10 Best Sheer Lipsticks in 2022 (Makeup Artist-Reviewed)
If you're looking for a lipstick that gives your lips a natural look, consider using sheer lipstick! Technically, it's a hybrid between lip balm and regular lipstick. It delivers a subtle flush of color with a lightweight feel. The coverage is usually buildable, so you can add more layers for a deeper color. Sheer lipsticks are usually formulated with moisturizing ingredients as well to keep your lips moisturized and healthy.
That's why we did some digging and found 10 of the best sheer lipsticks according to reviewers. Clinique's Almost Lipstick was our favorite; it features a nourishing formula and provides a nice hint of color that helps enhance your natural lip color. If you want more options, check out the rest of our top 10 list! We've also included a buying guide reviewed by a professional makeup artist with many useful tips to help you with your selection process.
Natalya is a professional makeup artist based in Los Angeles and has been trying new products to find what is best for each individual's skin tone and type. She is self-taught but wanted to further her education, and she went to a makeup school in Los Angeles to learn the ins and outs of makeup. She has tried many makeup brands and products and can proudly say she has found some of the best and longest-wearing products. As a freelance makeup artist, she wants her clients not to worry about their makeup not lasting as long as they need it to.
mybest US' editing team consists of experienced members who have backgrounds in writing, editing, translation, and more. We are dedicated to researching what makes a product or service the best to users in the US in order to create top-quality articles. From skincare, to kitchen appliances, and to DIY supplies, our mission is to find the best ones for you.
The expert oversees the Buying Guide only, and does not determine the products and services featured.
How to Choose Sheer Lipsticks
While choosing a sheer lipstick, keep important factors such as the ingredients and the shade in mind. In this section, we'll discuss them in detail. Keep reading for more info!
Choose a Shade That Complements Your Skin's Tone
In order to choose a shade that looks natural on your lips, make sure that it complements your skin tone. In other words, the undertone of your lipstick should match the undertone of your skin.
To know what your skin undertone is, take a look at the color of your veins. If they appear bluish or purplish, then you have a cool undertone. On the other hand, green veins equate to warm undertones.
If you have cool undertones, shades with blue and purple undertones such as cherry red, pink, nude will look great on you. Meanwhile, warm shades like peach, coral, and rosy pink work well if you have warm undertones.
Any lip can complement your makeup look, but you can find a color that fits you perfectly. Every skin tone reflects a lipstick color differently. The undertone is the color of your skin that peeks underneath your skin. Whether you have fair, medium, or dark, you want to find the perfect pink or red shade that will make your makeup look pop.
Neutral undertone skin can really pick any lipstick. Anything light to dark will complement the skin without making the skin look uneven. A blush shade on light skin tones can give the face a more warming look. Medium skin tones can never go wrong with a mauve-y lip. Tan skin tones with olive undertones can easily pull off anything from oranges to darker reds. A deep skin tone can pull off dark lip shades such as burgundy or bronze.
Pick Between a Shiny or Matte Finish
Depending on the formula, sheer lipsticks can deliver either a high shine or a matte finish. And choosing which finish to use is totally up to your aesthetics. However, those with thin lips should consider a lipstick with a high gloss level, as it will add depth to your lips and help them look fuller.
A lipstick featuring a matte formula is usually long-wearing and has a powdery, soft texture that glides on smoothly. And since it provides a two-dimensional look, it can make your lips look smaller. That's why we'd recommend them for larger-lipped people that want to make them appear a bit more subtle.
Keep in mind that a matte formula might leave your lips feeling dry. So if you intend to go for this kind of lipstick, make sure the formula contains moisturizing ingredients (explained below) to prevent your lips from drying out. You can also balance it out by applying a moisturizing lip balm beforehand.
Choose between a sheer, shiny lip or a matte finish according to your look. A shine lip will give you a lightweight feel where a matte lip will give you heavier feel. A matte will give off more color where as a shine will give you more of a sheer application.
A matte lipstick will have a longer wear for days you need a lip to hold. A shiny lip will give you that carefree, confident, not-trying-too-hard look. It can look more natural for during the daytime, but you can easily bump up your glam for the nighttime with a matte lip.
Go for a Nourishing Formula for a Healthy Lip Look
Many sheer lipsticks are formulated with nourishing ingredients to keep your lips moisturized and healthy. Fruit and plant extracts such as pomegranate fruit extract and aloe vera are common ingredients on ingredient lists. They not only moisturize your lips but also contain many vitamins to soften and protect them from damaging factors.
Oils and plant butter such as shea butter, coconut oil, castor seed oil, and grape seed oil are other wonderful ingredients that you don't want to miss out on. They contain a high amount of fatty acids to soften your lips and prevent moisture loss. They're especially useful for those with chapped, dry lips.
Those ingredients are also packed with antioxidants and can help minimize the fine lines on the lips. They can promote collagen synthesis to give your lips a supple, healthy look.
Finding a lip product that has nourishing ingredients will leave your lips feeling healthy and will only protect the lips in the long run. Find a lip product that will add hydration and SPF. Moringa butter is a great ingredient that protects the lips from environmental stressors.
Not only can a lip product help heal lips, but it can also protect the lips with ingredients such as beeswax, shea butter, and moringa oil. Most sheer lipsticks add a healthy plump, making the lips look fuller, filling any fine lines, and giving a healthy, moisturized glow.
10 Best Sheer Lipsticks
Non-Sticky Texture That Goes on Smoothly
Containing moisturizing ingredients such as castor seed oil and candelilla wax, this sheer lipstick helps soften your lips and protect them against dryness. It comes in two different colors: black honey and pink honey, both of which work for almost all skin tones.
A few buyers complained about the chemical scent of the lipstick. On the other hand, for most reviewers, both shades were beautiful and the sheerness gave their lips a nice pop of color. It's glossy, too, and added a natural glow to their lips.
Many others also loved the moisturizing, non-sticky texture that allows them to build it up without getting cakey. Reviewers further mentioned that it stays on the lips for a while.
Gucci Rouge à Lèvres Voile Sheer Lipstick ｜ Goldie Red - the gucci red sheer
Lightweight, Moisturizing Formula to Keep Your Lips Soft
This sheer lipstick from Gucci comes in 18 different shades and features a lightweight consistency that spread easily across your lips. It contains ingredients with light-reflecting properties such as mica to bring you luminous shine. The formula is hydrating and free from potential irritants such as sulfates and phthalates, too!
One caveat of this product for some buyers was the off-putting scent. Some reviewers were also disappointed with its staying power.
Nevertheless, the majority loved the sheer, beautiful color of the lipstick. They praised the creamy, moisturizing formula as well, saying it goes on beautifully and leaves their lips feeling soft. The luxurious packaging is another huge bonus for buyers.
Take Care of Your Lips With These Products
Just like the rest of your skin, your lips can get damaged due to environmental factors such as UV rays, overuse of cosmetics, and pollution. To keep your lips healthy and soft, you should take care of them using appropriate beauty products. Check out the links below for some recommendations!
In Collaboration With Professional Makeup Artist Natalya Lowe
This expert reviewed the contents of the buying guide for accuracy and provided factual corrections when necessary, as well as extra tips and advice. They did not participate in the product selection process, nor are they affiliated with any of our choices unless explicitly stated so.
Top 2 Sheer Lipsticks
No. 1: Clinique ｜Almost Lipstick｜Black Honey
No. 2: Gucci ｜Rouge à Lèvres Voile Sheer Lipstick｜Goldie Red - the gucci red sheer
View Full RankingThe descriptions of each product are referenced from content available on manufacturer, brand, and e-commerce sites.
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