Your wedding day is one of the most exciting days of your life and you truly want to feel your best whilst you say your ‘I Do’s’ in front of your nearest and dearest.
However, finding the perfect lipstick for your wedding day can be mind-boggling as there are so many factors to consider. You’ll want it to suit your skin tone, be long-lasting so you don’t have to touch it up all the time, smooch-proof and you want it to look just right in photos.
We know you’ve got enough on your plate trying to organize your big day, that’s why we’ve taken it upon ourselves to find you the best wedding lipstick for your special day.
OUR TOP PICK
NYX PROFESSIONAL MAKEUP Soft Matte Lip Cream
EDITORS CHOICE
L’Oreal Paris Makeup Colour Riche Lipstick
BEST VALUE
Rimmel Lasting Finish Lipstick
OUR TOP PICK
NYX PROFESSIONAL MAKEUP Soft Matte Lip Cream
Our best overall choice for wedding lipstick is the NYX soft matte lip cream and amazingly enough, it’s also incredibly budget-friendly. Its vast shade range (34 to be exact) makes it suitable for anyone regardless of skin tone, wedding color theme, and even hair color. Whatever type of color you want to go for, the NYX soft matte lip cream will stock it.
The soft matte lip cream is one of the longest-lasting formulas we’ve come across and doesn’t budge from the lips once it’s dried into place. This means you’ll be able to do all the smooching, nibbling on canapes, and sipping champagne as you’d like without worrying about it smudging or wearing off.
The formula despite being matte never feels dry on the lips, however, we would recommend keeping on top of your lip balm application and your hydration levels on the days leading up to the wedding to make sure your lips are nice and smooth.
Some of the shades are buildable, allowing you to apply a small amount to the center of your lips and then blend in with a finger for a softer look, or you can apply directly with the applicator for a more opaque and bold color.
As well as being lightweight and non-drying on the lips, the brand is also cruelty-free which is also a bonus. The lip creams also pair well with NYX’s butter gloss shade ranges.
Pros:
- 34 shades to choose from – Something for every bride
- Long-wearing – Will last all day with only one reapplication required
- Non-drying on the lips – No need to worry about lips cracking
- Buildable color – Make it as natural or as bold as you like
Cons:
- Smudges easily when wet – Needs around 20 seconds to dry properly
EDITORS CHOICE
L’Oreal Paris Makeup Colour Riche Lipstick
Another great choice for bridal lipstick is the L’Oreal Paris Colour Riche lipsticks that come in both vibrant and more neutral shades suitable for any personality.
They’re a budget-friendly option and can also be found in practically any drugstore you come across. The lipstick is also available in matte and creamy shades, so if you favor one or the other you’ll be able to find something that suits you with this lipstick.
The matte versions will last for a few hours and will fade quite naturally on the lips, leaving you with a soft bitten look. Whereas the creamy finishes will only last up to 2 hours but even less if you’re eating, drinking, and socializing so will need to be frequently reapplied.
The formula is enriched with Omega 3, Vitamin E, and Argan Oil to soften and nourish lips, leaving you with a kissable pout all day long.
Although L’Oreal is a drugstore brand, the packaging of these lipsticks is very luxurious and you’ll look glamorous when applying this in the ladies’ bathroom.
Pros:
- Enriched with nourishing ingredients – Keeps lips feeling and looking hydrated
- Available in matte and creme finishes – Suitable for any bride
- Good shade range – Any bride will find a color they love
Cons:
- Creme finish doesn’t last long – Can easily wear off in less than an hour
BEST VALUE
Rimmel Lasting Finish Lipstick
Wedding makeup doesn’t have to break the bank, and that’s why this Rimmel Lasting Finish lipstick is great for those who are sticking to a budget. It’s one of the best drugstore lipsticks around as is favored by many makeup lovers for everyday and occasion wear.
There is a huge shade range available including a specific range of nudes and also bolder or brighter colors to create more statement looks.
The lipstick offers up to 8 hours of wear without reapplication so you’ll be able to enjoy your day without worrying about your lipstick looking good.
The colors are highly pigmented so a little will go a long way and they’ll flatter most, if not all skin tones and make-up looks.
It’s a soft and creamy formula that feels comfortable on the lips to wear all day and will fade naturally without leaving residue on the outline of your lips. The formula does have a subtle shimmer to create the illusion of a fuller and plumper pout.
Pros:
- Soft and creamy formula – Comfortable for all-day wear
- Highly pigmented and long-lasting – Won’t need to reapply for 8 hours
- Good shade range – Suitable for all skin tones
Cons:
- Not smudge-proof – May transfer when hugging guests or blotting mouth with a napkin
RUNNER UP
MAC Cremesheen Lipstick
Many brides will use MAC makeup artists to do their bridal makeup on their special day and the brand has now become a popular choice for the lipstick of choice. It’s a good low-maintenance choice for a busy bride who doesn’t want to spend ages carefully applying in a compact mirror.
The medium buildable coverage feels comfortable on the lips and looks more natural than a matte finish would do. A light application will give you a more sheer color whereas pressing harder and reapplication will give a truer color of the shade.
The cremesheen lipstick is not the most long-lasting and will only last up to 2 hours depending on what you’re doing. However, it does wear away very naturally and doesn’t leave you with patchy lips.
The Mac Cremesheen formulations are the perfect combination of longevity but sultry glossy lips for the bride.
The shade range will suit any type of bride, with corals, reds, pinks, berries, and nudes being available. Some popular shades for brides are Modesty, Velvet Teddy, Brave, Honey Love, Twig, and Creme Cup all of which will suit a good variety of skin tones.
Pros:
- Wears off naturally – No patchy lips when the color fades
- Hydrating formula – Keeps lips looking plump all-day
- Medium buildable coverage – This allows you to create a more natural or fuller coverage
Cons:
- Wears off after 2 hours – Will need to reapply throughout the day
RUNNER UP
Charlotte Tilbury Matte Revolution Lipstick
One of the most popular high-end makeup brands around is Charlotte Tilbury, so it’s no wonder one of their lipstick ranges found its way onto our top five list.
The matte revolution lipsticks are now a cult favorite due to their longevity, ability to build up the color so you can have it more shore or as opaque as you’d like.
Despite being a matte finish, these lipsticks are super hydrating and will keep your lips looking moisturized until the last orders are being called at the bar.
These lipsticks have a unique square-shaped tip that offers precise application, great if you don’t have time to reapply in front of the mirror.
The packaging of Charlotte Tilbury’s lipsticks is to die for and they’ll be a welcomed addition to your makeup bag or vanity after your wedding day. The lipsticks are also pretty small so will easily fit in your clutch bag or a bag belonging to a member of your bridal party.
The lipstick is available in a variety of shades from light nudes to dark berry shades so you’ll find something that suits you. There are also shades specifically for wedding days such as First Dance and Wedding Belles.
Pros:
- Long-lasting formula – No need to worry about constantly reapplying
- Good shade variety – Something for every skin tone
- Hydrating on the lips – Keeps lips looking moisturized
Cons:
- They don’t last as long as other brands – Disappointing for such a luxury brand
Best Wedding Lipstick Buying Guide
Type of Lipstick
The type of lipstick you choose will decide how it looks on your wedding day and how much maintenance your lips will require throughout the day. The less matte the lipstick, the easier it will fade from your lips therefore you’ll have to keep reapplying if you want it looking good all day.
Sheer
A sheer lipstick is a hybrid between lipstick and lip balm and adds a sheer glossy color to enhance your natural lip color. It’s pretty low maintenance as it’ll naturally fade without leaving patches on your lips and you can easily reapply it without having to leave your wedding to go to the bathroom.
If you’re going for more of a bold eye look, then sticking with sheer lipstick may be a good option so you don’t overdo it.
Cream
A cream lipstick will also easily glide onto your lips like a sheer lipstick does, however, as it is made more so of wax it is more opaque on your lips and longer-lasting. However, unlike matte lipsticks, creme ones tend to be more hydrating and won’t show cracks or imperfections on your lips.
They’re often a preferred choice by brides who want a good balance of moisture, color, longevity, and little maintenance.
A cream lipstick will probably need reapplying after a few hours and you may want to do it in a compact mirror when you’ve got a few seconds to spare.
Matte
Matte lipstick is the most long-lasting choice and is ideal for brides who don’t want to fuss over reapplying throughout the day but still want to look amazing.
Matte lipsticks, have no glass to them and are completely matte on the lips and they’re often smudge-proof meaning even after a full day of drinking, eating, and even smooching your partner, your lipstick should look in place by the end.
The color is often more saturated and can make a statement with bold colors like pink or red.
Whilst some matte lipsticks will stay put all day, others may wear away naturally as the day progresses, this means you might have to reapply (especially if it’s a bright color) to prevent having a remaining outline of the color around your lips.
Color
Once you’ve chosen the type of lipstick you’d like, you can now consider the color you’d like to wear. The most common colors are probably nudes, pinks, peaches, and light reds for the wedding day as these are classified as ‘romantic’ shades. However, you can choose dark purples or deep reds if that suits your personality and usual makeup more.
The lips can easily look washed out in wedding photography, so wear a slightly darker shade than your usual to make sure you look 1 million bucks in your photos.
We’d recommend not trying anything too risky on your wedding day, for example, if you’ve never worn red lipstick before then this may not be the time to try it for the first time.
The darker the color, the more maintenance it’ll require to make sure it doesn’t smudge, go on your teeth, or reapply so it doesn’t look patchy after a few hours.
Longevity
Matte lipsticks are the most long-wearing and will prevent you from having to reapply every hour, whereas sheer and cream lipstick will gradually come away as you’re chatting with guests, kissing your partner, and eating and drinking.
Skin Tone
Every lipstick will look different on different skin tones and some lipsticks will suit some skin tones better than others.
If you’re shopping in a store, swatch the tester of the lipstick you like on the wrist to see how well it suits your skin tone. When shopping online, you’ll often see swatch imagery of how the shade will look on different skin tones.
Other Makeup
The other makeup you’re wearing on your wedding day will be a factor in what lipstick you choose. If you’re wearing ultra-matte face makeup, then you may want to go for more of a glossy or moisturizing lip to bring your face to life.
Whereas if you’re wearing ultra-glam glowy and dewy base makeup, then a matte lipstick may be better.
As for eyes, if you’re going for a bold eye makeup look then you may want to tone it down and choose a neutral lip color. If you’re using neutral tones on your eyes, then you may want to go for a bolder look on your lips.
Drugstore or High-end
This factor shouldn’t make a huge impact on what lipstick you choose, as some incredible drugstore budget-friendly lipsticks are so much better than luxury ones.
However, a wedding day is one of the most important days of your life and you may want to spend a bit extra on your makeup bits so you can keep them in your collection to look back on. Most often, higher-end/luxury lipsticks are in stunning packaging and look great modeled on a vanity table back at home.
Go To The Makeup Counter
If you’re still struggling, visit your nearest makeup counters and tell them that you’re looking for lipstick for your wedding. They’ll be able to recommend lipstick and shade to suit your skin tone and what kind of appearance you’d like on the lips.
You can also go to the makeup counter and request a wedding makeover, they’ll be able to try a variety of shades and lipsticks on you until you find something that you love. You may even find some other makeup products that you can also use on your big day.
Wedding Day Tips For Lipstick
- Try out your wedding lipstick before the big day
- Exfoliate and moisturize your lips before applying your lipstick
- Blot the inside of your lips to prevent lipstick from transferring to your teeth
- Make sure your lip liner matches your lipstick
- Don’t wear a lipstick color you wouldn’t normally feel comfortable wearing
Frequently Asked Questions
How do I choose a wedding lipstick?
When choosing a wedding lipstick make sure to stay true to yourself and your style. If you wear muted colors and neutral makeup, now will not be the time to try a bright lip color.
Factors you’ll need to consider are whether you’d like a sheer, matte, or cream lipstick, what colors you’d like (most common are pinks, peaches, nudes, and reds), and also if the shade you’re choosing suits your skin tone.
Is it bad to wear red lipstick on your wedding day?
No, in fact, red lipstick is a classic look that you can wear on your wedding day, albeit it is a bit more of a risky or high-maintenance shade of color than more neutral shades, but if it’s a color you feel confident in then you should wear it.
What lipstick did Meghan Markle wear on her wedding day?
Meghan’s makeup artist said he used Honest Beauty’s Truly Kissable Lip Crayon in the shade Chestnut Kiss with a little touch of Dior Lip Glow in the shade Coral.
