Matte Lipstick · updated 2026-06-15

The best Pat McGrath Labs MatteTrance Lipstick dupes

We compiled and scored the affordable, currently-available dupes for Pat McGrath Labs MatteTrance Lipstick — ranked by how close they really are, with live prices and direct links.

See the ranked list → How we score

Ranked by consensus

Every Pat McGrath Labs MatteTrance Lipstick dupe, scored & ranked

Some links below are affiliate links — if you buy through them we may earn a commission, at no extra cost to you. As an Amazon Associate we earn from qualifying purchases. Prices and availability are accurate as of the time shown and may change.

#1 85/100 NARS Powermatte Lipstick

Dupe of Pat McGrath Labs MatteTrance Lipstick

NARS — Powermatte Lipstick

● Very close

A creamy, highly pigmented matte bullet with a similar comfortable-yet-true-matte finish and rich shade range, at roughly two-thirds the price.

“Closest finish and comfort”

Known dupe widely cited as a Pat McGrath Labs MatteTrance Lipstick dupe

$29.00

Check price at Amazon → Save $1026% less than the Pat McGrath Labs MatteTrance Lipstick Amazon price · checked 2026-07-30 23:00:01 UTC

#2 78/100 Maybelline Color Sensational Ultimatte / Matte Lipstick

Dupe of Pat McGrath Labs MatteTrance Lipstick

Maybelline — Color Sensational Ultimatte / Matte Lipstick

● Good enough

Strong one-swipe pigment and a soft matte finish for under $10, though slightly less velvety and with a more limited bold-shade selection.

“Best budget pigment payoff”

Known dupe widely cited as a Pat McGrath Labs MatteTrance Lipstick dupe

$5.50

Check price at Amazon → Save $3486% less than the Pat McGrath Labs MatteTrance Lipstick Amazon price · checked 2026-07-30 23:00:01 UTC

#3 75/100 Charlotte Tilbury Matte Revolution Lipstick

Dupe of Pat McGrath Labs MatteTrance Lipstick

Charlotte Tilbury — Matte Revolution Lipstick

● Good enough

A luxe, comfortable satin-matte with excellent pigment, but it's only mid-range in price savings and leans more satin than true matte.

“Comfier but pricier”

Known dupe widely cited as a Pat McGrath Labs MatteTrance Lipstick dupe

$37.00

Check price at Amazon → Save $25% less than the Pat McGrath Labs MatteTrance Lipstick Amazon price · checked 2026-07-30 23:00:01 UTC

#4 72/100

image coming

Dupe of Pat McGrath Labs MatteTrance Lipstick

Maybelline — SuperStay Matte Ink

● Good enough

A liquid rather than bullet format that matches the bold pigment and adds longer wear, but is noticeably more drying and harder to layer or blot down.

“Bolder color, longer wear”

Known dupe widely cited as a Pat McGrath Labs MatteTrance Lipstick dupe

Check price at Amazon → vs $39 retail

#5 65/100 NYX Soft Matte Lip Cream

Dupe of Pat McGrath Labs MatteTrance Lipstick

NYX — Soft Matte Lip Cream

● Worth a look

Affordable and pigmented with a soft-matte mousse finish, but lighter coverage and a lighter-weight feel that's less opaque in one pass.

“Cheap and comfortable”

Known dupe widely cited as a Pat McGrath Labs MatteTrance Lipstick dupe

$7.00

Check price at Amazon → Save $3282% less than the Pat McGrath Labs MatteTrance Lipstick Amazon price · checked 2026-07-30 23:00:01 UTC

#6 60/100 e.l.f. Lip Lacquer / Velvet Matte Lipstick

Dupe of Pat McGrath Labs MatteTrance Lipstick

e.l.f. — Lip Lacquer / Velvet Matte Lipstick

● Worth a look

Very low cost with decent matte pigment, but less consistent shade payoff and a thinner formula than the rich MatteTrance bullet.

“Lowest-cost approximation”

Known dupe widely cited as a Pat McGrath Labs MatteTrance Lipstick dupe

Check price at Amazon → vs $39 retail

We have not personally tested these — every score blends independent community and reviewer sources, weighted by independence, with no paid placement. Read the full methodology →

No paid placements — just the trade-offs

Why these rank the way they do

The MatteTrance signature is a rich, pigment-loaded bullet that stays true-matte without feeling dry, so these alternatives rank mostly on how closely they reproduce that comfortable-but-matte balance rather than just matching a shade.

NARS Powermatte Lipstick

It earns the top score because it's the only bullet here that nails both halves of MatteTrance's appeal — creamy, highly pigmented application with a genuinely matte (not satin) finish and a broad enough shade range to find a real match — for meaningfully less than the original.

Maybelline Color Sensational Ultimatte / Matte Lipstick

The standout value: strong one-swipe pigment and a soft matte finish at a fraction of the cost, held back only by a slightly less velvety feel and fewer bold shades, which is why it sits just under NARS.

Charlotte Tilbury Matte Revolution Lipstick

Comfortable and beautifully pigmented, but it leans satin rather than true matte and offers only modest savings, so it scores lower than cheaper picks that match the finish more exactly.

Maybelline SuperStay Matte Ink

It matches the bold pigment and beats the original on wear time, but the switch to a liquid format that's noticeably drying and hard to blot moves it away from MatteTrance's comfortable bullet skin-feel.

e.l.f. Lip Lacquer / Velvet Matte Lipstick

The lowest-cost option lands at the bottom because its thinner formula and inconsistent shade payoff don't reproduce the rich, opaque, one-pass coverage that defines the original — a fair approximation, but the furthest from it.

Bottom line: Get the NARS Powermatte if you want the closest comfortable true-matte match; reach for the Maybelline Ultimatte if you mainly want that pigment for the least money, and skip the liquid SuperStay unless longer wear matters more to you than a soft, blottable feel.

About Pat McGrath Labs MatteTrance Lipstick & its dupes

Pat McGrath Labs MatteTrance Lipstick is a luxury matte bullet lipstick known for its intensely pigmented, full-coverage payoff in a single swipe and a comfortable, lightweight matte finish that's far less drying than most traditional mattes. It contains a soft-focus pigment blend that delivers vivid, true-to-pan color with a velvety, blurred effect, and the shade range spans bold reds, deep vamps, pinks, and nudes. It's a cult-favorite among makeup artists for its creamy application and long wear, though the premium price drives many shoppers to seek dupes.

How to choose a Pat McGrath Labs MatteTrance Lipstick dupe

First decide whether you care most about finish (true matte vs. soft/satin-matte), pigment intensity, or comfort on the lips, since few affordable lipsticks nail all three at once. If you want the closest creamy-yet-matte feel, look at NARS Powermatte and Maybelline SuperStay Matte Ink; if you mostly want the bold pigment payoff at the lowest price, the drugstore options below get you 80–90% of the way there. Always match by undertone rather than shade name (PMG's reds and vamps are very specific), and if you have dry lips, prioritize the more comfortable formulas (NARS, Maybelline Color Sensational) over long-wear liquid mattes, which can cling to flaky patches.

Pat McGrath Labs MatteTrance Lipstick dupe FAQ

Is MatteTrance actually drying like other mattes?

No — it's one of the more comfortable matte bullet formulas, with a creamy, lightweight feel that wears better than most traditional mattes, though it's still a true matte and benefits from exfoliated, moisturized lips.

Why is it so expensive at $39?

You're paying for the luxury brand positioning, packaging, soft-focus pigment technology, and one-swipe opacity; the formula itself can be approximated by several drugstore and mid-range lipsticks at a fraction of the cost.

What's the closest dupe?

For finish and comfort, NARS Powermatte Lipstick is the closest mid-range match; for a budget option, Maybelline Color Sensational Matte and SuperStay Matte Ink get you most of the pigment and wear for under $12.

How do I match the shade in a dupe?

Ignore shade names and match by undertone and depth — compare swatches side by side, since PMG's signature reds and deep vamps have very specific cool/warm leanings that drugstore lines name differently.