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Lakmé vs Maybelline Liquid Lipstick: Which Should You Buy in India?

RRichDeals Editorial7 min read
Lakmé vs Maybelline Liquid Lipstick: Which Should You Buy in India?

Short answer: In the Lakmé vs Maybelline liquid lipstick comparison, Maybelline Superstay Matte Ink is the pick if you want maximum wear and do not mind a drier, stain-like matte that needs an oil-based remover. Lakmé is the better choice if you want a softer, more comfortable matte and the best value per rupee: its Forever Matte liquid trio has been tracked at ₹279 for three 5.6 ml tubes. If you want a liquid matte that feels lighter than Matte Ink, Maybelline's Sensational Liquid Matte (7 ml) sits in the middle, around ₹200.

This guide compares the ranges both brands actually sell in India, what each one is built for, and the prices we have tracked on Amazon, Flipkart and Myntra.

The ranges, side by side

Both brands sell several "matte" lines, and they behave very differently. The table below uses only details printed on the product listings, and prices we tracked when each deal was posted.

Range Brand Type Pack size Brand claim on listing Tracked deal price
Superstay Matte Ink Maybelline Liquid, arrow applicator 5 ml Up to 16 hours, transfer-proof, waterproof ₹259 (MRP ₹749)
Sensational Liquid Matte Maybelline Liquid, arrow applicator 7 ml Lightweight, non-drying, non-sticky ₹214 (MRP ₹399)
Superstay Vinyl Ink Maybelline Liquid, glossy vinyl finish – Long wear with shine ₹466 (MRP ₹849)
Forever Matte Liquid (trio) Lakmé Liquid 3 × 5.6 ml Matte, set of 3 shades ₹279 (MRP ₹1,350)
9to5 Hya Matte Liquid Lakmé Liquid – Matte finish ₹319 (MRP ₹799)
Forever Matte bullet Lakmé Stick 4.5 g Waterproof, non-drying, French rose oil extracts MRP ₹299
Powerplay Priming Matte Lakmé Stick 3.6 g 14–16 hr wear (listing states both), primer in formula ₹380 (MRP ₹550)
Color Sensational Creamy Matte Maybelline Stick 3.9 g Shea butter, creamy matte ₹161 (MRP ₹325)

Two things stand out. First, Maybelline's liquid line is split clearly by wear: Matte Ink for long wear, Sensational Liquid Matte for comfort. Second, Lakmé's biggest advantage is price per millilitre. The Forever Matte trio gives you 16.8 ml across three shades, more than three Matte Ink tubes, for about what a single Matte Ink costs on deal (₹279 vs ₹259).

Lakmé vs Maybelline: how they differ in daily wear

Long wear: Maybelline Superstay Matte Ink leads

Matte Ink is the formula people usually mean when they ask which lipstick lasts longest. Maybelline markets it as a thin, saturated "ink" film rated for up to 16 hours and resistant to food and touch. Formulas like this set completely dry. They survive meals and masks far better than a creamy bullet, but they can feel tight on the lips by evening. Maybelline itself says to remove it with a two-phase waterproof remover, which tells you how firmly it grips.

Comfort: Lakmé and Sensational Liquid Matte

Lakmé positions its Forever Matte lines as comfort mattes. The bullet lists French rose oil extracts and a "soft cushiony feel". Maybelline's Sensational Liquid Matte is also sold on comfort, listed as lightweight, non-drying and non-sticky, and it comes in a larger 7 ml tube. If your lips get flaky in dry weather or air-conditioned offices, start with one of these rather than Matte Ink.

Shade range and Indian skin tones

Maybelline's Amazon listing says Matte Ink comes in 36 shades. Lakmé's Powerplay listing says 35 shades. Both brands sell nudes, browns, berries and reds for the Indian market, so shade count is rarely the deciding factor. Undertone matters more. On warm or olive skin, brick and terracotta nudes usually work better than pink nudes, whatever the brand.

Applicator and precision

Both Maybelline liquids use an arrow-shaped applicator, which makes it easy to draw a clean outline without a lip liner. A liquid matte that dries fast leaves little time to fix mistakes, so beginners may find a bullet like Lakmé Forever Matte or Maybelline Creamy Matte easier to start with.

Who should buy which

If you want… Buy
A lipstick that lasts through lunch and a mask Maybelline Superstay Matte Ink
A liquid matte that does not feel dry Maybelline Sensational Liquid Matte
The most shades for the least money Lakmé Forever Matte liquid trio
An everyday office matte bullet Lakmé Forever Matte or Lakmé Powerplay
A slim, intense matte bullet Maybelline Color Sensational Ultimatte (1.7 g)
A shiny, long-wear finish instead of matte Maybelline Superstay Vinyl Ink
A first lipstick under ₹300 Lakmé Forever Matte bullet or Maybelline Creamy Matte

What to check before you buy

  1. Liquid or bullet. Product titles say "matte lipstick" for both. Check "Item Form" in the specifications: Liquid or Stick.
  2. Pack size. A 5 ml Matte Ink and a 7 ml Sensational Liquid Matte are not the same amount of product. Compare price per ml, not just price.
  3. Shade name and number. Discounts are usually shade-specific. A ₹259 deal may apply to only one or two shades.
  4. Seller. Buy from the brand store, a Flipkart Assured or Amazon-fulfilled listing, or Myntra/Nykaa. Fake long-wear liquids turn up on unknown sellers.
  5. Freshness. Liquid lipsticks thicken with age. Look for reviews mentioning a dried-out formula, and check the manufacturing date on delivery.
  6. Remover. If you choose Matte Ink, plan on a two-phase makeup remover or an oil cleanser. Scrubbing it off with soap and water will dry your lips.

Lipstick deals we have tracked

Prices below were verified on the product page when each deal was posted, and six Amazon listings were re-checked on 16 October 2026. Lipstick prices change by shade and by day, so confirm the price on the store page before buying.

Maybelline liquid

Lakmé liquid

Bullet mattes

Want to try shades before you buy? See our guide to free makeup samples in India, or browse every live beauty deal on the offers page.

Frequently asked questions

Which is better, Lakmé or Maybelline lipstick?

Neither wins across the board. Maybelline Superstay Matte Ink is stronger for long wear. Lakmé is usually better value and more comfortable, especially the Forever Matte range. Choose by what you need most: all-day wear (Maybelline Matte Ink) or comfort and price (Lakmé).

Is Maybelline Superstay Matte Ink good?

It is one of the longest-wearing liquid lipsticks sold in India, and Maybelline rates it for up to 16 hours. The trade-off is a dry, fully set finish that some people find tight, and it needs an oil-based or two-phase remover. If your lips are dry, apply lip balm well beforehand and let it absorb first.

Which brand is best for matte lipstick in India?

For liquid matte, Maybelline: Matte Ink for wear, Sensational Liquid Matte for comfort. For a bullet matte at a low price, Lakmé Forever Matte and Maybelline Color Sensational Creamy Matte have both been tracked under ₹200 during deals.

Is Lakmé Forever Matte waterproof?

Lakmé lists the Forever Matte bullet as waterproof and non-drying. On a lipstick, "waterproof" means it resists water, not that it survives eating and rubbing like a liquid ink formula. Expect to reapply after meals.

How do I remove Superstay Matte Ink?

Use a two-phase makeup remover, a cleansing oil or coconut oil on a cotton pad. Press it on your lips for a few seconds, then wipe gently. Rubbing hard with water will dry and chap your lips.

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