8 Lip Products That Are Perfect If You Hate Wearing Lipstick

This formula ($9; ulta.com) gives you the matte look of a lipstick, but feels smooth and weightless on your lips. Unlike traditional bullets, the handy smudger gives you the option of wearing a bold or softer, lived-in look. 

NARS’ pencil ($26; narscosmetics.com) has the staying power of a matte lipstick, minus the chalkiness of longwearing lipsticks. Its creamy formula is a breeze to swipe on, and Never Say Never is a solid everyday berry shade that’s practically universal: it's flattering on a wide range of skin tones.

If you’re looking for a hydrating product that looks like your natural lips, only better, Benefit’s Benebalm ($18; benefitcosmetics.com), is your best bet. Intense hydrators mango butter and sodium hyaluronate keeps lips smooth, and a rose tint adds a touch of color. 

Clinique’s Almost Lipstick ($17; sephora.com) is the one-size-fits all of lipsticks. Not quite a balm, and not quite a full-fledged lipstick, the transparent, lightweight formula fuses with the tone of your lips for a look that’s uniquely yours.

Plum lipstick is a fall trend nearly every year, but testing out the rich hue can be intimidating, even for veteran lipstick-wearers. Tarte’s lip tint ($24; tartecosmetics.com) is a gentle way to dip into plummy waters. Besides, it's got a win-me-over trio: The finish is just slightly glossy, the color approachable, and the formula hydrating.

A red lip will probably always be a powerful, eye-catching look (see: Taylor Swift), but for some of us, the vibrant hue is exactly where the risk is. Who wants midday feathering cherry lips or a crimson smudge on their teeth? That's why for red lip rookies, this long-lasting formula by Obsessive Compulsive Cosmetics ($15; occmakeup.com) is the jam. It's long-lasting and the finish is nothing short of jaw-dropping.

A marker-like tip makes drawing this stain ($4; Kmart.com) on your lips as effortless as the peachy-pink shade appears on your pout. Not to mention the non-sticky formula will last from your desk to dinner.

If you love a glossy lip but abhor stickiness, Yves Saint Laurent’s Glossy Stain ($36; nordstrom.com) is the lip product of your dreams. A gloss, stain, and lipstick all in one, it delivers high shine and long-lasting color that’s weightless all-day.