The 9 best pink lipsticks of all time, from soft rose to electrifying fuchsia

RRP $42/£35

This liquid lipstick feels like silk. The cushioned applicator is tapered so you can define the Cupid’s bow using the thin tip, then fill in with the flat side. I’m obsessed with this moody pink satin. It’s a burnished rose with a hint of brown that taps into the ‘90s beauty revival - serious Rachel Green vibes. It’s the sort of universally-appealing shade that transcends age (it looked fabulous on my mum). The trade-off for a radiant satin finish is usually staying power but this manages to unite the two with aplomb.

RRP $18/£18

A collection made in collaboration with fashion icon Iris Apfel was always going to be eclectic, and this zingy, two-tone tube is immediately inviting. It’s a rosy raspberry with cool undertones in a creamy, shiny-rather-than-glossy finish that starts semi-sheer and builds up the intensity with every coat. For a non-matte lipstick, it survived my lunch pretty well, and the slim, precise bullet means a quick top-up is easy. My lips tend to be a little dry, especially during the colder months, but this lipstick marries color and care. 

RRP $23/£18

For everyday wear (because not all of us can rock a Pepto-pink on the school run) this is the white t-shirt of my pink lipstick wardrobe. It’s a nude rose with a natural satin finish that looks like your own lips but better. The rose-gold case looks and feels expensive too. Formula-wise, I adore the creaminess - it skims over lips, never drags - and although it is on the paler end of the pink spectrum, it has intense color payoff so there’s no need to layer up. 

RRP $44/£36

A good matte is quite hard to find, particularly if you’re a paid-up member of the dry lip collective like I am. This one goes on like satin but dries to a creamy velvet. Rather than being completely devoid of shine, it has a softer, hazy finish that feels incredibly lightweight. The trade-off? I had to reapply it more often than a typical matte lipstick, but I’ll take that for a more hydrating and comfortable formula. I wasn’t expecting to pull off magenta but it really lifted my complexion - I really loved this tone. And honestly - who can resist Gucci? Certainly not me. 

RRP $30/£27

I was wary of the metallic finish at first - it rocketed me back to teenage forays to glitter gloss and hair mascara - but this is a shimmer for grown-ups, and it’s supremely flattering. The glinting depth of color definitely made my lips look fuller, too. The lipstick is designed to be used with a refillable case. Now, if I’m going to spend an extra $24/£21 on the collector’s case then I want all the bells and whistles, which this has - with a built-in double mirror and its own velvet pouch. It's the best pink lipstick with a luxury price to add to your wish list.

RRP $8/£8

This is a diamond in my lipstick collection. The buttery ingredients pad out fine lines and feel intensely quenching. The sponge applicator gives precise control on application, and the color is so jam-packed with pigment I found I only needed one coat. I have been raving about this to anyone who will listen - it’s so shockingly easy to wear, and doesn’t crack or pill as some mattes can. It feels so much more expensive than it actually is. If you want to make a statement, then this hot fuchsia is your gal. She’s really fun. 

RRP $7.98/£9.99

It was Senior Beauty Editor, Rhiannon Derbyshire, whose unswerving devotion in her Maybelline Superstay Ink review first drew my attention to this, and I'm now a convert. This is a super-saturated formula that really stays the course, through drinks, through snacks, through pretty much anything you throw at it. But for all its budge-proof, stain-like longevity, it’s surprisingly creamy and comfortable to wear. And it’s an absolute bargain! I adore this shade - it’s a true rose with cool mauve undertones, which means it makes your teeth appear brighter and looks good on any skin tone. 

RRP $34/£26

Another w&h team fave, nominated by Beauty Director, Sarah Cooper-White, who rates PowerMatte’s unbeatable color payoff. The slimline bullet offers precise application, gliding over lips with ease. After about 20 seconds this slip-and-slide vanishes, as the lipstick becomes weightless, drying to a super matte finish. The staying power is relentless, making it a truly brilliant long-lasting lipstick. However, cracked lips might find it a little drying, so this may not be the best pink lipstick for dry types during cold weather. If you’re wary of in-your-face pinks, this soft mauve shade is wearable and flattering.

$13.75/£12

There is a rainbow of 40 shades in this lipstick collection so there’s a pink to suit your every whim. 334 just happens to be the best pink lipstick with a coral twist. With warm, skin-brightening undertones, somewhere between a rosy coral and a muted hot pink. I have always subscribed to a ‘feeling sh*tty? Throw on a lippy’ mentality, and this is definitely a color that makes me look and feel brighter. The satin texture feels creamy and quenching, and the pigment is so punchy, a single pass is all you’ll need. You’re getting a lot of bang for your buck with this bullet.