“2025 was the year I rediscovered lipstick – here are the shades I reached for the most”
All products on this page have been selected by the editorial team, however Stylist may make commission on some products purchased through affiliate links in this article
From matte formulas that don’t budge to satin finishes, these are the lipsticks Stylist’s senior beauty writer Charlotte Bitmead used the most in one year.
Despite having a drawer full of lip mousses, stains and lipsticks – you name the formula, I have one in every shade – I realised about halfway through this year that they were collecting dust.
Maybe it was my trusted Rhode phone case that had me opting for a balm over a bullet, or the fact that I was heavily invested in blushmania and felt adding a coloured lip was a step too far. Either way, I realised I hadn’t reached for anything that gave my pout a solid punch of colour for the majority of 2025.
To justify my vast (and overwhelming) lipstick collection, I decided to set myself the challenge of picking one to try out at least once a week. This could be from the newest launches on my desk or some old classics – as long as I was using them up, it didn’t matter. Actively making lipstick a part of my routine was a game-changer and suddenly I fell in love with the product again. 2025 was my lipstick renaissance.
This could have been down to some new releases throughout 2025 that really impressed me, or the fact that I decided to get a fringe and found a bolder lip helped balance out my face. Either way, I couldn’t believe I had ditched the whole lip category for such a long time and was eager to make amends.
As such, I tested almost all the new releases I received this year – while also rediscovering some old favourites that I couldn’t believe I’d stopped using. In the mood to have a lipstick renaissance yourself in 2026? These are the top five products that I reached for constantly over the past year – and which have had me happily embracing a bold lip again.
Refy Lip Stick
I’ve written a full review of how much I love this innovative lipstick formula and featured it in my top beauty launches of 2025. But to recap: this satin formula can either be used for a soft, hydrating wash of colour or built up to a solid shade, depending on your preference. It’s comfortable to wear, glossy and hydrating – and each shade fades away naturally and gradually with no messiness. I’ve added every shade of this product to my already humongous stash of lipsticks. They’re all just so wearable.
Kosas Wet Stick Moisturizing Lip Shine
When I need a quick lip in a flash with minimal fuss, this is the hydrating formula I reach for. Thanks to ceramides and hyaluronic acid, it’s essentially a lip-balm-lipstick hybrid, delivering a hint of colour with a glazed finish. Each shade is foolproof to apply and leaves my lips feeling softer afterwards.
Shop Kosas Wet Stick Moisturizing Lip Shine at Space NK, £22
Violette_FR Plume Lip
2025 marked the return of the lip mousse, and this offering from Violette_FR has been one of my favourites. It delivers a blurred, French girl-esque pout with a rich matte colour and the the texture feels like you’re not wearing anything on the lips at all. Available in five shades, it lasts a cocktail or two but will wear away gradually if you’re indulging in a greasy meal. However, due to the plush applicator, it’s really easy to touch up on the go.
Merit Beauty Signature Lip Lightweight Matte Lipstick
I’ve raved about this lipstick in ‘Equestrian’ previously, as it’s one of my most reached-for shades during the autumn months (a warm brown, uber matte formula is the definition of a diffused moody lip). But the entire Signature Lip range works all year round, offering really good wear time and feeling comfortable on the lips.
Shop Merit Beauty Signature Lip Lightweight Matte Lipstick, £23
Jones Road The Classic Lip
Plush, buttery and pigmented, Jones Road’s latest launch had me instantly hooked. There’s not a bad shade in the range, but ‘Nudist’ (a cool-toned nude) has become my go-to. One swipe and you’re good to go. Lips are coated in a strong, satiny wash of colour that’s creamy and hydrating.
Image: supplied; courtesy of brands
