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Kiss the old ephemeral lipsticks goodbye. dual sides lipstick case
InStyle / Photo Illustration by Kevin Liang / Photo by Jessica Juliao
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My first introduction to a long-lasting lipstick was through my paternal grandmother. I vividly remember her applying her chocolate brown matte lipstick before church. When I spent my summers with her, I regularly noted how it lasted through her choir performance, the obligatory post-church meet and greet, and eventually through Sunday dinner. For this reason, I’ve always categorized lipstick as the more mature version of lip gloss or lip balm. It wasn’t until I got a job in beauty that I began to reimagine my relationship with the staple product, leading me to consult celebrity makeup artist and beauty founder Etienne Ortega for a mini crash course on lipstick lore.
A good long-lasting formula “has intense pigmentation and includes ingredients like silicones or polymers to lock color in place without feathering,” says Ortega, the beauty guru whose client list includes Demi Lovato, Lana Del Rey, and Kris Jenner. “I use lipstick to elevate everyday natural looks and bold, glamorous styles.” With so many formulas, shades, and brands, a lipstick buy can be daunting. We kept expert insights in mind as we tested dozens of long-lasting lipsticks, evaluating how each felt on our lips, how easy it was to apply, and the color options. After hours of wear, we found the best long-lasting lipsticks in each category, be it gloss, matte, liquid, or cream.
Why We Love It: This lipstick was nothing short of phenomenal. From application to feel to pigment, we’re giving it 10 points across the board. It came in the form of a pencil, which glided so smoothly across our lips, making it easy to pencil around the edges of the lips without bleeding over. It also only took one layer to get the fully pigmented look we desired. While at first glance it looked as though it was slightly lighter in color than advertised, a few moments later the lipstick dried down and revealed its darker tone, matching the packaging to a T. It created a very smooth and hydrating sensation over our lips.
Who It’s For: If you’re looking for nourished, pigmented, and lightweight lipsticks that require minimal touch-ups, this one is perfect. After about five minutes we became completely oblivious to having it on—that’s how natural it felt. But only the sensation was invisible: The pigment remained strong and present even after 30 minutes after talking, drinking, and eating. While we did see some transfer onto cups, a look in the mirror showed no apparent difference in the appearance of our lips. We felt comfortable eating a full meal and only requiring a minor touch-up out of habit rather than necessity.
Type: Pencil | Finish: Demi-matte | Shades: 10 | Wear Time: 12 hours | Best for: Office, everyday
Why We Love It: This liquid lipstick had a rich and creamy texture which spread across our lips like butter. It looked and felt like a gloss, giving our dry lips some much needed hydration, but with a very opaque pigmentation. We also noticed a delicious scent and flavor reminiscent of chocolate. We appreciated that this lipstick passed the smudge test with flying colors. You can imagine how confident it made us feel to go and spend an entire evening out, chatting and drinking, without needing a single reapplication.
Who It’s For: For those just entering the lipstick game, this affordable lippie perfectly breaks the barrier of entry. It’s near smudge-proof which is a huge plus as there’s nothing more intimidating than the fear of having lipstick on your teeth mid-convo. We put it to the test after 10 minutes: To our surprise, there was barely any transfer to our hands, cups, or even the apple we bit into—almost as if the lipstick was waterproof. Blotting a piece of tissue paper against our lips took away some of the excess product but other than a tiny bit of formula, the rest of the color remained perfectly intact.
Type: Liquid | Finish: Glossy | Shades: 20 | Wear Time: 16 hours | Best for: Evenings out, events
What We Love: For a matte lipstick, this was one of the most hydrating and comfortable options we’ve ever tried. Upon application, it felt very creamy and smooth (dare we say nourishing?) without any of that sticky or tacky feeling. It had a soft texture even once the formula dried down, almost as though it was hydrating our lips. As for the pigment, we tried "Le Wood Nonchalant" and it looked vibrant with one stroke (not to mention it had a mild taste of berries, which was a nice touch). We added an extra layer or two just to see if it was buildable (it was) and then dabbed into the lips for a lighter tint of color. We love that you have the option of another layer for extra security.
Who It’s For: A cracky, dry finish can make or break a lipstick. Needing a matte lip that doesn’t settle into creases? Look no further. It has a creamy (nonglossy) finish that settles without overly enhancing cracks and crevices in our lips or requiring a lip scrub. We believe the creamy texture helped to soften the look of lines that many matte lipsticks typically emphasize.
Type: Stick | Finish: Semi-matte | Shades: 12 | Wear Time: 16 hours | Best for: Day out in the city
Why We Love It: Considering Queen Rihanna never misses, we weren’t the least bit surprised when we fell head over heels in love with this Lip Paint. To set expectations at the start, this was definitely a matte lipstick. The most impressive part was how it hardly transferred once dried. As for the color, the highly pigmented hue was a delight to have on. The bold shade (we wore “Uncuffed”) looked proud and present during the duration of wear.
Who It’s For: For someone who appreciates a quality product that can be easily applied on the go, this one is perfect. We had a good three minutes to get the liquid over our lips before it started to dry and hold its place. It was neither heavy nor cakey—instead, it glided over smoothly with a creamy texture. Tissues could be dabbed, cups could be kissed, and still the formula remained intact on our lips. There was no bleeding or smudging either—it was the closest thing to second skin as a lipstick could be.
Type: Liquid | Finish: Matte | Shades: 7 | Wear Time: 12 hours | Best for: Office, all day wear
Why We Love It: For our best gloss pick, we’re excited to highlight an option that works double duty. This lipstick is actually two-sided, with the pigmented color on one end and a separate tube of gloss on the other. We tested both, naturally, and loved how we could get two looks in one product. The liquid lipstick had the perfect consistency, having just the right amount of heft to it to stay within the lines and only where we applied it. Standing on its own, it had a semi-matte appearance that felt mildly tacky. The gloss wasn’t sticky or gloopy in the slightest and gave a nice slip and high-shine to the lips. It also did a good job of blurring over texture and lines on the lip. The final look was a fully opaque, glossy lip which, simply put, looked beautiful and comparable to the modeled images.
Who It’s For: A glossy lip never gets old but we can understand wanting to switch up your everyday look—this lipstick allows two looks in one bottle—matte and glossy. Pick this product up when you have a little extra time to spend on your pout as you have to wait a little for the color to dry before applying the gloss.
Type: Liquid | Finish: Shine | Shades: 32 | Wear Time: 16 hours | Best for: Events, nights out
Why We Love It: Take the name of this product as is; it truly felt like an ultra-creamy soufflé that just glides right over the lips. The airy and lush formula felt like a real treat on the skin, almost like a comfortable pillow that sits without settling into creases. It’s neither tacky nor heavy (hence the soufflé) and the finish is a dewy matte without shine.
Who It’s For: The shade we picked, Heroic, applies rather lightly and can mimic a lip stain. For anyone that prefers a more full-bodied shade, this may not be the one for you. We found it to be a great option for running errands in town, perhaps something casual that doesn’t require a lot of drinking or eating. Shopping, hanging out with friends, or sitting in the office are all great activities that would suit this lipstick.
Type: Cream | Finish: Soft matte | Shades: 15 | Wear Time: 6 hours | Best for: Running errands, shopping
Why We Love It: Before applying this lipstick, we wondered how their claims of a creamy yet matted formula could possibly be true. But sure enough, we felt the butter-esque cream glide right over our lips, leaving a velvety color in its trace. Once the application was finished, we had to nod in agreement—it certainly looks semi-matte but without any of that cackly, dry feeling. As a matter of fact, it felt richly moisturizing; the rose wax and shea butter were working their magic. Even after hours of wear, it didn’t dry or soak up all the moisture from our lips. Because it’s a buildable product, even when the formula fades ever so slightly it still looks natural and beautiful.
Who It’s For: Glossier has yet to fail us where natural-looking makeup is concerned. The product is certainly buildable, and one layer wasn’t quite enough to get that perfectly opaque look we desired. That being said, those that want just a touch of color on their lips would love how the more natural, muted tone would look on them. If you don’t mind a stained glass and a touch-up or two, this is the lipstick for you.
Type: Cream | Finish: Demi-matte | Shades: 9 | Wear Time: 6 hours | Best for: Daytime use, casual outings
Why We Love It: It was love at first sight with Merit Beauty’s Signature Lip: The packaging this lipstick comes in might as well be a work of art in itself. It’s also a huge plus that the quality is equally impressive. The best part was how it does not stain the teeth. Once it’s on the lips, it stays right there for hours. Lastly, we have to gush about how good this lipstick smells. The berry scent comes off natural and refreshing instead of smelling like an offensive perfume.
Who It’s For: This formula is so lightweight that we forget it’s even on. Aside from a slightly hydrating sensation, the formula feels nearly undetectable on our lips. Let’s not mistake lightweight for sheer though—the color pops perfectly opaque. Without looking cakey, the color delivers impact with its satiny finish. With the help of a lip liner (the product slightly bled into the corners of our mouth), this product provides comfortable, pigmented lips.
Type: Stick | Finish: Satin | Shades: 8 | Wear Time: 11 hours | Best for: Everyday, office, brunch
Why We Love It: This famous little beauty stick glided on our lips without any drag and left a beautifully rich satiny finish. Due to the intensity of the pigment, we did not feel the need to apply a ton of pressure when swiping the color on our lips. Once on, it felt effortless to smile and talk without needing to think about the product cracking on our lips. Most of all, we simply loved the saturated and vibrant color. No matter how much time passed, this hue didn’t fade, leaving us with this intense color on our lips at all times.
Who It’s For: Chanel lipsticks don't amass fame for no reason, or so we learned during our testing period. This lipstick truly is comfortable enough to wear all day. It’s both rich in color and silky smooth in feel. If anything, it feels kind of like a hydrating lip balm, thanks to its lightweight nature.
Type: Stick | Finish: Satin | Shades: 15 | Wear Time: 6 hours | Best for: Daytime use, shopping and meeting friends.
Why We Love It: We’re not certain what kind of magic Dior blended into the lipstick, but it would absolutely not budge against cups, tissues, or even biting into an apple. It’s a long-lasting lipstick in every way, making us feel comfortable wearing it from day to night with hardly any reapplications. Dior doesn’t give up feel and comfort for longevity either. The application process felt smooth and easy, gliding over the surface with a semi-creamy texture. It had a soft matte feeling on the lips which only started to feel drying after a few hours of wear, at which point we applied another layer of lipstick.
Who It’s For: The color comes on strong and powerful, it’s also slightly buildable: It took us two swipes to get the shade we were looking for. As the product dries down it loses a bit of shine and appears more matte. However, it does so without settling into creases, smearing, or looking overly dry. Sacrificing 20 minutes in the mirror by trying to scrub off your lipstick for a transfer-proof formula can be a tricky trade-off. You don’t have to worry about that with this pick—it was incredibly easy to wipe clean without smearing or spreading too much.
Type: Stick | Finish: Soft matte | Shades: 36 | Wear Time: 16 hours | Best for: Day to night, cocktail soirées.
Why We Love It: There was a lot to love about this lipstick. The color applies immaculately and strongly—it only takes a single layer to deliver a high-impact, perfectly opaque, rich color. The satiny formula is also pretty lightweight. Slightly denser than the previous Merit Beauty lipstick, but for the intense color it provides its impressively soft and certainly not cakey. It’s also very easy to get a precision application on, which did mean we needed to have a very steady hand to get the exact placement right. After 10 minutes, it settles in to look a little more natural, making us fall in love with it even further. It doesn’t dry and remains a perfect partner to the lips through the hours. It didn’t even stain the teeth. Somehow, the great color payoff looks unbothered and unaffected even after eating, so while a touch up never hurts, it’s absolutely not necessary.
Who It’s For: Have you noticed that applying a thin layer of lip balm can sometimes make the application of lipstick on top a little difficult? It’s as if the formula won’t stick onto the lips properly when going over a balmy texture. Instead of having to combine two lip products to combat dryness, we found this super hydrating lipstick works double duty. For those hoping for that classic old-school Hollywood lipstick look, this one is it. The final look is something to adore—rich, luxe, mature, and with a semi-shine satiny finish.
Type: Stick | Finish: Satin | Shades: 40 | Wear Time: 10 hours | Best for: Special events, cocktail soirées
Why We Love It: How Pat McGrath achieved this dreamy lipstick will remain a mystery, but we’re not complaining. The product felt lush and pillow-soft as it glided over our lips in a creamy, medium-thick consistency. Not a stick or a tack was felt, just a luscious soft touch to the lips. Despite being a matte lipstick, it didn’t feel the least bit drying or cackling. We picked “Extravaganza,” which was a rich magenta hue that commanded attention. The pigment was very bright and vivid, wearing true to the depicted shade. It didn’t create any streaks, and was easy to create straight lines around our lips. It never bled or smudged, even after a 10 minute wait or after biting into apples.
Who It’s For: If high-end lip products with bold pigments are your cup of tea, Pat McGrath MatteTrance lipstick blows other luxury options out of the park (we’ve tried many lipsticks both for this story and in our general lives) by keeping our lips soft while maintaining a matte finish. There’s also a wide range of colors: 36 to be exact.
Type: Stick | Finish: Soft matte | Shades: 36 | Wear Time: 10 hours | Best for: Weddings
Why We Love It: In the first swipe, the product felt amazing. It slid on so smoothly, requiring just a single coat to get a fully pigmented beautiful color. While we are typically apprehensive about applying such vivid colors without a lip liner, this applicator did a wonderful job at creating clean lines that didn’t bleed or blur. Once the matted color dried down (in a creamy texture), we dabbed the gloss over to seal the hue. While the texture did have a bit of that traditional stick that lip gloss is known for, it didn’t bother us, because it’s precisely this topcoat that made the lipstick stay perfectly intact through the hours. Because the gloss seals over the color, no color gets transferred while eating and drinking.
Who It’s For: The key points you need to know about Revlon’s Colorstay Overtime Lip Color are that it comes with two sides: a matte color and a gloss topcoat, that it barely transfers onto anything, and can be left on for hours without the need for reapplication—all reasons why we picked it as our best wedding option. We hardly needed a makeup mirror to touch up the gloss, making us feel comfortable to wear it all night at a wedding where we’re too busy to be thinking about reapplications. All of this for less than $15? Color us impressed!
Type: Liquid | Finish: Glossy | Shades: 24 | Wear Time: 16 hours | Best for: Weddings, nights out
Why We Love It: Even if the lipstick didn’t have any sun-blocking properties to it, we would still classify Supergoop’s Lipshade SPF 30 Hydrating Lipstick as a fantastic lip product. We found the stick to glide over our lips extremely smoothly with a creamy and rich (not to be mistaken with thick) formula. We love how hydrating and easy it felt. It’s not necessarily plumping or pillowy, but it’s more than just adding a tint of color. Sitting somewhere between the two, the color it delivers is opaque and impactful yet gentle and sweet. The embedded SPF 30 is felt with a minty, slightly medical scent and taste.
Who It’s For: We’re aware that few things are more uncomfortable than sunburned lips, especially at the hands of your favorite lip product. Thanks to Supergoop, you don’t have to sacrifice protection for aesthetics. This mineral SPF lipstick is embedded with SPF 30—perfect for both vacations and a hot-girl walk through the neighborhood. The sunscreen formula is probably what makes the product so nourishing and refreshing, but we could imagine some might take issue with this newfound feeling.
Type: Stick | Finish: Satiny | Shades: 5 | Wear Time: 6 hours | Best for: Summer, days out in the sun
To start, we researched the best long-lasting lipsticks with the best customer reviews. From there, we pulled 27 options into our lab in New York City, where our esteemed team of beauty experts and editors tried on each selection. We took note of how each lipstick glided on, how many layers it took to reach the desired look, and whether they felt moisturizing or drying. We then waited ten minutes to allow the lipstick to settle in and then observed how the results looked, paying particularly close attention to any bleeding or color changes. Next, we dabbed tissues and applied cups to our lips. We even bit into an apple to see if any product transferred to the items. If they did, we took a look in the mirror to see if it affected the general appearance of the lipstick. Gathering all our insights, we narrowed down our initial list to these winning long-lasting lipsticks.
We asked professional makeup artists to help us on this one, and the key to making lipstick last longer was boiled down to three main steps. First, Carolina Dalí-Trites, a New York-based makeup artist and men's groomer, recommends exfoliating your lips regularly, even weekly, to always have a clean and healthy surface. Next, Holm emphasizes the need to “remove any hydrating products from your lips, as lips need to be clean of any oils or balms” that would interfere with the lipstick (especially if you're using liquid lipstick). Lastly, bridal makeup artist Sharon Buryev shares her insider tip of “adding a tiny amount of foundation on your lips to cancel out your natural lip color.” From there, she tells InStyle “with the lightest hand, apply gentle amounts of powder over it” before applying your longwear lipstick.”
Dalí-Trites has shared her fool-proof lipstick application process that she’s used on stars like Gisele Bündchen and Sydney Sweeney, and it goes as follows: Step one: exfoliate your lips. Step two: hydrate them with a lip treatment, but not a cream or a balm that’s too oily. She recommends the Nannette de Gaspé Baume Noir Treatment. Steps three through five: “Using a small foundation brush, apply the smallest amount of foundation around the lips, using a fluffy powder brush apply a dusting of loose powder around the lips over the foundation, with your lipliner of choice line the lips and bring the liner into the entire lip.” Lastly, “fill in and evenly apply your lip color.” If you’d like to create clean edges and prevent smudging from happening, she recommends dabbing along using a foundation sponge “but not a tissue because that can leave residue.”
Essence Wiley, who updated this article with the latest tested products, is a commerce writer at InStyle who covers fashion and beauty. For this story, she reviewed and compiled hours of testing insights, then consulted with the below makeup artists that have years of experience and a rolodex of celebrity clients under their belt.
lipstick in gold case Bianca Kratky, the original author, is a commerce writer at InStyle with three years of experience covering fashion and beauty content.