If I had to choose, I think my favorite makeup buy would be lipstick. Or any kind of lip product, really—gloss, stains, tint—I'll take it all. That's because when it comes to my makeup looks, I rely on a statement lip to really pull its weight. In fact, as of my last count, I have about 25 different lipsticks, lip glosses, and lip stains. They range in hue from pink and red to coral and tangerine to aubergine and merlot. What can I say? I love variety.
But there used to be one hiccup to my lipstick love: It used to smudge or fade a little too easily. So I'd be reapplying product after every sip or bite pretty much. It got really annoying, and it was a waste of lipstick!
But recently, I learned a trick that changed things for me completely. I discovered the power of a lip primer. If you're not familiar, a lip primer provides a smooth base for your lips so the color can stick. Think of it as something similar to a face primer that you apply before you put on foundation or other makeup. And keeping your lipstick in place isn't all a lip primer does—some formulas also nourish and hydrate the lips. So it's like a two-in-one product, which is something that I can't say no to.
Ready for a flawless pout? Take a look at some highly rated lip primers below.
1. MAC Prep + Prime Lip Primer
Designed to reduce feathering, this primer from MAC also delivers hydration and smoothes the lips. It's my favorite pick because it's lightweight and my lipstick always stays in place.
2. Nyx Professional Makeup Lip Primer
This one from Nyx is a highly rated drugstore find. It comes in nude and deep nude color options. It's great if you don't want to splurge on a lip primer since it's just $3.
3. Bite Beauty Line & Define Vegan Lip Primer
Bite's lip primer is another one that I have in my makeup bag. Not only do I love that it keeps my lipstick on for a long time, but I'm also a fan of its nourishing benefits. The formula contains jackfruit extract and kiwi seed oil to soothe the lips.
4. Fresh Sugar Wonder Drops Lip Primer
These drops are enriched with AHAs plus sugar, natural fruit extracts, and hibiscus flower extract. It works as a leave-on exfoliant to smooth dry lips. The formula also contains hyaluronic acid to lock in moisture.
5. Colourpop Lippie Stix Primer
Colourpop's Lippie Stix primer works to smooth fine lines for easier application. It contains tiny spherical beads to fill in and plump the lips.
6. Giorgio Armani Prima Lip & Eye Perfector
A product that smoothes lips, prevents lipstick from smudging, keeps concealer in place, and reduces dark circles and puffiness? Yes, this miracle product really does it all. All you need to do is dab it under your eyes and around the lips to prep your makeup.
7. Maybelline
Here's another drugstore option that does the trick. Maybelline's primer preps the lips so your product stays in place and lasts for a long time—that means fewer touch-ups.
8. Anastasia Beverly Hills Lip Primer
This lip primer from Anastasia Beverly Hills prevents any flaking or bleeding of your lip product. You can also use it on its own to condition the lips.
9. Urban Decay Ultimate Ozone Multipurpose Primer Pencil
In addition to prevent lip feathering, Urban Decay's creamy lip primer pencil also hides blemishes, corrects, and fills in fine lines. The long-lasting formula contains jojoba oil for a nourishing effect.
10. E.l.f. Lip Primer & Plumper
This $5 primer is double-ended: One end is a primer to create a smooth, no-smudge base, and the other is a plumper to enhance the lips with a tingly effect.
11. Make Up For Ever Ultra HD Lip Booster
For dry lips, swipe on this lip serum, which is a blend of loofah oil and hyaluronic acid to deliver instant moisture. It comes in two different colors: clear and tinted (which mimics your natural lip color).
12. Project Lip Matte Plumping Primer
If you want full, plumper lips, this primer will do the work. When you apply it, you'll feel a tingly sensation since the product stimulates collagen production, plumps, and defines your lip shape. Ingredients include jojoba oil, castor oil, and capsicum fruit extract.
More Products to Prep Your Lips
If you're dealing with flaky and peeling lips, try this scrub. It contains beeswax exotic oils and exfoliating honey crystals to slough off dead skin and soothe dry lips.
I use Laneige's Lip Sleeping Mask at least once a week to keep my lips extra smooth and soft. All you need to do is apply it before bed, and you'll wake up to refreshed lips.
This best-selling lip balm is a favorite with editors and readers. It's infused with avocado oil, mongongo oil, and tripeptide-1 to moisturize, plump, and maintain the skin's barrier.
For a quick fix when you've got peeling lips, try this lip scrubber, which can gently exfoliate and massage the skin.
This lip treatment fights any signs of aging, like the appearance of fine lines thanks to ingredients like peptides, squalane, and hyaluronic acid filling spheres.
These are great to use before any big events or nights out—they do a great job of hydrating and plumping the lips. Ingredients include collagen, hyaluronic acid, rose-flower oil, cherry extract, and vitamin E.
The original version of Glossier's Balm Dotcom can be used both as a lip balm and as a skin salve. Who doesn't love a two-in-one product?
Next, The Under-$13 Lip Plumpers I Always Recommend to Friends Who Don't Want Filler
