Offering the colour of lipstick and the nourishing, luminous effect of a balm, sheer lipstick is a makeup bag must-have. From iconic names such as MAC and NARS to drugstore gems like e.l.f. and Rimmel, every brand has its own take on the sheer lipstick, so you’re guaranteed to find your perfect product at your preferred price.
Whether you'd like a chic matte red for a night on the town or a subtle pink to spruce up your remote working look, there's a sheer lipstick for every occasion. We'll also show you where to shop the dreamiest sheer lipsticks by including links to Amazon, Boots, and John Lewis. Moreover, we have partnered with Makeup Artist Marie Dancer for reviewing and fact-checking the article so that we can deliver you the best information.
Quick List - Top Sheer Lipsticks
bareMinerals
Super Nourishing and Pigmented Eco-Friendly Lipstick
Estée Lauder
The Glossiest Sheer Lipstick You've Ever Seen
Elizabeth Arden
Long-Lasting, Lip-Saving Stick Based on a Cult Product
As a professional make-up artist of ten years, Marie's job has taken her all over the UK working at top events, on TV shows and making up beautiful brides. For all her clients she loves emphasising their natural beauty by creating a flawless base that still looks like skin.
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As a professional makeup artist of ten years, Marie's job has taken her all over the UK, working at top events, on TV shows and making up beautiful brides. For all of her clients, she loves emphasising their natural beauty by creating a flawless base that still looks like skin.
Find out more about Marie and what are her favourite makeup products are through her Instagram! She even shares some industry tips on makeup application too. And if you're interested in getting your makeup done by Marie, you can contact her via her email found at the top of her page.
Cool-toned skin has cold undertones, like blue, purple and pink. One easy way to figure out whether your skin is cool is to look at the colour of your veins at your wrist - blue coloured veins mean you are cool-toned. The best lipsticks for cool-toned skin are ones that also have a cool undertone.
Complementary colours such as red with blue undertones (think more cherry than coral) and deep purple-hued berry shades would look gorgeous on you. If you’re looking for something a bit more nude and natural, a rosy-pink or deep-pinky mauve with ashy undertones will complement your skin tone and give you that healthy, blushing look.
Just be careful if you are extremely fair as some cool-toned lipsticks may wash you out. You'll find a neutral shade or brighter pop of colour that will inject life into your look versus a flat nude shade.
Olive skin typically has green undertones, this means contrasting warm lip shades such as corals, oranges, and hot pinks will stand out and flatter the most. Neutral toned and creamy, peach nudes will offer the perfect everyday natural look.
Opt for a glossy finish for an enlarged pout. Sheer lipsticks will let you experiment with brighter shades without feeling over the top. You can also use these on the cheeks as a matching cream blusher to tie the look together.
Have you found that neither of these descriptions for warm and cool-toned skin resonates with you? You’ve most likely got neutral skin! And, lucky you, neutral skin types can get away with pretty much any colour and still look fabulous.
That being said, it doesn’t necessarily make it easy when trying to find your perfect shade as the variety of choices can be overwhelming. For a beginner looking for a nude, we recommend that you try and match the colour of the inside of your lip (sounds strange, but it works!) instead of matching the natural colour of your lips.
If you’re wanting something a little bolder, why not have a look at your wardrobe and note what colour would best match your clothing? Take into consideration what you might want to wear the lipstick with, whether that's your capsule work wardrobe or your going out clothes.
Sheer matte lipsticks are extremely hard to come by unless you opt for a lip stain. You can always use your existing matte lip and sheer it down by applying it with a lip brush or your finger. This will save money as you can create multiple looks using one lip shade.
If you’re looking for a plump, dewy, fresh look, opt for a glossy finish. These are super easy to find, but the extent to which they shine varies from product to product. When wanting to achieve a lip-enhancing look to wear on a date or to go ‘out out’ in, try a sheer lipstick with a little shimmer in it as this will catch the light.
For a more understated vibe so you don’t feel too overdressed when you’re popping to the shops, opt for a nude with a glossy or satin finish and no shimmer. Of course, you can always pick up one of each to be prepared for all occasions!
If you want your lips to look bigger and bolder, try using a lip liner and lip plumper.
You may have heard of hyaluronic acid through your skincare, but did you know it can be found in lip products too? This wondrous ingredient is a humectant - it will draw moisture to the area where it's present. This means your lips will remain plump and hydrated all day.
If you have extremely textured or cracked lips you may need additional help from nourishing ingredients such as cocoa or shea butter. Look for vitamin E on the list to protect your lips and reduce fine lines.
Vitamin E increases your circulation which in turn helps to generate new skin cells to create soft, healthy lips, so it is perfect for lips that are so dry that they're peeling. Bagging a sheer lipstick with vitamin E is a no brainer, but you could also look for extra added vitamins like A and C. The more the merrier!
If you really struggle with dry lips and find that even your vitamin E-infused sheer lipsticks or other lip products aren't doing the trick, then taking vitamin E supplements can give you a much-needed boost.
Shea butter and cocoa butter are both ideal ingredients to include in a moisturising, sheer lipstick formula as they reinforce your skin’s protecti!on against both heat and pollution. They also make for a lipstick texture that's a dream to apply and often smells delicious, too.
Their qualities are very similar to vitamin E, but these natural butters are more effective at protecting the skin, as opposed to soothing skin that is already damaged (although they do a good job of that too!).
This is especially important in the hot summer months, so if you live in a hot climate or you're looking for a holiday lippy, check its formula for shea and cocoa butter. Look for a lipstick with SPF to ensure you also protect your lips from sunburn and further irritation.
Using a lip oil will not only condition your lips but give it a glossy finish!
Products | Image | Click to purchase | Key features | |
---|---|---|---|---|
1 | bareMinerals Mineralist Hydra-Smoothing Lipstick | ![]() | Super Nourishing and Pigmented Eco-Friendly Lipstick | |
2 | Fenty Beauty Sheer Shiny Lipstick | ![]() | A Nourishing Formula That Melts Into the Lips | |
3 | Estée Lauder Pure Color Illuminating Shine Sheer Shine Lipstick | ![]() | The Glossiest Sheer Lipstick You've Ever Seen | |
4 | Elizabeth Arden Eight Hour® Cream Lip Protectant | ![]() | Long-Lasting, Lip-Saving Stick Based on a Cult Product | |
5 | Rimmel Moisture Renew Sheer & Shine | ![]() | Vitamin Packed With an Impressive SPF | |
6 | Bobbi Brown Extra Lip Tint | ![]() | Chic Everyday Shine Great for Older Skin | |
7 | MAC Lustreglass Lipstick | ![]() | Soft and Hydrating With a Huge Colour Variety | |
8 | KIKO Milano Glossy Dream Sheer Lipstick | ![]() | Plump Your Pout the Sheer Way | |
9 | Dior Dior Addict Lip Glow | ![]() | A Designer Pick That's Well Worth the Splurge | |
10 | NARS Audacious Sheer Matte Lipstick | ![]() | Powder-Soft Matte Sheer Lipstick |
Last but not least, we have an all-rounder that’ll knock your socks off (and won’t completely break your bank). This lipstick is a guilt-free purchase as it is vegan, cruelty-free and made up of 76% natural, sustainably sourced botanicals such as omega-rich sea buckthorn oil and antioxidant pomegranate extract.
As well as leaving the lips looking healthy, plump and radiant, it is also one of the longest-lasting sheer lipsticks to date, which really tops it off as a hands-down winner. The colour range is extremely impressive and will leave you wanting to buy one in every shade. Who said planet-conscious purchases aren’t glamorous!
If you love silky smooth lip products with a lightweight, no-makeup feel, we just know that Fenty Beauty's 'Sheer Shiny Lipstick' is going to be your new go-to. Described as an ultra-comfortable lipstick, it leaves a perfect amount of colour and a shiny finish. Infused with pomegranate butter, this lipstick will leave your lips feeling nourished all day.
Like all Fenty Beauty products, this lipstick is 100% cruelty-free! Additionally, it comes in ten different easy-to-wear shades including a range of nudes, berries and oranges, which everyone can enjoy and wear!
Do you love a high-gloss, ultra-shiny lip but hate the sticky texture? Estée Lauder’s Pure Colour Sheer Shine Lipstick is the one for you! It comes in ten glamorous, illuminating shades that can all be built up as much or little as you fancy.
Remember what we said about hyaluronic acid? Well, this lipstick has that and more, with ceramides (to lock moisture into the skin) and triglycerides (an antioxidant that smooths the skin) too. These skin-saving ingredients are fabulous on skin of all ages, but especially for those who are looking to combat the appearance of lines and dryness.
Heard of the Elizabeth Arden Eight Hour Cream? Well, this is its sassy little sister. For the unfamiliar, it is a cult lip balm that has the power to heal even the crustiest of lips. This new rendition nourishes lips as it is packed full of vitamin E and emollients, plus, it further protects with SPF 15.
And there's more – it comes in a range of super-pigmented, glossy colours which is perfect for those who love a pop of colour but don’t want to sacrifice their lip health for it. Whether you're a previous user of the Eight Hour range or not, this is a must-try no matter the time of year.
You won’t find a better sheer lipstick on a budget than Rimmel’s Moisture Renew Sheer & Shine. Not only does the formula include vitamin E, but also A and C, which is ideal for those who suffer from chapped, dry lips.
It’s smooth and not at all sticky, which is surprising because it has a whopping SPF rating of 20 – the highest we've ever seen in a sheer lipstick. This is perfect for those going on holiday in the sun and looking to ensure that their lips stay healthy, happy and glossy. They’re so cheap you’ll want one in every colour!
It's another splurge, but if you’re looking for a too-cool-to-care sheer lipstick that gives you that effortlessly chic look, then Bobbi Brown is your brand. This is also ideal for those unsure as to what shade will work for them, as online they have multiple swatches, pictures and resources to find your perfect pairing.
The Extra Lip Tint is also packed full of moisturising ingredients, featuring botanical oils and extracts such as avocado oil, jojoba and olive. For older people concerned about lines, these moisturising elements have been said to reduce the appearance of lines – win-win!
Makeup gurus and newbies alike will all know that you can’t go wrong with MAC. There are many die-hard Lustre lipstick fans but the revamped Lustreglass range is even better – it has a beautiful sheer sheen but is not sticky on the lips, plus it contains hyaluronic acid and a serious bevvy of plant oils and butters.
With a massive 28 shades, the colour range is simply to die for. There is well and truly a shade for everyone, and they even smell like vanilla! Again, this one isn't terribly long-lasting without a lip liner, but for the colour range and delicious scent, it is definitely worth it.
For those looking for a plump, pouty look on a budget, look no further than KIKO Milano's Glossy Dream Sheer Lipstick. These creamy sheer lipsticks are infused with a slight metallic shimmer which enhances the plumpness of your lips.
Although the lasting power isn’t as impressive as some higher-end picks, these lipsticks will last most of the day when paired with their Creamy Colour Comfort Lip Liner. Not only this, but KIKO is also a cruelty-free brand, so no bunnies were harmed in the making of this lipstick.
Looking to treat yourself with a bold purchase? Do you live and die for designer brands and sumptuous packaging? This may well be the choice for you. However, with Dior's new Lip Glow, you’re not just paying for the (very glamorous) packaging.
This is infused with Dior’s new Colour Reviver technology, which causes the product to react with the moisture level of your lips to make a custom colour. So, if you’re looking for 24-hour hydration and a shade that literally no one has but you – and you aren’t afraid to spend money to get it – then this is your pick.
This is a very unique product as it is extremely difficult to find a sheer lipstick with a matte finish. Offering medium-sheer coverage and a powder-soft finish, it is long-lasting but not drying, gloopy or thick like some matte lipsticks on the market.
Admittedly, it is a little on the pricey side and doesn’t possess the moisturising ingredients some may be looking for in a sheer lipstick, but its staying power is very impressive. It's also available in five gorgeous shades. Good work as always, NARS.
Written and researched by Lara Delmage
We partner with specialists across various fields to proof-read our buying guides to deliver accurate and reliable information. Our specialists do not endorse any products that we recommend.
- mybest UK
No. 1: bareMinerals|Mineralist Hydra-Smoothing Lipstick
No. 2: Fenty Beauty |Sheer Shiny Lipstick
No. 3: Estée Lauder|Pure Color Illuminating Shine Sheer Shine Lipstick
No. 4: Elizabeth Arden|Eight Hour® Cream Lip Protectant
No. 5: Rimmel|Moisture Renew Sheer & Shine
View Full RankingThe descriptions of each product are referenced from content available on manufacturer, brand, and e-commerce sites.
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