Whether you’re looking for a “kiss-proof” or “taco-proof” lip shade—or both!—a longwear lipstick is a must-have in every beauty bag. Let’s be real, nobody likes reapplying. You want a formula that can take you from 9AM to 9PM without fading, smudging, or transferring, and, let me tell you, it’s not easy to find. But as a lipstick obsessive, I’ve tried hundreds of brands. Read on for a comprehensive list of 15 of my favorites.
NYX Professional Makeup Soft Matte Lip Cream
$6.50
With over 8,500 reviews and an impressive 4.3 stars on Ulta, NYX’s beloved lip comes out on top. I choose this lipstick for big, long events like weddings because I know I won’t have to reapply often (and it’s tiny clutch-friendly).
Fenty Beauty Stunna Lip Paint Longwear Fluid Lip Color
$24.00
Singer/beauty entrepreneur/actress/queen of the world Rihanna needed a lipstick that could keep up with her, so she made one. As she said in the press release from the launch, ”I wanted a lipstick that wouldn’t budge—even as you eat, even as you make out.”
Em Cosmetics Infinite Lip Cloud
emcosmetics.com
$20.00
OG beauty YouTuber Michelle Phan created Em Cosmetics to formulate products she couldn’t find in the market. The result’s include this creamy, velvet lipstick that gives intense color payoff and stays on forever.
CoverGirl Outlast All-Day Moisturizing Lip Color
$7.94
This two-step lipstick from Covergirl is simple: First, you apply the liquid color, let it dry, then top it with the balm. It not only lasts all day (and maybe even the next if you don’t have a heavy-duty remover), but has zero transferring.
Sephora Collection Cream Lip Stain Liquid Lipstick
$14.00
Fact: I wore this lipstick formula to Coachella and it withstood all the elements in the dessert. I once said it could survive the apocalypse and I still stand behind that 100 percent.
Maybelline SuperStay Matte Ink Lip Color
$9.49
Rub your lips on tissue, eat saucy pasta—go crazy. This drugstore mainstay isn’t going anywhere for up to 24 hours so you can use it on your most hectic days.
ColourPop Ultra Matte Lip
$17.00
For less than $7, it doesn’t get any better than ColourPop’s liquid lipsticks. It is a favorite of every beauty blogger you can think of and comes in an infinite array of colors to match every mood.
Smashbox Always On Matte Liquid Lipstick
$24.00
Matte finishes sometimes scare people away because they think the product will be drying, but that’s not the case here. You get really solid color application and moisturized lips.
NARS Velvet Matte Lipstick Pencil
$27.00
I once applied this lipstick for a date and marveled at how the color didn’t transfer one bit after a couple of pecks. It also stayed vibrant through a multi-course Italian dinner (a requirement I expect of all my lipsticks, to be honest).
Stila Stay All Day Liquid Lipstick
$22.00
Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez loves the “Beso” red shade of this lipstick—need we say more? It definitely looks good on camera and apparently is trusty enough to last through the very, very long days of being a congresswoman.
Burberry Lip Velvet Crush
$30.00
True story: This lipstick lasted through not one, not two, but three massive tacos. This genius felt-tip formula sticks like a stain. You get that desirable blotted finish and can control just how much or how little color you want.
Anastasia Beverly Hills Liquid Lipstick
$20.00
Anastasia Beverly Hills may be the authority on brows, but it’s damn good at lips, too. This lipstick got over 1,700 five-star reviews on Sephora. One fan even wrote, ”I wear it to all my orthodontist appointments and it sits through the entire time!” Impressive. Also, what?
Huda Beauty Liquid Matte Lipstick
$20.00
Mega influencer Huda Kattan created her lipstick to be so comfortable that you forget you’re even wearing it. It sticks to your lips like a tattoo.
Kat Von D Everlasting Liquid Lipstick
$20.00
Vegan friends, this one’s for you. Kat Von D’s liquid lipstick is famous for its super matte yet lightweight finish. There are a whopping 42 shades and you’re going to want them all.
BareMinerals BarePro Longwear Lipstick
sephora.com
$20.00
If liquid lipstick isn’t your thing, opt for this nourishing offering from BareMinerals. It hits your lips like a lip balm with Vitamin C, sunflower seed, and jojoba wax in its ingredients on top of its full-coverage color.