I've Tried 100s of Lipsticks—These Are the Best 9 For Party Season
Even as a beauty editor, I am often stuck in my ways when it comes to my make-up. Whether it’s a day at the office, date night, a work event or an impromptu trip to the pub, it’s almost as if I go into autopilot, applying the same look time and time again. First up, my trusty flick with a brown kohl liner (a game changer by the way), then a slick of mascara, a foundation mixed with some kind of glow cream, a bit of bronzer, cream blusher, powder, a lip gloss and I’m away. And yes, I always do my eyes first and yes a lot of people find it weird.
When this time of year comes around, however, it’s as if the inner Ru Paul in me awakens and I want it all going on at once. Glitter eyeshadow? All over it. Fake lashes? I’ll take a full and fluttery corner set, please. Oh, and while you're at it, you wouldn’t mind sticking on a few rhinestones? Anywhere will do.
Swatches of Mollie's favourite party lipsticks. Scroll on to see them in action...
But my favourite beauty product for party season, without a doubt, is an amazing lipstick. Whether it’s a bright red, hot pink or a glitter extravaganza, there’s just something about a lipstick that can really compliment a festive getup and add a sprinkle of extra to the vibe you're going for.
With that in mind, here are the best party lipsticks that don’t compromise on comfort, ease of application, staying power or pigment. You best believe I’m rocking up to the Christmas ‘do, Winter Wonderland, my Grandma’s annual festive family gathering and New Years Eve wearing one of them.
1. Pat McGrath LiquiLust Legendary Wear Metallic Lipstick in Crimson Sunset
Mollie wearing Pat McGrath LiquiLust Legendary Wear Metallic Lipstick in Crimson Sunset
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It’s official. I am obsessed with this lipstick. The added touch of metallic makes it perfect for party season, without it being too in your face so it gets bonus points for wearability. It’s also faff free thanks to the teardrop applicator and whipped texture which quickly dries to give you 12 hours of non budge wear. In the name of beauty journalism, I really did put this to the test and can confirm it isn’t going anywhere. When I tell you I scrubbed…
2. Charlotte Tilbury Limitless Lucky Lucky Lips in Red Wishes
Mollie wearing Charlotte Tilbury Limitless Lucky Lips in Red Wishes
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Red lipstick. At Christmas. Groundbreaking. But much like Mariah Carey and the song that needs no introduction, they really do go together perfectly at this time of year. I was on a mission to find the perfect matte pillarbox red and I most certainly found it. The pigment is insane meaning you don’t need to apply a lip liner first, plus it passes the longevity test and is comfortable and non-drying. Maybe this signals the start of me being a red lipstick all year round kinda gal.
3. Dior Rouge Dior Limited Edition Matte Lipstick in Mystic Plum
Mollie wearing Dior Rouge Dior Limited Edition Matte Lipstick in Mystic Plum
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Made in celebration of the holiday season, Dior’s new limited-edition lipstick is a work of art. Stars and flowers are engraved on the bullet, and you can choose between a velvety, satiny or matte finish I opted for the latter. I wore this out at the weekend, topping it up only a couple of times, and received lots of compliments. Tis the season *insert nail polish emoji*
4. Rare Beauty Lip Soufflé Matte Lip Cream in Ascend
Mollie wearing Rare Beauty Lip Soufflé Matte Lip Cream in Ascend
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Of course I couldn’t turn my back on a bit of hot pink it's been the year of Barbiecore after all. Much like the name suggests, it’s really soft on the lips and and dries to a velvety matte finish. I was really impressed with just how nourishing and lightweight it felt and the colour is divine.
5. NARS Powermatte Lipstick in Feel My Fire
Mollie wearing NARS Powermatte Lipstick in Feel My Fire
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I’ve had a love affair with this matte lipstick collection ever since I went to the launch event and tried on shade ‘No Angel’. For the few times I’ve opted for a red lipstick, I go for one with the slightest hint of orange so this one is right up my street. It’s a great pick for party season as you can sip mulled wine, eat pigs in blankets and finish with a few rounds underneath the mistletoe without it budging. Pucker up!
6. Honest Beauty Liquid Lipstick in BFF
Mollie wearing Honest Beauty Liquid Lipstick in BFF
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I definitely feel more in my comfort zone wearing this. It’s my number one choice for day-to-night wear and the hyaluronic acid and avocado oil-infused formula means it feels really nice on. For a whole look, try it with the Make Up Forever Endless Cacao Lip Liner and the Kylie Cosmetics Kyshadow The Mauve Palette it’s a winner.
7. Christian Louboutin Silky Satin Lip Colour in Berry Revue
Mollie wearing Christian Louboutin Silky Satin Lip Colour in Berry Revue
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There’s no doubt about it, this lipstick is boujee. I felt extra holding it, applying it and wearing it and that’s what party season is all about, right? If you’re into a more sheen, glossy, finish with impressive staying power, this one is for you. There’s also something a vampy lip does to me that others could never, and because it’s so striking you can where it on its own.
8. Vieve Modern Matte Lipstick in Lara
Mollie wearing Vieve Modern Matte Lipstick in Lara
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I am a big Vieve fan (Skin Nova is my desert island beauty product) and at this rate, Lara is coming with me, too. The shade is really interesting as it isn’t quite red and it isn’t quite berry it’s a glorious mix of the two. It has a ‘matte not flat’ finish, and is very highly pigmented, whilst being buildable and blendable. Looks like I'm loving it so much I had the sudden urge to smell it.
9. Ciaté Glitter Flip Lipstick in Candy
Mollie wearing Ciaté Glitter Flip Lipstick Candy
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It would be rude of me not to feature some kind of glitter lipstick in this line up it is party season after all. Let the lipstick completely dry for a couple of minutes, press your lips together and POW the formula transforms into full frontal glitter. The picture doesn’t do it justice as it was really hard to capture the multi-dimensional finish and glisten, but take my word for it. For me, it's screaming New Year's Eve party.
Next Up: I've Noticed These 6 Winter Makeup Trends Are Taking Over Already
Mollie Burdell is a freelance beauty editor, presenter and host. She trained as a makeup artist at the prestigious Delamar Academy, covering everything from prosthetics and theatre to TV and film, and then went on to graduate from university with a First Class Honours degree in journalism.After completing internships at Grazia, Look, Cosmopolitan and Stylist, she landed her first writer role at Superdrug's Dare magazine. Mollie then joined the Harrods content team as a beauty writer before being promoted to the deputy beauty editor. There, she developed the content strategy, tone of voice and creative identity for H Beauty—Harrods's standalone regional beauty stores. When she wasn't interviewing the likes of Gigi Hadid, Miranda Kerr and Regé-Jean Page, you'd find her on a live broadcast, hosting an event, shooting video content, reviewing the lastest beauty launch on social or crafting a magazine feature. She has also hosted and contributed to the LuxeGirl by SheerLuxe YouTube series.When Mollie isn't writing about beauty, you'll find her talking about it on a TikTok shop, dancing to pretty much anything with a beat, reading a crime thriller or performing a solo rendition of "One Day More" from Les Mis.
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