My paternal grandmother introduced me to long-lasting lipsticks. I vividly recall her applying chocolate brown matte lipstick before church. When I spent my summers with her, I always noticed how it lasted through her choir performance, the obligatory post-church meet-and-greet, and finally Sunday dinner. For this reason, I’ve always thought of lipstick as a more mature version of lip gloss or lip balm. It wasn’t until I got a job in beauty that I started to reconsider my relationship with the staple product, prompting me to consult celebrity makeup artist and beauty founder Etienne Ortega for a crash course in lipstick lore.
A good, long-wear formula “has intense pigmentation and includes ingredients like silicones or polymers to lock colour in place without feathering,” according to Ortega, a beauty guru whose clients include Demi Lovato, Lana Del Rey, and Kris Jenner. “I use lipstick to elevate everyday natural looks and bold, glamorous styles.” Choosing lipstick can be difficult because there are so many formulas, shades, and brands to consider. We kept expert advice in mind as we tested dozens of long-lasting lipsticks, assessing how they felt on our lips, how easy they applied, and the colour options available. After hours of wear, we discovered the best long-lasting lipsticks in each category, including gloss, matte, liquid, and cream.
Why We Love It: This liquid lipstick had a rich, creamy texture that glided across our lips like butter. It looked and felt like a gloss, hydrating our dry lips, but with a very opaque pigmentation. We also noticed a delicious chocolate-like scent and flavour. We liked that this lipstick passed the smudge test with flying colours. You can imagine how confident we felt after spending an entire evening out chatting and drinking without having to reapply.
Who It’s For: This affordable lippie is ideal for those who are new to the world of lipstick. It’s nearly smudge-proof, which is a huge plus because nothing is more intimidating than having lipstick on your teeth in the middle of a conversation.
Worth noting: Our tester Sunita thought this option felt a little tacky at first, but it wasn’t uncomfortable.
Sunita, tester: “It felt comfortable to put it on with one swipe.”
What We Love: This was one of the most hydrating and comfortable matte lipsticks we’ve ever tried. It felt slick and slippery when first applied, but as it dried, it had a soft, velvety texture, as if it were hydrating our tester, Erickka’s lips. It feels incredibly light—almost imperceptible—but our tester adored the nice satin sheen it left behind, along with the cushiony softness. Regarding the pigment, our tester tried a true red shade that she liked, and while it looks vibrant with one stroke, she preferred layering it three times for the punchiest, full-coverage finish. Removing it left behind a lighter tint of colour, almost like a lip stain, which is also a lovely look, but you may need to use some extra elbow grease to completely remove it.
Who This Is For: Need a matte lip that doesn’t crease? Look no further. This one has a feathery (nonglossy) finish that settles without exaggerating cracks and crevices in lips or necessitating a lip scrub, making it ideal for those who struggle with lines. Once it settles, it does not feather or bleed, allowing you to eat, drink, and talk without fear of it moving all over your face.
It’s worth noting that this has a strong floral scent, so it may not be the best option for those who prefer unscented products.
Erickka, tester: “This lipstick has a lovely colour that pops when applied. It feels lovely against the lips. It feels velvety, and once settled, it no longer feels slick.”
Why We Love It: Encased in a chic gold bullet with intricate detailing, this buttery soft cream lipstick glides right over lips, leaving a velvety trace. Julia, our tester, praised its hydrating properties, as well as its smooth, vibrant, and velvety finish. Even after several hours of wear, it did not dry or absorb all of the moisture from our tester Julia’s lips. It’s an excellent choice for anyone who values high-end, luxury packaging, and our tester recommends it for those who prefer a long-lasting satiny finish that won’t dry out their lips.
Who It’s For: Those who want just a hint of colour on their lips and need all-day hydration will appreciate this lipstick, which glides on smoothly and is nourishing.
Worth noting: Because it’s a buildable product, even if the formula fades slightly, it still looks natural and beautiful.
Julia, tester: “This is a beautiful, high-quality lipstick with a lovely look and feel.” Most long-lasting satin lipsticks leave my lips feeling dry, but this one was more hydrating and smooth.
Why We Love It: Given Queen Rihanna’s track record, we were not surprised to fall head over heels for this lip paint. The most impressive feature was how little it transferred once dried. In terms of colour, the vibrant shade was a pleasure to wear. The bold shade (our tester Kim wore “Uncuffed”) looked proud and present throughout.
Who It’s For: Anyone who values a high-quality product that can be applied on the go will love this one. We had about three minutes to apply the liquid to our lips before it began to dry and stay put, and it glided on smoothly with a creamy consistency.
To set expectations, our tester stated that this is a matte lipstick and will not provide the most hydration.
Kim, tester: “When I swiped the lip paint for the first time, it felt good and like a high-quality product. It wasn’t heavy and was smooth once glossed on.”
