Switching up your lip color is one of the easiest and most affordable ways to refresh your style for fall. To stay on trend, I reached out to beauty influencer Laura Catron for insights on the season’s hottest lip looks—without breaking the bank.
This fall is all about making a statement with bold lips. Think rich pigments, long-lasting color, and ultra-glossy finishes. While classic brown and red shades are always in, the bolder, the better.
Let your lips take center stage this season. A striking lip color can instantly elevate your look, making you feel polished and confident. Here are five budget-friendly ways to embrace this trend using drugstore products from Walgreens.
**Vinyl Lips**
You’ve probably seen them all over social media—vinyl lips are highly pigmented, long-wearing, and incredibly glossy. This celebrity-favorite look stands out with its intense shine and bold color.
If you’re new to vinyl lips, starting with an affordable brand is a smart move. Catron’s top pick is Revlon ColorStay Satin Ink, available in 19 stunning shades, from soft mauve to fiery orange. At the time of writing, it’s priced at $12.39.
For a more wearable take on this trend, I tried Revlon ColorStay Satin Ink in Partner in Crime, paired with NYX Matte Lip Liner in Stockholm and topped with NYX Butter Gloss. The result? A long-lasting, stylish look that’s easy to pull off.
**Brownie Glazed Lips**
Hailey Bieber recently set TikTok abuzz with her “Brownie Glazed Lips” look—a warm, glossy, multi-dimensional style.
Even if you don’t have Bieber’s full lips and sharp bone structure, you can still achieve this trendy look with budget-friendly products. Catron suggests using a brown lip liner and a high-shine gloss to recreate the effect effortlessly.
**Bold Red Lips**
If you’ve been wanting to experiment with red lips, fall is the perfect time to go for it.
The two biggest challenges with red lipstick are finding the right shade and preventing smudging or transfer. To keep your red lip looking flawless, Catron recommends Maybelline SuperStay Ink Crayons. These offer long-lasting, non-drying color and are available for $10.99 at Walgreens.
I tested this look using Maybelline SuperStay Ink Crayon in Own Your Empire, lined with NYX Matte Lip Liner in Cannes. The slightly softer liner helped tone down the red for a more balanced finish. Even after eating a large salad, my lips remained vibrant and glossy, with only minimal fading.
**Flattering Brown Lips**
Choosing the right brown lip color comes down to finding the perfect undertone. Catron suggests selecting a shade that complements your skin tone for a flattering, effortless look.
**A Subtle Take on the Trend**
If you’re not quite ready to go all-in on bold lips, there’s a softer way to embrace the trend. Catron recommends lining your lips with a brown liner, shading the outer corners lightly, and blending with a small, flat brush. Finish with a sparkly gold gloss, like Maybelline Lifter Gloss in Crystal, for a subtle yet stylish effect.
Which lip trend will you try this season?