If you’re trying to find a lipstick that not just looks good but also feels good on your lips, Clinique has you covered. The prestige beauty brand stands out from the rest with its gentle compositions. They offer various lipsticks that provide a burst of color, all while helping your lips maintain their natural, healthy feeling. Some contain SPF or added moisturizers for dry skin.
Clinique Pop Lip Colour + Primer has a luxurious yet lightweight formula. It offers rich color and a smoothing primer in one product to give you the best of both worlds. You can get it in three finishes and a variety of bright and neutral shades.
What to know before you buy a Clinique lipstick
Traditional vs. liquid lipstick formulas
Clinique lipsticks include bullet lipsticks and chubby sticks that twist up for application. From opaque mattes to sheer stains, these come in every finish and offer soft, comfortable wear. Although they’re rarely transfer-proof, they tend to be less drying than liquid lipsticks.
Liquid lipsticks typically come in a tube with a doe-foot applicator. They offer opaque pigment in one swipe and have a wet feel when applied. Liquid formulas dry down to a matte finish and are designed to last much longer than regular lipsticks.
Finish
Glossy lipsticks give your lips a shiny finish that reflects light. They’re more hydrating and provide a fresh, natural look to your makeup but require frequent touch-ups.
Satin or demi-matte lipsticks are more opaque and feature just a slight sheen. They hit the sweet spot between a cream and a matte finish.
Matte lipsticks have no shine and offer a brilliant color payoff. If you’re not a big fan of touch-ups, matte lipstick is a great solution for you. However, they can sometimes be drying and can accentuate dry patches on the lips.
Clinique lipstick features
Clinique Shade-Match Science
Clinique has created Shade-Match Science, an online beauty tool that uses your foundation shade to find the most flattering lip colors for your skin’s unique tone or undertone. The wheel guides you to a trio of Clinique’s Even Better Pop Lip Colour Foundation. It picks out a nude, a casual and a glam shade designed to work for every mood and occasion.
Built-in primer
Some Clinique lipsticks have a built-in primer to help your lipstick apply more evenly and last longer. The primer helps create a smooth canvas, so your color glides on effortlessly. It can also help moisturize your lips to reduce the appearance of fine lines and chapped lips.
Wear time
Wear time is a big factor to consider when it comes to any lipstick purchase. Liquid and matte lipsticks offer the most extended wear times, with many lasting up to 8 hours without budging. If you choose a satin or demi-matte finish, you can expect at least 3-5 hours of wear time. Glossy lipsticks give you only 2-3 hours of wear before you need to reapply.
Shade range
Clinique offers a wide range of lipstick shades, so there’s bound to be an option that meets your taste and complements your skin tone. From classic reds and natural nudes to rosy pinks and rich plums, you can find a shade for any occasion.
Clinique lipstick prices
Clinique lipsticks cost $10-$20. They usually vary in price based on their ingredients, wear time and opacity.
Clinique lipstick FAQ
How can I make my lipstick last longer?
A. The key to making your lipstick last longer lies in the prep. It’s essential to exfoliate your lips and hydrate with a soft lip balm before going in with your lip color. You can also opt for a matte formula to make your lipstick stay on longer.
Do I need to use a lip liner with my Clinique lipstick?
A. It’s not mandatory, but if you want to play up your pout and ensure that your lipstick doesn’t feather, smudge or bleed, a lip liner can be useful. It enhances your lipstick’s wear time and appearance. As a general rule of thumb, you should pick a lip liner in the same color family as your lipstick.
Which Clinique lipstick should I get?
Best of the best Clinique lipstick
Clinique Pop Lip Colour + Primer: available at Amazon and Sephora
Our take: This classic bullet lipstick with a built-in primer is a treat for your lips. It keeps your pout soft and moisturized all day long.
What we like: Lightweight and comfortable texture. Smooth to apply. Rich, buildable color. Long-lasting and non-drying. Not scented. These come in 20 shades and shimmer, satin and matte finishes.
What we dislike: The opacity of color and shine may vary from shade to shade.
Best bang for your buck Clinique lipstick
Clinique Chubby Stick Moisturizing Lip Colour Balm: available at Amazon and Sephora
Our take: Clinique’s iconic sheer, hydrating lip crayon is a jolly little multitasker and is ideal for anyone with dry or sensitive lips.
What we like: Moisturizes the lips without ever feeling sticky or heavy. Contains ingredients like mango and shea butters that nourish your lips. The crayon applicator is easy to use and control. Available in an impressive range of shades.
What we dislike: Wears off quite quickly. It doesn’t take long for its crisp tip to wear down to a rounded nub. Fortunately, that nub is perfectly proportioned for lips.
Honorable mention Clinique lipstick
Clinique Almost Lipstick: available at Amazon and Sephora
Our take: A good cross between a gloss and a lipstick. Perfect for those who love a minimal, natural flush of color.
What we like: This goes on as a translucent, glossy tint and moisturizes the lips well. It feels super lightweight and applies evenly. The cult-favorite shade “Black Honey” works for nearly everyone. SPF 15 protection.
What we dislike: It isn’t that long-lasting.
Esha Saxena is a writer for BestReviews. BestReviews is a product review company with a singular mission: to help simplify your purchasing decisions and save you time and money.
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