Hey beauty enthusiasts, get ready because the lipstick world is getting a major upgrade for 2025, and it’s all about making your pout absolutely shine with fresh, exciting looks! If your makeup collection is still holding onto those matte lipstick trends from a few years back, it’s time for a friendly intervention to help you transition. We’re here to guide you on what’s currently trending by highlighting the styles that are becoming a little outdated when it comes to matte finishes, encouraging you to refresh your routine and embrace the amazing innovations that are making lipstick more comfortable, chic, and stunning than ever before.
The beauty landscape is always evolving, and our beloved lipsticks are leading the charge. While matte finishes will always have a special place in our hearts for their sophistication and staying power, the definition of a “good matte” has totally transformed. We’re moving beyond the days of dry, high-maintenance formulas and into an era where comfort, hydration, and nuanced color are paramount. So, if you’re ready to make your lips the main character this year, get ready to discover which matte lipstick styles and habits are ready for retirement, and what exciting new trends you should be welcoming with open arms!
It’s about making smarter, more informed choices that celebrate your unique beauty while keeping you perfectly on-trend. From the texture of your matte to the shades you pick and how you apply them, every detail counts. We’ve scoured the latest trends and insights to bring you the ultimate guide to ensuring your lipstick game is strong, fresh, and totally 2025-approved. Let’s dive into the first half of the matte lipstick pitfalls we’re happily leaving behind.
1. The Era of Dry, Cakey Mattes
Remember those matte lipsticks that promised staying power but delivered a desert-dry finish? You know the ones – the kind that made your lips feel like cracked earth by midday, highlighting every single line and flake. Well, those days are officially over, and honestly, good riddance! The beauty world has moved lightyears ahead, and in 2025, there’s absolutely no need to sacrifice comfort for a matte look.
The new wave of soft matte lipstick formulas is here to save your lips, infused with hydrating ingredients like hyaluronic acid and botanical oils. These innovative formulas offer a comfortable, long-wear finish without stripping your lips of moisture. We’re talking about a polished look that feels as good as it looks, keeping your pout soft and supple from your morning meeting to your late dinner. It’s the best of both worlds: that coveted velvety finish without any of the dryness or caking of the past.
Brands are stepping up their game, with options like Charlotte Tilbury’s Matte Revolution and Westman Atelier’s Lip Suede leading the charge. These aren’t just lipsticks; they’re lip-loving treatments that happen to deliver incredible color. So, if your matte collection is still making your lips feel parched, it’s time to let those old tubes go and invest in the new generation of soft, hydrating mattes. Your lips will thank you, and you’ll love the comfortable, long-lasting color that truly enhances your natural beauty.
2. Sacrificing Moisture for Pigment
For too long, it felt like a zero-sum game: you either got intense, vibrant color, or you got comfortable, moisturizing wear. Rarely both, especially with matte finishes. This trade-off is another relic of the past that we’re happily ditching in 2025. Today’s sophisticated lipstick formulas understand that you deserve both a striking hue and a nourishing feel.
The current trend prioritizes formulas that seamlessly blend hyaluronic acid, shea butter, and various natural oils, offering both luxurious comfort and brilliant, lasting color. This means you no longer have to endure dry, stiff lips just to make a statement. Brands are now crafting products that deliver bold pigment in textures that feel weightless and hydrating, blurring the lines between makeup and skincare. It’s a game-changer for anyone who’s ever loved a shade but hated how it felt.
Consider options like Chanel’s Rouge Coco Ultra Hydrating Lip Colour, which keeps lips soft and comfortable while delivering a sophisticated shade, or Fenty Beauty’s Gloss Bomb Cream, which offers shine and hydration thanks to shea butter and vitamin E. Even traditionally matte formulas, like those from Rare Beauty and Lisa Eldridge, are being updated with emollients and cream-gel textures that blur fine lines and plump lips. This shift means that any lipstick in your collection that demands a moisture sacrifice is simply not cutting it anymore. Embrace the lush, hydrating options that prove you can truly have it all.
3. Basic, Fire-Engine Reds
A classic red lipstick is timeless, absolutely. But if your collection of reds is still dominated by one-note, bright fire-engine shades, it might be time for an update. For Fall 2025 and beyond, the trend for red is all about depth, complexity, and a modern twist. We’re seeing a definite move away from stark, primary reds towards richer, more nuanced tones that add sophistication and a touch of moody elegance.
Deep berry tones like mulberry and black cherry are stepping into the spotlight, giving a bold, modern edge to the classic red. These shades, along with brick and oxblood reds, are perfect for evoking that cozy fall aesthetic while still making a dramatic impact. Think less cartoonish and more sophisticated, with a richness that complements diverse skin tones beautifully. These reds are strong, yet refined, working for any occasion where you want to turn heads without being overtly flashy.
For a prime example, look at Charlotte Tilbury’s Matte Revolution in Red Carpet Red, which embodies this iconic yet modern red, or Sephora Collection’s Cream Lip Stain in Chili Pepper for a fiery red that leans into this rich, complex vibe. This year, red isn’t just a color; it’s a statement of depth and character. So, while you can certainly keep a classic red on standby, expand your horizons with the gorgeous array of deeper, more sophisticated red variations that 2025 has to offer. They truly are the main character for a reason, blending perfectly with that “who is she?” vibe.
4. Washed-Out Nudes on Fair Skin
Ah, the quest for the perfect . For those with fair skin tones, this journey has often been fraught with peril, ending in shades that make you look more like a ghost than a glowing goddess. Applying a nude that’s too light or too warm can easily wash out fair complexions, creating an unflattering, almost sickly appearance. This particular pitfall is one we’re enthusiastically moving past in 2025, thanks to a much more inclusive and nuanced understanding of nude shades.
The secret to a stunning on fair skin lies in embracing cool-toned hues. Instead of opting for beiges or overly brown nudes, reach for soft mauves, delicate light pinks, or subtle rose shades. These colors complement the natural undertones of fair skin, adding a touch of healthy flush rather than draining your complexion. The goal is to enhance, not erase, your natural lip color, achieving that coveted “your lips but better” effect that looks effortlessly chic.
For fair-skinned individuals, shades like NARS Velvet Matte Lip Pencil in Dolce Vita, a forever fave mauve, or even a soft rosy- like Chanel’s Rouge Coco in Suzanne, can be game-changers. The key is to avoid anything too orange-based or too pale, which can easily create that undesirable washed-out effect. Instead, pick a shade that’s just a touch deeper than your natural lip color. With these fresh, flattering options, you can say goodbye to the ghost-like nudes of the past and hello to a sophisticated, natural look that truly makes your features pop.
5. Overly Dramatic Matte Overlining
There was a time when the pursuit of a plump pout led many of us down the path of extreme lip overlining, often with a stark matte finish that only served to emphasize the illusion. While the desire for fuller lips is still very much in, the approach has evolved significantly in 2025. Gone are the days of heavy-handed, obviously overdrawn lines that created an artificial, almost cartoonish effect. The focus has decisively shifted towards enhancing your natural lip shape with subtlety and authenticity.
The current beauty landscape is all about embracing full, soft lips that look effortlessly natural and authentic, so it’s time to say goodbye to drastic overlining in favor of techniques that subtly enhance your natural lip shape. Imagine using a barely-there lip liner, diffused edges for a softer look, and finishes that beautifully mimic your lip’s natural texture, aiming for an elevated version of your own lips that appear plumped and defined, but always in a natural-looking way. The goal is to create an illusion of fullness that’s subtle and sophisticated, rather than overtly dramatic, whispering beauty rather than shouting it.
Instead of relying on excessive liner to redraw your entire lip shape, embrace techniques that use creamy, natural-toned liners to subtly define and shape. Apply your liner just on the very edge of your natural lip line, or even slightly within, then blend it inward to create a soft transition. Top with a soft matte lipstick or a pigmented gloss that offers some plumping effect, like Mixik’s Plumping Lip Ampoule in Electric Pink. This modern approach to lip enhancement will give you that coveted plump look without the tell-tale signs of over-exaggeration, keeping your pout sophisticated and authentically beautiful.
6. Sticky, Sheer Glosses (as an alternative to matte)
Let’s chat about glosses for a sec, because historically, if you weren’t rocking a matte, you might have opted for a sheer, sometimes sticky gloss that mostly just added shine, and while these were once everywhere, they’re definitely something to reconsider for 2025. These older gloss formulas could often feel uncomfortable, lacked real color payoff, and were notorious for attracting every stray hair on a windy day, so when we’re moving away from outdated matte concepts, it’s essential to upgrade their glossy counterparts too.
The good news is that gloss has made an incredible comeback, but with a major twist! Today’s glosses are packed with pigment, designed to feel weightless, and, crucially, they are *not* sticky. These new-age formulas, often referred to as lip oils or tinted glosses, hydrate and plump your lips for a fuller, more luscious look. They offer the perfect balance of shine and color, making them far more sophisticated and versatile than their predecessors.
This means you can now achieve a fresh, dewy look with genuine color depth, without any of the old drawbacks. Brands like Fenty Beauty with their Gloss Bomb Cream in Petal deliver incredible shine and hydration without the stickiness, making them ideal for layering over other shades or wearing solo. The modern gloss is a powerful tool for adding volume and a contemporary finish to your lips, proving that you don’t have to choose between a comfortable, non-matte look and impactful color. It’s time to retire those old, sticky tubes and embrace the new era of sophisticated, hydrating, and pigmented glosses.
7. Ignoring Skin Tone When Choosing Shades
One of the biggest blunders we’re leaving behind in 2025 is the ‘one-size-fits-all’ approach to lipstick shades, particularly with mattes. Simply picking a color because it looks good in the tube or on a model can lead to serious disappointment if it clashes with your unique skin tone. Ignoring your skin’s undertones and overall complexion can result in shades that appear jarring, make your teeth look yellow, or simply fail to enhance your natural beauty. This outdated habit is definitely on the chopping block!
The modern approach emphasizes choosing shades that truly flatter your complexion, ensuring your lipstick works *with* you, not against you. Understanding your skin tone – whether fair, medium, olive, or deep – is the first step to unlocking a world of perfectly suited shades. For instance, fair skin often shines with cool-toned shades like soft pinks and mauves, while medium skin can rock warm s and peachy corals. Olive skin tones are beautifully complemented by deep plums and earthy browns, and deep skin tones absolutely radiate with bold, pigmented shades like wine reds and vibrant purples.
The key to selecting your perfect shade is always to test it in natural light and trust your instincts. The context stresses that personal preference and comfort should guide your final choice, but a foundational understanding of what generally works for your skin tone is invaluable. By ditching the haphazard guessing game and embracing a more informed approach, you’ll ensure that every matte (or glossy!) lipstick you wear in 2025 truly brings out the best in your features, making you look and feel incredibly confident and put-together. It’s time to make every lipstick choice a celebration of your unique skin!
Alright, beauty lovers, if you thought we were done saying goodbye to the old and hello to the new, think again, because 2025 is bringing even more exciting transformations for your lips! We’ve already tackled some common matte lipstick myths, but the upcoming trends are set to truly make your lips the star of the show, focusing on practical formats, sophisticated sculpting techniques, and a color palette that’s as bold and fresh as you are. So, get ready to discover the final outdated habits we’re happily retiring and the brilliant new trends that are here to stay and make your look absolutely fabulous!
We’re diving deeper into those subtle yet significant changes that elevate your entire makeup game, ensuring your lipstick choices are not just trendy, but also smart, comfortable, and empowering. From how you approach the shape of your lips to the products you choose to carry, every detail is getting a modern makeover. So, let’s wrap up our journey through the matte lipstick no-go zones and welcome a future where your lips are always looking their absolute best—defined, hydrated, and absolutely stunning.
8. The Monochromatic, Flat Lip Look
Remember those days when simply applying one flat matte shade from one corner of your lips to the other was considered the peak of elegance? While there’s an undeniable simplicity to it, 2025 is ushering in a new era where the one-dimensional lip is out, and this monochromatic approach often made lips appear a bit too flat, lacking the natural contours and definition that truly make a pout captivating. It shifted the focus away from enhancing your natural beauty towards a uniform color application that could sometimes diminish the natural fullness of your lips, so we’re moving beyond flat aesthetics into a world where sculpted beauty takes center stage.
The beauty world is now obsessed with dimension, especially when it comes to your lips. Instead of a flat canvas, imagine a work of art with subtle shadows and highlights. The trend for ‘Concealer Lips for Sculpted Looks’ is a prime example of this evolution. It involves using a flesh-toned concealer to mute out your natural lip color, creating a blank canvas. This isn’t about erasing your lips, but about strategically setting them up for highlighting and contouring that enhances their natural shape and fullness, all without needing fillers. It’s a pro-level hack that’s surprisingly beginner-friendly, giving you that coveted plump look with subtle definition.
This year, it’s all about making your lips look naturally full and perfectly sculpted, giving them a soft, voluminous appearance. We’re talking about techniques that amplify your natural contours with subtle artistry. The goal is to create an illusion of fullness that whispers rather than shouts. So, if your current routine is making your lips feel a little… flat, it’s definitely time to explore how a touch of concealer and a nuanced approach can bring your pout to life, giving it that soft focus and enviable dimension.
9. The ‘One-and-Done’ Full-Size Mentality
For a long time, the standard for buying lipstick involved committing to a full-size tube, which frequently resulted in a collection of shades that gathered dust in drawers and were rarely used, making the idea that you had to purchase a large format for every color you wanted to try feel like a total relic of the past. This ‘one-and-done’ full-size purchasing mentality often restricted experimentation, hindering the exploration of new trends or stepping outside your comfort zone without the feeling of making a significant financial commitment, and in 2025, we’re all about making smart, versatile choices that this old habit simply doesn’t align with.
Enter the fabulous world of ‘Mini Lipsticks’! These tiny, trendy, and travel-friendly essentials are having a major moment, and for all the right reasons. Mini lipsticks are perfect for quick touch-ups on the go, making them ideal for travel or nights out when you want to carry less. But the real game-changer? They let you try out a plethora of trending shades without committing to full sizes. This means you can dabble in a ‘Velvet Plum’ one day and a ‘Sunset Coral’ the next, without breaking the bank or feeling guilty about unfinished tubes. It’s an eco-friendly win too, helping reduce waste if you rarely finish a full tube.
The charm of mini lipsticks extends beyond just their compact size; it’s truly about the flexibility and sheer fun they offer, fitting effortlessly into the smallest clutch or pocket for easy touch-ups throughout the day. Furthermore, many brands now offer mini sets, which are an absolutely brilliant way to experiment with various finishes and colors without the commitment of a full size, so if your makeup bag is still packed with full-size tubes you barely touch, it’s time to embrace the practicality and playful spirit of mini lipsticks. They embody a convenient format that makes exploring new looks both easy and exciting, perfectly fitting 2025’s emphasis on smart beauty practices.
10. The Neglect of Lip Prep
Raise your hand if you’ve ever just swiped on your matte lipstick without giving a second thought to how your lips were feeling underneath – because we’ve all been there! Ignoring proper lip preparation before applying lipstick, especially a drying matte formula, is an outdated habit that can seriously sabotage your overall look. Applying lipstick to dry, flaky lips is a recipe for disaster, as it tends to emphasize texture, make colors appear uneven, and compromise the comfort and longevity of even the most high-quality formulas, making a flawless lip in 2025 all about starting with fantastic lip care. Neglecting this crucial step is simply a definite no-go for achieving that perfect finish.
The secret to truly stunning, long-lasting lipstick, particularly with matte finishes, lies in a dedicated prep routine. Think of it as creating the perfect canvas for your masterpiece. The context emphasizes starting with gently exfoliating your lips with a soft toothbrush or a sugar scrub. This removes any dead skin cells, ensuring a smooth surface for application. Next, a thin layer of moisturizing lip balm is essential. Allow it to absorb fully, then blot away any excess with a tissue. This ensures your lips are hydrated and plump, without any residue that might affect your lipstick’s texture or staying power.
This essential preparatory step truly makes a world of difference in how your matte lipstick not only looks but also feels throughout the day, as hydrated lips prevent that uncomfortable dry, cakey sensation and allow the color to glide on more evenly and appear more vibrant. When your lips are adequately prepped, your lipstick transforms into a truly stunning element of your makeup look, showcasing its full potential and beauty, so if you’re still skipping this crucial step, it’s high time to adopt this habit for a pout that remains consistently smooth, comfortable, and absolutely flawless. Your lips will definitely thank you for the extra attention, and you’ll be amazed by the incredible results you achieve.
11. Shying Away from Bold, Statement Hues
For a long time, ‘safe’ was the name of the game for many, especially when it came to matte lipsticks. While subtle beauty has its place, shying away from bold, statement hues because they felt ‘too much’ or ‘not for everyday’ is a mindset we’re happily leaving behind in 2025. This fear often meant missing out on incredible color opportunities, sticking to predictable shades that, while pretty, didn’t truly allow your personality to shine. The beauty landscape is now celebrating self-expression and the power of a vibrant pout, making timidity around color an outdated concept.
This year, it’s all about letting your lips steal the show! The trend report explicitly states, ‘Pairing a bold lipstick with a bare face is trending. This look is simple but powerful. A strong lip color stands out when paired with minimal eye makeup.’ Imagine the impact of a rich ‘Velvet Plum’ or a vibrant ‘Crimson Crush’ on an otherwise natural face – it’s effortlessly chic and incredibly empowering. Vibrant shades like magenta, fuchsia, and electric pink are officially in, but with a comfortable, wearable twist. They’re balanced with creamy, lightweight textures for everyday ease, proving that bold doesn’t have to mean high-maintenance.
Brands are offering incredible options, from Pat McGrath Labs’ SatinAllure Lipstick in Extravaganza (a rich magenta) to Rare Beauty’s Lip Soufflé Matte Cream Lipstick in Ascend (a vivid fuchsia), and Mixik’s Plumping Lip Ampoule in Electric Pink. These are designed to give you that vibrant pop without any heavy feeling. The idea is to make your lipstick the focal point, allowing it to convey confidence and personality. So, if you’ve been clinging to your comfort zone, 2025 is your invitation to experiment with a daring berry, a fiery coral, or an electric pink. Embrace the power of a bold lip and watch how it transforms your entire look and attitude.
12. Using Lip Liner Solely as an Outline
Back in the day, lip liner’s primary, often sole, purpose was to define the very edge of your lips, acting as a fence for your lipstick. While defining the perimeter is still important, limiting lip liner to just this function is an outdated habit that undersells its true potential. This narrow view meant missing out on a crucial step in achieving a truly polished, long-lasting, and sculpted lip look. In 2025, lip liner has been elevated from a supporting role to a bonafide ‘hero product’ that can completely transform your pout.
The current trend is all about embracing lip liner as a multi-functional sculpting tool. Gone are the days when liners were just an afterthought; now, they’re essential. The trend leans towards creamy, natural-toned liners that blend seamlessly with your lip color, but their utility extends far beyond a simple outline. As the context reveals, liners are now being used not just to outline, but to shape and even fill in the lips entirely, often topped with a gloss or soft matte lipstick for added dimension. This technique creates a base that not only helps your lipstick stay on longer but also enhances its intensity and prevents feathering, making it ideal for busy days or events.
Think of lip liner as your secret weapon for flawless, long-lasting color. By outlining and then filling in your entire lip with liner, you create a solid, even canvas that grips your lipstick, ensuring it stays put through coffee sips and conversations. It also allows for greater control over your lip shape, letting you subtly correct asymmetries or create the illusion of fuller lips without resorting to dramatic overlining. So, if your lip liner has been gathering dust, it’s time to bring it back into your routine as a true hero product, unlocking a world of possibilities for perfectly defined, long-wearing, and beautifully sculpted lips.
13. The Obsession with Ultra-Perfect, Defined Edges
There was a time when the gold standard for lipstick application was crisp, sharp, almost razor-edge precision. Every line had to be impeccably defined, leaving no room for error or softness. While a clean line is undoubtedly elegant, the *obsession* with this ultra-perfect, sometimes rigid, definition is another passé practice we’re happily moving on from in 2025. This focus on harsh lines often felt less natural and more restrictive, sometimes creating a severe look that didn’t always flatter or feel comfortable. We’re now embracing a more relaxed, authentic approach to lip definition.
This year, the beauty world is falling in love with the art of blurred and diffused finishes, celebrating a softer, more natural approach to lip contours. Imagine lips that look effortlessly full and perfectly blended, rather than harshly drawn. The trend for ‘Blurred Lips’ is achieved through techniques like using lip stains or even eye shadow brushes for a soft-focus effect, as highlighted in the context. This creates a dreamy, lived-in look that’s both chic and approachable. For terracotta browns, the advice is to ‘Swipe once and blur the edges for a soft-focus finish,’ perfectly encapsulating this modern aesthetic.
This shift allows for a more forgiving application and a less ‘done’ feel, contributing to the ‘full, soft lips that look effortless and authentic’ that are trending. We’re talking about ‘barely-there lip liner, diffused edges, and finishes that reflect your lip’s natural texture.’ The goal isn’t to hide imperfections but to celebrate a natural, sensual fullness. So, if you’ve been meticulously striving for an unyielding, sharp lip line, consider experimenting with a softer, blurred edge. It’s a game-changer that makes your lips look naturally luscious and perfectly aligned with the relaxed yet refined vibe of 2025.
And that’s a wrap, beauty lovers! You’ve just received our complete guide on how to retire those old matte lipstick habits and enthusiastically embrace the vibrant, comfortable, and absolutely gorgeous trends that 2025 has in store for your lips. From innovative formulas that banish dryness to bold new shades that allow your unique personality to shine, and smart application techniques designed to enhance your natural beauty – the future of lipstick is looking significantly brighter (and plumper!) than ever before. It’s time to give your makeup bag a fabulous update, dive into experimenting with these fresh looks, and make every single swipe a confident and stylish statement that truly turns heads.
