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Buying drugstore makeup is often a gamble between finding a hidden gem and wasting $12 on something that smells like crayons. We filtered for actual pigment payoff, wear time, and formulation stability, ignoring the viral TikTok hype. Here is the raw data on what belongs in your kit and what belongs in the bin.
1. NYX Professional Makeup Fat Oil Lip Drip (My Main)
Best for: The “Clean Girl” aesthetic on a budget.
💎 Steal Score: 9/10
📉 Regret Index: 1/10
The Verdict: A legitimate dupe for the $40 Dior lip oil.
Field Notes
This isn’t a gloss; it’s a cushiony oil. The applicator is massive—a “fat” doe-foot that covers your entire lip in one swipe with a satisfying squish sound. The texture is thick and protective, feeling like a barrier against the wind. “My Main” is clear, offering a glass-like finish without the stringy stickiness of 2010s glosses.
✅ The Win: Hydration that actually lasts after the shine wears off.
✅ Standout Spec: Squalane infusion keeps lips soft, not just coated.
❌ The Trade-off: The component leaks. If you don’t tighten it with superhuman strength, it will slime the inside of your purse.
⚠️ Who should SKIP this: People who hate the feeling of heavy product. It is thick.
2. NYX Professional Makeup Fat Oil Lip Drip (Missed Call)
Best for: A subtle “your lips but better” flush.
💎 Steal Score: 9/10
📉 Regret Index: 2/10
The Verdict: Same great formula, slightly misleading color.
The Audit
Compared to the clear version, “Missed Call” looks like a bright berry pink in the tube. Don’t be fooled. On the lips, it shears out to a barely-there tint. It smells faintly of berries, a step up from the generic sweetness of the clear version. The sensation is identical: heavy, plush comfort.
✅ The Win: Impossible to mess up. You can apply it without a mirror.
✅ Standout Spec: Vegan formula (rare for this price point).
❌ The Flaw: You will finish the tube in 3 weeks. The “fat” applicator pulls out a ton of product.
⚠️ Who should SKIP this: Anyone looking for lipstick-level pigment. This is a tint, not a stain.
3. Maybelline Lifter Gloss (Ice)
Best for: Fenty Beauty fans who are broke.
💎 Steal Score: 10/10
📉 Regret Index: 1/10
The Verdict: The king of drugstore glosses.
Stress Test Analysis
Unlike the NYX oil, which sits on the lips, this formula feels like it sinks in. It contains Hyaluronic Acid, and you can feel a slight smoothing effect on lip lines. The scent is the polarizer: it smells strongly of vanilla and coconut, exactly like a summer vacation. “Ice” is a pale pink that neutralizes redness.
✅ The Win: Makes lips look physically larger due to the high-shine refraction.
✅ Standout Spec: XL Wand covers top and bottom lip in one dip.
❌ Critical Failure Point: The tube is bulky. It takes up the space of two normal lipsticks in your bag.
⚠️ Who should SKIP this: If you hate the smell of coconut sunscreen. It lingers.
4. Maybelline Super Stay Ink Crayon (Brown Nude)
Best for: Commuters who apply makeup on the train.
💎 Steal Score: 8/10
📉 Regret Index: 3/10
The Verdict: A matte lipstick that doesn’t feel like desert sand.
Our Take
Switching gears from gloss to matte, this crayon is a workhorse. It clicks when you pull the cap off, revealing a built-in sharpener at the base (which nobody uses, but it’s there). The texture is creamy upon application but sets down to a transfer-resistant matte in 60 seconds. It smells like a vanilla cupcake.
✅ The Win: Precision. The pointy tip lets you line and fill in one step.
✅ Standout Spec: 8-hour wear claim is actually accurate for once.
❌ The “Reddit Skeptic” Con: It can snap. If you twist it up too high and press hard, the crayon breaks at the base.
⚠️ Who should SKIP this: People with very dry, flaky lips. The matte formula will cling to every dead skin cell.
5. L’Oréal Paris Hydra Perfecte Loose Powder
Best for: Baking your under-eyes like it’s 2016.
💎 Steal Score: 7/10
📉 Regret Index: 4/10
The Verdict: Old school, reliable, and very fragranced.
Field Notes
This is a massive tub of loose powder. When you open it, you are hit with a cloud of dust and a strong floral scent—think “grandmother’s vanity.” The texture is silky but heavy. Unlike modern micro-milled powders that vanish, this one leaves a distinct velvety finish that blurs pores physically.
✅ The Win: It stops concealer from creasing better than $40 powders.
✅ Standout Spec: “Translucent” actually works on medium skin tones (unlike some that turn grey).
❌ The Trade-off: Flashback. If you take a flash photo, you might look like a ghost.
⚠️ Who should SKIP this: Sensitive noses. The fragrance is strong and unnecessary.
6. Maybelline Color Sensational Ultimatte (More Blonde)
Best for: The minimalist who wants high impact, low weight.
💎 Steal Score: 8/10
📉 Regret Index: 2/10
The Verdict: A modern matte that feels like nothing.
The Audit
Contrasting with the heavy Ink Crayon, this “Ultimatte” formula is airy. It has a silicone-blurring texture that glides over lip lines rather than settling into them. The slim bullet allows for decent control. However, the mechanism feels a bit cheap—the plastic rattles slightly.
✅ The Win: Intense pigment payoff in one swipe.
✅ Standout Spec: Jojoba oil infusion prevents the “cracked lip” look.
❌ The Flaw: The bullet is very thin. It feels fragile, like it might snap if you are heavy-handed.
⚠️ Who should SKIP this: Deep skin tones. This specific shade (“More Blonde”) can look chalky on darker complexions.
7. Rose Butter Lip Mask
Best for: Overnight repair when you’ve neglected your water intake.
💎 Steal Score: 6/10
📉 Regret Index: 3/10
The Verdict: A solid occlusive that does the job.
Stress Test Analysis
This is a pot, not a stick, so get ready to use your finger. The texture is solid wax that melts into an oil upon contact with body heat. It smells distinctly of artificial roses—pleasant to some, headache-inducing to others. It feels heavier than the NYX oil, creating a seal that lasts through the night.
✅ The Win: You wake up with soft lips, not dry crust.
✅ Standout Spec: Rose oil offers mild anti-inflammatory properties.
❌ Critical Failure Point: Hygiene. Dipping your finger into a pot introduces bacteria over time.
⚠️ Who should SKIP this: People with long acrylic nails. You won’t be able to get the product out.
8. Milani Make It Last Dewy Setting Spray
Best for: Dry skin types who want to look hydrated.
💎 Steal Score: 9/10
📉 Regret Index: 2/10
The Verdict: A fire hose of hydration that sets makeup.
Field Notes
The mist on this bottle is aggressive. It doesn’t float onto your face; it hits you. Once it dries, however, it leaves a tacky film that grabs makeup and refuses to let go. It smells fresh and aquatic. Unlike the L’Oreal powder which mattifies, this makes you look like you just went to a spa (or the gym).
✅ The Win: Melts powder products together so you don’t look cakey.
✅ Standout Spec: 16-hour wear claim is ambitious, but 10 hours is realistic.
❌ The Trade-off: If you have oily skin, you will look like a greaseball by noon.
⚠️ Who should SKIP this: Anyone with large pores. The “dewy” finish highlights texture.
9. NYX Epic Ink Liner
Best for: Recovering Kat Von D Tattoo Liner addicts.
💎 Steal Score: 10/10
📉 Regret Index: 1/10
The Verdict: The industry standard for liquid liner.
Our Take
This is a brush tip, not a felt tip. That means individual bristles that glide over eyeshadow without skipping. It snaps shut with a reassuring click. The ink flow is generous—sometimes too generous. It dries down to a semi-glossy black that resists water but dissolves easily with oil cleanser.
✅ The Win: You can draw a wing sharp enough to kill a man.
✅ Standout Spec: Brush tip bristles don’t fray like felt tips do.
❌ The “Reddit Skeptic” Con: It can leak. If you travel on a plane, the pressure change often makes the ink explode in the cap.
⚠️ Who should SKIP this: Beginners with shaky hands. The ink comes out fast and is unforgiving.
10. 3D Faux Mink 854 Lashes
Best for: Dramatic night looks where you want volume.
💎 Steal Score: 8/10
📉 Regret Index: 3/10
The Verdict: Fluffy, dramatic, and surprisingly lightweight.
The Audit
These lashes have a tapered end that mimics real hair, avoiding that “plastic broom” look of cheap falsies. The band is black and slightly thicker than average, which means you can skip eyeliner if you place them perfectly. They feel soft to the touch, not brittle.
✅ The Win: Multi-dimensional layering makes them look expensive.
✅ Standout Spec: Knotted band adds durability for reuse.
❌ The Flaw: The band is stiff. You must flex it (“crack the spine”) before applying, or the corners will lift.
⚠️ Who should SKIP this: Glasses wearers. These are long and will brush against your lenses.
11. LANEIGE Lip Glowy Balm
Best for: The brand-loyalist who wants the “Lip Sleeping Mask” for day use.
💎 Steal Score: 6/10 (Pricey for the size)
📉 Regret Index: 2/10
The Verdict: A high-status pocket balm that works.
Stress Test Analysis
This is the tube version of the famous pot. It dispenses a thin, high-gloss gel that smells like candy. It’s significantly lighter than the Rose Butter mask and less sticky than the NYX oil. It feels slippery and hydrating, disappearing after about an hour of talking/drinking.
✅ The Win: Zero sticky residue. Your hair won’t get stuck in it.
✅ Standout Spec: Murumuru and Shea butters provide actual hydration, not just coating.
❌ Critical Failure Point: Volume. You are paying a premium for 0.35 oz of product.
⚠️ Who should SKIP this: Value hunters. You can get similar hydration from Vaseline for $2.
12. L’Oreal Paris Colour Riche Les Nus (Nu Confident)
Best for: Someone wanting a “luxury” lipstick experience at CVS.
💎 Steal Score: 9/10
📉 Regret Index: 2/10
The Verdict: The bullet shape alone is worth the price.
Field Notes
This lipstick has a unique, artistic curve that hugs the lip shape perfectly. The texture is creamy and rich. However, it carries the signature L’Oreal scent: a strong, powdery violet fragrance that lingers right under your nose. “Nu Confident” is a perfect rosy pink.
✅ The Win: One-swipe opacity that feels moisturizing.
✅ Standout Spec: The silhouette bullet tip makes outlining the cupid’s bow easy.
❌ The Trade-off: The scent. If you hate floral smells in your mouth, this is unusable.
⚠️ Who should SKIP this: Fragrance-sensitive users. Seriously, it’s strong.
13. L’Oreal Paris Colour Riche Ultra Matte (Utmost Taupe)
Best for: The 90s brown lip revivalist.
💎 Steal Score: 8/10
📉 Regret Index: 3/10
The Verdict: A true matte that looks high-fashion.
The Audit
Unlike the creamy “Les Nus” above, this formula drags slightly on the lips—the hallmark of a true matte. It deposits a flat, non-reflective color that absorbs light. “Utmost Taupe” is a cool-toned brown that looks incredibly chic but can look “dead” on the wrong undertone.
✅ The Win: The finish looks like velvet.
✅ Standout Spec: Light-diffusing gel blurs lip lines despite being matte.
❌ The Flaw: The packaging feels lighter and cheaper than the product inside deserves.
⚠️ Who should SKIP this: Warm undertones. This taupe is very grey/cool.
14. Maybelline Color Sensational Lipstick (Nude Lust)
Best for: Keeping in your car for emergencies.
💎 Steal Score: 9/10
📉 Regret Index: 1/10
The Verdict: The reliable classic that never changes.
Stress Test Analysis
This smells like vanilla and plastic—the scent of nostalgia. It’s a standard cream formula: not too matte, not too glossy. It feels comfortable, like a heavy balm. “Nude Lust” is a pale beige that works well for a 60s mod look or to lighten other lipsticks.
✅ The Win: Consistent formula that hasn’t been “reformulated” into garbage.
✅ Standout Spec: Honey nectar infusion gives it that creamy slip.
❌ The “Reddit Skeptic” Con: It transfers on everything. Cups, napkins, cheeks.
⚠️ Who should SKIP this: Darker skin tones. This shade will look like concealer on your lips without a liner.
15. Revlon Super Lustrous Lipstick (Bare It All)
Best for: Everyone. Literally everyone needs one of these.
💎 Steal Score: 10/10
📉 Regret Index: 0/10
The Verdict: The black dress of lipsticks.
Our Take
There is no scent. There is no flavor. Just pure, unadulterated pigment in a smooth, moisturizing base. The tube is black with a gold ring—classic. It glides on silently and leaves a satin finish that mimics healthy skin. “Bare It All” is a universal nude-pink.
✅ The Win: It fades gracefully. No ring around the mouth as it wears off.
✅ Standout Spec: Micro-fine pigments provide high coverage without thickness.
❌ The Trade-off: It is not long-wearing. You will need to reapply after lunch.
⚠️ Who should SKIP this: Matte die-hards. This is a cream/satin finish.
16. Almay Lip Vibes Lipstick (Girl Boss)
Best for: Teens and eco-packaging fans.
💎 Steal Score: 7/10
📉 Regret Index: 4/10
The Verdict: Fun packaging, decent product, slightly dry.
Field Notes
The tube is paper/cardboard with a tropical print, which feels unique in a sea of plastic. The lipstick itself smells sweet, almost like vanilla frosting. The matte finish here is drier than the Maybelline or Revlon options, feeling a bit chalky after a few hours.
✅ The Win: Hypoallergenic. Good for people who react to other lipsticks.
✅ Standout Spec: Vitamin E and Shea Butter (though it still feels dry).
❌ The Flaw: The cardboard cap gets ratty and torn if you keep it in a messy bag.
⚠️ Who should SKIP this: Anyone expecting luxury weight. The packaging feels like a toy.
17. NYX Professional Makeup Butter Gloss (Creme Brulee)
Best for: Everyone who breathes oxygen.
💎 Steal Score: 10/10
📉 Regret Index: 0/10
The Verdict: The undefeated champion of budget makeup.
The Audit
This gloss smells like a bakery—pure sugar cookie. The texture is the goldilocks zone: not too sticky, not too oily. It provides a medium wash of milky pink color. It’s the product you buy three of: one for the car, one for the bag, one for the desk.
✅ The Win: It never gets stringy or white in the corners of your mouth.
✅ Standout Spec: Non-sticky formula (actually true).
❌ Critical Failure Point: The stopper can pop out if you pump the wand too aggressively, causing a mess.
⚠️ Who should SKIP this: Scent haters. It is very sweet.
18. Peripera Ink the Velvet Lip Tint (022 OLD)
Best for: The gradient lip / K-Beauty look.
💎 Steal Score: 9/10
📉 Regret Index: 2/10
The Verdict: A whipped mousse texture unlike anything in Western drugstores.
Stress Test Analysis
This feels like cloud fluff. It applies as a thick cream but buffs out into a soft-focus powder finish. It stains the lips significantly. The scent is chemically fruity. Shade 022 is a brick red/brown that suits fall vibes perfectly.
✅ The Win: Blurs vertical lip lines like a filter.
✅ Standout Spec: Dual-layer elastomer fills in the curves of your lips.
❌ The Trade-off: It can cling to dry patches. You must exfoliate first.
⚠️ Who should SKIP this: If you want a crisp lip line. This is designed for a blurred, soft edge.
19. Maybelline Lifter Gloss (Reef)
Best for: Warm skin tones needing a summer glow.
💎 Steal Score: 10/10
📉 Regret Index: 1/10
The Verdict: The “Ice” sibling with a peachy twist.
Field Notes
We circle back to the Lifter Gloss. “Reef” is a coral-peach shade that brings life to tired faces. It has the same coconut scent and giant wand. The pigment is sheer but buildable, giving a juicy, wet look without the sparkle of some other shades.
✅ The Win: Hides lip texture better than any other gloss on this list.
✅ Standout Spec: Hyaluronic Acid filling spheres.
❌ The Flaw: The bulky packaging takes up too much room in a clutch.
⚠️ Who should SKIP this: Cool undertones. The orange/peach tint might clash.
The Verdict: How to Choose
- For the “Best Overall” Value: Get the NYX Butter Gloss. It is iconic for a reason.
- For the “Luxury Dupe” Hunter: Get the Maybelline Lifter Gloss. It rivals Fenty.
- For the Sharpest Eyeliner: Get the NYX Epic Ink Liner.
- For the Lipstick Classicist: Get the Revlon Super Lustrous.
3 Critical Flaws to Watch Out For
- The “Matte” Cracking: Liquid mattes like the Maybelline Ink Crayon are durable but drying. If you don’t prep with a balm 10 minutes prior, they will look like cracked pavement by noon.
- Scent Sensitivity: L’Oreal lipsticks have a very specific, old-fashioned floral scent. If you are used to vanilla/unscented products, this will be a shock.
- The “Plumping” Lie: Many glosses claim to plump. Unless they have an irritant (mint/pepper), they usually just “plump” via hydration and optical illusion (shine). Don’t expect miracles.
FAQ
Is the NYX Epic Ink waterproof?
Yes, but it’s not oil-proof. It will survive rain and tears, but if you have oily eyelids, it might smudge onto your upper lid without a primer.
Does the Maybelline Lifter Gloss sticky?
No. It is thick and plush, but your hair won’t get stuck in it like old-school MAC Lipglass.
Final Thoughts
You don’t need to spend $40 to look good. The Maybelline Lifter Gloss and Revlon Lipstick prove that formulation matters more than the logo on the tube. Save your money for skincare and buy your color cosmetics at the drugstore.
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