The 19 Best Lipsticks to Spend Vaxxed Girl Summer In

There isn't a single person on Earth who wouldn't look amazing in The Lip Bar's Bawse Lady shade, a blue-toned medium red as makeup artist Delina Medhin explains. "The formula doesn't dry out your lips and stays put all day," she says.

There's a reason Charlotte Tilbury's K.I.S.S.I.N.G Lipstick in Coral Kiss won a Best of Beauty Award in 2020. Even though this bullet formula is ultra-matte, it's smooth to the touch and incredibly comfortable on the lips. Plus, that soft orange hue couldn't scream "poolside party" more.

Goth girl summer, anyone? Just kidding — Clinique's Almost Lipstick shade Black Honey isn't nearly as dark on the lips as it looks in its tube. Instead, this balmy tint delivers a sheen of deep mulberry pigment that subtly darkens the shade of your natural lips. 

If a lipstick, a lip gloss, and a lip balm had a lovechild, it would probably look something like E.L.F. Cosmetics's Sheer Slick Lipstick. This barely-there formula comes in a plethora of bright red, pink, and orange shades perfect for summer — but our personal favorite is Wild Peach, a perfect halfway between coral and rose. 

Makeup artist Lavonne name-drops Nyx Professional Makeup's #ThisIsEverything Lip Oil as one of her favorite summertime products, thanks to their moisturizing, non-sticky feel. And if you ask TikTok, the Sheer Lavender shade is perfect for creating a '90s-inspired frosted look. 

Glossier boasts that its Ultralip range is "the cashmere sweatpants of lipsticks" and, well, it's not wrong. With a juicy blend of watermelon extract, jojoba oil, and more, this formula provides a slick feel with just enough color to be noticeable. Summer begs bright colors, which is why we'd roll with the shade Fête, a pink-toned red. 

The word "velvet" in the title of this Joah Beauty lipstick formula truly couldn't be more fitting. TMI is matte, but definitely not in the dry, flat sense you might think of when you hear that word. With its blurred look, the shade WYD? offers a subtle rose that's just like your own lips — but better.

When makeup artist Tommy Napoli discovered Runway Rogue's Silk Glam Liquid Lipsticks, he knew he'd found a new summer staple. "It's really unique in formula and finish; they're made of really finely milled shimmer, so they're multi-dimensional and give a lot of life to the face," he explains. His personal favorite? Sex Symbol, a plum-toned brown.

If you're ready to stop traffic, it's time to bring out Maybelline New York's Ultimatte Slim Lipstick in the shade More Magenta because pinks truly do not get brighter than this. What's more: the Ultimatte formula has one-swipe pigment that's truly indestructible. 

For those who prefer to keep things low-key in the summer, lean on Bobbi Brown's balmy and sheer Extra Lip Tint. Just take it from Medhin: "It's a nice substitute if you're used to carrying a lip balm in your bag but want something you don't need to apply with your fingers." The shade Bare Pink, shown above, accentuates the natural color of your lips  — seriously, no one will ever even know you're wearing it.

 Revlon's fully pigmented Satin Ink formula might look like your run-of-the-mill liquid matte on the inside, but in reality, creates a lacquer-like shine. And the bright, true red of My Own Boss is definitely not for those who seek to hide away from the summer limelight. 

The brighter and bolder the shade this summer, the better, according to Murphy — and YSL's Rose Curieux shade certainly ticks both of those boxes. Formula-wise, you definitely get your money's worth. "It's matte but not drying, and you can feel the quality of ingredients," says Murphy.

Surprisingly, it isn't the SPF that draws Allure staffers to Sun Bum's Nude Beach Tinted Lip Balm (this formula carries SPF 15, but we still urge you to wear the dermatologist-recommend 30 all over). Rather, it's the subtle copper shimmer that makes you look fresh out of the sun. 

If you asked makeup artist William Murphy to name his most versatile summer staple, it's undoubtedly Surratt Beauty's Lipslique in Nu De Soleil. "The color is perfect for a wide range of complexions and feels like a moisturizing balm but definitely delivers some color," he moons.

Of all the products to come from Zara's recently-launched beauty line, the Tinted Balm Stick is undoubtedly the crown favorite among Allure editors. The moisturizing effect and comfortable feel combined with the subtle, muted rose hue of the shade Say Kiss are truly all you could ask for on a no-makeup makeup day.

Saint Jane's Calming Luxury Lip Shine is near impossible not to love, thanks to its equally glossy and nourishing formula (with chamomile and aloe vera, among other star ingredients). Lavonne has been leaning on Tonic, a light nude with a hint of peach, for her clients all season.