I have a bit of a love-hate relationship with lipstick. As a beauty editor, I have hoards of the best lipsticks at my disposal but find myself rarely reaching for them. The reason? I find it tedious having to regularly check my reflection to check to see that it still looks good and hasn't transferred across my entire face unknowingly. That's where the best long-lasting lipsticks come in.
Although I love a balmy, glossy lip and the ease of just slapping some lip balm on, I equally love how put together and elevated a lipstick makes me feel and a transfer-proof, long-lasting liquid lipstick formula tends to be the one that I grab to help me do that without the fear of getting it everywhere. I don't want to let these wonderful lipsticks gather dust, I want to wear them.
I'm incredibly picky when it comes to formulas though because whilst I want them to be long-lasting, I don't want them to be overly drying, difficult to apply or patchy as it naturally wears off. That's why I've put a number of different formulas to the test, wearing them through many (many) coffees, workout classes, pub outings and long days to determine the very best.
So if you're equally struggling to find one, these ten are the best longest lasting lipsticks out there.
How We Test
The Marie Claire UK team takes product testing seriously, with a commitment to delivering accurate, honest and genuinely helpful reviews for our readers. For this piece, our editors tested a series of lipsticks over a minimum of one full day to see how they applied, the pigment, and how they fared after eating, drinking, and being on the go.
Best Long Lasting Lipsticks
- Best transfer-proof: Vieve Modern Matte Lipstick | £12.50 at Vieve
- Best high-shine finish: Maybelline SuperStay Vinyl Ink Long Lasting Liquid Lipstick | £8.39 at Amazon
- Most comfortable to wear: Charlotte Tilbury Matte Revolution | £23.60 at Space NK
- Best luxury: Westman Atelier Lip Suede Matte | £45 at Cult Beauty
- Best staining: Fenty Beauty Poutsicle Hydrating Lip Stain | £22 at Space NK
- Best blurring: Huda Beauty Liquid Matte Mousse | £24 at Sephora
- Best weightless: Anastasia Beverly Hills Lip Velvet | £20 at Space NK
Best luxury long-lasting lipstick
This is definitely a luxe option with its higher price point, but if you're looking for something fancy that performs well, this is the one. I would go so far as to say this is the creamiest lipstick I've worn to date, which makes it incredibly pigmented. I'm wearing shade Rose here, and it's the perfect everyday shade for my skin tone. You can dab this onto your lips to make it extremely lightweight but still deliver on colour and last all day. I'm a sucker for the pretty packaging too and it has a hidden mirror in the cap. For me, it really lives up to all of its promises.
Best transfer-proof lipstick
The brand doesn't actually promise that this formula is long-lasting but I found it to be just that. It was waterproof (even when I washed the swatch off my arm with a jelly cleanser and water) and transfer-proof all whilst still being really comfy on the lips. It may feel a little more dry than other bullet lipsticks but that's simply because it lasts so well. The shades are so flattering on many skin tones and true to what the images show, particularly in my shade Cherub's Kiss.
Best blurring lipstick
"Huda Beauty's new Liquid Matte Mousse formula has become one of my most worn lipsticks of late. I love the soft doe foot applicator and squeezy tube for easy application, and it really does leave a perfectly blurred finish that isn't too dry or harsh if you're not used to matte formulas. It sinks in nicely and stays put for hours, and even when the colour does begin to budge, it fades very gracefully and doesn't need topping up. A little goes a long way too, so it comes at a great price point." - Amelia Yeomans, Contributing Beauty Writer
Most comfortable to wear
Next up is Charlotte Tilbury's Matte Revolution in classic Pillow Talk. It does last well but not as much as some of the others on the list (opt for Huda Beauty and Vieve's offerings if longevity is your highest priority). The reason I included though is because with clever application you can make it last much longer. Apply your first (thin layer) then blot with a tissue and apply some powder over the top, then apply a second layer of lipstick. This will keep it in place for longer. The main thing I love about this lipstick is how comfortable it is to wear; it doesn't feel drying at all despite being a matte formula.
Best high-shine finish
Freelance beauty editor and Marie Claire contributor Mica Ricketts loves a good lipstick and discovered this affordable Maybelline option while on the quest for the best bright lipsticks, rating it as one of the best long-lasting lipsticks she's ever tried.
"Despite not being the biggest fan of liquid lipsticks, as they tend to be quite tricky to apply, this one from Maybelline has had me hooked since I first tested it out. Not only does it deliver on pigment—if you love bright, bold, punchy shades then you'll love the lineup of hues—but it is seriously long-lasting. Between eating, drinking and generally going about my day, this stuff never every budges. In fact, my only complaint would be that it's so long-wearing that it's actually quite tough to remove at the end of the day." - Mica Ricketts
Best staining lipstick
"I've sworn by this Fenty lip stain for years—it seriously doesn't budge all day. You can apply and leave it as is if you want a shiny, pigmented colour, or you can leave it to dry for a few minutes and then wipe it off for an instant staining effect. It's glossy and hydrating, and the applicator makes it easy to get precise application. The shades are on the more statement side, but that's ideal if you want bright colour that won't move." - Amelia Yeomans, Contributing Beauty Writer
Best weightless lipstick
"I hate a matte lipstick that you're conscious of all day, so this Anastasia Beverly Hills Lip Velvet is my dream. It feels weightless on, but the matte finish means it boasts brilliant staying power. The teardrop-shaped cushioned wand makes it easy to get a precise lip line, and even a thicker layer doesn't feel heavy or drying. I only topped mine up once in the middle of a busy work day, and it's another that fades nicely so doesn't require constant attention." - Amelia Yeomans, Contributing Beauty Writer
