Last updated on 23rd March 2026 by Sarah Sarsby
For the latest post in my battle of the brands series, I’m ranking my bullet lipsticks collection to tell you which is my all-time fave.
My battle of the brands series is where I rank my makeup collection by a specific product type. From foundations and bronzers to lip liners and brow products, battle of the brands is my ultimate makeup collection rating, so you can see my holy grail products.
Starting from my least favourite product and working my way up to my number 1 product in any given category, this is the fastest way to see my thoughts on my makeup collection. I’ve previously ranked my contours, cream blushes, mascaras, skin tints and tinted moisturisers, lip glosses, brow products, and more.
Find out which bullet lipstick is my fave in terms of colour, formula, longevity, comfort, and application.
*This post contains some affiliate links. This means, at no extra cost to you, I earn some commission if you purchase a product through my link. All thoughts are my own, though, as always. If you want to find out more, visit my affiliate disclosure page*
20. Avon Ultra Satin Lipstick
£6
This Avon Ultra Satin Lipstick is quite nice. It glides on easily, imparts a natural flush of colour, and is comfortable. I like the nude pink shade, as it’s soft and subtle. However, I never reach for this formula as it wears off within a couple of hours. IMO, it’s obvious this isn’t a high-quality lipstick.
19. Colourpop Velvet Blur Lipstick
Discontinued
The Colourpop Velvet Blur Lipstick is cute. It delivers a blurred lip and can really change your makeup look. However, this pink lip shade is way more vibrant on the lips than it is in the bullet. The shade doesn’t suit me, and, despite being comfortable and wearing quite well, I just never reach for it. The formula is good, but nothing special.
18. e.l.f. SRSLY Satin Lipstick
Discontinued
For a drugstore lipstick, the e.l.f. SRSLY Satin Lipstick is nice. It’s smooth, creamy, comfortable, and delivers medium pigmentation. I like this cool-toned brown nude. It’s wearable and works with a good range of neutral- and cool-toned makeup looks. I just don’t reach for this formula often, as there are other ones in my collection that perform better.
17. Milani Color Fetish Shine Lipstick
£12.50
The Milani Color Fetish Shine Lipstick is a lovely drugstore option for a smooth, satin lipstick. This one is surprisingly pigmented for a shiny formula. It’s not particularly balmy, but the shiny nature of this lipstick means it wears off within a few hours. But the formula glides on, feels comfortable, and gives lips a hydrated and smooth finish. The colour is quite intense, so I don’t reach for it regularly.
16. Fenty Beauty Mattemoiselle
Discontinued
The Fenty Beauty Mattemoiselle is a classic matte lipstick. Very long-wearing, fantastic colour payoff, and a range of rich, impactful shades. These have been discontinued, and I can largely see why. Fenty Beauty’s other lipstick formulas are better. The Mattemoiselle formula is fairly drying and can cling to lip texture, which isn’t flattering. However, the Mattemoiselle range had some great orange-toned shades, which are typically hard to find. They also wear exceptionally well without budging.
15. Natasha Denona I Need a Nude Lipstick
£24
The Natasha Denona I Need a Nude Lipstick offers medium, buildable pigmentation, a pretty range of nude shades, and feels smooth and comfortable on the lips. It delivers a satin matte finish that looks natural and glides on the lips effortlessly. But it fades fairly quickly. While I think this formula is nice, for a mid-to-high-end lipstick, the quality doesn’t blow me away. There are better lipsticks out there that cost less. I’m also not a massive fan of the shade Natasha. It washes me out and looks quite grey, even though the bullet itself doesn’t look cool-toned. It’s one I have to pair with a gloss to make the colour work for my complexion.
14. Maybelline Color Sensational Made For All Lipstick
£8.99
The Maybelline Color Sensational Made For All Lipstick is an underrated drugstore satin, shiny formula. Although the shade Baddest Beige doesn’t appear to be stocked anymore, I love how effortlessly this formula slips on. It’s creamy, hydrating, smoothing, and makes lips instantly look fuller and plumper. Baddest Beige is a gorgeous neutral light beige that pairs well with loads of lip liners and is ideal for when you want a more washed-out lip look. I sometimes pair it with a darker gloss on top for a richer colour, which looks so pretty. Being shiny, it wears off within a few hours, which is the downside.
13. HNB Cosmetics Creamy Soft Satin Lipstick
£14
The HNB Cosmetics Creamy Soft Satin Lipstick is a smooth and moisturising formula. This is a nude lipstick range and is perfect if you want an elevated concealer lip look. It blends easily and can be blurred for a softer finish. However, this lipstick can feel a bit heavy on the lips and wears off quickly. But I love the finished look.
12. Anastasia Beverly Hills Matte Lipstick
Discontinued
While Anastasia Beverly Hills still makes matte lipsticks, the specific Matte Lipsticks I own from the brand have been discontinued. It’s a shame because while these lipsticks are a bit on the dry side, I love the shade range. I own a soft petal pink, peachy nude, and rosy brown, which are all gorgeous and wearable. As this formula is a bit drier, the lipsticks also have great lasting power and do not budge once applied. There are better matte lipsticks on the market, though.
11. Chanel Rouge Allure
£42
I’ve had this Chanel Rouge Allure lipstick in my collection for years and still think fondly of it. This is a classic Chanel red in a vibrant, slightly luminous, and comfortable formula. It glides on seamlessly, stays put for hours, and doesn’t cling to any dry patches on the lips. Despite being a great lipstick, I prefer ones that are smoother, creamier, and more hydrating.
10. Makeup by Mario SuperSatin Lipstick
£29.90
The Makeup by Mario SuperSatin Lipstick is one of the most pigmented satin lipsticks I’ve tried. With a lovely shine, this lipstick delivers an intense, saturated colour. It’s silky, creamy, and wears surprisingly well for a satin finish. It will stay put for a good 6 hours with minimal top-up required. This is really flattering too, as it doesn’t look dull or dry on the lips.
9. Pat McGrath Labs LuxeTrance Lipstick
Discontinued
The Pat McGrath Labs LuxeTrance Lipstick has been discontinued. It’s a shame because the formula is lovely. It’s velvety, richly pigmented, and feels expensive. The lipstick is creamy, offers a slight sheen, and doesn’t budge, flake, or transfer throughout the day. It wears all day and night. Plus, it’s pretty hydrating and feels lightweight on the lips. I don’t reach for this lipstick often, but I still really like it.
8. Chanel Rouge Coco
£43
Chanel Rouge Coco is a gorgeous satin lipstick. This formula offers medium, buildable colour payoff, a gorgeous creamy formula, smooth application, and a flattering sheen. My lips feel hydrated, comfortable, and nourished. It wears well, lasting a good 4 hours before needing any sort of reapplication. This lipstick feels effortlessly chic, timeless, and sophisticated. It’s a stunning rosewood mauve that looks good with every makeup look.
7. Glossier Generation G
£20
Glossier Generation G is the most unique formula in this post. This lipstick provides a distinct, blurred, diffused, and soft-edged lip look that gives your lips a cloud-like finish. It’s completely weightless and provides a smooth flush of colour that looks as though it’s your actual lip colour. I own the shade Zip, which is a stunning poppy red that is wearable, dialled down, and reminiscent of a warm summer’s evening. I love this formula.
6. Lisa Eldridge True Velvet Lip Colour
£27
The Lisa Eldridge True Velvet Lip Colour is the most long-wearing lipstick in this post, lasting up to 10 hours without budging, smudging, fading, or flaking. I’ve got the shade Velvet Ribbon, which is the classic pillarbox red. This is a neutral/blue-red that suits everybody. If I want a statement red lip that’s vivid, bold, and makes my lips look smooth and full, this is the one I reach for. The formula is creamy, velvety, moisturising, and non-drying. It never looks dull or flat.
5. Huda Beauty Power Bullet Matte Lipstick
Discontinued
I was surprised to learn that the Huda Beauty Power Bullet Matte Lipstick has been discontinued, as the formula and shade are gorgeous. It’s a neutral-toned soft nude pink in a formula that’s creamy and nourishing. My lips feel silky and smooth when I’ve applied this lippie, while delivering a natural matte finish that doesn’t look flat, dull, or one-dimensional. This is the lipstick I go for when I want a reliable shade that looks good with everything and a formula that wears well without fading patchily.
4. MAC MACximal Silky Matte Lipstick
£25
The MAC MACximal Silky Matte Lipstick is perhaps the most iconic matte lipstick in this post. I still own the older version of this formula, but it has since been upgraded to a newer, silkier, and smoother consistency. My version is perhaps a little bit on the dry side, but this is completely forgiven, as this cult classic does not budge, wears for 8 hours without fading, and has the best shade range on the market. MAC’s matte nudes provide a brilliant array of undertones to ensure you can find a colour that works for your complexion. MAC Chili is my fave red lipstick of all time – a warm brick red that’s wearable, flattering, and versatile.
3. Tom Ford Lip Colour
£49
The Tom Ford Lip Colour is my fave satin lipstick of all time. These lippies are insanely pigmented, offering rich, multi-dimensional colours that look and feel expensive. While £49 is a lot of money for a lipstick, this formula is a standout. The colours are creamy, glide on in just 1 swipe, feel comfortable, and stay vivid on my lips for hours and hours. The shine reflects the light beautifully to ensure your lips look smooth, plump, and full. If I’m after a bold lip look that’s sure to get compliments, this formula is my go-to.
2. Charlotte Tilbury Matte Revolution
£29.50
The Charlotte Tilbury Matte Revolution is my number 1 matte lipstick. This offers everything I want in a matte formula: long-wearing, creamy, hydrating, matte but not flat, non-drying, comfortable, easy to apply, buildable, and transfer-proof. Pillow Talk is the ultimate nude pink lipstick that I reach for time and time again. There’s a reason why this shade is universally loved and revered! It always looks phenomenal and works with so many different makeup looks. This formula makes lips look soft and kissable. I’m obsessed and will always repurchase it.
1. MAC MACximal Sleek Satin Lipstick
£25
The MAC MACximal Sleek Satin Lipstick is my favourite bullet lipstick formula. It’s shiny, smoothing, nourishing, flattering, pigmented, buildable, comfortable, has good lasting power, and makes lips look juicy and plump. While this satin formula isn’t as long-lasting as its matte counterpart, I just love the sheen and visible hydration that this formula imparts. It always makes lips look conditioned with a rich, creamy colour that can be dialled up or down, depending on your mood. Of course, MAC’s shade range is to die for, with everything from flesh-toned beiges and mid-toned plums to reddish browns and dusty lavenders. I can’t praise this formula enough and am always looking at new colours from this beautiful range. It’s just the best.
Sarah Sarsby is the owner of A Woman's Confidence. With over 7 years' experience of writing in the fields of beauty and lifestyle, Sarah is passionate about all things content, makeup, skincare, wellness, and lifestyle. She has combination skin, is obsessed with lip gloss, and loves cookie dough.