10 Long-Lasting Lipsticks That Legit Won’t Budge
Life is busy, and we need our makeup to at least keep up with us. That’s why one of the key factors we look for in a lipstick (aside from rich, gorgeous color) is its ability to last throughout all the bites, sips, and smooches our lips will endure, without the need to constantly reapply. There are endless longwear lipsticks on the market that promise long-lasting wear-time, but more often than not, these budge-proof formulas come with unsavory side-effects like dry, flaky lips or feathering.
If all you want is a non-drying, smudge-proof, pigment-packed lipstick that won’t fade after your first cup of coffee, you’ve come to the right place. We’ve hand-picked the 10 best longwear lipsticks (from brights, to nudes, and everything in between) with help from member raves and reviews.
1. APPEAL COSMETICS Ultra Creme Liquid Lipstick
Smoothest Wear:
Get soft, sumptuous, and color-saturated lips when you swipe on this creamy liquid lipstick. The rosy-mauve shade is the perfect pink for any occasion, and the long-lasting yet comfy formula is nourishing, too, thanks to the Brazilian carnauba wax, which helps lips stay soft, never dry.
2. M·A·C COSMETICS Retro Matte Lipstick
The OG Long-Lasting Lipstick:
This iconic and best-selling red lippie has long been a cult-favorite among makeup artists and beauty lovers alike—and for good reason. Its long-wearing formula is fade-proof and doesn’t feather, so your timeless red-lip look stays looking flawless for hours.
3. MAKE UP FOR EVER Rouge Artist For Ever Matte 24HR Longwear Liquid Lipstick
Best Long-Lasting Lipstick Applicator:
Get 24 hours of rich, creamy, ultra-matte lip color that stays without transferring. Eat, drink, kiss with abandon—the highly saturated cool nude pigments won’t leave your lips thanks to volatile oils and kaolin clay. Plus, the exclusive “seamless swipe” applicator has a unique reservoir to help apply the perfect amount of product for one-swipe application.
4. PAT MCGRATH LABS MatteTrance Lipsticks
Best Medium Rose Lipstick:
Celebrity makeup artist and absolute icon Pat Mcgrath is known for creating obsession-worthy makeup with a cult following, thanks to the rich pigments and lucious formulas. Her luxe lipstick collections feature some of the best shades on the market, with the MatteTrance™ Lipstick in Flesh 5 being no exception. It doesn’t smudge easily, nor does it feather (thanks to its rich, creamy formula that keeps your lips feeling soft and smooth all day). We love being under this lippie’s rosy-pink trance.
Ipster Jocelynda17 says, “I’m so happy I got this lipstick in my box! The color is beautiful especially for medium/deep skin tones. It is a matte formula lipstick and it feels so soft on the lips. It is pigmented and it just feels so luxurious!”
5. UOMA Badass Icon Matte Lipstick
Best Lipstick With a Wide Shade Range:
From the best-selling brand that’s known for its inclusive shades and super smart formulas, comes a line of lipsticks with just as much power and punch as its name lends. Each of the Badass Icon lipstick shades pays homage to—surprise, surprise—a badass icon in music, art, and beyond, and is meant to inspire confidence and self-expression. The full-coverage formula in shade Diana is surprisingly versatile, super pigmented, and will stay bright and vibrant for hours without leaving lips feeling dry.
Ipster smith_samantha10 raves, “I’ve gotten two different shades from this brand and the formula is smooth, matte, and pigmented. It doesn’t dry your lips out and does have some staying power. I really like it. And the magnetic quality I also love!”
6. ELEMAN BEAUTY Matte Liquid Lipstick
Best Hydrating Nude Lipstick:
A long-lasting lipstick infused with lip-loving ingredients that wear comfortably on your lips? To the top of the list it goes! This creamy, matte-finish lippie from ELEMAN BEAUTY glides on easily and feels so nice, thanks to nourishing, softening, and hydrating vitamin E. This highly pigmented medium-nude shade is perfect for your everyday neutral makeup looks, but pair it with a smoky eye and you’ve got instantly smoldering vibes. (Love nude lipsticks? Check out our guide to the 15 Best Nude Lipsticks for Darker Skin Tones.)
Ipster sarahleatherwood0 says, “I love this shade! It quickly became my go-to liquid lipstick. It doesn’t fade quickly or look too dry, and when it does start to fade, it looks natural.”
7. CONTEXT SKIN Matte Lipstick
Best Everyday Soft Rose Lipstick:
We’ve said it before and we’ll say it forever again—rose-hued makeup will always be en vogue. It’s one of the most versatile shades you can wear, and when it comes to lipsticks, there’s a rose shade for everyone. This soft rosy-pink lipstick goes with almost all your makeup looks, and feels so comfy on your lips. Swipe it on and it lasts and lasts without pulling moisture from your lips.
Ipster kailyn_warpole says, “I love every shade of lipstick from Context! The formula is soft, silky, and doesn't dry out my lips.”
8. BITE BEAUTY Outburst Longwear Lip Stain
Best Bright Orange Lip Stain:
Bright orange might just be one of the most underrated bold lip shades ever. While we’re used to reaching for reds, a vibrant orange is a fun alternative that’s just as impactful. BITE BEAUTY’s transfer-proof lip stains never disappoint, and a few sweeps of the Outburst Longwear Lip Stain in Orange Fizz will have you convinced it’s your new go-to shade. Bonus: It’s infused with nourishing ingredients like passionflower and coconut oil for an extra dose of lip-loving hydration. (Check out our guide to the 14 Best Orange Lipsticks ever.)
Ipster bsnowdya says, “Super pigmented, lightweight, and extremely moisturizing. One of the best lip stains I have encountered out there. I see you, Bite!”
9. TARTE SUGAR RUSH™ sugar rush™ sugar coat velvet liquid lipstick
Best Berry Liquid Lipstick:
TARTE consistently creates some of the most reliable, innovative, and easy-to-use makeup & skincare products available. Case in point: This insanely smooth liquid lippie delivers the perfect dose of high-impact color to lips, while coating them in moisture like a nourishing balm. Similar to many of their products, it’s packed with soothing and skin-loving ingredients like sunflower seed oil and rosehip oil to help soften your chapped lips into a smooth, supple pout.
Ipster Pahu00397 raves, “My most favorite lip product ever tried from one of these bags. It lasts all day. And is a nice tone. They only come in four colors. This is my fave.”
10. BELLE EN ARGENT Auteur Crème Lip Color
Best Long-Wear Classic Red Lipstick:
No lipstick list is complete without a classic red lip color. You don’t need to be Dorothy in Oz to rock the ruby-red shade—this creamy Lip Color in Click Your Heels is the perfect shade to satisfy your red-hot makeup looks, with a formula that resists fading and flaking between sips and bites, yet still feels moisturizing on lips (thanks to jojoba and argan oils).
Ipster curleekat says, “My current favorite lipstick for color. It's literally the perfect red for me. Makes my skin look creamy and bright.”
Love long-wear makeup but hate taking it off? Check out our 22 Best Makeup Removers from budget-friendly drugstore brands to splurge-worthy solutions.
Want to try out all the buzzy and best lipsticks? Take our Beauty Quiz now to get started with an IPSY subscription. Already a member? Refer your friends to earn points, which you can use toward products. Either way, don’t forget to check us out on Instagram @IPSY.
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