12 Non-Red Holiday Lip Colors to Amp Up Your Party Look

What is Maybelline Superstay Matte Ink used for?

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?

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

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.

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

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.

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!

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.

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.

The Best Matte Lipsticks For Fall

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.

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.

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.

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.

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 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.

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!

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 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 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!

When's the best time to do holiday shopping?

The best time to do holiday shopping really all depends on your personal shopping goals. Do you want to get a jump on items you know will sell out soon? Do you want to save the most money possible? Do you want to focus on handmade, personalized gifts? These factors will undoubtedly influence your holiday shopping schedule.

Shopping early can be advantageous for all of the aforementioned goals. A lot of retailers start promoting their holiday products early on, giving you ample time to snatch up that limited-time lip kit or fancy water bottle you’ve been eyeing way before the holidays.

Plus, some of the best deals for holiday shopping happen ahead of Black Friday and Cyber Monday – in 2023, Experian observed a surge in early spending in October, thanks to early discounts, a trend likely to continue in 2024.

Finally, shopping early can be especially helpful if your plan is to focus on handmade or personalized gifts, giving the artisan you buy from (or yourself, if you’re DIY-ing your gifts) plenty of time to craft the item with love and care.

Gallup reported in 2023 that one in four shoppers start shopping as early as September, a trend likely to continue in 2024 – so you might already be embarking on your shopping spree!

If right now is just still too darn early for you to start holiday shopping, Black Friday and Cyber Monday are some of the best times to shop since so many retailers offer their largest discounts of the entire year. Plus, the late November-early December timeline can feel a bit more appropriate for the gifting season opposed to late October-early November, when everyone’s still recovering from Halloween.

The only thing to consider during this time is the shipping timelines for the items you purchase – but most retailers will typically advise their specific shipping schedules, so you don’t risk your goodies arriving late.

Where should I shop for gifts?

You have three main options when it comes to where to shop for holiday gifts: online, in-store, and via our amazing gift guides. Of course, each method has its advantages and disadvantages.

Shopping in-store offers a tangible experience: the opportunity to hold specific items in your hands and gauge exactly what they’ll be like when you give them as a gift. The pitfall with shopping in-person is that it typically requires a commute and journeys through potentially very busy malls and shopping strips, which can add to the already-stressful holiday experience.

In-store shopping can be more physically exhausting, but it’s all about preference! Sometimes strolling through the stores that get all dolled up for Christmas is the best part of the season.

Per Google, 65% of those planning to shop for the holidays say they will shop online more. Shopping for gifts online can be super helpful since you can centralize your findings in your browser’s bookmark tab or via virtual cart(s). Plus, shopping online can pose more opportunities for saving some money: lots of retailers typically offer discount codes for online users, especially if you sign up for their digital marketing channels (like email and text) and make a purchase.

Shopping online isn’t just shopping, either. The internet can be a stellar research tool to help you vet whether certain products are worth it, where they can be bought, and when they’ll be available. In fact, Google reported that more than half of U.S. holiday shoppers who went into a store last year say they looked up product reviews online and/or located an item in-store by checking it online.

Last but not least, scrolling gift guides has to be our favorite place to shop for gifts – and not just because we write and publish them.

At their very core, gift guides help streamline the holiday shopping process, alleviating the stress that bubbles up when you’re wondering what the heck to shop for in the first place. Our gift guides are backed by real people, real experiences, and real opinions from our editorial team. We only promote products that we really love and believe in, oftentimes ones we’ve tested and reviewed ourselves.

We have gift guides for just about everyone on your list, with more on the way! Check ‘em out:

• Gifts for Him
• Gifts for Her
• Gifts for Foodies
• DIY + Handmade Gifts
• White Elephant Gifts
• Gift Sets

What are the best kinds of gifts to give?

The best kinds of gifts to give are thoughtful gifts that consider the giftee’s interests, wants, and needs. These gifts can be sentimental, practical, or both simultaneously. What matters most in a gift is that it’ll be meaningful to them past just the holiday season, whether it’s helping them get through daily tasks, reminding them of a memorable trip or event, or giving them small doses of joy.

“Shoppers are increasingly looking for personalized and unique gifts that reflect the recipient's personality and interests,” says Mia Anderson, Owner of ChicSew. “With the rise of online shopping, many consumers are opting for curated gift boxes or experiences that add a special touch.”

Gift boxes, personalized items, books of interest, self-care goodies, and even gift cards can all be thoughtful gifts depending on the recipient. If you have no clue what your giftee is into, it’s not a bad idea to ask them what they want the most!

“My idea of a great gift is something that is in tandem with the recipient's interest and offers something new to the person, be it learning a new skill, enjoying a calming activity, or simply spending quality time with the family,” says Alfred Christ, Sales Manager & Marketer at Robotime. “This season, we encourage shoppers to shift their focus on quality and the memories their gifts will create and not just merely material aspects.”

When is Black Friday?

Black Friday is always the Friday after Thanksgiving. This year, Black Friday lands on November 29.

When is Cyber Monday?

Cyber Monday is typcally the Monday after Thanksgiving. This year, Cyber Monday will land on December 2. Oftentimes, retailers and brands extend their online offers through the week (coined Cyber Week) after the event. Salesforce reported that 67% of shoppers in 2024 plan on shopping during Cyber Week!