The 8 best long-lasting lipsticks that stay put all day long - tested by beauty editors
Trust us: these comfortable, long-wearing lipsticks and stains are the most reliable we've tried
We're truly spoilt for choice when it comes to lipstick – just take a stroll down any beauty hall or aisle and you'll see countless options. But finding the best long-lasting lipstick is a slightly trickier task.
While investing in the best lip liner will help prevent feathering and smudging, having a formula that stands the test of time to begin with is key. Generally speaking, creamy, highly-pigmented lipsticks tend to give more long-lasting colour than lighter, sheer textures. But lasting power isn't the whole story; we also want something non-drying, comfortable, and flattering.
Long gone are the days when lipsticks came in bullet form only; now we're treated to a handful of finishes and formulations, from paint-on liquids to crayons. Whether you want the best red lipstick or an everyday nude lipstick, our beauty editors have worn each of these lippies for a minimum of eight hours, with no top-ups, while eating and drinking throughout, to find the eight top-performing options.
The best long-lasting lipsticks, tested by our beauty team
RRP: £49 | Shades: 26 | Finish: Satin
Reviewed by: Fiona McKim, Amelia Yeomans
If your lips are prone to dryness, Sisley's Le Phyto Rouge is a brilliant long long-lasting lipstick that also works to maintain your lips' moisture levels. The sumptuous, creamy formula of these buttery and balmy colours is so easy to wear – which you would expect for this price.
Thanks to the hyaluronic acid in the formula, I found it instantly plumped my lips and has a similar weightless feel to a nourishing lip balm, yet it also survived lunch and lots of talking. Its creaminess makes it simple to reapply when it does eventually fade. Though the colour had separated slightly by the end of the day, it still felt comfortable and retained an impressive vividness.
Pros
- Exceptionally comfortable formula
Cons
- Pricier than most others
RRP: £9.99 | Shades: 8 | Finish: Creamy matte
Reviewed by: Fiona McKim
This high street buy ticks a lot of boxes for its very reasonable price. Unlike many paint-on formulas, this one doesn't feel thin or drying, instead, it has a soft, mousse-like feel that I found so comfortable and easy to apply. It smoothed over any little lines on my lips and is also richly pigmented, giving a lovely colour payoff.
And so, in the name of research, I drank two iced coffees, copious amounts of water (it was a hot day) and ate a plate of scrambled eggs on toast during the testing period – and the lipstick still looked vibrant post-lunch. An impressive eight hours after the initial application, it had faded, but remained comfy with a decent amount of colour left.
Pros
- Long-lasting
- Reasonably priced
Cons
- Faded a little with wear; limited shades
RRP: £38 | Shades: 13 | Finish: Matte
Reviewed by: Fiona McKim
Despite this lipstick having the word 'matte' in its name, there's a bit more to the story. Valentino's Spike certainly has a highly polished finish, but I found the feel on my lips was far creamier and more comfortable than I expected. It applied smoothly from a slimline bullet that made creating a neat shape super easy (oh – and just look at that beautiful Rockstud-spiked case).
It then lasted supremely well, not only staying put but remaining soft and untacky well beyond lunch. This is proper, grown-up lippy, and I could feel it on my lips more than, say, a stain or lighter gloss, but it feels lovely, so that's a good thing. It also has a very light fragrance, which is unusual but not unpleasant by any means.
Pros
- Very comfortable to wear
- Sophisticated feel
Cons
- Feels slightly heavier than others
RRP: £12.99 | Shades: 18 | Finish: Glossy
Reviewed by: Fiona McKim
It's very rare to find a long-lasting lipstick that not only starts glossy, but ends up that way after the proposed all-day wear time. This budget-friendly buy from L'Oreal does a decent job of both. It paints on like a lip stain but has a lovely shiny finish that makes lips look plump and full. It also feels very lightweight, albeit it did develop an ever-so-slightly tacky feel between hours one and two, but it didn't take much away from my comfort levels overall.
After that, I was surprised by how long this maintained its finish - several hours and one sushi set on, my lips had a decent dose of sheen and nice, neutral colour (I wore Le Nu Rose) It didn't quite make the 16-hour mark, but got me through most of a working day, and considering its cost, you really can't grumble.
Pros
- Long-lasting yet shiny
- Very budget friendly
Cons
- Slightly tacky feel as it dries
RRP: £26 | Shades: 8 | Finish: blurred matte
Reviewed by: Fiona McKim
Of all the lipsticks I tested for this guide, this had the most hydrating and luxurious feel - without sacrificing any comfort for long wear time. The packaging is gorgeous, with one of those satisfying magnetic lids that 'click' into place, and it applies like a dream. Thanks to a blend of waxes and skincare ingredients like squalene, it also made my lips look and feel nicely plumped up for hours on end.
Despite being described as matte, I would say this has a definite soft-focus sheen, and a blurred finish that's very flattering. After a 10am application, I got right through lunch without much movement. It did transfer a bit onto my water bottle spout, if I'm being picky, but it's so richly pigmented you can afford to lose some without much change in how it looks.
Pros
- Luxury feel
- Plumping finish
Cons
- Can transfer a little
RRP: £28 | Shades: 18 | Finish: Matte
Reviewed by: Lucy Abbersteen
NARS Powermatte Lip Pigments remain one of the best lipsticks for longevity that I've ever tried. With a matte but–not–too–chalky finish, they'll last well for hours, even withstanding food and drink to an impressive degree.
The narrow applicator allows for good precision to create a pretty clean, crisp edge (though applying one of the best lip liners first will allow for some wiggle room.) The range of shades is impressive, too, covering everything from neutral browns, soft pinks, and beiges to bolder reds, deep purples and bright pinks.
Pros
- Incredibly good staying power
- Great shade range
- Nice precision application
Cons
- Very matte finish won't appeal to all
RRP: £37 | Shades: 13 | Finish: Satin
Reviewed by: Amelia Yeomans
Victoria Beckham Beauty's Posh lipsticks – yes, that is a Spice Girls reference are designed to be super moisturising rather than extremely long-lasting, but I was very pleasantly surprised by how long the colour stayed put. Its formula boasts nourishing oils that keep lips plump and soft all day.
I found that I wanted to reapply this one purely because of its balmy feel, but even when I didn't, the pigment still stayed on my lips for hours. The satin finish also means it doesn't dry down, so it's not transfer-proof, but the packaging is so gorgeous you'll want to carry it in your bag for top-ups.
Pros
- Moisturising and plumping
- Comfortable for all-day wear
Cons
- Satin finish isn't transfer-proof
RRP: £39 | Shades: 30 | Finish: Matte
Reviewed by: Amelia Yeomans
Promising 16 hours of true colour without compromising on comfort, Dior's Rouge Dior Forever boasted incredible staying power, without transferring or smudging. When testing, I initially found that this one was more matte than some of the other long-lasting lipsticks on this list.
However, after eating a fairly messy meal and braving windy weather, I still thought it looked great afterwards, albeit the colour wasn't quite as bold as when first applied. The formula is creamy and silky, too, so it's a nice one for a comfortable feel.
Pros
- Lightweight and comfortable
- Lovely to wear
Cons
- More expensive than other options
🚨 Also worth considering
While these were our experts' top eight picks, the team as a whole tested dozens of lipsticks, and there was one we just had to mention...
- Fenty Beauty Poutsicle Hydrating Lip Stain: This is an ideal formula for anyone with dry lips or who loves a glossy lip oil, but wants staying power to boot. It also layers beautifully with balms and glosses if you want to top up. Want to know more? Our senior beauty editor's Poutsicle Hydrating Lip Stain editor recommendation has all the details
How we tested the best long-lasting lipsticks
A selection of the long-lasting lipstick we tested for this guide
Beauty brands often make bold and impressive-sounding claims about their long-lasting lipsticks, from 16 hours of wear to transfer and water-resistant formulas. But it’s tricky to know which ones will actually deliver on such claims.
We tested dozens of lipsticks for this guide, wearing each one for a minimum of eight hours, checking in after four hours' of wear, then checking again at eight. Those that made the final list performed well based on the following factors:
- Durability: Paint-on stains such as Max Factor Colour Elixir and NARS Powermatte often have the edge over traditional cream lipstick bullets when it comes to transfer resistance, whereas more oil-rich formulas can rub away more easily.
- Comfort: Even the longest lasting lipstick in the world won't become part of your routine if it feels drying or uncomfortable to wear. We prioritised formulas with skincare ingredients and non-drying textures, so every one here is a pleasure to wear, not just to look at.
- Pigment: Strong pigment is a must when looking for a traditional matte or satin lipstick with staying power. However, some modern stains and tints, such as Jones Road, can combine a sheerer, more natural colour payoff with lasting power beyond what's expected of a lip gloss.
- Finish: Within the spectrum of long lasting lipsticks we've included options with matte, satin, gloss finishes, as well as buys that sit between the two, like Revlon Colorstay. As sheenier finishes tend not to last as long, we factored that into our testing and adjusted the expected lasting power accordingly.
- Number of shades: Dior and Sisley came out on top here, although we have still included some lipsticks with far fewer shades. More isn't always more – as long as the selection on offer is carefully considered and offers options to suit a range of skins.
- Packaging: Great packaging doesn't always equal a great product. But, particularly on designer options such as Dior and Sisley, we do expect a certain finesse to the design and a pleasant user experience, which is part of what you pay for.
- Price: You don't have to spend a lot to get a great long lasting lipstick, as our L'Oreal, Max Factor and Revlon recommendations here prove. However, we did find the inclusion of skincare ingredients in more luxurious options such as Sisley did lead to more elegant textures and a kinder-to-the-pout feel.
How to choose the best long-lasting lipstick for you
Don't get us wrong: sheer, barely-there balms and sparkly lip glosses have their place, but when you need your lip colour to last, a long-wearing formula can’t be beaten. The best long-lasting lipsticks tend to be matte as they don’t slide around like creamier textures, though newer innovations mean there are some satin options available, too.
Of course, there are exceptions in the form of some satin formulas that have been developed to last, which Saffron Hughes, makeup artist expert for FalseEyelashes.co.uk, says: "The subtle shine makes imperfections less noticeable, so you won’t need to top up as much." However, generally speaking, a matte formula is your safest bet.
Another thing to be mindful of is colour payoff. Lipsticks often fade with wear, but find one rich enough in pigment and you shouldn’t need to reapply. A formula that coats the lips with colour in just one swipe is ideal; these tend to last far longer than sheer options, which can lift with just one lick of the lips.
How to make lipstick last longer
The trick getting lipstick – even a long-lasting formula – is to prepare well. "Give your lip plenty of moisture before using a lip scrub to help create a smooth base," advises Dominic Skinner, Director of Artistry for MAC Cosmetics. This will create a smooth canvas for your lipstick. Think of this like painting a fence; you wouldn't paint straight onto the raw wood, you’d sand it down first.
Applying a small amount of lip balm before lipstick also means you won’t feel the need to lick your lips as often and your colour will, therefore, last much longer. "This will help to secure the colour, keeping it in place all day," Skinner confirms. It'll also prevent your lips from staining – if you don't want them to and aren't using a lip stain – and make it much easier to remove the colour later on.
Another age-old beauty technique for boosting lipstick's longevity is to apply one coat, blot it with a tissue, then apply another coat. This means you layer the colour evenly, yielding a much longer wear time. Our grandmothers were onto something with that one.
And finally, it's always worth carrying your chosen lipstick of the day around with you – just in case. Then, if it does end up fading too much for your liking, you can give it a little top-up to keep the colour fresh.
Which lipstick lasts the longest?
Based on our extensive testing experience, the nine lipsticks featured here were all chosen because they last impressively well to varying degrees. However, the longest-lasting results came from the NARS Powermatte Lip Pigment and Valentino Make Up Spike Matte Lipstick – as well as the Revlon ColorStay Satin Ink, which has impressive results given its £10 price tag. That said, any of these lipsticks will stand you in good stead for long-lasting lip colour.
Our expert panel
Amelia is an experienced shopping editor with a specialism in beauty and fashion who has written for woman&home, Marie Claire UK, OK!, New!, and Notion. During her time as woman&home's fashion and beauty writer, Amelia tested hundreds of products to sort the best from the rest. She has a particular penchant for hard-working makeup and was the main tester for this guide.
Fiona McKim has been part of the woman&home beauty team for more than a decade. During that time her work has included interviewing countless experts, reporting from backstage at Fashion Week and judging the woman&home Beauty Awards. As an experienced beauty editor, she's tried almost as many lipsticks as she's had hot dinners, and shared some reviews of those she deems the best long-lasting lipsticks in this need-to-know guide.
Lucy Abbersteen is a freelance beauty editor and one of woman&home's contributing beauty editor. With close to a decade of experience in the industry, she has tested a lot of lipsticks over the years – and, given that she drinks a lot of water through the day, knows which ones will stay on your lips. As such, she shared some thoughts on the ones she deems best performing.
MAC's Director of Artistry Dominic Skinner creates makeup like an art form on the world's most famous faces, from backstage at fashion week to glossy photoshoots, red carpets and live events. He is also a judge on the BBC show Glow Up and the author of Dominic Skinner's Glowography: A Practical Guide to New Makeup.