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Spring is upon us and that usually signals a time for cleaning out your clutter and maybe upgrading or integrating new clothing, new makeup, and maybe even a new outlook into your life.
For now, we are going to focus on new makeup integration, specifically updated long-wearing lipstick formulas that are moisturizing and won’t leave your lips feeling cracked and dried. These brands have all added moisturizing properties to their lipsticks including emollients, vitamins, and oils to keep your lips feeling hydrated and comfortable to wear for hours.
Below is some great smokey lipstick of 2024 options that have all the aforementioned properties including one that has anti-aging properties in addition to intense moisturization. We have also included some suggested color options from each line, all in neutral, smokey-hued shades, however, they do come in an amazing variety of other color options as well.
Here Is the Leading Smokey Lipstick of 2024
CoverGirl Continuous Color Lipstick — Best Overall
Who said long-lasting lipstick has to be drying? While that is sometimes the norm for many all-day wear lipsticks, CoverGirl’s Continuous Color Lipstick works to change that vibe with their moisture-rich formula that lasts up to six hours. This formula locks in moisture with over 30% emollients including Vitamins A and E so your lips feel soft and protected. Of all the great color options this lipstick has to offer, our choice is the Smokey Rose shade which is a cool-toned pink that will look great with or without a lipliner.
Pros
- This is a highly pigmented lipstick
Cons
- This lipstick is lightly scented
Revlon Super Lustrous Lipstick — Runner Up
Revlon’s Super Lustrous Lipstick is a cult-classic lip formulation that is the perfect combination of highly pigmented colors with a super moisturizing formula. This cream lipstick contains an exclusive LiquiSilk formula that combines pure color with silk-enriched moisturizers and vitamins that keep your lips conditioned and smoothed. Microfine pigments keep the shades vibrant and the lipstick lightweight and non-caking. Our color choice from this collection is the Smoky Rose which has a pearlescent finish and makes a great everyday polished lip look.
Pros
- This formula is infused with Vitamin E and avocado oil for extensive moisture
Cons
- This is not an organic product
Nicka K New York Lipstick — Honorable Mention
Nicka K’s NK Lipstick is an ultra-moisturizing lipstick that comes in a satiny, semi-matte finish. Available in a variety of natural and glamourous shades, this pigment-rich lip color offers medium-to-full coverage and is long-lasting and non-toxic. Our choice color from this range is the Smokey Brown color which is a rich, brown-reddish hue that provides a smooth, semi-matte finish for comfort.
Pros
- For its price point, it’s a high-quality, non-toxic lipstick in a range of easy-to-wear colors
Cons
- These lipsticks are not easy to find
Palladio Herbal Lipstick — Contender
Another lesser-known, yet quality lipstick that is not easy to find is the Herbal Lipsticks by Palladio. This is a creamy, full-coverage formula that contains Green Tea, Chamomile, Ginseng, Ginkgo Biloba, Aloe Vera, and Vitamin E to help improve the lip surface and reduce the appearance of fine lines while helping keep your lips moisturized and the lipstick in place for hours. Our color choice from this richly-pigmented collection is the Smokey Rose shade which is a warm rosy brown that will not feather or bleed.
Pros
- Available in 33 shades, Palladio lipsticks are also cruelty and paraben-free
Cons
- This is a full-coverage lipstick and if you prefer lighter coverage another option might be better
Lime Crime Plushies Soft Matte Lipstick — Also Consider
Lime Crime’s Plushies Lipstick is described as a next-generation lip color that enhances your natural lip color while giving off a plush, stained effect. This soft matte lip color provides for comfortable all-day wear without drying out the lips with its unique, lightweight formula that is also non-opaque. Our color choice is Smokey which is a sheer greyish-purple pigment infused with a delicious blackberry candy scent.
Pros
- This lipstick is certified cruelty-free
Cons
- This lipstick is lightly scented
Finding Your Next Smokey Lipstick: A Buyer’s Guide
“When there’s nothing else, there’s lipstick.” That’s what most makeup lovers believe and they’re not wrong. Lipstick has the ability to make your look. However, that means it can also “break” it. There are a few ways to avoid that, starting with knowing what kind of lipstick would look good on you based on your skin tone.
How to Find the Perfect Lip Color for Your Skin Tone
Fair
For people with a fair skin tone, it is always safe to go with cool colors when deciding on lipsticks. Shades of nude pinks, peaches, and mauves will not only look good but will also bring out the color in your face. Fair skin also goes really well with matte lipsticks. Depending on the occasion, you can pair your matte bold lips with light eyes or vice versa and still be able to pull it off.
Wheatish
Wheatish skin tones are a great canvas for warmer lip shades so don’t be afraid to experiment with reds and oranges. And not just the warmer shades, you can pretty much pick any color from the palette and make it work, thanks to your universal skin tone that can work anything. Besides the lips, elevate your look with a thin layer of BB cream and play with kohl for your eyes. Giving equal attention to both your lips and your eyes will help you accentuate your natural beauty.
Neutral
Browns, violets, and dark pinks work best with neutral skin tones. A good tip is to always go for matte shades so you can do justice to your face while looking chic all day long.
Dark
Dark skin tones rock brown and maroon lip shades the best. If that seems like too much work then even a thin coat of sheer gloss will do the trick for you. Pair this lip look with intense smokey eyes to highlight your features.
How to Achieve Smokey Lips
Smokey lips have become a new hot trend and don’t we all know it. They look great and present something new and fresh for the eyes to feast on. However, not everyone knows how to actually achieve them and that’s what we’re about to change.
Step 1:
A smokey lip is basically a sheer black layer on top of a matte lipstick so get yourself a black sheer lipstick and a colored, opaque one. If the black sheer lipstick has some shimmer then that’s only a plus point. Opaque lipsticks can be any color you want, from reds to purples, you can even choose a pinky nude if that’s what you want. However, the black HAS to be sheer in order for your lips to have the smokey effect.
Start off by applying the base opaque color. You can put a generous coat of this shade but keep in mind that whenever you go over it with the sheer lipstick, it’s automatically going to darken up the color by several shades. You may not feel the need to blot your lipstick, but if you’re still afraid of uneven application then you can smack your lips a couple of times so that the product gets spread all over more evenly. However, leaving a little bit of excess lipstick on your lips is generally a good idea as it helps your sheer layer blend in smoothly.
Step 2:
Once you have your opaque colored layer, go over it with the black sheer lipstick. Again, it has to be sheer for this to work otherwise you’ll just find yourself ending up with black lips. It is usually preferred to apply this directly from the tube so that you have more control over the layers you put on whereas a lipstick brush can be used to apply the colored lipstick.
Step 3:
First, take a good look at the color before deciding if you need more layers. Since a sheer black lipstick will never come out looking truly black but will always show the color beneath it, it is the perfect way to create an effortless smokey lip look. If a single layer is too light for you then you can go in with another layer or two to slowly build up the color you want.
Step 4:
Go over the lips with any touch-ups if needed. You can use a small lip/concealer brush to blend out the color and layering for even coverage. Don’t forget to take a close look at the outline of your lips, especially the corner parts since those tend to be the messiest when applying lipstick straight from the tube. Once you are satisfied with the look you’ve created and are happy with how deep the color is, you are ready to go out and flaunt your new smokey lips.
