The best hydrating lipsticks for dry lips, every finish, and every budget
By Ulta Beauty Advisors · Published August 2026 · Updated October 2026
All products featured are available at Ulta Beauty. Ulta Beauty Advisors select products independently.
Dry, flaky lips do not have to be the price of a great lip color. Hydrating lipstick formulas lead with oils, butters, and humectants instead of drying fixatives, so you get color that feels comfortable. This guide ranks 11 options by what you need most: budget, finish, shade range, or a plumped look.
1 of 11: Best Overall
Clinique Chubby Stick Moisturizing Lip Color Tinted Lip Balm
Tinted lip balm lipstick | $26.00
Shop Clinique Chubby Stick Moisturizing Lip Color at Ulta
If you want one hydrating lip color that works for daily wear, start with the balm-style stick. The Chubby Stick pairs a balm texture with buildable color, so it suits dry lips that dislike the tight feel of traditional lipstick. It comes in 12 colors and is rated 4.6 out of 5 stars across 3,760 reviews, one of the highest review counts in this guide.
Balm-style sticks are a good fit when comfort matters more than a long-wearing, locked-in finish. Expect color you can sheer out or layer, and plan to reapply through the day.
Key specs: Tinted Lip Balm Format · 12 Colors · 4.6 Stars (3,760 reviews)
Application Tip: Swipe on after a minute of lip balm has sunk in, then press your lips together. Layer a second coat for deeper color.
2 of 11: Best Affordable Option
Maybelline Serum Lipstick
Serum lipstick | $4.99 - $9.99
Shop Maybelline Serum Lipstick at Ulta
Hydrating color does not need a prestige price. Maybelline's Serum Lipstick is the lowest priced pick here, with a price range of $4.99 to $9.99 depending on shade and current pricing. It offers 16 colors and a 4.7 out of 5 star rating across 431 reviews, which gives you plenty of shades to try before you commit to a favorite.
A serum lipstick is a good way to test whether a lighter, more comfortable formula suits you without a large spend.
Key specs: Serum Lipstick · 16 Colors · 4.7 Stars (431 reviews) · Under $10
Budget Tip: Because the price varies by shade, check the price of your exact color before adding it to your bag.
3 of 11: Best Serum Lipstick
RMS Beauty Legendary Serum Lipstick: The Nudes
Serum lipstick, nude shades | $35.00
Shop RMS Beauty Legendary Serum Lipstick: The Nudes at Ulta
For a more premium take on the serum lipstick, RMS Beauty's Legendary Serum Lipstick focuses on nude shades. It comes in 5 colors and holds a 4.8 out of 5 star rating across 832 reviews. A smaller, edited shade range makes it easier to choose if you want a natural, everyday lip.
Key specs: Serum Lipstick · Nude Shades · 5 Colors · 4.8 Stars (832 reviews)
Shade Tip: Nude lipsticks look different on every lip color. Compare a shade against your natural lip tone rather than your skin tone.
4 of 11: Best for a Barely There Finish
Clinique Almost Lipstick
Sheer lipstick | $25.00
Shop Clinique Almost Lipstick at Ulta
If you prefer a lip color that looks like your lips, only better, Almost Lipstick is a strong starting point. It has 3 colors and the most reviews of any product in this guide: 9,449 reviews with a 4.4 out of 5 star rating. A short shade list keeps the choice simple, and a lighter finish tends to feel more forgiving on dry lips than a full-coverage matte.
Key specs: Lipstick · 3 Colors · 4.4 Stars (9,449 reviews)
Application Tip: Prep with a thin layer of lip balm and apply directly from the bullet for a soft wash of color.
5 of 11: Best Glossy Finish
Morphe Liplock Glossy Lipstick
Glossy lipstick | $15.00
Shop Morphe Liplock Glossy Lipstick at Ulta
Glossy finishes are generally the most forgiving on dry lips, and this lipstick pairs shine with real color. It comes in 10 colors, costs $15.00, and has a 4.8 out of 5 star rating across 712 reviews. It is a good pick if you like the comfort of a gloss but want more color payoff from a stick.
Key specs: Glossy Finish · 10 Colors · 4.8 Stars (712 reviews)
Finish Tip: Glossy formulas can slip toward the lip line. Blot once and add a thin second coat for better control.
6 of 11: Best Satin Finish
MAC M·A·Cximal Sleek Satin Lipstick
Satin lipstick | $25.00
Shop MAC M·A·Cximal Sleek Satin Lipstick at Ulta
Satin sits in the middle of the finish range: more pigment than a balm, with a smoother, slightly reflective look than a matte. MAC's Sleek Satin offers the widest shade range in this guide at 36 colors, and it is rated 4.6 out of 5 stars across 1,443 reviews. If you have a favorite shade family, this is the lipstick most likely to carry it.
Key specs: Satin Finish · 36 Colors · 4.6 Stars (1,443 reviews)
Shade Tip: With a large shade range, test your top two or three picks on your lips and compare them in daylight.
7 of 11: Best Creamy Lipstick
Lancôme L'Absolu Rouge Cream Lipstick
Cream lipstick | $35.00
Shop Lancôme L'Absolu Rouge Cream Lipstick at Ulta
Creamy formulas offer full color with a softer feel than a matte. Lancôme's L'Absolu Rouge Cream comes in 20 colors and has a 4.6 out of 5 star rating across 1,105 reviews. It is a good option for special occasions when you want rich color and a cushioned feel.
Key specs: Cream Finish · 20 Colors · 4.6 Stars (1,105 reviews)
Application Tip: Apply from the center of your lips outward, then blend toward the corners for even coverage.
8 of 11: Best Value Satin
ULTA Beauty Collection Luxe Satin Lipstick
Satin lipstick | $12.00 | Only at Ulta
Shop ULTA Beauty Collection Luxe Satin Lipstick at Ulta
A satin lipstick at $12.00 with 27 colors makes this a practical choice for building a lipstick wardrobe. It is rated 4.2 out of 5 stars across 809 reviews and is sold only at Ulta.
Key specs: Satin Finish · 27 Colors · 4.2 Stars (809 reviews) · Only at Ulta
Budget Tip: A satin finish at this price point makes it easier to try a bolder shade without a big commitment.
9 of 11: Best Compact Shade Edit
Juvia's Place Nubian Earth Lipstick
Lipstick | $15.00 | Only at Ulta
Shop Juvia's Place Nubian Earth Lipstick at Ulta
A smaller shade range can be easier to shop. Juvia's Place Nubian Earth Lipstick offers 6 colors at $15.00 and is rated 4.5 out of 5 stars across 114 reviews. It is sold only at Ulta.
Key specs: 6 Colors · 4.5 Stars (114 reviews) · Only at Ulta
Shade Tip: With few shades to choose from, check the swatches on the product page and read reviews that mention your skin tone.
10 of 11: Best Plumping Lipstick
DIBS Beauty Jam Jam Lip Plumping Lipstick Melt
Lip plumping lipstick | $26.00 | Only at Ulta
Shop DIBS Beauty Jam Jam Lip Plumping Lipstick Melt at Ulta
If you want fuller-looking lips along with color, this plumping lipstick melt is built for that. It comes in 7 colors and is rated 4.3 out of 5 stars across 400 reviews. It is sold only at Ulta.
Key specs: Plumping Lipstick Melt · 7 Colors · 4.3 Stars (400 reviews) · Only at Ulta
Sensitivity Note: Plumping formulas can cause a tingling feeling on some lips. Test on a small area first if you have sensitive lips.
11 of 11: Best Plumping Gloss
Too Faced Lip Injection Maximum Plump Extra Strength Lip Plumping Gloss
Lip plumping gloss | $33.00
Shop Too Faced Lip Injection Maximum Plump at Ulta
For a glossy, plumped look, this gloss comes in 12 colors and is rated 3.8 out of 5 stars across 1,832 reviews. It works well on its own or layered over a lipstick for extra shine.
Key specs: Plumping Gloss · 12 Colors · 3.8 Stars (1,832 reviews)
Layering Tip: Dab gloss on the center of your lips over lipstick to add shine without moving your lip line.
Frequently Asked Questions About Hydrating Lipsticks
What makes a lipstick hydrating?
The formula base matters most. Hydrating lipsticks lead with moisturizing ingredients such as plant oils, butters, and humectants like hyaluronic acid, instead of the film-forming polymers and fixatives that help traditional long-wear formulas stay put. Look for these ingredients on the label:
- Hyaluronic acid: A humectant that attracts water to the lip surface.
- Shea butter and mango seed butter: Plant butters that add a creamy glide.
- Jojoba oil, rosehip oil, and meadowfoam seed oil: Lightweight oils that add slip.
- Squalane: A plant-derived emollient that suits many skin types.
- Vitamin E (tocopherol): An antioxidant common in everyday nourishing formulas.
- Ceramides and peptides: Ceramides support the skin barrier, and peptides are used for skin conditioning.
Check each product page for the full ingredient list, because "moisturizing" on the label does not guarantee any of these.
What finish is best for dry lips?
Glossy and creamy finishes tend to feel the most comfortable.
- Glossy: The most forgiving finish for dry lips. Lip oil and gloss-lipstick hybrids fall here.
- Satin or luminous: A middle ground with real pigment and a smooth finish.
- Creamy or balm-like: Buildable color for everyday wear.
- Matte: Typically the most drying, though some matte formulas are made with conditioning bases.
Is matte lipstick always drying?
Not always, but it needs a closer look at the ingredient list. If you love a matte finish, look for formulas that list oils or butters near the top of the ingredients.
How do I make hydrating lipstick last longer?
Prep makes a visible difference.
- Exfoliate first. A gentle lip scrub once or twice a week removes dry, flaky skin.
- Start with a balm base. Apply lip balm and let it sink in for a minute or two before color.
- Blot and layer. Apply a first coat, blot gently, then add a second thin layer.
- Skip powder on your lips. Translucent powder can make dryness look worse.
- Touch up with balm. Press a small amount of clear balm over worn lipstick to refresh color.
How do I keep lipstick from settling into lip lines?
Exfoliate a couple of times a week and apply a balm base before color. Creamy and satin finishes also tend to be more forgiving than full matte formulas.
Do I still need lip balm if I wear hydrating lipstick?
A dedicated lip balm at night is still a good idea. Hydrating lipsticks condition lips while you wear them, and a richer overnight balm can add moisture while you sleep.
What is the difference between a hydrating lipstick, a tinted lip balm, and a lip gloss?
A hydrating lipstick delivers the most color with a comfortable feel. A tinted lip balm, such as the Clinique Chubby Stick, leans toward sheer, buildable color and a balm texture. A gloss, such as the Too Faced Lip Injection, adds shine and is usually layered or worn alone. Choose the lipstick for color payoff, the tinted balm for easy everyday wear, and the gloss for shine.
Where can I buy hydrating lipsticks?
All hydrating lipsticks featured in this guide are available at Ulta Beauty, online and in store, across price points from under $10 to $35. Shop lipsticks at Ulta Beauty.
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