I tried 4 burgundy lipsticks for fall — here's what they look like IRL
The color of the season is great for your closet, but it deserves a spot in your makeup bag too.
Mocha mousse is Pantone's color of the year, but according to the fashion set, it's all about burgundy this season. I can't say I'm surprised — deep shades of red typically trend when fall rolls in. I'm looking forward to adding the rich hue to my wardrobe, but why stop there? A new season is always a good excuse for a new lipstick, so I set out in search of a new, darker hue to swipe on.
While I don't consider myself a makeup person, I'm definitely a lipstick person. I can't contour at all, and my eyeliner game is still mediocre at best. But lipstick? I never leave home without it. Actually, even when I don't leave home, I still wear it. I just feel like my face isn't my face without a little color on the lips.
For my burgundy lipstick hunt, I decided to try two drugstore staples and two pricier picks. Here's what they looked like, along with my impressions of each.
More than 25,000 Amazon shoppers have given this budget-friendly buy a five-star rating, and I can see why. It goes on super smooth and feels nice and creamy on your lips. The color was really bold and rich with just one swipe, which I really appreciated as someone who likes my lipstick to be noticeable. My only complaint? The formula is not smudge-proof, and the color definitely transfers. This means I had to touch up my pout a few times throughout the day — especially after eating and drinking — but that's not a deal breaker for me. I really like how pigmented this lipstick is and will be wearing it regularly this fall (and maybe even beyond).
- Affordable
- Bold, rich color
- Creamy, smooth texture
- Smudges easily
- Not long-lasting
Glossier
Full disclosure: Glossier Ultralip is one of my absolute favorite lipsticks. Vesper is my go-to color; I have a tube at my desk, one in my cosmetics case and two back-ups in my makeup cabinet so I never run out. I decided to step out of my comfort zone and try the Cranberry shade for fall. I liked it, but I didn't love it. I love how glossy and shiny the formula is, but the color impact just wasn't enough for me in this shade. As you can see in the video, I had to apply a lot for it to even show on camera. On the plus side, the lipstick is very moisturizing and nourishing, so it didn't dry out my pout. If I'm going for a subtle wash of color, I might reach for this one, but it probably won't be a regular in my rotation.
- Hydrating
- Muted, subtle color
- Pricey
- Not very pigmented
This pick is another fan favorite; it has more than 27,000 five-star ratings on Amazon. As soon as I swiped it on, I was similarly impressed. The shade is gorgeous, and the lipstick itself feels really lightweight and effortless on the lips. So much so that I actually forgot I was even wearing it and accidentally smudged it across my face while wiping my mouth after eating. So no, it won't stay put all day, but for the price, it delivers awesome color, and it doesn't dry out your lips.
- Smooth texture
- Affordable
- Non-drying
- Highly pigmented, bold color
- Not transfer-proof
- Not long-lasting
OK, when I ordered this lipstick, it looked very burgundy online. And it looks burgundy in the tube IRL. But when I applied it, I definitely got more berry than dark red. Don't get me wrong, it's not bad, just something to be aware of. Though the color wasn't what I was expecting, I absolutely loved the lipstick itself. It glided on my lips like butter, and the color was still noticeable and evenly distributed after hours of talking. It's not 100% transfer-proof — it did leave marks on my coffee cup — but despite that, I only had to reapply once throughout the day to keep the color at the intensity I like. Very impressed!
- Creamy texture
- Rich color
- Non-comedogenic and dermatologist-tested
- Long-wearing
- Expensive