From "barely there color" to the "annoyingly elusive combination" of a creamy and matte formula, these drugstore lipsticks beloved by ELLE.com editors cover all the bases. At under $10 each, why not stock up on all of them (like our culture editor Estelle Tang apparently did once she moved stateside).
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1
CoverGirl Katy Kat Matte in Sphynx
Don't let the name fool you, Katy Kat mattes are multi-dimensional and moisturizing enough to apply without balm underneath. If, like me, your natural lip color skews popsicle red, Sphynx is the ultimate your-lips-but-better toned-down shade. — Julie Schott, Senior Beauty Editor
CoverGirl Katy Kat Matte in Sphynx, $7; amazon.com
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2
Burt's Bees Tinted Lip Balm in Petunia
No matter how much I try, I can't morph into a lipstick girl. The closest I routinely get is picking up a colored balm. I'd die, literally, without Burt's classic balm, so this version—so similar, but with a spot of pale pink—actually works. — Leah Melby-Clinton, Senior Editor of Branded Content
Burt's Bees Tinted Lip Balm in Petunia, $5; amazon.com
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3
L'Oréal Colour Riche Lip Colour in Fairest Nude
I'm forever looking for the perfect shade of Michelle-Williams-circa-Louis-Vuitton red lipstick, but my daytime go-to is this super soft, barely there color. It's no surprise this lipstick tops best-seller lists year after year. — Leah Chernikoff, Editorial Director
L'Oréal Colour Riche Lip Colour in Fairest Nude, $6; amazon.com
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4
Maybelline Color Sensational Creamy Mattes Lip Color in Nude Nuance
This lipstick is exactly as advertised—creamy but matte—which is an annoyingly elusive combination. A lot of lipsticks are either 1) creamy but weirdly shiny or 2) matte but drying. This is the best of both worlds. — Natalie Matthews, Senior Editor
Maybelline Color Sensational Creamy Mattes Lip Color in Nude Nuance, $6; amazon.com
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5
Neutrogena MoistureSmooth Color Stick in Cherry Pink
I think I have this in every color, but my favorite has been Cherry, a deep red. It wakes up an otherwise naked face and feels more like a lip treatment or a balm than a (typically drying) lipstick. It's crayon shape also allows you to easily reapply without a mirror. — Kristina Rodulfo, Associate Editor
Neutrogena MoistureSmooth Color Stick in Cherry Pink, $8; amazon.com
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6
NYX Cosmetics Matte Lipstick in Alabama
Whenever I have a last minute night out, I'll run into a drugstore and buy this red lipstick to add some interest to a dull work outfit. Sure, now I have 3-6 of these now floating around my apartment, but at $6 I don't really mind. — Justine Carreon, Associate Market Editor
NYX Cosmetics Matte Lipstick in Alabama, $6; amazon.com
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7
Revlon Matte Lipstick in Really Red
One of the first things I did when I moved to the United States was go to a drugstore and immediately buy 10 lipsticks. Many drugstore brands are cheap and trusty, and this is one of my favorites. The easy-to-apply formula makes it an everyday option, and the deep, vampy color rules. — Estelle Tang, Culture Editor
Revlon Matte Lipstick in Really Red, $8; amazon.com
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8
Rimmel London Lasting Finish by Kate Nude Collection in 44
Resident ELLE.com beauty guru Julie Schott recently gave me a post-work makeover and declared this to be "my" nude. It's been my go-to since then—the barely there color is perfect and the creamy texture is perfect for everyday wear. — Gena Kaufman, Social Media Manager
Rimmel London Lasting Finish by Kate Nude Collection in 44, $5; drugstore.com