Since time immemorial, people have been looking for ways to make their lips look more enhanced. Be it with natural dyes before the invention of the first commercial lipstick in 1884, or with very many options we have in stores today. This love for lipsticks has been translated to the creation of National Lipstick Day, celebrated on the 29th of July every year. Although this is a national day celebrated in the West, its popularity has reached India, thanks to the enthusiasm of makeup lovers here.
Lipsticks traditionally come in a retractable bullet format, but the makeup industry has evolved with many innovative ways and formulas–be it with lip tints, liquid lipsticks, lip crayons, tinted glosses or tinted lip balms.
Let’s never say no to a good ol’ lip product; here are some tried and tested recommendations to get you in the spirit of National (hopefully International soon) Lipstick Day-
Colorbar Sinful Lip And Cheek Tint
These simplistic yet versatile Multi-Tasker Lip and Cheek Tints by Colorbar enhance your natural beauty and offer a radiant flush of colour. Available in ten shades, there’s something for everyone to try this Lipstick Day!
The Body Shop Peptalk Refillable Lipsticks
In an era where sustainability is becoming increasingly important, The Body Shop’s effort at providing eco-friendly solutions is commendable. Their refillable lipsticks add a dash of moisture and a hint of colour with one swipe. So, even though we might want to add to our lipstick collection this Lipstick Day, we can still make some mindful choices.
Dior Lip Glow
The Dior Addict Lip Glow gained cult status because of its unique formula that adapts to the individual’s natural lip chemistry and creates their personalised shade. Although it is a lip balm, it comes in five shades apart from a clear one, to provide the lips with a sheer, tinted colour.
Smashbox Always On Liquid Lipstick
A long-lasting lipstick with a solid colour payoff? Sign me up. Although all 22 of the Smashbox Always On Liquid Lipsticks are stellar, Babe Alert, Stepping Out and Driver’s Seat are my personal picks.
Lakmé 9 To 5 Primer + Shine
Lakme India’s latest addition to their 9 to 5 range has a built-in primer that moisturises the lips and gets them ready to pout. Their offering of 15 unique shades has everything from retro reds to neutral nudes.
The Ayurveda Co. Liquid Lipstick
Enriched with the goodness of vitamin E and castor oil, The Ayurveda Company’s liquid lipsticks look freshly applied, even after hours of wear.  These super-pigmented, lightweight lipsticks come in eight shades to compliment every look and mood.
MAC Locked Kiss Ink
We’ve seen, used and loved MAC’s bullet lipsticks over the years, so there’s no doubt that the brand knows how to formulate its lip products. Their new Locked Kiss Ink Liquid Lipsticks are proof! Without drying the lips out, they offer long-lasting and highly pigmented colour.
Maybelline Super Stay Vinyl Ink
These vinyl lipsticks have taken social media by storm for their high-shine, glossy finish, and transfer-proof formula. So, if you want fuller, plumper and reflective lips this Lipstick Day, go for this one.
Make-Up Studio
Say adios to pale and dry lips and say hola to these ultra-creamy lipstick lipsticks from Make-Up Studio. Although these are matte bullet lipsticks, their silky texture makes for a comfortable wear throughout the day.
Typsy Beauty Twist & Pout Lipstick
Typsy Beauty has made its way into the heart of makeup enthusiasts with their innovative and high-performing products. Take, for example, their Twist & Pout Lipsticks–one side has a creamy lipstick while the other is a retractable lip pencil.
MARS Matte Box Set of 3
While lipstick sets make for great gifts and are quite economical, they also allow you to experiment with colours that you otherwise wouldn’t have bought. These sets by MARS Cosmetics have three highly pigmented, matte lipsticks in each box, and come in six different shade combinations.
So, make your way to Amazon and get your hands on this set now.
Etude House Fixing Tints
 The renowned South Korean beauty brand, Etude, has some of the cutest makeup products out there with terrific formulas. Their Fixing Tints are hydro-matte tints that fixate comfortably on the lips while depositing smudge-proof pigment.
Charlotte Tilbury Matte Revolution
If I had a dollar for every time I’ve seen a review raving about the Charlotte Tilbury Matte Revolution Lipsticks, I’d be able to buy one myself. But jokes aside, their price is justified by their distinctive shades and plush formulas. And what better occasion than Lipstick Day to splurge on your lips?
Benefit Lip And Cheek Tints
Need I introduce this widely beloved product to you? Benefit’s lip and cheek tints come in different shades of pinks, red and oranges and give the most natural tint to the lips. Benetint, Gogotint, Posietint, ChaChatint, Lovetint–these names are reason enough to try them.
Pat McGrath Labs Mattetrance
If you’re looking to indulge in a high-quality lipstick this Lipstick Day, try the Pat McGrath Labs Mattetrance lipsticks. They have a one-of-a-kind powder-in-a-bullet formula that conditions the lips for a comfortable application of some intensely saturated shades.
Huda Beauty
To be honest, while thinking of what to recommend, I really couldn’t pick between Huda Beauty’s bullets, liquid lipsticks and lip liners–they’re all just so good!
Their lip contours have the creamiest texture, bullet lipsticks have some pretty original shades, and liquid lipsticks are a must-have.
Nyx Cosmetics Soft Matte Lip Cream
These long-lasting, non-drying, soft matte colour lipsticks make wearing a liquid lipstick for longer periods of time so much more comfortable.
Need another reason to give these a shot this Lipstick Day? They are also a very close dupe of the viral Fenty Beauty Icon Velvet Liquid Lipsticks!
Rare Beauty Soft Pinch Tinted Lip Oil
There is a reason why their Soft Pinch Tinted Lip Oils sold out after launching in India within just 15 minutes! They not only make the lips look more plump and juicy but also leave them with a desirable stain after wiping it off.
Kay Beauty Matteinee Matte Lip Crayon Lipstick
Combining the ease of use of a traditional bullet lipstick with the vibrant colours and nourishing benefits of a lip balm, lip crayons have quickly become a popular choice amongst makeup wearers. Kay Beauty’s Mattiness lip crayons take all these benefits of a regular crayon lipstick and add to it the promise of 18-hour long stay power.
Kiko Milano 3D Hydra Lipglosses
The easiest and the most effective way to make your lips look extra hydrated this Lipstick Day is with these Kiko Milano 3D Hydra Lipglosses. With many pigmented shades, shiny and pearly finishes and non-sticky texture, these are the perfect lip toppers.