My Favorite Everyday Lippies Under $30

LORAC Alter Ego Lipstick in ‘Duchess’ ($16) – If you’re into that 90’s throwback mauve nude that the Kardashians made trendy again, this is a good one. It’s a matte cream lipstick that can accentuate dryness and flakes, so I make sure my lips are exfoliated and use a clear lip balm before applying.

Clinique Chubby Stick in ‘Chunky Cherry’ ($17) – I used this moisturizing sheer red crayon almost every day last summer. It fell out of my purse and I ran it over with my car, and still tried to use it; the devotion was intense (and borderline crazy?). My girlfriend replaced it for me for my birthday, so it’s happily back in regular rotation. I wish Clinique would add SPF to the formula!

Butter London Lippy Tinted Balm in ‘ Abbey Rose’ and ‘Teddy Boy’ ($20) – This is kind of like ‘diet’ lipstick; it goes on easily like a balm, but has the finish of a subtle lipstick. The high-pigmented formula tints your lips with color that lasts well after the product wears off.

Bite Beauty Lush Fruit Lip Gloss in ‘Strawberry’ ($22) – I’m not much of a lip gloss girl — I hate products that feel goopy or tacky (ugh, and when your hair sticks to your lips?!)  — but after a long trial-and-error search for a good shiny ‘baby pink’ gloss, this was the best. It’s made with real fruit (antioxidants!) and nourishing oils with high-pigment color. Bonus: it tastes like strawberries, so it’s like a grown-up version of my old LipSmackers.

Fresh Lip Sugar Rosé Lip Treatment SPF 15 ($22.50) – I know it seems crazy to drop this much lettuce on a lip balm, but it’s just the greatest. It’s my favorite for days in the sun, because it has built-in sun protection and a sheer rosy color that’s really pretty on its own, with or without makeup.

Tarte LipSurgence Skintuitive Lip Tint ($24) – This is the newest addition to my favorites list. I love a lip crayon, and this one is super moisturizing and adjusts to your skin’s chemistry for a personalized, ‘your lips but better’ pink that lasts and lasts. I haven’t tried the Dior Addict Lip Glow, but reviewers say this natural lip tint is a good dupe. It’s a limited edition product, so I’m seriously considering picking up an extra tube or two for the stockpile.

Bite Beauty Butter Cream Lipstick in ‘Heather’ ($28) – I love all of Bite Beauty’s products, and the Butter Cream line offers a range of flattering nudes and neutrals for every skin tone in moisturizing hand-cut bullets. It’s the most expensive of the lineup, but I probably wear this product more than anything else lately.

(Left to Right: LORAC Alter Ego Lipstick in Duchess, Clinique Chubby Stick in Chunky Cherry, Bite Beauty Lush Fruit Gloss in Strawberry, Butter London Lippy Tinted Balm in Abbey Rose and Teddy Boy, Fresh Rose Lip Sugar, Tarte LipSurgence Skintuitive Lip Tint, Bite Beauty Butter Cream Lipstick in Heather.)