I consider anything lip related (lipsticks, lip glosses, lip stains, etc.) my favorite makeup products. I just love a statement lip more than anything. More often than not, my makeup look consists of minimal eye makeup, some concealer or light-coverage foundation, brow gel, a dash of blush, and a bold lip. It's my favorite look because it takes very little time and effort and looks good, and I almost always get nice compliments.
The problem with relying on lip products, though? Many of them can smudge and fade, so you have to reapply over and over again. Have a sip of water? Time to reapply. Eat a few bites? Better get that lipstick tube out. Give someone a smooch? Yeah, you're going to have to swipe that lip gloss on again (and maybe even give that someone a napkin, too). It can be annoying, but hey, a little fading is inevitable, right?
Well, it turns out it doesn't have to be completely inevitable. There are actually some amazing lipsticks out there that have major staying power—you just have to find the right one. For me, my "aha" moment came recently when I discovered Maybelline's Super Stay Matte Ink Liquid Lipstick ($8). Holy moly, this thing sticks to your lips in the best way possible. I bought two tubes to wear to my friend's New Year's Eve wedding earlier this year, and I only had to reapply once, and that was after midnight, about seven hours after I first applied the product. It withstood eating, drinking, and some kisses, and it didn't even smudge onto glassware or my boyfriend's face.
So of course, I'm now absolutely in love with this lipstick. Not only is its staying power crazy good, but it also is so affordable. It costs just $8, so I am planning on buying more colors. (There are more than 50 shades to choose from.) Plus, the matte finish looks so chic and flattering, and the color is super pigmented and bold.
You can shop my rec or take a look at other long-lasting, smudge- and fade-proof options (that also happen to be editor and reader favorites) below.
1. Stila Stay All Day Liquid Lipstick
With a creamy matte finish, this lip color stays in place for up to six hours. It's also enriched with vitamin E and avocado oil to hydrate the lips.
2. Dior Rouge Dior Forever Liquid Transfer Proof Lipstick
You get up to 12 hours of uninterrupted wear time with this matte lipstick. And you don't have to worry about this product weighing you down—it's featherlight.
3. Nyx Professional Makeup Lip Lingerie Liquid Lipstick
If you're looking for a long-lasting nude lipstick, look no further than Nyx's Lip Lingerie line. It comes in different shades of nudes and neutrals so you can find your perfect match.
4. Smashbox Always On Longwear Matte Liquid Lipstick
The cool thing about this waterproof lipstick's formula is it has a primer-oil complex—a blend of jojoba, apricot, and sunflower oils—to keep your lips comfortable and not dried out.
5. Pat McGrath Labs LiquiLust: Legendary Wear Matte Lipstick
This velvety matte lipstick delivers rich color for up to 12 hours. It also features a moisture complex infusion to leave your lips feeling soft and smooth.
6. Giorgio Armani Lip Power Long-Lasting Satin Lipstick
For those of you who want a non-matte formula, Giorgio Armani's long-wear lipstick leaves a satin finish. The product itself is molded in a drop-shaped bullet shape, so you can apply with precision.
7. Lancôme L'Absolu Lacquer Long-Lasting Liquid Lipstick
With Lancôme's lipstick, you can build your coverage based on your preference. It goes from sheer to full coverage. It leaves a glossy finish that can stay on for up to six hours.
8. Revlon ColorStay Overtime LipColor
There's not feathering, smudging, or bleeding with this drugstore find. On one end is the lip color, and on the other end is the glossy topcoat to leave the lips moisturized and shiny.
9. Nars Powermatte Lip Pigment Liquid Lipstick
This is probably Nars's most matte lipstick yet. The liquid formula leaves a lightweight finish that doesn't smudge when it dries.
10. Covergirl Outlast All-Day Lip Color With Topcoat
Here's another one of those dual formulas that's both flattering and hydrating. Covergirl's lip color can last up to 24 hours and is totally transfer resistant.
11. Ilia Color Block High Impact Lipstick
If you prefer clean formulas, try Ilia's long-lasting lipstick. It's infused with apricot-seed oil to lock in moisture, castor-seed oil to soften lips, and mango-seed butter to boost elasticity.
12. MAC Retro Matte Liquid Lipstick
This liquid lipstick from MAC is all about that classic retro flair—it's got a velvety matte finish with saturated color. The product can last for up to eight hours and is waterproof.
13. Chanel Rouge Allure Ink Fusion Ultrawear Intense Matte Liquid Lip Color
Chanel's long-lasting formula contains polymers, sappan wood, and vitamin E to make the color really stick. The shades are super saturated and ultra-matte but still feel comfortable.
Conditioning Lip Products to Shop
Prep your lips by exfoliating any dead skin and leaving a smooth canvas for your lipstick.
I just love the tingly and refreshing feeling I get when I apply this moisturizing lip balm.
I like to put this mask on overnight and wake up to smooth and hydrated lips. The formula contains vitamin C and antioxidants.
This lip oil just sinks into the skin effortlessly to condition your lips. It's enriched with a blend of jojoba, camellia, sesame-seed, and sunflower-seed oils, plus vitamin E.
This article was originally published at an earlier date and has since been updated.
-
Gabbriette Swapped Concealer Lips for the Off-Season Combo That Weirdly Works for Summer 2025We're dying to try it.
-
20 Years Later, the Coolest Brands Are Bringing Back One of the Most Iconic Y2K Beauty TrendsBe still, my beating (millennial) heart.
-
Collecting Lip Stains Is My Sport of Choice—This New French Lip Nectar Is the Chicest One I OwnIt's giving Jane Birkin in the South of France.
-
Exclusive: Sabrina Carpenter Wore This Soon-to-Be-Viral Prada Lip Balm in Her "Manchild" Music VideoRemember the sneaky reference?
-
Pink Guava, Pink Sugar, or Birthday Cake? The Most Viral Summer Fridays Balms, Ranked by MeThis one might be my all-time favorite.
-
Carrie Bradshaw (I Mean, Sarah Jessica Parker) Just Posted This TikTok-Viral Lip Product on Her IGAnd just like that, I have a new lip product to buy.
-
"That Product Takes Me Right Back": Amanda Seyfried on the Mean Girls Beauty Staple She Still Swears By TodayKaren Smith era loading…
-
I Asked the Coolest People I Know: What Makes an It-Girl Lip Balm?Plus, 15 products truly worth their salt.
