros:
Cons:
Best Suited For: Those looking for an affordable Indian lipstick brand with primer for extended wear.
Faces Canada is a cruelty-free makeup brand that offers a wide range of affordable and high-quality lipsticks. Their Weightless Matte Lipsticks are enriched with nourishing ingredients like almond oil, jojoba oil, and vitamin E, making them ideal for those with dry or chapped lips. The extensive shade range includes options like Cherry Red and Pink Pleasure that complement fair to medium skin tones, while Mocha Magic and Vintage Brown flatter deeper skin tones.
For a more hydrating option, Faces Canada’s Ultime Pro Matte Lip Crayon provides a creamy matte finish that doesn’t dry out your lips. Shades like Nude Ballet and Peach Me complement fair to medium skin tones, while Crimson and Wine Vibe beautifully suit deeper skin tones.
Faces Canada also offers a range of glossy and shimmery lipsticks for those who love a bit of shine. Their Glam On Color Perfect Lipstick collection features a lightweight formula that provides a sheer to medium coverage with a glossy finish. Shades like English Rose and Coral Glam are perfect for fair to medium skin tones, while Berry Blast and Mauve Lust complement deeper skin tones.
Top Features:
Best Shades: Cherry Red, Pink Pleasure, Mocha Magic
Pros:
Cons:
Best Suited For: Those looking for a nourishing matte lipstick to moisturize dry, flaky lips.
Just Herbs is an Ayurvedic makeup brand that focuses on using all-natural and organic ingredients in their products. Their lipstick range is crafted with nourishing ingredients like ghee, almond oil, and beetroot extract, making them suitable for sensitive skin and those who prefer a more natural approach to beauty.
Just Herbs Ayurvedic Lipsticks offer a subtle matte finish and a moisturizing formula that keeps your lips hydrated throughout the day. Shades like Coral Kiss and Rosewood Pink enhance fair to medium skin tones, while Rustic Red and Mauve Blush complement deeper skin tones beautifully.
Top Features:
Best Shades: Coral Kiss, Rustic Red, Rosewood Pink
Pros:
Cons:
Best Suited For: Those looking for nourishing, organic lipsticks to treat dry, chapped lips.
SUGAR Cosmetics is a cruelty-free and vegan makeup brand that offers affordable, long-lasting lipsticks catering to various Indian skin tones. Their Smudge Me Not Liquid Lipstick collection is a bestseller, providing an intense matte finish that stays put for up to 12 hours without smudging or feathering. Shades like Pink Paradigm and Ruby Rush suit fair to medium skin tones, while Tan Lust and Boldplay complement deeper skin tones.
For those who prefer a more traditional bullet lipstick, SUGAR’s Matte Attack Transferproof Lipstick collection offers a creamy matte formula that glides on smoothly and provides a long-lasting finish. Shades like Tan Hall and Brick Digest are perfect for deeper skin tones, while Holy Golightly and Subtle Sunlight flatter fair to medium skin tones.
SUGAR also offers a range of metallic and glittery lipsticks for those who love a bit of shimmer. Their Mettle Liquid Lipstick collection features a long-wearing formula with a metallic finish, offering shades like Copper Caviar and Rose Gold that suit various Indian skin tones.
Top Features:
Best Shades: Scarlet Red, Ruby Rush, Pink Paradigm
Pros:
Cons:
Best Suited For: Those looking for affordable, intensely pigmented and transfer-proof liquid lipsticks.
Mamaearth is a natural and toxin-free beauty brand that offers a range of nourishing lipsticks suitable for all skin types. Their Moisture Matte Longstay Lipsticks are infused with natural ingredients like avocado oil, vitamin E, and shea butter, providing a creamy matte finish that doesn’t dry out your lips. Shades like Cherry Red and Pink Pleasure flatter fair to medium skin tones, while Crimson Crush and Burgundy Blush beautifully complement deeper skin tones.
Mamaearth also offers a range of tinted lip balms for those who prefer a more sheer and hydrating option. Their Ubtan Tinted Lip Balm collection features a blend of natural ingredients like turmeric, saffron, and almond oil, providing a sheer tint of color while nourishing your lips. Shades like Rose Blush and Berry Blush suit various Indian skin tones.
Top Features:
Best Shades: Cherry Red, Pink Pleasure, Crimson Crush
Pros:
Cons:
Best Suited For: Those looking for long-lasting vegan lipsticks that hydrate dry lips.
Nykaa is a popular Indian e-commerce platform that offers a wide range of beauty and skincare products, including their own line of affordable and high-quality lipsticks. The Nykaa So Creme! Creamy Matte Lipstick collection provides a smooth, satin finish that suits various Indian skin tones. The extensive shade range includes options like Soft Nude and Retro Rouge that enhance fair to medium skin tones, while Twilight Plum and Raving Red gorgeously complement deeper skin tones.
For those looking for a more long-lasting option, Nykaa’s Sealed with a Kiss Lipstick collection offers a creamy matte formula that stays put for up to 8 hours. Shades like Jaipur and Delhi Darling are perfect for deeper skin tones, while Mumbai Mood and Kolkata Kisses flatter fair to medium skin tones.
Nykaa also offers a range of liquid lipsticks for those who prefer a more intense and long-wearing finish. Their Matte to Last Liquid Lipstick collection features a lightweight formula that dries down to a matte finish, offering shades like Begum and Sassy that complement deeper skin tones, while Bombshell and Diva flatter fair to medium skin tones.
Top Features:
Best Shades: Retro Rouge, Soft Nude, Twilight Plum
Pros:
Cons:
Best Suited For: Those looking for a creamy matte lipstick for moisturized, smooth lips.
Colorbar is an Indian cosmetics brand that offers a luxurious range of lipsticks suitable for various skin tones and preferences. Their Velvet Matte Lipsticks are infused with moisturizing ingredients like shea butter, jojoba oil, and vitamin E, providing a comfortable and long-lasting matte finish. Shades like Gossip Spice and Berry Chic flatter fair to medium skin tones, while Wine Divine and Plum Poetry beautifully complement deeper skin tones.
For those who prefer a more glossy finish, Colorbar’s Kiss Proof Lip Stain collection offers a lightweight formula that provides a sheer to medium coverage with a glossy sheen. Shades like Coral Fixation and Pink Fantasy suit fair to medium skin tones, while Red Excess and Plum Perfect complement deeper skin tones.
Colorbar also offers a range of metallic and glittery lipsticks for those who love a bit of shimmer. Their Diamond Shine Lipstick collection features a creamy formula with a metallic finish, offering shades like Copper Glaze and Rose Gold that suit various Indian skin tones.
Top Features:
Best Shades: Plum Poetry, Wine Divine, Cinnamon Spice
Pros:
Cons:
Best Suited For: Those looking for a moisturizing, velvet matte finish lipstick for a plush look.
Brand | Key Features |
---|---|
Maybelline New York | Matte finish, intense pigmentation, long-lasting |
Lakme | Available in 42 shades, built-in primer, 12-hour wear |
Faces Canada | Enriched with oils, moisturizing texture |
Just Herbs | Herbal ingredients, nourishes lips |
SUGAR Cosmetics | Travel-friendly, smudge-proof, 12-hour wear |
Mamaearth | Natural oils, suitable for Indian skin tones |
Nykaa | Creamy texture, semi-matte finish |
Colorbar | Velvet matte, enriched with oils |
With thousands of lipstick shades and formulas available in the Indian market, keep these factors in mind when picking the best lipstick brand for you:
Follow these pro makeup artist tips for getting flawless, crisp lipstick application every time:
Use these hacks to extend the wear time of cream, matte or liquid lipsticks:
Maybelline and Lakme matte lipsticks are among the most long-wearing lipsticks, lasting upto 16 hours without touch ups. Sugar and Insight matte liquid lipsticks also deliver extended wear for upto 12 hours.
Lakme and Faces Canada offer lightweight, moisturizing matte lipsticks ideal for daily wear. Sugar and Nykaa lipsticks also have creamy, comfortable formulas suitable for everyday use.
Lakme, Maybelline, and Sugar are among the top lipstick brands in India. They offer the best range of shades, textures, and pricing suitable for the Indian market.
Maybelline matte lipsticks contain a creamy base to glide on smoothly, but the matte finish can emphasize dry flakes and lines. Opt for more moisturizing creamy lipsticks from Lakme or Nykaa if you have very dry lips.
Indian skin tones are flattered by warmer shades like nudes, browns, reds, corals, pinks, plums, and berries. Stay away from cool-toned shades like neon pinks or blues. Always test shades in natural lighting before purchasing.
Matte lipsticks tend to be more long-lasting while glossy or creamy lipsticks feel more moisturizing. You can even layer a gloss on top of a matte lipstick for extended wear with shine.
Faces Canada and Insight lipsticks start at just Rs. 300, making them very wallet-friendly! Lakme and Maybelline also offer lipsticks under Rs. 500.
Avoid lipsticks containing parabens, sulfates, mineral oils, and fragrances which can cause irritation. Seek out nourishing ingredients like jojoba oil, vitamin E, shea butter instead.
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