You try a new lipstick. It looks great in the store, but feels dry an hour later. Sounds familiar? That’s not about the brand, it’s about the type. Different types of lipsticks serve different needs. Some stay on all day without smudging.
Others feel light but fade fast. Lipsticks come in many textures and finishes, and each reacts differently to heat, humidity, and skin. If you live in the UAE or struggle with dry lips, the right choice can make a significant difference. This guide explains the different types of lipsticks and helps you choose the one that suits your skin tone and day.
8 Types of Lipstick at a Glance
| Type | Finish | Longevity | Best For | Sensitive Skin Safety | Best Lipstick Brand |
| Matte | Flat, no shine | 8–12 hrs | Long wear, bold color | Use balm under; avoid alcohol | Maybelline SuperStay Matte Ink |
| Glossy | High shine | 2–4 hrs | Quick glam, fuller lips | Choose fragrance-free formulas | Maybelline Lifter Gloss, Tower 28 |
| Satin | Soft glow | 4–6 hrs | Office, daily wear | Usually safe with natural oils | MACximal Sleek, Armani Lip Power |
| Sheer | Light tint + shine | 2–3 hrs | No-makeup look, teens | Safe if alcohol-free | Clinique Black Honey, e.l.f. Sheer Slick |
| Liquid | Matte or satin finish | 8–12 hrs | Full coverage, photos | Pick hydrating formulas | Charlotte Tilbury Lip Blur, Vinyl Ink |
| Crayon | Matte or satin | 4–6 hrs | Quick use, touch-ups | Often safe and nourishing | Ilia Lip Sketch, Maybelline Ink Crayon |
| Stains/Tints | Natural flush | 6–10 hrs | Mask-proof, outdoor use | Choose alcohol-free tints | Fenty Poutsicle, Milani Lip Stain |
| Creamy | Mild shine | 3–5 hrs | Dry lips, winter, comfort | Great with shea or vitamin E | Merit Signature Lip, Collection Hydrating |
8 Types of Lipsticks , Explained in Detail
We’ve all stood at a makeup counter wondering: Do I need five different types of lipsticks or just one perfect one? Lipsticks aren’t one-size-fits-all. Each type of lipstick has a different finish, texture, and feel. Here’s a simple breakdown to help you pick what suits your lips best.
Type A: Matte Lipstick
- Finish: Bold, flat color with zero shine
- Texture: Dry, powdery clings to lips
- Best for: All-day wear, bold looks
Mac Matte lipsticks provide a strong, flat look with little sheen. Because of the silica and film-formers, they have a long lifespan and are resistant to transfer. Although balm preparation is still necessary, modern versions soften the texture with oil or hyaluronic acid.
Why people love it:
Matte lipstick gives a strong color that lasts. It doesn’t smudge or fade easily. Many people prefer it for work, weddings, or long days when they don’t want to reapply. Among all lipstick textures, matte stands out for its full coverage and clean finish.
What to expect:
It can feel dry. If your lips are already chapped, matte lipstick may make it worse. It can settle into lines and highlight flakes. For people with dry lips or sensitive skin, the wrong matte can feel tight within an hour. If your lips hate dryness, some types of lipsticks will save the day while others just won’t cut it.
Best brand in this type:
- Maybelline SuperStay Matte Ink
- Rare Beauty Lip Soufflé Matte
- MAC Powder Kiss Lipstick
UAE tip:
Before applying, prep with a sugar scrub at night and a balm in the morning. Always blot the balm before using the matte. One thin layer is enough.
Sensitive skin caution:
Look for long-lasting lipsticks with shea butter, squalane, or jojoba oil. Avoid products with alcohol or added fragrance, they’re more likely to dry you out.
Type B: Glossy Lipstick
- Finish: High shine that makes lips look fuller
- Texture: Smooth and wet, like a hydrating balm or oil
- Best for: Casual days, quick glam, and photo-ready looks
Glossy lipstick mixes oils, waxes, and polybutene to create a shiny, reflective look. Ingredients like castor and jojoba oil add hydration, while film-formers keep gloss from smearing. It offers moisture but may feel sticky and require frequent reapplication.
Why people love it:
Many people choose glossy lipstick for its instant glow. Unlike pencils or mattes, it feels more like a balm. Gloss often includes oils or butters that help hydrate lips. Editors and users praise formulas with hyaluronic acid or jojoba oil for their comfort and shine,
Best brand in this type:
- Maybelline Lifter Gloss: Offers a subtle plumping effect and smooth finish
- Tower 28 ShineOn Lip Jelly: Lightweight and non-sticky, often cited for sensitive lips
- Kosas Wet Lip Oil Gloss: Blends oil with gloss, adds moisture and sheen
UAE tip:
Gloss can melt in high heat or smear under a mask. Keep it cool in your bag or fridge. Dab off the excess after eating. A tiny bit of concealer around your lip line helps prevent feathering and bleeding in the heat.
Sensitive skin caution:
Shine often means oils, which is good. Still, chemical fragrance or flavor additives may sting. Skip glosses that tingle or burn. Choose gentle formulas with natural oils like jojoba or shea and no added alcohol.
Type C: Satin Lipstick
- Finish: Soft sheen, a halfway point between matte and glossy
- Texture: Smooth, creamy, almost balm-like
- Best for: Daily wear, office settings, and when you want polish without shine
Satin lipstick gives a gentle glow without the tight feeling of matte or the slip of gloss. It dries to a soft finish that looks fresh and natural. Beauty experts and users prefer satin for its balance, smoother and more forgiving than matte, but less shiny than gloss.
Why people love it:
It hydrates without sliding off. Many formulas include shea butter, vitamin E, camellia seed oil, or ceramides. One popular refillable satin stick claims a 169% boost in lip hydration and up to 24 hours of comfort, with real results from clinical tests. Users say satin lipstick smooths lip lines and adds a polished finish that lasts through meetings or meals.
Best brand in this type:
- MACximal Sleek Satin Lipstick: Enriched with pomegranate flower, camellia seed, and rosehip oils. Keeps lips soft for eight hours.
- Armani Beauty Lip Power Longwear Satin: Offers vivid, buildable color in a lightweight, long-wearing mix of nourishing oils.
- Wet n Wild Mega Last Rich Satin: Budget-friendly option with vitamin E and argan oil for moisture.
UAE Tip:
Heat and indoor AC can dry lips. Prep with a balm-rich scrub at night. In the morning, apply satin directly. It holds color and gives a soft glow. You might blot lightly after meals to keep it fresh.
Sensitive skin caution:
Avoid silky satin formulas with fragrance or metal shimmer. They can irritate. Pick satin lipsticks with gentle oils and ceramides. Skip synthetic fragrance and heavy dyes.
Type D: Sheer Lipstick
- Finish: Transparent tint with subtle shine
- Texture: Lightweight, balm-like, and hydrating
- Best for: Everyday use, no-fuss looks, and natural glow
Sheer lipstick blends balm and color for an effortless touch-up. It feels soft and nourishing, much like a tinted lip balm. Many formulas feature vitamin E, meadowfoam seed oil, or hyaluronic acid to comfort dry lips. One popular sheer lipstick adds SPF and feels smooth, thanks to meadowfoam and vitamin E. Another clean option, rich in hyaluronic acid and konjac root, aims for 24-hour hydration without any stickiness .
Why people love it:
It gives a fresh, flushed look without looking like “makeup.” Fans say it smooths the texture and boosts lip health. Reviewers praise its balance of comfort and lightweight color, and it doesn’t settle into lines like heavier lipsticks.
Best brand in this type:
- Clinique Almost Lipstick in Black Honey: adapts to lip tone and hydrates with 95% conditioning ingredients.
- e.l.f. Sheer Slick Lipstick: vegan, vitamin E-infused, budget-friendly choice.
- True + Luscious Super Moisture Lipstick: clean, vegan, adds lasting hydration with hyaluronic acid and konjac powder.
UAE Tip:
Heat can melt heavy balms. Store your sheer stick in a cool spot or fridge. Swipe it on midday for a natural pop of color and moisture. It’s easy to reapply after a meal or during airport waits.
Sensitive skin caution:
Skip products with fragrance or alcohol. Choose sheer lipsticks that list SPF but stay chemical-free. Clean, dermatologist-tested options work best on reactive lips.
Type E: Liquid Lipstick
- Finish: Varies from matte to satin, often called “blurred” or soft matte
- Texture: Creamy to mousse-like, dries into a thin film.
- Best for: Long-lasting color, photo-ready looks, special occasions
Liquid lipstick offers bold color with serious staying power. Modern formulas often include hyaluronic acid, dimethicone, or plant oils. These ingredients help the product feel smoother and avoid cracking. Reviews show that picks like Charlotte Tilbury Airbrush Flawless Lip Blur and Maybelline Super Stay Vinyl Ink hold for 12–24 hours and resist rubbing off while still feeling breathable.
Why people love it:
It doesn’t flake like old-school liquid matte formulas. New versions give intense pigment but won’t cling to every dry patch. Beauty experts and users praise the lightweight feel and color that barely moves, even on long days.
Best brand in this type:
- Charlotte Tilbury Airbrush Flawless Lip Blur – Soft matte that blurs lip lines, with hyaluronic acid
- Milani Stay Put Liquid Lip – Budget-friendly, creamy, avocado oil–enriched
- Maybelline Super Stay Vinyl Ink – Drugstore favorite, glossy, transfer-resistant
UAE Tip:
Heat can thin the formula, making it bleed. Store it in a cool place. Apply the liner first to define the line, then let the liquid set undisturbed for five minutes. Dab extra balm at night after a long day.
Sensitive skin caution:
Check for fragrance or drying alcohols. Avoid formulas heavy in film-formers like isododecane. Pick liquid lipsticks that highlight botanical oils, vitamin E, or plant wax. They hydrate lips even through long wear.
Type F: Crayon Lipstick
- Finish: Varies from soft matte to sheer balm
- Texture: Thick crayon, glides smoothly, delivers precise lines.
- Best for: Quick application, on-the-go touchups, lip-liner replacement
Crayon lipstick combines the color payoff of a lipstick with the definition of a liner. It is more structured than gloss but feels creamier than matte sticks. The majority of formulae are more palatable to dry or sensitive lips since they contain plant butters and healing oils.
Why people love it:
One popular hydrating crayon contains hyaluronic acid, rosehip oil, and seaweed extract, offering smooth application and long-lasting wear even through meals. Another affordable option delivers lasting color and comfort without a heavy wax feel. This is one of the best selling lipstick product of many brands
Celebrities and beauty editors often choose crayon lipsticks for their multitasking ability. They line, define, and fill lips in a few swipes. Many formulas resist smudging yet remain creamy and weightless.
Best brand in this type:
- Ilia Lip Sketch Hydrating Crayon: Long-wearing with built-in sharpener and conditioning ingredients
- Maybelline Super Stay Ink Crayon: Known for bold color that stays for hours, preferred by makeup artists
- Laura Mercier Petal Soft Lipstick Crayon: Fruit oils and butter for a soft, cushioned feel
UAE Tip:
Crayons handle heat better than gloss. Store them in a cool place and sharpen regularly to maintain a fine tip. Perfect for quick reapplication after coffee or prayer breaks.
Sensitive skin caution:
Steer clear of art-supply dyes that can irritate. Choose crayon lipsticks with clean ingredients, no fragrance, and added oils like jojoba or neem for comfort and color.
Type G: Tints and Stains
- Finish: A natural wash of color that sets into skin-like pigment
- Texture: Thin, lightweight, feels like a balm or light gel
- Best for: Mask-proof color, natural makeup looks, all-day wear
Tints and stains are loved for how they sink into lips and stay. They often contain hydrating ingredients like hyaluronic acid, squalane, shea butter, or vitamin E. Users note formulas with lip oil or gel base hydrate as they rarely feel dry. Many K-beauty tints provide serious hydration while delivering a clear tint that lasts through meals and hot weather.
Why people love it:
These blends offer long-lasting color without the weight of lipstick. They resist transfer and survive with sweat or masks. Once applied, you can sip coffee or chat in the sun and still have a fresh flush. Beauty editors also highlight that stains feel like lip care more than makeup.
Best brand in this type:
- Fenty Beauty Poutsicle Hydrating Lip Stain – lasts all day, glossy then settles to stain
- Victoria Beckham Bitten Lip Tint – buildable, nourishing, and flattering on many tones
- Milani Color Fetish Hydrating Lip Stain – affordable with a moisture-rich feel
UAE Tip:
Different types of lipsticks react differently to the weather, especially in places with heat and AC all year round. Tints resist melting in heat. To boost hydration, keep a balm in your bag. Reapply once during long outings. Choose a tint with SPF or pair with a balm that provides sun protection.
Sensitive skin caution:
Skip alcohol-heavy formulas that dry out lips. Look for clean, fragrance-free tints with plant-based oils like squalane or vitamin E. These soothe sensitive skin and reduce the risk of irritation.
Type H: Creamy Lipstick
- Finish: Mild shine with a smooth, soft look
- Texture: Plush, buttery glide like a tinted balm
- Best for: Dry lips, winter months, and natural glam
Creamy lipstick delivers rich color and real hydration. It feels like lip butter satin, almost. Experts list ingredients like shea butter, jojoba oil, sunflower seed oil, and vitamin E. These nourish lips while providing buildable coverage . For people in humid climates like the UAE, creamy lipstick offers color without the smudging seen in glossier types of lipsticks.
Why people love it:
It smooths fine lines and soothes dryness. Reviewers mention that a creamy formula felt “supersoft” and avoided the tightness often felt with mattes . Beauty editors recommend creamy sticks for their comfort and ease of application, often describing them as “lip balm that wears like lipstick.”
Best brand in this type:
- Milk Makeup KUSH Lip Vinyl – Plumping yet hydrating; contains hemp-derived squalane
- Collection Hydrating Lipstick – Enriched with shea butter, avocado oil, and aloe vera, offers long-lasting moisture.
- Merit Signature Lip Lightweight Lipstick – Features sunflower seed oil and vitamin C, praised for its creamy feel and skin-glamour wear.r
UAE Tip:
Heat can soften creamy lipstick. Store in a cool area. For a defined shape, apply a thin layer, blot excess, and line lips before reapplying lightly.
Sensitive skin caution:
Avoid formulas with fragrance, parabens, or harsh preservatives. Seek out clean sticks with plant oils, vitamin E, and ceramides. These are less likely to cause stinging or irritation.
How to Choose Based on Skin Sensitivity
Buying one of right types of lipsticks goes beyond color and finish. It’s about what your skin can tolerate. Sensitive lips need extra care. Here’s a guide to help you choose with confidence in the UAE’s heat and dry air.
1. Know Your Triggers
Some lips react to synthetic dyes, fragrance, or drying alcohols. If your lips sting, burn, or peel after wearing lipstick, those ingredients might be the cause. Look for fragrance-free, alcohol-free, and dye-free labels.
2. Check for Skin-Calming Additives
Some types of lipsticks come packed with shea butter, jojoba oil, or aloe vera—and your lips will thank you for it. They help calm irritation, keep lips soft, and stop that tight, flaky feeling.
3. Match Texture to Lips’ Needs
- Dry lips: Choose creamy, satin, glossy, or sheer formulas. These textures feel hydrating.
- Oily or breakout-prone lips: Try matte, liquid, or stain formulas that keep color in place without buildup.
4. Prep with a Patch Test
Apply a small amount of lipstick behind the ear or on the inner wrist. Wait 24 hours. If there’s no redness or itch, it’s safe for your lips. This quick step stops issues before they start.
5. Prioritize Formulas for Harsh Climates
In the UAE, you face hot sun and dry air conditioning. Lipsticks with SPF offer dual protection and hydration. Also, consider balms underneath lightweight finishes like satin or sheer.
6. Look for “Clean” Certifications
Brands labeled clean, vegan, or dermatologist-tested often steer clear of common irritants like parabens or phthalates. These products offer peace of mind for sensitive skin, without compromising quality.
7. Listen to Your Lips
After wearing lipstick, ask yourself:
- Did they feel tight within an hour?
- Did color settle into lines? If yes, that formula isn’t for daily wear.
Still Confused About Which Types of Lipsticks Suit You Best?
Different types of lipsticks work for different days, moods, and skin needs. Some give long-lasting color that holds through heat. Others add soft shine or feel like a tinted balm.
If you deal with dry lips or sensitive skin, the right lipstick texture matters just as much as the shade. From matte lipstick to creamy formulas, from sheer tints to bold stains each type brings its own comfort and finish. The key is finding what feels good and stays on.
FAQs
What’s the best lipstick type for dry lips in Dubai?
Creamy lipsticks, tinted balms, or satin lipsticks work best. They hydrate lips and hold up in dry, air-conditioned spaces. Look for formulas with shea butter, jojoba oil, or squalane.
Can I use matte lipsticks with sensitive skin?
Yes, but choose hydrating matte lipsticks made for comfort. Avoid products with alcohol or fragrance. Use a lip balm underneath for extra protection.
Do stains really last in the UAE heat?
Yes. Lip stains and tints are lightweight and long-lasting. Once set, they stay on through heat, sweat, and masks without smudging.
Which type of lipstick is best?
The best choice depends on what you’re looking for. If you want something that stays put, matte or liquid are the go-to types of lipsticks. For long wear, go with matte or liquid lipstick, and for daily comfort, use satin, creamy, or sheer lipstick. For low-maintenance looks, try lip stains.
Which is the No. 1 lipstick?
Maybelline SuperStay Matte Ink is one of the most recommended long-lasting types of lipsticks worldwide. For comfort, many prefer Rare Beauty, MAC, or Fenty lipsticks.
How many kinds of lipstick are there?
There are eight main types of lipsticks: matte, glossy, satin, sheer, creamy, liquid, crayon, and stains or tints. Each has a different finish, texture, and use.
