I Finally Found A Budget Lipstick That Does Not Burn My Lips, Transfers Nothing, And Stays All Day
They say daughters inherit traits from their mothers. I did too, her reasoning, her empathy, and her obsession with cleanliness. But one thing I never got? Her makeup skills. Mostly because she didn't have any either. So, makeup was never my domain. I've always been the girl who couldn't match her eyeliner wings from left to right and didn't know the difference between full and semi-coverage concealers. And Lipsticks? A whole different battlefield. Fun fact, I only started using them regularly a year earlier, and even now, I feel awkward wearing them, mostly because I didn't find my right pick until yesterday.
I Finally Found A Budget Lipstick That Does Not Burn My Lips, Transfers Nothing, And Stays All Day
Photo Credit: Pexels
As a lipstick amateur, I didn't want to invest heavily in one go. I'd learned my lesson from my nail art phase, spent a lot, used very little. So, I started ordering budget lipsticks online, mostly nude combos to experiment safely.
But budget makeup comes with its own set of problems. They often don't last, and worse, they can mess with your skin.
Also Read: How Is Lip Crayon Different From Lipstick? And Why Does Lip Crayon Win?
Back in February, I ordered a popular budget lipstick for an event the next day. The moment it arrived, I was disappointed. The packaging was worn out, and the paint on the body was rubbed off. Still, I trusted the brand and online reviews and gave it a shot.
The colour was pigmented, but the moment I took a sip at the event, it left a stain on the glass (embarrassing, I believe). Within hours, the lipstick had faded, staining my hands, my drink and everything. But it didn't end there, the next morning, my lips were burnt and painful. I thought it was the snacks from last night, but when I reused the lipstick a few days later, the same thing happened.
That was it. Trust gone. Painful aftermath. Lesson learned.
I Finally Found A Budget Lipstick That Does Not Burn My Lips, Transfers Nothing, And Stays All Day
Photo Credit: Pexels
Still hopeful and seeing other women around wearing lip colour with confidence, I bought a single nude lipstick for ₹400, my most expensive lipstick so far. It was from a trending brand, so I didn't think twice.
The next morning, I applied it before work. The glide was smooth and creamy, and the colour looked great. But within minutes, it felt sticky and heavy. By the time I reached work, half of it had vanished, and my lips still felt uncomfortable. Plus, it stained my water bottle and my breakfast sandwich. Another disappointment.
After two major fails, I stopped falling for marketing gimmicks like “72-hour stay” or “high pigmentation.” I realised I needed a lipstick that worked for me, not just one that sounded good on paper.
I Finally Found A Budget Lipstick That Does Not Burn My Lips, Transfers Nothing, And Stays All Day
Photo Credit: Amazon
While scrolling through Amazon in the hope of finding something that fits in my Lipstik puzzle, I found Love Earth's Crayon Lipstick Combo Kit. It had five lip crayons, mostly nudes and browns, with one pop shade. The claims were bold:
Honestly, deceived by such claims earlier, I wasn't convinced. But their rather simple packaging screamed “Non-Transfer,” and that was my biggest concern. So, I hit Buy.
The next day, the parcel arrived. Five sealed lip crayons in decent packaging. I did a swatch test, and they glided well like a crayon, which made me nervous about heaviness.
However, the next morning, I applied one before work. The glide was smooth, the colour was rich, and it gave full coverage in one swipe. I waited a few seconds to dry it off and did the transfer test, no stain. I was shocked.
After an hour-long commute, the lipstick was still perfectly intact. Half the day went by, and it stayed put, no stickiness, no dryness, no discomfort. By the end of the day, it had faded just a little, but the stain remained beautifully. And the best part? No burnt lips the next morning.
Honestly, I was pleasantly surprised. It felt like the end of a year-long quest to find the lipstick, one that didn't hurt, didn't smudge, and didn't disappoint. Five shades under ₹1000? That's a steal. With a shelf life of 36 months, I'm pretty sure I won't need to buy another anytime soon.
So yes, that's my budget buy and my lipstick journey. From burnt lips to blissful wear, I've finally found something that works, and I'm not looking back.
A transfer-proof lipstick is formulated to stay on your lips without smudging or leaving stains on cups, clothes, or skin. These lipsticks usually dry down to a matte finish and contain ingredients that help lock in colour.
Not all budget lipsticks are created equal. Some may contain harsh chemicals or allergens. Always check for dermatologically tested labels, ingredient lists, and reviews before purchasing, especially if you have sensitive skin.
Lipsticks are traditional bullet-style products.
Lip crayons offer precision and are travel-friendly.
Liquid lipsticks provide intense pigmentation but can feel heavy or drying.
Lip crayons strike a balance between ease of use and comfort.
To extend wear time:
Nude browns, terracotta, mauves, berry tones, and deep reds generally complement Indian skin tones beautifully. However, personal preference and undertone (warm, cool, neutral) play a big role.
If you're someone who's still figuring out your lipstick game or just wants a reliable, everyday option that won't break your skin or budget, try this one. It might just be your new favourite too.
For someone who's had a rocky relationship with lipsticks, this felt like a win. The Love Earth Lip Crayon Kit ticked all the boxes of my immediate need. It offers transfer-proof wear, has decently long-lasting colour (8-9 hours), a lightweight and hydrating formula, travel-friendly packaging, shades that suit Indian skin tones and no irritation or burning (depends on skin type to skin type).