We Kiss-Tested Long-Lasting Lipsticks—These 11 Didn't Budge (2025)

TL;DR

Our Top Picks

Finish: Shiny | Shades: 13 | Cruelty-Free: Yes

For anyone looking for a full-coverage, high-shine lipstick that truly lasts all day (and night), Urban Decay’s Vice Lip Bond Glossy Longwear Liquid Lipstick is the one. Our tester reported that this lipstick—which she wore during a full day of eating and drinking—didn’t budge at all for the full 16 hours, meaning it lived up to the brand’s claims.

The application process was seamless, as well. Our tester noted that this lipstick went on easily, and although it felt tacky at first, the formula dried down smoothly and felt hydrating on the lips. Its high-shine pigment also looked even and beautiful all day (and night). In fact, she had nothing negative to say about this formula, so if a high-shine finish is the goal, there’s no downside to this one.

Bianca, tester: “Once you swipe one layer of this on your lips, you don't have to retouch your lips until you wash your face—I'm not kidding! This formula lives up to its claims of lasting up to 16 hours.”

Finish: Matte | Shades: 22 | Cruelty-Free: No

Look no further than this option from drugstore staple L’Oréal for a budget-friendly, long-lasting lipstick. Upon first application, its pigment was strong and consistent; while one coat worked for our tester, she noted that the formula is also buildable, so adding additional layers is an option for a higher-intensity look.

Throughout a day of wear, she reported that this matte formula stayed put through eating and drinking and that it felt comfortable, hydrating (a serious win for matte formulas), and lightweight on the lips, if a little tacky. Her one complaint about this lipstick was its fragrance, which she said was strong. Translation: Anyone who’s particularly sensitive to fragrance may want to skip this one, but generally, for an affordable, all-day lipstick, it’s difficult to go wrong.

Ashley, tester: “As far as matte lipsticks go, this one was definitely less drying and had more of a hydrating feel than other formulas.”

Finish: Matte | Shades: 8 | Cruelty-Free: Yes

We've yet to find a genuinely long-lasting lipstick that's genuinely hydrating. Still, some options, like this one, don't exacerbate dryness as much as others, so it would be the winner if we were to award one the most hydrating long-lasting lipstick. This pick from Merit is our choice for those with dry lips because it's formulated with hyaluronic acid and sesame seed extract for a hint of moisture, and it feels utterly undetectable on the lips. Seriously, the formula is completely weightless. Thick, matte textures can get heavy and crumbly while also emphasizing the look of dry patches and flakiness. Not only does this one feel comfortable, but it also has a blurring quality that gently smooths the appearance of texture.

It's not the most long-wearing option on this list, but our tester was able to wear it for several hours without needing to reapply. We also appreciate that it fades gracefully—you won't have to worry about it getting patchy or bleeding outside your lip lines as you wear it.

Alyssa Kaplan, associate editor: "I can't say enough good things about this lipstick. The weightless formula is so comfortable and wears nicely throughout the day, and I love that the shades are wearable but unique—they have super flattering undertones."

Finish: Shiny | Shades: 23 | Cruelty-Free: No

For us, Maybelline’s Super Stay Vinyl Ink Longwear Lipcolor lives up to its name—it lasts for an entire day of wear and doesn’t budge at all, even when eating and drinking. Its color pigment was also very intense—a little goes a long way—and it felt very lightweight once it dried down completely.

On the flip side, be aware that this lipstick is not very hydrating, so it’s best to apply a lip balm before application. Also, our tester noted that, because of its staying power, it was more difficult to remove than other products on this list. But for a full-coverage, stay-all-day lipstick, it’s tough to go wrong with this pick from Maybelline.

Samantha, tester: “This is a wear-and-don't-worry-about-it type of product—it lasts all day and doesn't transfer once it's fully dry.”

Finish: Matte | Shades: 24 | Cruelty-Free: No

For a matte finish, NARS’ Powermatte Lipstick blew away the competition. Although our tester noted that it required two to three layers to achieve full opacity, once it was on, it really stayed put throughout a full day of wear; she said it was ideal for long, busy days that required a set-it-and-forget-it lipstick. And unlike many matte lipsticks that look heavy or cakey on the lips, this one looked smooth and blurring.

However, its powdery formula left our tester’s lips feeling a bit dry, so be sure to moisturize the lips before applying. Overall, for a quality, long-lasting option with an expansive shade range, opt for this cream-to-matte formula.

Dominique Hobdy, senior editor: “I appreciated the longevity of this lipstick. If I had to run around to appointments, events, or parties, this would be a great option—especially if my lips were properly moisturized first.”

Finish: Soft matte | Shades: 12 | Cruelty-Free: No

For our tester, this soft matte lipstick had a smooth, velvety quality that was truly a cut above. Upon application, she noted that two coats of this buildable formula felt like a sweet spot for everyday wear, but that three would give the lips more of a pop. Either way, when she swiped it on, the rest was a breeze, with very little transferring over a day of eating and drinking.

Overall, she said, this Pat McGrath formula delivers a Goldilocks experience—it wasn’t too dry or shiny, lasted all day, and wasn’t difficult to remove at night. While our tester didn’t find that it settled into lip lines, it’s worth noting that some online reviewers note this. All in all, it’s ideal for those who love the look and convenience of a matte lip without their lips feeling parched all day.

Dominique Hobdy, senior editor: “This formula had a velvety texture. Although it had a matte finish, I didn't experience the typical dryness that can come with similar long-lasting lipsticks. It was also super lightweight and not noticeable throughout the day.”

Finish: Matte | Shades: 38 | Cruelty-Free: No

According to our tester, this MAC lipstick struck the perfect balance between a satin and a matte formula. Case in point: Its texture was very smooth—it went on like butter, she said—and felt lightweight and hydrating. Also, unlike a lot of matte options, it didn’t cling to any dryness on the lips.

Although it wasn’t quite as long-lasting as a fully matte formula—our tester had to touch it up after drinking a morning coffee—she enjoyed its softer finish and would recommend it to anyone who enjoys a full-coverage lipstick that isn’t drying. She also noted that it was incredibly easy to take off with makeup remover or a face wash.

Bianca, tester: “The texture of this lipstick was so smooth. It went on like butter. I also loved how lightweight it felt—so comfortable and not drying at all.”

Finish: Soft matte | Shades: 12 | Cruelty-Free: Yes

Our testers handpicked Hourglass’ Unlocked Soft Matte Lipstick for the most comfortable all-day wear. Although this formula was slightly stiff when first applied, it softened quickly into a creamy texture and dried down into a smooth, soft matte finish; our tester noted that, once she put it on, she barely noticed it throughout the day—a win in our book.

She also observed that, although one swipe sufficed, the formula is buildable for a bolder look. Her one critique was that, though it lasted for several hours without reapplying, it’s not entirely transfer-proof—it left a bit of residue on cups and tissue. Overall, we think it’s perfect for someone who wants a long-lasting lipstick that’s pliable, comfortable, and not fully matte.

Ally Hirschlag, associate editorial director: “This formula is pretty lightweight on the lips and wears comfortably all day—I barely notice it. It also achieves a good color payoff with one swipe, but is buildable for a bolder look.”

Finish: Matte | Shades: 23 | Cruelty-Free: Yes

For an all-around wearable, luxury lipstick that lasts, reach for Charlotte Tilbury’s Matte Revolution Hydrating Lipstick. Its formula softens on the lips, applies smoothly, and lasts virtually all day. In fact, our tester noted she didn’t need a single touch-up over many hours of wear (including while having two meals, a coffee, and several sips of water).

Although this lipstick is positioned as hydrating, our tester found it slightly drying, though she also appreciated its lightweight, barely there feel. It’s certainly comfortable enough to wear all day, especially when layered over lip balm. She also added that she only needed one swipe to achieve full opacity, but it’s certainly buildable for a fuller look. We’d recommend it to anyone looking for a beautiful, long-lasting lip color that easily goes from everyday wear to night looks.

Ally Hirschlag, associate editorial director: “The wearability is exceptional, it doesn't transfer, and I loved the one-swipe color payoff.”

Finish: High shine | Shades: 30 | Cruelty-Free: Yes

Team Byrdie loves a multitasking product, and NYX’s duo—including a matte liquid lipstick and a shiny gloss topper—more than fits that bill. Our tester noted that its lipstick applied with a satin-like finish but dried down to a slightly tacky matte, while the gloss formula was ultra-shiny without feeling sticky. (She added that, while the lipstick itself was slightly drying, the gloss added moisture and made it extremely comfortable to wear throughout the day.)

Overall, our tester said she’d continue to use this product when she wants long-lasting lip color, like for a photo shoot or a night out—especially because of its gloss, which she raved rivaled high-end options.

Katie, tester: “While the lipstick end of the tube definitely offered a long-lasting formula, the outstanding part of this product is the shiny gloss. I've never used a clear gloss that is so shiny without being sticky at all. It makes my lips feel so hydrated!”

Finish: Matte | Shades: 20 | Cruelty-Free: No

Our tester wore Makeup Forever’s matte long-lasting lipstick during a full day-to-night outing, and she noted its coverage level, color pigmentation, and longevity were second to none—she didn’t have to touch it up once. Once its formula dried down, she added, it felt so smooth and lightweight that she forgot she was wearing lipstick in the first place.

However, because its finish is very matte, she observed that it enhanced the creases in her lips and made them feel drier, so she considers hydrating the lips accordingly before applying. But overall, we’d highly recommend this lipstick for anyone who wants a long-wearing matte formula or has a special event to go to where they don't want to worry about touch-ups.

Ashley, tester: “When you apply it full-on, the color payoff in just one swipe is quite impressive. I loved how I didn’t need to touch up my lips or fuss with them while wearing this lipstick—once it goes on, it's truly on!”

FAQ

• What makes a lipstick long-lasting?

  When formulating a long-wearing lipstick, Pefferman aims for easy spreadability, a fast dry-down time, a transfer-proof formula, rich pigmentation, and moisture. To achieve this, she says that using ingredients like silicone and isododecane is key; she also explains that silicone polymers form a film quickly, which can help the lipstick adhere to the skin and resist transferring due to eating, drinking, or saliva.
  “Ingredients like polyethylene and polybutene are sometimes favored to maintain creaminess or luster as fast-drying formulas can have a tendency to be dry,” she adds.

• What type of finishes are the most long-lasting?

  Sanganoo says that choosing a matte formula is the first step in ensuring your lipstick lasts; she recommends layering it underneath more high-shine products. “I use matte lip liners to prime the lips first and then apply a lipstick or lip stain on top,” she explains. “Layering lipsticks with a matte finish will give you more longevity, so you can avoid constantly having to reapply throughout the day.”

• How can you prevent a long-lasting lipstick from feeling too dry?

  “My tip to avoid long-lasting lipstick from feeling too dry is to make sure your lips are exfoliated and hydrated before you apply your lip color,” says Sanganoo. “I also love layering a little bit of lip balm on top of lipstick to add moisture back to the lips without interfering with the formula.”