Top 15 Lipstick and Cosmetics Brands in India (2026)

Lipstick is the one makeup product almost every Indian woman owns, and the shelf has never been wider: century-old global names, India's own heritage brands, and young digital-first labels. This guide profiles fifteen lipstick and cosmetics brands sold in India — who owns them, where they come from, what each one is known for, and who it suits best.

This is an editorial selection, not an official ranking. The order below is not a league table, and we have not used sales figures or market shares to arrange it. Lipstick here covers bullet lipsticks, liquid lipsticks, lip crayons and multi-use sticks, because several brands in this guide sell mainly liquid or crayon formats. Use the profiles to shortlist two or three brands, then check the finish, the shade and the wear time before you pay.

Lipstick, Liquid Lipstick and Crayons: What the Types Mean

Bullet lipsticks are the classic stick: twist-up colour in a tube, best for everyday wear and quick touch-ups. Matte bullets give a flat, velvety finish, while creme bullets give shine and moisture. Liquid lipsticks come in a tube with a wand, dry down to a matte finish, and usually last longer than bullets, but they can feel dry on the lips.

Lip crayons are chunky pencils that draw colour straight onto the lips, easy to carry and simple to apply without a mirror. Multi-use sticks pack several shades or uses into one product, such as a five-shade lipstick or a lip-and-cheek stick, so one purchase covers more looks. They suit buyers who travel light, but a single-purpose lipstick often gives a cleaner finish.

Finish is the choice that matters most, and makers describe it differently, so treat the label as a guide, not a guarantee. Matte suits long wear and bold colour; creme suits dry lips and a softer look; satin sits between the two. Shade matters too: nudes and browns suit everyday wear, reds suit evenings, and pinks suit most Indian skin tones.

Wear time decides how often you reapply. A lipstick that lasts four to six hours suits a workday with one touch-up; a liquid lipstick that lasts ten hours or more suits weddings and long days. Check whether the formula is transfer-proof, because a long-wear lipstick that transfers onto cups and masks needs more care.

Quick Answer: The 15 Brands at a Glance

• Lakmé — India's first homegrown cosmetics brand; founded 1952, Mumbai; 9 to 5 Primer + Matte Lipstick, Absolute Matte Melt, Eyeconic Kajal.
• Maybelline New York — long-wear lipstick and everyday base makeup; founded 1915, Chicago; Super Stay Matte Ink, Color Sensational, Fit Me, Colossal Kajal.
• L'Oréal Paris — premium-mass lipstick and hair colour; founded 1909 (L'Oréal group), Paris; Color Riche, Infallible Matte Resistance, Infallible 24H Fresh Wear.
• MAC — professional prestige lipstick; founded 1984, Toronto; Matte Lipstick Ruby Woo, Velvet Teddy, Retro Matte Liquid Lipcolour.
• Sugar Cosmetics — cruelty-free makeup made for Indian skin tones; founded 2015, Mumbai; Matte As Hell Crayon, Matte Attack Transferproof, Mettle Liquid Lipstick.
• Colorbar — premium Indian colour cosmetics; founded 2004, New Delhi; Matte Me As I Am, Take Me As I Am Vegan Matte, Velvet Matte.
• Faces Canada — comfortable matte lipstick at honest prices; founded 1974, Toronto; in India since 2009; Comfy Matte Creme, Comfy Matte Pro Liquid, Ultime Pro.
• Revlon — classic American lipstick and colour; founded 1932, New York City; Super Lustrous, ColorStay, ColorSilk.
• Lotus Herbals — herbal and Ayurvedic-inspired beauty; founded 1993, Noida; Ecostay Butter Matte, Ecostay Long Lasting, Safe Sun.
• Biotique — Ayurvedic beauty with modern biotechnology; founded 1992, Noida; Magicolor, Starshine Matte, Diva Pout.
• Plum — India's first 100% vegan beauty brand; founded 2013, Mumbai; Matterrific, Butter Creme Matte, Plum BodyLovin'.
• Renee Cosmetics — innovative multi-use makeup; founded 2018, Ahmedabad; Fab 5 5-in-1 Lipstick, Very Matte, Madness PH Stick.
• Swiss Beauty — trend-led makeup at budget prices; founded 2013, Delhi; Matte Hour Liquid Lipstick, Select Dare To Matte, Pure Matte Creamy.
• Wet n Wild — ultra-affordable cruelty-free makeup; founded 1979, Brooklyn, New York; MegaLast Matte Lip Color, MegaLast Liquid Catsuit, Color Icon.
• Mamaearth — toxin-free, Made Safe certified beauty; founded 2016, Gurugram; Moisture Matte Longstay Lipstick, Creamy Matte Long Stay Lipstick.

The Brands in Detail

1. Lakmé

Lakmé is India's first homegrown cosmetics brand, founded in 1952 by J.R.D. Tata and Simone Tata and part of Hindustan Unilever since 1998. It is headquartered in Mumbai and remains the most widely sold Indian makeup name, with ranges from everyday 9 to 5 to premium Absolute, plus the Lakmé Fashion Week title sponsorship and more than 450 Lakmé salons across the country.

The lipstick range is led by the 9 to 5 Primer + Matte Lipstick, which carries a built-in primer, alongside the Absolute Matte Melt Liquid Lip Color and the Eyeconic Kajal. Its wide shade ranges are made for Indian skin tones, and its everyday pricing is the draw. Lakmé suits buyers who want the most familiar Indian makeup name with a shade for every occasion.

• Brand owner: Hindustan Unilever (HUL)
• Founded: 1952, Mumbai
• Known for: 9 to 5 Primer + Matte Lipstick, Absolute Matte Melt, Eyeconic Kajal
• Best for: India's first homegrown cosmetics brand

Check the price of the LAKMÉ 9 To 5 Primer And Matte Lip Color, Blushing Nude on Amazon

2. Maybelline New York

Maybelline New York is the American mass-market makeup brand founded in Chicago in 1915 and part of L'Oréal since 1996. It is headquartered in New York City and is one of the best-selling makeup brands in India, strong in mascara, kajal, Fit Me base makeup and long-wear liquid lipstick, with shades positioned for Indian skin tones.

The lipstick range is led by the Super Stay Matte Ink Liquid Lipstick, which the brand describes as lasting up to 16 hours, alongside the Color Sensational Creamy Matte Lipstick and the Colossal Kajal. Its shade depth and easy availability are the draws. Maybelline suits buyers who want proven long-wear colour at mass-market prices.

• Brand owner: L'Oréal
• Founded: 1915, Chicago
• Known for: Super Stay Matte Ink, Color Sensational, Fit Me, Colossal Kajal
• Best for: long-wear lipstick and everyday base makeup

Check the price of the Maybelline New York Super Stay Matte Ink Liquid Lipstick, 150 Savant on Amazon

3. L'Oréal Paris

L'Oréal Paris is the flagship consumer brand of the L'Oréal group, founded in Paris in 1909 by chemist Eugène Schueller and headquartered at Clichy in France. It is the premium-mass beauty name in India, known for hair colour, skincare and long-wear makeup, and for the slogan Because You're Worth It, coined in 1971.

The lipstick range is led by the Color Riche Lipstick and the Infallible Matte Resistance Liquid Lipstick, which the brand describes as a 16-hour velvet matte, alongside the Infallible 24H Fresh Wear Foundation. Its finish quality and shade range are the draws. L'Oréal Paris suits buyers who want a premium global name without prestige prices.

• Brand owner: L'Oréal S.A.
• Founded: 1909 (L'Oréal group), Paris
• Known for: Color Riche, Infallible Matte Resistance, Infallible 24H Fresh Wear
• Best for: premium-mass lipstick and hair colour

Check the price of the L'Oreal Paris Infallible Matte Resistance Liquid Lipstick, 635 Worth It Medium on Amazon

4. MAC

MAC, short for Make-Up Art Cosmetics, is the professional makeup brand founded in Toronto in March 1984 by Frank Toskan and Frank Angelo. It joined The Estée Lauder Companies in the 1990s and is headquartered in New York City. In India it is a prestige name, sold through Nykaa, Sephora India and Shoppers Stop, with lipstick as its hero category.

The lipstick range is led by the Matte Lipstick in Ruby Woo, the blue-red Retro Matte shade launched in 1999, alongside Velvet Teddy and Mehr and the Retro Matte Liquid Lipcolour. Its pigment depth and pro-artist heritage are the draws. MAC suits buyers who want prestige lipstick and are happy to buy from an authorised seller.

• Brand owner: The Estée Lauder Companies
• Founded: 1984, Toronto
• Known for: Matte Lipstick Ruby Woo, Velvet Teddy, Retro Matte Liquid Lipcolour
• Best for: professional prestige lipstick

Check the price of the M.A.C Retro Matte Lipstick, Matte Finish, Ruby Woo on Amazon

In India, MAC sells through Nykaa, Sephora India and Shoppers Stop. The Amazon link above is a marketplace listing, so check the seller before you buy.

5. Sugar Cosmetics

Sugar Cosmetics is the Indian beauty brand launched in 2015 by Vineeta Singh and Kaushik Mukherjee, whose beauty venture dates to a 2012 subscription service. It is run by Vellvette Lifestyle Pvt. Ltd. and headquartered in Mumbai. It is known for cruelty-free and vegan makeup made for Indian skin tones and weather, sold online and in stores.

The lipstick range is led by the Matte As Hell Crayon Lipstick, which the brand calls its bestseller, alongside the Matte Attack Transferproof Lipstick and the Mettle Liquid Lipstick. Its bold shades and transfer-proof claims are the draws. Sugar suits buyers who want young Indian makeup with strong pigment and long wear.

• Brand owner: Vellvette Lifestyle Pvt. Ltd.
• Founded: 2015, Mumbai
• Known for: Matte As Hell Crayon, Matte Attack Transferproof, Mettle Liquid Lipstick
• Best for: cruelty-free makeup made for Indian skin tones

Check the price of the SUGAR Cosmetics Matte As Hell Crayon Lipstick, 17 Brandy Harrington on Amazon

6. Colorbar

Colorbar is the Indian premium cosmetics brand incorporated in New Delhi in April 2004 and owned by founders Samir Modi and Shivani Modi. It launched with 16 lipsticks and 16 nail lacquers and is known for skin-friendly formulas, with products made in its own plants and in France, Germany, Italy, Korea and the United States.

The lipstick range is led by the Matte Me As I Am Lipcolor crayon and the Take Me As I Am Vegan Matte Lipstick, a refillable 3-in-1, alongside the Velvet Matte Lipstick. Its creamy texture and long-wear finish are the draws. Colorbar suits buyers who want a premium Indian brand with international-standard formulas.

• Brand owner: Colorbar Cosmetics Pvt. Ltd. (founder-owned)
• Founded: 2004, New Delhi
• Known for: Matte Me As I Am, Take Me As I Am Vegan Matte, Velvet Matte
• Best for: premium Indian colour cosmetics

Check the price of the Colorbar Matte Me As I Am Lipcolor, Stunt on Amazon

7. Faces Canada

Faces Canada began in Toronto in 1974 and launched in India in December 2009, where it is now based in Gurugram. It was acquired by the beauty retailer Purplle in December 2021 and continues to run as its own brand. It is known for comfortable, alcohol-free matte lipstick and for shades made for Indian skin tones.

The lipstick range is led by the Comfy Matte Creme Lipstick and the Comfy Matte Pro Liquid Lipstick, which the brand describes as a 10-hour long stay with no dryness, alongside the Ultime Pro range. Its comfort and price are the draws. Faces Canada suits buyers who want matte colour that does not dry the lips.

• Brand owner: Purplle (since December 2021)
• Founded: 1974, Toronto; in India since 2009
• Known for: Comfy Matte Creme, Comfy Matte Pro Liquid, Ultime Pro
• Best for: comfortable matte lipstick at honest prices

Check the price of the FACES CANADA Comfy Matte Creme Lipstick, Go For It on Amazon

8. Revlon

Revlon is the American cosmetics company founded in New York City on 1 March 1932 by brothers Charles and Joseph Revson with chemist Charles Lachman. It is headquartered in New York City, is majority owned by MacAndrews & Forbes, and emerged from Chapter 11 bankruptcy in May 2023. It sells in about 150 countries.

The lipstick range is led by the Super Lustrous Lipstick, a creamy classic with conditioning ingredients, alongside the ColorStay long-wear range. Its shade history, from Fire and Ice to modern nudes, is the draw. Revlon suits buyers who want a classic American lipstick name with a shade for every skin tone.

• Brand owner: Revlon, Inc. (MacAndrews & Forbes)
• Founded: 1932, New York City
• Known for: Super Lustrous, ColorStay, ColorSilk
• Best for: classic American lipstick and colour

Check the price of the REVLON Super Lustrous Creme Lipstick, Whiskey Business (803) on Amazon

9. Lotus Herbals

Lotus Herbals is the Indian natural beauty company set up by Kamal Passi in 1993 and run today by his sons Nitin and Dipin Passi. It is headquartered in Noida and is known for herbal and Ayurvedic-inspired skincare, haircare, suncare and makeup, with its Safe Sun range among the best-known sunscreens in India.

The lipstick range is led by the Ecostay Butter Matte Lip Color and the Ecostay Long Lasting Lipstick, alongside the Pure Colors Lipstick. Its herbal positioning and gentle formulas are the draws. Lotus Herbals suits buyers who want natural-ingredient makeup from a long-standing Indian brand.

• Brand owner: Lotus Herbals Pvt. Ltd. (Passi family)
• Founded: 1993, Noida
• Known for: Ecostay Butter Matte, Ecostay Long Lasting, Safe Sun
• Best for: herbal and Ayurvedic-inspired beauty

Check the price of the Lotus Makeup Ecostay Butter Matte Lip Color, Mandarin Madness on Amazon

10. Biotique

Biotique is the Indian Ayurvedic beauty brand founded in 1992 by Vinita Jain, who combined 5,000-year-old Ayurvedic wisdom with Swiss biotechnology. It is headquartered in Noida, with products made in Himachal Pradesh, and is owned by the Bio Veda Action Research Company. It is known for preservative-free, vegetarian formulas.

The lipstick range is led by the Magicolor Lipstick and the Starshine Matte Lipstick, alongside the Diva Pout Lipstick. Its natural ingredients and gentle wear are the draws. Biotique suits buyers who want Ayurvedic makeup and skincare from a brand that has sold in India for over three decades.

• Brand owner: Bio Veda Action Research Company
• Founded: 1992, Noida
• Known for: Magicolor, Starshine Matte, Diva Pout
• Best for: Ayurvedic beauty with modern biotechnology

Check the price of the Biotique Natural Makeup Magicolor Lipstick, Bond Girl on Amazon

11. Plum

Plum is the Indian vegan beauty brand founded in 2013 by Shankar Prasad, a chemical engineer who had worked at Hindustan Unilever, and launched in July 2014. It is run by Pureplay Skin Sciences and headquartered in Mumbai. It calls itself India's first 100 percent vegan beauty brand, with cruelty-free and toxin-free products.

The lipstick range is led by the Matterrific Lipstick and the Butter Creme Matte Lipstick, made with shea butter, rosehip oil and vitamin E, alongside the brand's skincare-led ranges. Its vegan formulas and nourishing finish are the draws. Plum suits buyers who want vegan, cruelty-free makeup that cares for the lips.

• Brand owner: Pureplay Skin Sciences (India) Pvt. Ltd.
• Founded: 2013, Mumbai
• Known for: Matterrific, Butter Creme Matte, Plum BodyLovin'
• Best for: India's first 100% vegan beauty brand

Check the price of the Plum Butter Creme Matte Lipstick, 123 Pinkadoodle on Amazon

12. Renee Cosmetics

Renee Cosmetics is the Indian makeup brand founded in Ahmedabad in 2018 by Aashka Goradia Goble with Beardo co-founders Priyank Shah and Ashutosh Valani. It began as an online-only brand and is known for cruelty-free and vegan makeup with clever multi-use formats, sold through marketplaces and more than 500 stores.

The lipstick range is led by the Fab 5 5-in-1 Lipstick, five shades in one stick, alongside the Very Matte Lipstick range and the Madness PH Stick, which changes shade with lip chemistry. Its innovation and value are the draws. Renee suits buyers who want fun, multi-use makeup at friendly prices.

• Brand owner: Renee Cosmetics Pvt. Ltd.
• Founded: 2018, Ahmedabad
• Known for: Fab 5 5-in-1 Lipstick, Very Matte, Madness PH Stick
• Best for: innovative multi-use makeup

Check the price of the RENEE Fab 5 5-in-1 Lipstick, Matte Finish on Amazon

13. Swiss Beauty

Swiss Beauty is the Indian makeup brand founded in Delhi in 2013 by brothers Amit and Mohit Goyal, who had traded cosmetics in the capital's general trade. The company behind the brand, Swiss Beauty Cosmetics Pvt. Ltd., was incorporated in Delhi in 2021. It is known for trend-led, long-wear makeup at budget prices, sold in more than 550 cities.

The lipstick range is led by the Matte Hour Liquid Lipstick, which the brand describes as up to 10-hour wear, alongside the Select Dare To Matte Creamy Lipstick and the Pure Matte Creamy Lipstick. Its shade range and low prices are the draws. Swiss Beauty suits buyers who want on-trend colour without spending much.

• Brand owner: Swiss Beauty Cosmetics Pvt. Ltd.
• Founded: 2013, Delhi
• Known for: Matte Hour Liquid Lipstick, Select Dare To Matte, Pure Matte Creamy
• Best for: trend-led makeup at budget prices

Check the price of the Swiss Beauty Select Dare To Matte Creamy Lipstick, Racing Red on Amazon

14. Wet n Wild

Wet n Wild is the American value makeup brand launched in Brooklyn, New York, in 1979 with lipsticks and nail polishes. It was bought by Markwins Beauty Brands in 2003 and moved to Los Angeles, California, where it is headquartered. It is known for ultra-affordable, cruelty-free makeup sold in more than 80 countries.

The lipstick range is led by the MegaLast Matte Lip Color and the MegaLast Liquid Catsuit Matte Lipstick, alongside the Color Icon eyeshadow range. Its low prices and strong pigment are the draws. Wet n Wild suits buyers who want bold colour and proven formulas for very little money.

• Brand owner: Markwins Beauty Brands (since 2003)
• Founded: 1979, Brooklyn, New York
• Known for: MegaLast Matte Lip Color, MegaLast Liquid Catsuit, Color Icon
• Best for: ultra-affordable cruelty-free makeup

Check the price of the Wet N Wild Megalast Liquid Catsuit Lipstick, Give Me Mocha on Amazon

15. Mamaearth

Mamaearth is the Indian personal-care brand founded in 2016 in Gurugram by husband and wife Varun Alagh and Ghazal Alagh. It is the flagship brand of Honasa Consumer Ltd., which is listed on the BSE and NSE. It began with toxin-free baby care and is known for natural, Made Safe certified products for the whole family.

The lipstick range is led by the Moisture Matte Longstay Lipstick, made with avocado oil and vitamin E and described by the brand as a 12-hour long stay, alongside the Creamy Matte Long Stay Lipstick. Its gentle, toxin-free formulas are the draws. Mamaearth suits buyers who want safe-ingredient makeup from a trusted Indian name.

• Brand owner: Honasa Consumer Ltd.
• Founded: 2016, Gurugram
• Known for: Moisture Matte Longstay Lipstick, Creamy Matte Long Stay Lipstick
• Best for: toxin-free, Made Safe certified beauty

Check the price of the Mamaearth Moisture Matte Longstay Lipstick, Raisin Punch on Amazon

Match the shade to your skin tone before you buy. A nude that suits fair skin can wash out deeper skin, and a red that suits one person can clash on another. Test the shade on your lips, not on the back of your hand, and check it in daylight. A lipstick that matches your undertone looks good even without other makeup.

— Key takeaway: shade first, finish second, brand third. The right shade in a simple formula beats the wrong shade in a premium one.

Brand Comparison Table

How to Choose a Lipstick Brand

Start with the finish. If you want long wear, pick a matte bullet or a liquid lipstick; if your lips are dry, pick a creme or a butter-matte formula with oils. If you want one product for many looks, pick a multi-use stick or a crayon, which is easy to carry and simple to apply.

Check the shade before you compare brands. Nudes and browns suit everyday wear, reds suit evenings and weddings, and pinks suit most Indian skin tones. Test the shade on your lips in daylight, because a shade that looks good in the tube can look different on the lips.

Finally, match the brand to your priorities. Lakmé, Maybelline, L'Oréal Paris, MAC and Revlon give the most trusted names; Colorbar, Lotus Herbals, Biotique and Mamaearth give Indian heritage and natural formulas; Sugar, Faces Canada, Plum and Renee give young Indian makeup with strong pigment; Swiss Beauty and Wet n Wild give the lowest prices. Check the wear time and the seller before you pay.

FAQs

Which is the best lipstick brand in India?

There is no single answer — it depends on your lips, your budget and the finish you want. Lakmé, Maybelline, L'Oréal Paris, MAC and Revlon give the most trusted names; Colorbar, Lotus Herbals, Biotique and Mamaearth give Indian heritage and natural formulas; Sugar, Faces Canada, Plum and Renee give young Indian makeup; Swiss Beauty and Wet n Wild give the lowest prices. This guide is an editorial selection to help you choose, not an official ranking.

Which lipstick lasts the longest?

Liquid lipsticks usually last longest, because they dry down to a matte film that stays put. Maybelline Super Stay Matte Ink and L'Oréal Paris Infallible Matte Resistance are both described by their makers as lasting up to 16 hours, and Faces Canada Comfy Matte Pro is described as a 10-hour long stay. Matte bullets last less, so carry one for touch-ups after meals.

Are matte lipsticks drying?

Matte lipsticks can feel dry, because the matte finish comes from less oil in the formula. If your lips are dry, pick a butter-matte or creme formula, such as the Lotus Herbals Ecostay Butter Matte or the Plum Butter Creme Matte, and apply a lip balm first. Liquid lipsticks feel driest, so avoid them if your lips crack easily.

How do I pick a lipstick shade for Indian skin tones?

Match the shade to your undertone, not just your skin colour. Warm undertones suit orange-reds, brick reds and warm browns; cool undertones suit blue-reds, berry and mauve. Nudes should be one shade deeper than your natural lip colour. Test the shade on your lips in daylight before you buy, and start with a nude or a soft pink if you are unsure.

Are these brands cruelty-free?

Several brands in this guide describe themselves as cruelty-free, including Sugar, Faces Canada, Plum, Renee and Wet n Wild, and Plum also describes itself as 100 percent vegan. Lakmé, Maybelline, L'Oréal Paris, MAC and Revlon do not make the same claim in the same way. If cruelty-free matters to you, check the brand's own statement before you buy, because policies change.

Why does this guide not list prices?

Lipstick prices vary by city, retailer and season, and change too often for a guide to stay accurate. We link to Amazon India for the brands sold there so you can see the current price before buying.

Conclusion

India's lipstick shelf rewards a careful buyer. Start with the finish you want — matte, creme or liquid — then pick a shade that suits your undertone, and check the wear time before you pay.

Lakmé, Maybelline, L'Oréal Paris, MAC or Revlon give the most trusted names; Colorbar, Lotus Herbals, Biotique or Mamaearth give Indian heritage and natural formulas; Sugar, Faces Canada, Plum or Renee give young Indian makeup with strong pigment; Swiss Beauty or Wet n Wild give bold colour for very little money. Match the shade first and the brand second.

Research note: Brand backgrounds in this guide were checked against the brands' official websites, company histories and reputable profiles in November 2026. Ranges and product names are as the brands themselves describe them; availability varies by city. If you spot an error, please contact VisitBest so we can correct it.