Beauty Mythbuster: Can Brown Lipstick Really Work as an All-in-One Makeup Product?

The claim: That one single tube of brown lipstick can act as a one-hit makeup wonder and be used all over the face in a pinch. From using the lipstick as a way to bring color to your cheeks to lining your eyes to even using it to contour your face, I was on a Beauty Mythbuster mission to see if I could really rely on this one throwback (but totally trendy) product for multiple uses to create one look, like a beauty Swiss Army Knife for lazy girls. I turned to Revlon Super Lustrous Lipstick in shade #671, Mink ($7) and began my investigation. For my base makeup, I wore what I consider the bare minimum: just Smashbox Camera Ready BB Water ($42), a few coats of mascara and powder to fill in my brows. Then it was just me and the brown lipstick. Here’s what went down when I put brown lipstick all over my face.

  1. STEP 1: CONTOUR YOUR FACE

    The first step is adding a bit of shape and definition to your face by using the lipstick as contouring product. Apply it to the sides of your nose, right under your cheekbones, along your hairline, under your bottom lip and on your jawline/neck. Yes, you will look crazy at this point. Use a damp beautyblender ($20) and blend it all in. See? No more crazy, just a face with a little more color and shape.

  2. STEP 2: BRING OUT YOUR EYES WITH BROWN

    Swipe the brown lipstick over your lid up to your creases as you would with normal powder eyeshadow. The slight sheen on this lipstick makes for a really, really gorgeous shade on your lids. Tap with your fingers to blend it in a bit. Then, using a tapered eyeliner brush, line your upper and lower lash lines with the brown lipstick. The shape of the eyeliner brush will hold on to more product, so the liner should look noticeably darker on your lash line than on your lids.

  3. STEP 3: SWIPE IT ON YOUR LIPS

    Now is the time to use lipstick for its intended purpose! Slick on a couple coats of this flattering shade and blot using *paper* (NOT a tissue!). Done and done.

  4. REVEAL: CAN YOU SEE A DIFFERENCE?

    It’s pretty easy to see the difference between my before and after photos. The brown lipstick added some healthy color to my face and definition to my cheekbones, and really brought out my eyes. It’s natural looking but still has a little oomph.

  5. WOULD WE ACTUALLY DO THIS IRL?

    A thousand times YES! I carry this brown lipstick with me in my purse all the time now in case I need a quick pick-me-up on the fly. The best part of this look is that when you swipe the color on your lips for the final touch, it really pulls everything together. It looks coordinated without being overly matchy-matchy, can be worn for a bunch of occasions (you can go casual or dramatic with this technique) and can be a total lifesaver when you’re in a pinch. Lazy girls, THIS is the modern way to wear a throwback ’90s trend.

Would you give this technique a try? Tweet us @britandco with your thoughts!

Move over expensive MAC haul — I've discovered the best drugstore lipstick that rivals my $20+ purchases. I love finding dupes for my beauty lovers who can't continuously drop a huge amount of money on new products that eventually expire. Since I'm 100% against using old makeup, I'd rather chat your eat off about the affordable drugstore finds I'm using consistently these days.

IMO, the best drugstore lipstick is the Maybelline Super Stay Matte Ink Lipstick! Coming from one of the OG beauty brands, it's formula was surprising because I almost expected it to fail. It sounds silly, but trying drugstore brands used to be a hit or miss before social media started demanding that all makeup products stop being subpar.

Since this lipstick passed the test, here's everything you need to know about it — including why I l keep buying it and all the other best drugstore lipsticks I love!

What is Maybelline Superstay Matte Ink used for?

Jasmine Williams

Anyone can say that their lipstick is THE BEST, but that's not always true. So, what's the tea on the Super Stay Matte Ink formula? According to the brand's notes on Amazon, here's what you can expect to this lipstick to do:

  • Glide on easily because of the "unique arrow application"
  • Provide a "perfectly matte" finish
  • Remain "smudge-free" for up to "16 hours"

It sounds like a lot of fluff if you've never tried the formula before, so I scrolled through the comment section to see what other customers think.

What are other customers saying about it?

Maybelline

Most of the customer reviews I read through on Amazon are extremely thorough so here are the ones that stood out the most:

  • "I am really hooked on this lipstick! It's very long wearing and it's super gentle on my lips...Let me address some common complaints among other reviewers and why I think they're wrong...Oil takes this stuff off quite easily, so do some makeup wipes...Secondly, I do agree that this product is very sticky. I have found that I can put my Mac lipgloss on over top and now it's not sticky anymore!"
  • "I’ve purchased this longevity wand type lipstick a few times and I like the texture and staying power. Sometimes I put another glossy lipstick over if it seems drying however it stays very nicely for the day."
  • "This is my first time purchasing this brand. When I say it last all day, it doesn't come off until you take it off! Some might see this as bothersome, but having it stay on until I need it off is the greatest thing."
  • My Favorite Review: "I put it on at around 3:30 pm and fell asleep with it on cause it was a busy night, it was still on the next morning. I had to use multiple makeup remover wipes and wash my face with a good makeup remover to get it off."

My Review For Maybelline Superstay Matte Ink Lipstick

Jasmine Williams

I used to be terrified of wearing 'nude' lip colors because I thought they would be too much of a contrast against my complexion, but watching a few YouTube tutorials nipped my fear in the bud. I make the 'Seductress' shade work for me by lining my lips with a dark brown liner. Once I did that, I immediately fell for the way it looks on me. It's to the point where I actually can't stop wearing lip combo — it's so easy to apply and takes less than two minutes to set!

How long does Maybelline Superstay Matte Ink Lipstick last?

Before I started applying gloss over my nude lip combo, I wanted to test two very important things:

  1. If this matte lipstick could pass the smudge-proof test. I've tried other brands, and they haven't always stayed in place — especially when eating or drinking something — so I was skeptical.
  2. How long it actually lasts, smudge-proof or not. I mean, who among us hasn't gotten home after an evening out to find their lipstick basically nonexistent?

Like one of the customer reviews suggests, this lipstick has come off a little while eating things like pasta or pizza, so it's not 100% "smudge-free." Given that, I only had to reapply this lipstick once throughout an 8-hour day — which isn't a huge deal to me because it takes less than 30 seconds to reapply it. The best way I get it to stay put is by applying lip gloss and a teeny amount of setting spray over it.

Target

Maybelline Super Stay Matte Ink Lipstick

Lately, I've even been adding the Maybelline Lifter Gloss in the shade 'Stone' as a way to truly lock in the color. It highlights the 'Seductress' shade of the Maybelline Super Stay Matte Ink Lipstick which is a huge plus for me.

For less than $12, I think it's absolutely worth buying multiple times!

More Best Drugstore Lipsticks

Target

The Lip Bar Vegan Matte Liquid Lipstick

When I'm in the mood for a universal red lipstick that has the best color payoff, I always turn to The Lip Bar's 'Bawse Lady.' She's a gorgeous blue-red that highlights all undertones without making anyone looked washed out.

Target

Revlon Colorstay Limitless Matte Lipstick

I discovered Revlon's Colorstay formula while browsing for a deeper lipstick for fall and it does not disappoint! It's another vegan product that has triple hyaluronic acid and upcycled cranberry extract in it so it literally feels like you're not wearing anything on your lips!

Target

Milani Color Fetish Matte Lipstick

The word 'Fetish' may be off-putting, but don't write this lipstick off because of the name — ha! I typically wear this when I don't want to wait for a liquid lipstick to dry. It's super velvety and also contains hyaluronic acid in it to help keep lips moisturized.

Target

Nyx Professional Makeup Smooth Whip Matte Lip Cream

Last but not least, Nyx has never let me down in the lip department before. If I'm truly shopping on a budget, I'll reach for the Smooth Whip Matte Lip Cream because it glides on my lips like butter. That's not to say I know what it feels like to rub butter all over my lips, but you get what I mean! It's soft and has a gorgeous color payoff that makes me feel like it's comparable to the best lipstick I swear by.

Have you tried Maybelline's Super Stay Matte Ink lipstick before? Let us know in the comments and subscribe to our newsletter for more beauty finds!

Brit + Co may at times use affiliate links to promote products sold by others, but always offers genuine editorial recommendations.

My best friends mean the world to me, and though I wish I could give them the world, this year, I just want to get them gifts that are as special as our friendship. Whether it’s a personalized pendant, a cute skincare set, or the lip shade they simply can’t stop talking about, I want them to know just how much I care about their companionship! Thus, I’ve curated the ultimate list of gifts for best friends to help you gift your besties something they’ll truly love, especially if it comes from you. These gifts are so good, I really want them for myself, too.

Our 40 favorite gifts for best friends:

Scroll on to see the absolute best gifts for best friends to give in 2024!

Amazon

1. Scent Beauty by Sabrina Carpenter Cherry Baby Eau de Parfum

Leave it to Sabrina Carpenter to influence my list of gifts for best friends. Her "Cherry Baby" scent carries sultry notes of vanilla, peony, cherries, and chocolate, which is the perfect aroma for a night out with the girls.

Summer Fridays

2. Summer Fridays Lip Butter Balm

This lip balm is viral for a reason. Your besties' lips deserve all the instant moisture, color, and shine this tube provides. This brown sugar shade looks decadent AF, but you can also snag it in other fun 'flavors' like iced coffee and mint.

Urban Outfitters

3. Camp Snap Screen-Free Digital Camera

For the one that's always documenting the friend group's antics, they'll enjoy taking this unique, screen-free digicam on nights out, weekend trips, and cozy nights in! It captures film-style photos (without the time-consuming film photography process), and it can be used over and over again since it's rechargeable.

SeaVees

4. SeaVees Hayward Platform Shoes

Moccasin-style shoes are super popular this winter. I love how comfortable SeaVees' shoes are, so I might just have to share the love with my besties this holiday season... and snag a pair for myself so we can match, of course!

Dieux

5. Dieux Angel Face Cleanser + Moisturizer Bundle

Dieux is one of my go-to skincare brands for effective products that still take it easy on my sensitive skin. Their Baptism cleanser, part of this giftable duo, provides a nice clean without stripping any moisture from my skin. I also use their Instant Angel moisturizer religiously in the wintertime since things tend to get real dry. I'd say you can confidently gift this set to besties of any skin type.

Anthropologie

6. By Anthropologie Monogram Heart Locket Necklace

Personalized gifts will always feel special. Kick this gift idea up a notch by inserting a little pic of you and your BFF in the locket before wrapping and handing it over!

Urban Outfitters

7. Baggu Mini Nylon Shoulder Bag

I carry this Baggu bag just about everywhere I go. It's perfect for happy hours or dinners since it's small and not too much of a hassle to tow along, but don't let its size fool you: this baby can fit a lot. Your most stylish best friend will be wearing it the moment they open their gift!

Target

8. Jingle & Mingle 5 Days of Rosé Wine Set

You can never go wrong with rosé, baby! This gift set carries 5 personal-sized bottles of different varieties for them to sip on around the holidays.

Kulfi Beauty

9. Kulfi Beauty All Night Out Eye Set

This eye makeup set is complete with a bold eyeliner shade and a shimmery pot of eyeshadow. You get to choose the exact shades of each before purchasing, so this is truly one of the most fun personalized gift ideas. The set also comes with a funky pair of mismatched hair clips – so cute!

Dame

10. Dame Massage Oil Candle

This soothing candle melts down into a sweet-smelling massage oil that's easily dispensable, thanks to the pointed spout on the glass. This is a great gift for your single and partnered pals alike, whether they're using it to wind down themselves or for sexy time with their S.O.!

Life is Good

11. Life is Good 'I Deserve A Little Treat' Boxy Crusher Tee

Everyone deserves a little treat. Wrap up this awesome (and comfy!) tee alongside your bestie's favorite snack, sweet treat, or freshly-baked dessert to totally nail their gift this year!

Compartés

12. Compartés Pistachio Sea Salt Chocolate Truffles

These aesthetically-pleasing truffles could be the perfect sweet treat in question!

Nordstrom

13. OSEA Super Glow Body Set

I know anyone in my close friends circle would be happy to be gifted some nice skincare goodies. This luxe set from OSEA comes with a body wash, oil, and serum to keep skin looking and feeling happy!

Subscribe to our newsletter for even more holiday gift ideas!

Brit + Co may at times use affiliate links to promote products sold by others, but always offers genuine editorial recommendations.

If you're thinking about trying out latte makeup looks this fall, you're going to need the best long-last matte lipsticks you can coat your lips with. Think of your genetic pout as a blank canvas that can create a soft-glam or high-fashion moment to match the cute dresses you just bought.

Well, pucker up because we have matte lipsticks for everyone, from reds with blue bases to soft neutrals with brown undertones! Here are 11 matte lipsticks to add to your makeup bag ASAP!

The Best Matte Lipsticks For Fall

Target

The Lip Bar Vegan Matte Liquid Lipstick

The Lip Bar's 'Rebel' Vegan Matte Liquid Lipstick is going to give you the sultry pout you've been dreaming of. It almost looks brown in the tube, but you'll see that it's actually more of a deep burgundy shade.

The fun thing about this formula is that it applies like lipgloss, but dries down to a matte texture that feels oh-so-good. With just one swipe, your lips will be rewarded with an intense color pay-off that'll have people asking you where you found such a gorgeous shade.

Sephora

Huda Beauty Power Bullet Matte Lipstick

Liquid formulas aren't for everyone because they can get out of hand if you forget about their initial glossy application. A good alternative to that is Huda Beauty's Power Bullet Matte Lipstick with it's cruelty-free ingredients! It does have a creamy texture, but it only adds to the smoothness you'll feel when wearing it.

Sephora

Tom Ford Lip Color Matte Lipstick

Everyone should at least have one tube of sexy red lipstick in their makeup bag because it's going to brighten your face while making you look like you're on top of business for the day. Since you have more pressing things to worry about than finding the perfect shade, Tom Ford's 'Ruby Rush' is the vibrant true red you need!

Formulated without parabens and sulfates, the soothing Vitamins E & C will provide all the comfort your lips need.

Target

Maybelline Superstay Matte Ink Lipstick

Want to achieve a long-wearing matte look on a budget? Head to your local CVS or Target to pick up one of Maybelline's Superstay Ink Lipsticks! The 'Exhilarator' shade is slightly darker than Tom Ford's 'Ruby Rush,' but that may make you feel more comfortable. We've found that darker reds tend to be a little more forgiving if you don't want to wear lipliner.

Despite the affordable price, Maybelline's lipstick provides the same rich intensity as luxury brands and offers over 10 hours of wear. You also won't see as much transfer when drinking or planting a kiss on someone special.

Amazon

Revlon Colorstay Suede Ink

If you ever see the word 'ink' in a matte lipstick's name, trust that you're going to be wearing something that barely budges. While you won't be able to wear this past your work shift without reapplying it before happy hour, you'll get crisp color that'll make everyone stop and stare at you in admiration.

You're free to get any shade you want for less than $10, but 'Lip Bloom' is speaking to the leopard print outfits we have planned.

Westman Atelier

Westman Atelier Lip Suede Matte Lipstick

This may surprise you, but this 'Lou Lou' shade is still considered a red lipstick. It's as bold as it's comfortable to wear, thanks to its suede texture. You won't experience any icky feathering that occurs when you wear some matte lipsticks nor will you have to worry about reapplying multiple coats throughout the day.

Ulta

WYN BEAUTY Word of Mouth Max Comfort Matte Lipstick

WYN Beauty may have created the prettiest berry matte lipstick of the year, and the fact it's universal makes us want to personally thank Serena Williams for the inclusivity. Since we can't do that yet, we're here to tell you why you should get this if you're afraid of wearing matte lipsticks that contrast with your skin's undertone.

Not only is Word of Mouth Max Comfort a vegan product, it also boasts up to 24 hours of hydration. Based on the 4.6 rating on Ulta, we think other customers can vouch for it!

Ulta

Juvia's Place Nude Velvety Matte Lipstick

Instead of wearing so much color on your lips this fall, you can choose a neutral matte lipstick to pair with your favorite lipgloss for the ultimate '90s "It" Girl look! This 'Toffee' shade is a safe bet because it offers a hint of color that won't overpower your makeup. Plus, it has hyaluronic acid in it!

Makeup Forever

Makeup Forever Longwearing Matte Lipstick

"Everything's coming up roses" with Makeup Forever's Longwearing 'Memorable Spice' Matte Lipstick. It's another neutral that works well with a brown lipliner and gloss, but you can always skip the shiny finish if you want! Delivering high-performance color and a weightless feel, you'll be glad you decided to give it a chance.

P.S. The sleek design makes it easy to fit in the smallest of Target bags!

NYX Cosmetics

Nyx Cosmetics Lip Lingerie XXL Matte Liquid Lipstick

It's hard not be influenced by TikTok trends, but we're not pretending that we're above them! We've come across some of our best makeup buys because of other people's thorough reviews which is why NYX Cosmetic's Lip Lingerie XXL Matte Liquid Lipstick made our list!

'Dusky Muted Rose' is a "full-bodied matte lipstick" that's long-wearing and vegan; two things we can't get enough of. Honestly, no one wants to wear something that disrupts their hormones!

Subscribe to our newsletter to see more fall beauty must-haves!

Brit + Co may at times use affiliate links to promote products sold by others, but always offers genuine editorial recommendations.

Our favorite dancing queens (Meryl Streep included) might be returning to the big screen for a third encore of Mamma Mia! and we’re already rewatching the first two movie musicals in preparation.

In an interview with Deadline in May of 2023, Mamma Mia! franchise creator and producer Judy Craymer said a third movie musical is in "earliest stages." She also shared that she has come up with a way to bring Meryl Streep back again.

"I don't want to over-egg it," she said of the unofficial news, "but I know there's a trilogy there…and I do think Meryl should come back, and if the script is right, she would, I think, because she really loved playing Donna."

"Of course I want to do it," Streep said during the 2024 Cannes Film Festival (via Deadline). Sounds promising to us!

Is Mamma Mia 3 happening?

Universal Pictures

Yes, Mamma Mia 3 is in its early planning stages! Christine Baranski just told The Hollywood Reporter that she's met with producer Judy Kramer, and that Kramer has plans for the third movie. "She gave me the narrative plotline of how it’s going to happen," Baranski says. "That’s all I can say! But, it’s not like, 'Oh, I wish it could happen!' Judy Kramer makes things happen. She made number two happen, and it was a phenomenal hit. I wouldn’t put it past Judy Kramer to get everybody back together."

Universal Pictures

A third installation was first mentioned way back in 2020, during a Collider interview with Mamma Mia! star Amanda Seyfried. Seyfried said she was on board — and at the time, she thought the rest of the star-studded cast would be too.

"Listen, every single person in that movie would say yes in a heartbeat because we want to hang out with each other," Seyfried told Collider at the time. "That's what we talked about last time, like did we ever think that we'd end up here again on an Island in Croatia?"

When will Mamma Mia 3 come out?

Universal Pictures

We don't have an official answer about when to expect this highly anticipated sequel. The project is in the "earliest stages," according to creator and producer, Judy Craymer. Cher also revealed to Entertainment Weekly that everyone is "talking about it," but she doesn't "know when they're going to do it."

Has casting information been shared about Mamma Mia 3?

Jonathan Prime/Universal Studios

While nothing's been made official, Amanda Seyfried just said something that made my heart skip a beat. She told ABC News she loves Sabrina Carpenter's music and dropped this admission: "If Sabrina Carpenter wants to play my daughter, I’ll make it happen."

But before she admitted that, the actress said something else that made me raise my eyebrows. "Everybody says it’s gonna happen, but I mean, I haven’t seen a script."

Cher is also eager to return to the beloved franchise and is rooting for Meryl to make an appearance again. "I keep saying, 'Meryl, you've got to come back,'" she said (via Entertainment Weekly). She also said she's told her, "'It'll be fun. You'll have a good time. You'll be able to sing.'"

I don't know what it'll take, but hope someone gets a script in Amanda Seyfried, Cher, and Meryl Streep's hands ASAP!

What is the first Mamma Mia about?

Universal Pictures

The first film follows Donna (Streep) and Sophie (Seyfried) as mother and daughter living on a remote Greek island. When Sophie is about to marry Sky (Dominic Cooper), she sets out to learn who her real father is after discovering it could be one of three men (played by Pierce Brosnan, Stellan Skarsgard, and Colin Firth).

Who does the second Mamma Mia follow?

Universal Pictures / NBCUniversal

Mamma Mia 2takes viewers back to 1979, where young Donna (Lily James) embarks on a series of adventures throughout Europe following her Oxford University graduation. On her journeys, she makes the acquaintances of Harry, Bill and Sam – the latter whom she falls in love with. In the present day, pregnant Sophie dreams of renovating a taverna while reuniting with her mother's old friends and boyfriends on a Greek island island.

TBH, we’re pretty happy that Mamma Mia! is far from over, and we can’t wait to see what the franchise has in store for us next. Stay updated on all the latest entertainment news with Brit + Co.

This post has been updated.

There's nothing ~normal~ about how much we love Normal People's Paul Mescal & Daisy Edgar-Jones. While it turns out we're not getting a Normal People season 2 (yet), the two actors are starring in some of 2024's biggest blockbusters (Twisters and Gladiator II, namely), and we've been soaking up their presences ever since.

Paul recently exhibited his ongoing friendship with Daisy at the Gladiator II premiere in Los Angeles. While he approached Brittany Broski on the red carpet for an interview, he recognized her from her recent 'Royal Court' interview with Daisy:

"You were with Daisy!" he chimed in excitingly. We just love this power duo!

Enda Bowe/Hulu

Daisy Edgar-Jones also revealed that she's remained incredibly close to Paul Mescal after their time on Hulu's Normal People. "Paul is one of my lifetime best friends," she says. "He’s an incredibly grounded person and I am too, I think, so it’s nice to be able to have those touchstones and those people you can laugh about it with and be lighthearted with. We met when I was 20 and Paul was 22; I’m so excited to see where we’ll be at 32, 42, and what life will bring us."

But the coolest thing is that not only is Normal People special for Paul and Daisy, but they've also been able to see the effect of the show on its fans.

"The thing I love people saying the most is, 'It made me contact my ex,'" Daisy continues. "Especially when much older people say, 'I just wanted to reach out to the person I was with when I was 17 just to say you were a big part of my history and thanks for being part of who I am, the tapestry of my life.' And that I really love, because I’m a massive romantic."

Daisy recently revealed they bonded over their training for Twisters and Gladiator II.

"I did running lessons — isn’t that crazy?" she told Variety. "Actually, Paul [Mescal] and I were laughing about it, because he was training for 'Gladiator II' and I was training for 'Twisters,' and obviously he had to be huge and I was like, 'Don’t worry, I’m going to be right up there with you.'"

Let us know your favorite Normal People moment in the comments and check out 5 Leading Ladies We'd Love To See In A Paul Mescal Rom-Com.

This post has been updated with additional reporting by Meredith Holser.