11 Cruelty-free Drugstore Lip Products for the Summer

Three things the reader should know:

  1. This list has been organized from least to most expensive.

  2. I did not specify the color, which means I’ve tested more than one shade.

  3. This post is not sponsored, nor are my opinions bought or paid for.


1

e.l.f Cosmetics

Product: Lip Lacquer

Price: $3

The Lip Lacquer adds a nice gloss to the lips. Some people find the stickiness uncomfortable, I was one of those people.

2

wet n wild Beauty

Product: Mega Last Matte Lip Color

Price: $3.19

Cheap lipsticks that are a great purchase in a pinch. They don’t feel luxurious, but they’re good lipsticks to keep locked and loaded in your arsenal if you want to experiment without spending an arm and a leg.

3

Essence Makeup

Product: Extreme Shine Volume Lipgloss

Price: $3.99

The smoothest high-shine lip glosses that won’t break the bank. They don’t feel sticky, and they have a nice slip. They aren’t transfer-proof.

4

Vitamasques

Product: Caramel Tinted Lip Butter Balm

Price: $4.99

It left my lips feeling soft and supple, even during my walk in 88-degree weather. I slept in it, and when I woke up, the balm had dissipated, but my lips still felt good. However, this won't replace my jar of Cocoa Butter Vaseline - it's too cost-effective.

5

Milani Cosmetics

Product: Color Statement Lipstick

Price: $6.99

This brand produces some of the prettiest nude lipsticks on the market. They offer a wide range of tones that flatter a broad spectrum of skin tones. These lipsticks come in matte, semi-matte, creamy, and metallic finishes.

6

Revolution Beauty

Product: Lip Allure Soft Satin Lipstick

Price: $8

Soft but not as creamy as the Milani lipsticks. It’s not transfer-proof, and the shade Divine Brown needs a lipliner for brown-skinned beauties.

7

NYX Cosmetics

Product: This is Milky Gloss Milkshakes

Price: $8.50

Pretty color range and creamy formula. People who don’t like thick lip glosses might struggle with the Milky Gloss.

8

Hard Candy

Product: Hard Candy Fierce Effect Lip Stick

Price: $5 - $12

Fantastic shade range for anyone who loves to break a few rules and have fun with makeup. The mattes can feel dry, and the metallics too slippery, creating patchiness upon application.

9

Versed Skin

Product: Tinted Lip Serum

Price: $11.99

It provides a natural-looking gloss that’s effortlessly flattering, but the product felt minty, and it made my lips tingle.

10

Black Opal

Product: COLORSPLURGE™ Liquid Matte Lipstick

Price: $12.75

Highly pigmented but slightly sticky. It took over a minute to dry down, and it’s not transfer-proof (a mortal sin for liquid lipsticks).

11

The Lip Bar

Product: Soft Kiss Nourishing Lipstick

Price: $13.99

An easily built-up lipstick with a glossy finish. Soft and nourishing, It’s not transfer-proof, which is the norm for these formulas.

This post was updated on June 22nd, 2025 at 11:20 AM.

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