8 best creamy matte lipsticks for every skin tone, every budget

Even for those who skip foundation, eyeliner, or bronzers on most days, lipstick usually survives the daily cull of beauty products. The problem is that most formulas sit at opposite ends of the spectrum: matte lipsticks that parch lips or glossy ones that appear overly slick.  Creamy matte lipsticks occupy the sweet spot between pigment and comfort. 

With a buttery-soft texture that never feels tacky or drying, yet doesn’t stray into high-shine territory, creamy matte lipsticks are built for practical, everyday wear. They hold up for long hours and feel as polished at a late-night dinner as they do on a morning commute.

Why creamy matte lipsticks deserve a spot in any stash 

“Matte lipsticks are highly pigmented, but so are the creamy matte lipsticks. The latter, however, do contain added emollients, making them smoother and less drying,” shares Leiya Phinao Ningshen, National Artist, M.A.C Cosmetics India. Celebrity make-up artist Shradha Mehta adds that while a matte lipstick could leave lips chapped and crusty, a creamy matte lipstick delivers moisture without gloss. 

Beyond comfort, creamy matte lipsticks offer seamless application. “A creamy matte lipstick feels hydrating and comfortable, and involves no pulling or tugging while applying, and zero cracking over the day. It’s easy to apply and blend out,” says Phinao Ningshen. The trade-off is that they can transfer more easily, and India’s humid weather can affect how long they last. 

“MATTE LIPSTICKS ARE HIGHLY PIGMENTED, BUT SO ARE THE CREAMY MATTE LIPSTICKS. THE LATTER, HOWEVER, DO CONTAIN ADDED EMOLLIENTS, MAKING THEM SMOOTHER AND LESS DRYING” –– Leiya Phinao Ningshen

Yet, their benefits often outweigh the drawbacks. With a mousse-like texture and smooth, blurred finish, creamy matte lipsticks can even double as cheek colour or eyeshadow. “Dab a small amount on the apples of your cheeks and blend with fingers or a brush for a natural, monochromatic flush look,” says Phinao Ningshen. “The creamy texture will melt into the skin without patchiness.” 

Tips to make creamy matte lipsticks last longer 

Preparation is key. “Exfoliate to remove dryness for a smooth canvas or prep with lip conditioners to hydrate. Blot lightly after the first swipe, then reapply to build a long-lasting colour. Use a lip liner in a matching or a deeper shade to define, shape, and prevent feathering.”  Filling in lips with the liner before applying lipstick also creates a fuller, more defined pout that stays put for longer.

The best creamy matte lipsticks for every budget and skin tone

Here are eight of the best creamy matte lipsticks in India, spanning cult drugstore favourites and luxury launches, with shades and textures that work across undertones and occasions.

Urban Decay Vice Lipstick: Best creamy matte lipstick in diverse shades

Vegan, long-lasting, and richly-pigmented, Urban Decay Vice Lipstick comes in shades that suit every complexion and mood. Infused with aloe vera, avocado oil, vitamin E, and antioxidants, it delivers an opaque layer of colour that feels cushiony and comfortable. 

Priced at ₹2,400 | Available on Nykaa.com

Bobbi Brown Luxe Cashmere Matte Lipstick: Best  creamy matte lipstick with zero shine

Bobbi Brown’s newest drop feels weightless, wears completely matte, and delivers a blotted lip-like look. It ditches the shine, but the bullet retains the creaminess that makes application effortless, thanks to hydrating ingredients like vitamin E, rapeseed oil, Camelina sativa oil, squalane, and floral extracts. 

Priced at ₹4,200 | Available on Myntra.com

Lancôme L’Absolu Rouge Drama Matte Lipstick: Best creamy matte lipstick for dry lips

This lipstick promises a buttery smooth glide, and even smoother (read: zero flaking) wear. The newest rendition of the brand’s bestselling lipstick features a 30 per cent rose-hyaluronic acid lip balm blend to ensure the lips remain soft, well-protected, and moisturised. 

Priced at ₹3,200 | Available at Sephora.in

Wearified Butter to Matte Bullet Lipstick: Best long-lasting creamy matte lipstick 

From content creator Aanam Chasmawala’s beauty brand, this creamy matte lipstick delivers on colour pay-off, longevity, and comfort at once. The formula skips nasties like talc, parabens and fragrances and resorts to nourishing ingredients like cocoa butter, vitamin E, jojoba oil, and argan oil. 

Priced at ₹899 | Available at Wearified.in

Maybelline New York Color Sensational Creamy Matte Lipstick: Best drugstore creamy matte lipstick

A cult favourite for a reason, this lipstick comes in 25 shades to complement every kind of Indian skin tone. It wears like a smooth lip balm, the solid pigmentation coats your lips evenly, and the formula allows for endless reapplication. With vitamin E, lanolin oil, shea butter, and honey, this creamy matte lipstick doesn’t flake or feather. 

Priced at ₹329 | Available at Amazon.in

Too Faced Cocoa Bold Em-Power Cream Lipstick:  Best brown and nude creamy matte lipsticks

Whether you’re looking for chocolate browns or pinkish nudes, this creamy matte lipstick range from Too Faced has it all. Rich in fatty acids and oils, it glides smoothly and delivers a one-coat application. 

Priced at ₹2,650 | Available at Tirabeauty.com  

KIRO Beauty Velvet Souffle Soft Matte Liquid Lipstick: Best liquid creamy matte lipstick 

A velvety, mousse-y texture that sits on your lips like tinted cream is what highlights this creamy matte lipstick. Packed with hyaluronic acid, vitamin E, silica, and CoQ10—or Coenzyme Q10, an antioxidant—along with a built-in primer, this lipstick smoothes lines and wrinkles on the lips and renders the much-coveted even finish. Coming from a homegrown brand, this creamy matte lipstick is available in colours that suit Brown skin well. 

Priced at ₹1,075 | Available at Kirobeauty.com

Chantecaille Lip Veil: Best hydrating creamy matte lipstick

Think of this product as a hybrid between a gel and creamy matte lipstick—hydrating, lightweight, and lightly tinted. Loaded with a rich mix of botanical extracts and oils, these lip veils will stain your lips gingerly, provide long-lasting care, and exude a soft sheen.

Priced at ₹5,150  | Available at Tirabeauty.com