Let's Talk About Drugstore Brands and Their Lipsticks

A couple years ago I decided to try more lipsticks instead of the usual lipglosses and tinted lip balms I prefer. A lot of drugstore lipsticks were being hyped by influencers so I decided to trust strangers on the internet and waste some of my money. Like anyone's guess here, it was a mixed bag. You might find something good if you're lucky.

To understand why it was not my best decision I'll talk about the experience I had with lipsticks/lipglosses from various drugstore brands, as follows:

Maybelline: It is the first brand that is always recommended for lipsticks from the drugstore. The color sensational line is quite famous. Unfortunately for me, these are some of the most expensive and worst lipsticks I ever tried from the drugstore. Their shade range doesn't suit my skin tone at all, and their formulas are mediocre. I got about 4 shades from this brand that looked like the best-suited ones for my skin tone and they still looked bad on me. I had to trash them all and it was quite heartbreaking.

Revlon: Revlon is a brand that I have known since I was a teenager. They are known for their lipsticks and to date, I think they make the best lipsticks you can find at the drugstore. They are not too expensive for drugstore prices and their formulas/colors are really good. I love their colorstay lip glosses, and a super lustrous lipstick was the first lipstick I ever bought. The recently launched lip butters are worth all the hype. This brand can take my money.

Covergirl: Another brand that feels like they don't have colors suited for my skin tone. And what's with the insane amount of shimmers in some of these lipsticks. The shades look too bright and intense. Thankfully I only bought two on sale so it was not too heartbreaking to trash them.

L'Oréal Paris: I love their lipglosses and some of the sheer lipsticks they came out with last year. The formulas are good, and some shades even looked perfect on my skin tone. They were a little pricey so I bought them on sale and they are worth it.

Rimmel: Not good shade range and everything I tried had drying formulas.

NYX: Why is this brand so hyped? I can never understand. I had the worst experience with their lip stains. Super drying and weird smell. Never buying again!

Wet n Wild: Good shades, good formulas, love both their silk finish lipsticks and mega last lipglosses. Their latest mega last lipsticks are very good and one of the most pigmented lipsticks I have ever tried. I also find them quite comfortable to wear even though they are matte finish. They have colors that suit my skin tone and they are so cheap that whenever they are on sale it's like getting them for free.

ELF: I had the worst lipstick experience with their essential lipsticks. Their lipglosses are OK but I wish they wouldn't put so much glitter in them.

Jordana: Loved their lip glosses. Never bought lipsticks since I couldn't find a shade that would suit me.

NYC: Good lipglosses and found a couple shades that suit me. Never found any good lipsticks from this brand.

So clearly out of 10 brands, I found some good lipsticks in about 3 brands and the others were crap. Overall I haven't had a good experience with drugstore lipsticks. They are either drying, or the shades don't suit me, or they are shimmery. After trying so many I'm not super impressed with drugstore lipsticks and I don't think I'll be buying anymore. Lipglosses were good from about 6 of the brands but again not the best color range for my skin tone and most of them contain glitter. Seriously, does anyone like wearing shimmery and glittery lipsticks/glosses? I think it makes people look clownish and too made-up. I really want to understand who wears these lipsticks on a daily basis. Who are the influencers selling these lipsticks to? Do the influencers themselves even wear them on a daily basis? If you like drugstore lipsticks please let me know why and what brands you prefer. I don't seem to have much luck. Here is a parting collage of all the lip products mentioned plus a few more I didn't even think were worth mentioning. 

So I have to say buyer beware and do not fall for influencer marketing all the time. I learned my lesson the hard way, as you can see.