Makeup

15 best pink lipsticks to channel your inner Barbie

A Barbiecore pout this way.
By Denise Primbet
15 Best Pink Lipsticks To Channel Your Inner Barbie

Adding one of the best pink lipsticks to your look is one of the easiest ways to jump on the Barbiecore hype train and elevate your makeup in an instant. Whether you've already seen the Barbie movie or if you (like us) are counting minutes until your 4th rewatch, there's no better way to get ready in-style than applying a bold or a subtle pink lip to channel your inner Barbie.

And before you say it – yes, everyone can rock a pink lipstick, regardless of age, skin tone and preferences. Sure, bold colours might seem a tad intimidating, but trust us – there are more shades and undertones of pink than you can count. From baby-pink shades that are perfect to pop in the centre for the ultimate 90's lip and neutral mauve-y shades to neon pinks and fuchsias – there's an abundance of options to sift through. That being said, when it comes to makeup, it's all about experimenting. So, even if you're more familiar with nude lipsticks, you will definitely benefit from stepping outside your comfort zone and trying out a new colour.

Best pink lipsticks at a glance – our top picks:

  1. Best pink lipstick overall: MAC Matte Lipstick, WAS £20 NOW £14, LookFantastic
  2. Best matte pink lipstick: NARS Lipstick, £25.50, NARS Cosmetics
  3. Best affordable pink lipstick: NYX Professional Makeup Soft Matte Lip Cream, WAS £6 NOW £5.60, Amazon
  4. Best pink lip gloss: Pat McGrath Labs LUST Gloss, £28, Cult Beauty

NYX Professional Makeup Soft Matte Lip Cream

£6 £5.60 (7% off)

Amazon

£7

Cult Beauty

Pat McGrath Labs LUST Gloss

£28

Cult Beauty

£44.90

Amazon

If you found yourself a little overwhelmed – no need to worry. We've quizzed some of the most renown MUAs in the biz to share their go-to application tips as well as their favourite shades that work on all skin tones. The result? A comprehensive guide on the very best pink lipsticks available – from premium and affordable buys to trending shades and all-time classics that are known and loved in the GLAMOUR office. Thanks to the likes of MAC, NARS, L'Oreal, Charlotte Tilbury, YSL, Revlon, Estee Lauder and others, the options are nearly limitless. Scroll down and enjoy.

Meet the experts:

  • Neil Young, makeup artist
  • Vincent Ford, makeup artist

How to pick the right shade of a pink lipstick

“It’s important to consider texture as much as the colour when choosing a shade of pink that’s right for you,” says makeup artist Neil Young. “If you’re wearing pink for the first time, consider a sheer texture that adapts to your natural lip colour rather than something opaque.”

“Pinks with a blue undertone work very well with more olive and deeper complexions and to me give a slightly retro vibe, whereas the peachy/coral undertone shades are a modern accessible palette of pinks that work for all ages and skin tones,” Neil adds.

Meanwhile, makeup artist Vincent Ford also shares that “matte pinks will hold up better and not smudge, especially if you are going for a bolder shade.”

“Try satin and more hydrating formulas when wearing nude and natural pinks as it will give the lips a bit more of a healthy glow,” Vincent continues.

How to apply a pink lipstick

“If you have a pink lipstick that is too bold or too nude, a good way to help make it work is all about the lip liner,” shares Vincent. “For a bold pink, first try applying a nude lipliner and filling in the lip, then applying the bold shade over it. This will diffuse and soften the colour so it’s more wearable. For nude shades that you want to brighten up, fill in the lip with a red lip liner and apply the nude pink over it to lift the shade.”

Similarly, Neil also advises to push the bold matte or opaque colours directly into the lip using your finger, as opposed to using it from the lipstick pullet for a more “stained romantic effect.”

“Bright colours often become more wearable the sheerer they are so if you have colours in the drawer that you shy away from, try applying it differently and pop some balm over the top to make it softer,” he adds.

What eye makeup goes with a pink lipstick?

“Pink is such a confident and playful colour but it needs some isolation. Too much pink all over the face and it’s begins to look a little panto. My advice is choose the texture you want to experiment with and build the rest of the makeup around it,” Neil shares.

As for "softer pink lips, you can afford a little more eye makeup but keep it neutral or monochromatic to the shade on the lips,” Neil adds.

Vincent also advices that when going for a bolder shade, you may want to opt for simple eye makeup look, complimented with “little bit of brown eyeliner or a wash of neutral eyeshadow on the eyes and a few coats of mascara.”

“For the blush, try dotting a bit of the pink lipstick on the cheeks and blending with your fingers to create a colour harmony with the lips,” shares Vincent.

Looking to restock your makeup bag? Take a look at our guides on the best red lipsticks, best mascaras, best lip liners, best drugstore foundations and the best eyeshadow palettes. And don't forget about your skincare routine either – for that, we've got the best hyaluronic acid serums and the best moisturisers.

For more beauty content from Glamour UK Commerce Writer Denise Primbet, follow her on Twitter @deniseprimbet and Instagram @deniseprimbet.

Scroll down for some of the best pink lipsticks to embrace your own Barbiecore era…

Denise is an award-winning beauty journalist with years of experience covering everything related to makeup, skincare, perfume and haircare. Having interviewed notable figures like Khloe Kardashian, Winnie Harlow and Mona Kattan, Denise's vast writing portfolio also includes everything from product reviews and buying guides to first-person features and deep-dive explainers. ... Read More
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