Fiona McKim
With hundreds of lipsticks on today's market, just about every conceivable shade is available and in liquid, cream and classic bullet form. But for those who don't want to keep topping up their colour, the very best long-lasting lipsticks offer great colour payoff, comfort and reliable longevity. It doesn't matter if you're a frequent snacker, water sipper or lip biter, you can rely on these smudge-proof, transfer-resistant buys to stay put.
Available in various finishes and formulations, there's never been a better assortment of long-lasting lipsticks to choose from, from paint-on stains to creamy sweep-on sticks. Whether you want the best red lipstick or a staple everyday nude lipstick, once you've applied a trusted long-lasting lippy you should be set for hours.
But finding those lipsticks with said impressive longevity is easier said than done. At least, it would be if our beauty experts hadn't put an array of them through the ultimate test – a minimum of eight hours wear with no top-ups, while eating and drinking throughout – for you, compiling detailed reviews of the ones that last best. The following list are the nine lipsticks that didn't succumb to fading, smudging or crumbling with wear.
The best long-lasting lipsticks, tried and tested by our beauty team
Reviewed by: Fiona McKim, Amelia Yeomans
RRP: £49 | Shades: 26 | Finish: Satin
If you have dry lips, Sisley's Le Phyto Rouge is a brilliant long long-lasting lipstick that also maintains 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 inclusion of hyaluronic acid, 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
Reviewed by: Fiona McKim
RRP: £9.99 | Shades: 8 | Finish: Creamy matte
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.
In the name of research, I drank two iced coffees, copious amounts of water (it was a hot day) and ate 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
Reviewed by: Fiona McKim
RRP: £38 | Shades: 13 | Finish: Matte
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
Reviewed by: Amelia Yeomans
RRP: £9.99 | Shades: 12 | Finish: Matte
While it didn't quite live up to its 16-hour-long wear promise, this lippie did give me five hours – and for the price point, I'd say that's worth it. Its matte finish can cause it to go flaky, so you'll probably need to carry it with you for top-ups or apply some of the best lip balm along with it.
That said, it's lightweight, creamy, easy to apply and transfer-resistant to boot. While testing, I did appreciate the hyaluronic acid in this lipstick's formula as well as its decent shade range. For less than £10, it's a good one to have in your bag.
Pros
- More affordable price point
- Fairly long-lasting
Cons
- Spending a bit more will get you something longer-lasting
Reviewed by: Amelia Yeomans
RRP: £37 | Shades: 13 | Finish: Satin
Victoria Beckham Beauty's Posh lipsticks are designed to be super moisturising rather than 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
Reviewed by: Amelia Yeomans
RRP: £9.99 | Shades: 9 | Finish: Satin/sheeny
With a soft, satin formula that applies effortlessly, I recommend Revlon's ColorStay Satin Inks for not causing flaking or dryness. For me, the lighter pink shade didn't quite last for the promised 16 hours of wear, however, the colour did leave a lasting stain on my lips that was only totally removed with one of the best cleansing balms (the sign of a truly reliable lipstick).
However, I was still very impressed by its performance – it would make an ideal pick for reliable mother of the bride makeup or for any full-day occasion.
Pros
- Long-lasting yet shiny
- Non-drying
Cons
- Limited shade range
Reviewed by: Amelia Yeomans
RRP: £39 | Shades: 30 | Finish: Matte
Promising 16 hours of true colour without compromising 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
Reviewed by: Lucy Abbersteen
RRP: £28 | Shades: 18 | Finish: Matte
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
Reviewed by: Amelia Yeomans
RRP: £28 | Shades: 8 | Finish: Glossy
I found this option easily glided onto my lips and, out of all the formulas I tested, had a subtle colour with lasting hydration. I found that I wanted to keep reapplying because of the smooth formula and subtle finish, so you can apply on the go without a mirror.
Formulated with castor seed oil and collagen-boosting fatty acids, this lip tint offers a subtle dose of colour production and left my pout looking fuller and smoother with a soft, shiny finish.
Pros
- Nourishing formula
- Gorgeous wearable shades
Cons
- Doesn't have the strongest colour payoff
🚨 Also consider
While these were our experts' top nine 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 and transfer resistance: 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 in the range: 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 a long lasting lipstick
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. These tend to be matte in texture as they don’t slide around like creamy satin finishes.
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 first sand it down.
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," confirms Skinner. It'll also prevent your lips from staining (if you don't want them to) and make it much easier to remove the colour later on.
Another age-old beauty technique for improving lipstick longevity is to apply one coat, blot it with a tissue, then apply another. This layers the colour evenly and yields a much longer wear time – our grandmothers were onto something with that one.
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 truly go the distance. 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.