The best drugstore lipsticks

My initial impression was that this was going to be a glorified lip balm, but voilà! A pigment-rich stick that offered full coverage without compromising on moisture. Think a cheaper MAC Impassioned: the pink was shocking, and it lasted for hours too. I wasn’t too much a fan of the sharp diagonal tip though.

Za, RM31.70
www.za-cosmetics.com

Every budget-friendly beauty doyenne swears by Maybelline’s Red Revival lipstick – it could be a drugstore dupe for Chanel’s Dragon or MAC’s Russian Red at a fraction of the price. The classic red is in a shade that’s universally flattering: a deep, satiny Hollywood red. It’s smooth, stays reasonable well (though it’ll come off on cups and the like) and smells sweet.

Maybelline, RM27.90
www.maybelline.com.my

This actually ended up being one of my favourites: it gave me a ton of colour along with a ton of moisture. The only problem is that it’s not exactly matte at all; at best, it’s demi-matte. On the bright side, it boasts the colour payoff of much pricier picks – just apply at least two or three layers. I did expect it to be a bolder, heavier shade of plum – it’s actually more magenta, straddling the safe zone between pink and purple.

Silkgygirl, RM22.90
silkycosmetics.com

Formula is crucial when it comes to nudes; it should be creamy with a slight sheen, and this one ticks all the right boxes. It’s a shade of dusky, pinkish beige for your no-makeup makeup days. Perhaps what I love most about this lipstick is its luxurious gold casing; it’s classy, looks a lot more expensive than it really is, and it shuts off with a click (so it won’t come off in your bag and attack your belongings).

L’Oréal Paris, RM38.05
www.lorealparis.com.my

The colour is quite sheer, but it’s buildable – so swipe more layers on until it’s the desired shade, but beware of flakiness and patches. Also, it has a slightly shimmery finish. A redeeming quality is that this pink is pinker than I expected; it has blue undertones, so it pops a bit, but is still very natural- and soft-looking. I would take one point off for its packaging though; it’s simple and straightforward, but it’s not going to jazz up your vanity.

Kate, RM30.75
www.kate-global.net/my

Super Lustrous lipsticks inspire loyalty for a reason, that reason being that they’re creamy cult classics. It glides on smoothly, and the lippie’s packed with moisture. I get full colour – a bright, bold pop of pigment somewhere between orange and red – with one swipe, and it lasts ages too. Truth be told, I have this one on heavy rotation.

Revlon, RM34.80
revlon.com