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12 Gorgeous Long-Lasting Lipsticks That Will Stay Put All Night

Serious staying power that won't dry out your lips.

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gorgeous long lasting lipsticks that will stay put all night
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Whether it's a long day at work or a night out, you want a lipstick you can trust. And by trust, we mean a long-lasting lipstick that doesn't dry out lips, smudge, smear, transfer, or require reapplication and constant mirror checks.

The Good Housekeeping Institute Beauty Lab regularly tests longwear lipsticks both in the Lab and with consumer testers all over the country. Over years of testing, we've parsed through well over 124 lipsticks and whittled down the field to the best formulas with good smudge resistance, high pigmentation, and great opacity. The final products underwent both Lab and consumer testing for color retention, transfer resistance, ease of application, overall satisfaction, and more.

In our most recent category-wide test of longwear lipstick, we disseminated 88 products, tallied responses from over 1,230 questions, and evaluated 176 images from the VISIA complexion analyzer which assesses color immediately after application and after five hours of wear. If you want your lip color to last all night, these long-lasting liquid, stick, and cream formulas are your best bets, according to our experts.

1
BEST OVERALL LONG-LASTING LIPSTICK

Urban Decay Vice Liquid Lipstick

Vice Liquid Lipstick
Credit: Urban Decay

Pros

  • Longest-lasting formula; won't fade, feather, or smear
  • Precise, simple application and vibrant color

Cons

  • Lips may look slightly dry during extended wear

In our Beauty Lab's test of liquid lipsticks, this was hands-down the longest-lasting option after five hours of wear. Testers found that there was almost no residue after taking a sip of coffee, and said the color remained vibrant. It got top scores across the board for not feathering, smearing, slipping, or fading. Consumers liked it the most of any formula and thought the applicator was easiest to use, too: "This is my new favorite lipstick!," raved one. "It stayed put throughout the entire day (and a full meal and snack) without fading or streaking."

2
BEST VALUE LONG-LASTING LIPSTICK

NYX Liquid Suede Cream Lipstick

Liquid Suede Cream Lipstick

Pros

  • Smoothest, most precise application
  • Affordable
  • Non-drying matte finish

Cons

  • Not as long-lasting as other picks
  • Color transfers through the day

Say hello to your new everyday lip color: Testers gave this pick highest scores for its smooth and precise application, thanks to a wide and flat applicator for full coverage in one pass. "I also love how substantial the product feels so there's no streaky application or need to go over my lips multiple times," said one tester. "It dries to a nice matte that isn't drying but stays on and doesn't smudge." Despite the color fading through the day, our testers gave it the second-highest satisfaction score of the whole lot. 

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3
BEST MATTE LONG-LASTING LIPSTICK

MAC Retro Matte Liquid Lipcolour

Retro Matte Liquid Lipcolour
Credit: MAC

Pros

  • Minimal smearing and transfer
  • Staying power
  • Highly pigmented shades

Cons

  • Some testers complained it cannot stand up to meals
  • May look dry on lips

Perfect for a night out of big event, this MAC formula earned top scores in Beauty Lab tests for withstanding smears, resisting transfer, and staying vibrant after five hours of wear. Some users complained that though the formula doesn't feel drying, it can make lips look dry, but loved that the thick formula was easy to apply and "that the pigment was strong and not see-through."

4
BEST LONG-LASTING STICK LIPSTICK

Bobbi Brown Luxe Matte Lipstick

Luxe Matte Lipstick
Credit: Bobbi Brown

Pros

  • Lasts all day without smearing, fading, or drying lips
  • Rich, velvety color payoff

Cons

  • Some testers found the texture gritty when applying

This stick formula topped tests with the highest immediate satisfaction score: It was best at resisting smudges and staying vibrant, and second best for lasting the entire day without smears, transfers, or drying lips. A tester favorite, this product had the highest number of testers still reaching for it three weeks after testing concluded! They loved that the matte formula "helps with longevity and smearing," while still feeling smooth, lightweight, and "not too drying but not too moist."

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5
MOST VIBRANT LONG-LASTING LIPSTICK

FENTY BEAUTY by Rihanna Mattemoiselle Plush Matte Lipstick

Mattemoiselle Plush Matte Lipstick

Pros

  • Longest-lasting in tests
  • Easy-to-apply shape

Cons

  • Though color doesn't fade, it does transfer
  • Can be drying

For days you don't want to reapply ever, this pick by Fenty was the longest-lasting product in both Lab and consumer tests. Testers loved the color saturation and the uniquely slim shape helps with precise application, eliminating the need for lipliner. "The color got me compliments and it lasted one meal, almost two," said one tester. The main drawback: Though the color stays bright on lips, most testers reported it transferred a lot through the day. If you prefer a liquid formula, try another favorite from the brand: Stunna Lip Paint.

6
BEST NON-DRYING LONG-LASTING LIPSTICK

Yves Saint Laurent Rouge Pur Couture The Slim Matte Lipstick

Rouge Pur Couture The Slim Matte Lipstick

Pros

  • Hydrating formula
  • Great vibrancy and staying power

Cons

  • Square shape takes some getting used to

Looking for a longwear lipstick that doesn't dry lips? This creamy matte formula ranked tops for not drying out lips in consumer tests, and was the runner-up for long-lasting color in Lab tests. With "lots of pigment and saying power," testers thought it produced a gorgeous, even color that lasts, saying, "It has definitely stayed the most vibrant of the colors I've tried. It didn't transfer as much as others either." Its angular shape makes for sharp lines, though some found the unique shape made it "hard to be precise when applying."

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7
BEST QUICK-DRYING LONG-LASTING LIPSTICK

Milani Amore Matte Lip Crème

Amore Matte Lip Crème

Pros

  • Fast-drying for precise application
  • Subtle vanilla scent

Cons

  • Most drying formula we tested
  • Difficult to remove and can stain skin

If you always smudge your lipstick right after applying, this budget-friendy pick will be your new BFF. It nabbed the second-highest overall performance score in Lab tests and a high satisfaction score, as well. It dries quickly after application, which earned it near-perfect scores for not smearing after application and remaining vibrant even after sipping a hot drink. Testers did find this formula drying: It can crumble and look patchy after just a couple hours of wear, so be sure to layer on a hydrating lip balm first.

8
BEST LONG-LASTING LIPSTICK CRAYON

Laura Mercier Velour Extreme Matte Lipstick

Velour Extreme Matte Lipstick

Pros

  • Smooth, creamy texture
  • Resists transfers throughout the day
  • Slim shape makes for easy application

Cons

  • Other products provided a more even color
  • Low scores for long-lasting color vibrancy

If you're heading to a dinner party, reach for this smudge-free lippie: In Lab tests, the crayon scored highly for resisting transfers and smearing and our testers agreed, saying, "I liked ... the lightweight feel of it. There was also minimal transfer throughout the day." Our testers loved the product's consistency, calling it smooth, creamy, and easy to apply thanks to a solid, "not too wet or creamy" texture. The tradeoff: Some testers wish the color vibrancy was more true and even. 

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9

No7 Stay Perfect Lipstick

Stay Perfect Lipstick
Credit: No7

Pros

  • Long-lasting color vibrancy
  • Smooth application and great opacity

Cons

  • Subpar scores for feathering, bleeding
  • Some testers found the formula "very drying"

A full coverage pick with a soft matte finish, this drugstore lipstick scored highly for looking vibrant and resisting transfers and smears even when sipping hot drinks, lasting through the day, and gliding on smoothly and evenly in just one pass. Our testers were blown away by the lasting power of this pick, raving "the color went on very smoothly and lasted much longer than expected," and, "The lipstick stayed so bright throughout the entire day and didn't come off at all. Huge fan!"

10
BEST SMOOTHING LONG-LASTING LIPSTICK

Anastasia Beverly Hills Liquid Lipstick

Editor’s Choice
Liquid Lipstick

Pros

  • Highly pigmented color
  • Smoothing, hydrating formula doesn't look dry

Cons

    With over 553K "loves" at Sephora, it's a cult favorite for good reason. The creamy formula adheres to lips in a flattering way that doesn't look cakey or crumbly, but hydrated and smooth and the high pigmentation means you only have to apply one coat for serious color payoff. We haven't tested this liquid formula in the Lab, but GH's products and reviews editor swears it won't transfer, feather, or fade through the day, no matter what you eat or drink!

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    11

    REVLON Colorstay Overtime Lipcolor

    Amazon’s Choice
    Colorstay Overtime Lipcolor

    Pros

    • Dual-ended, long-lasting formula
    • Reviewer favorite with over 1.1K five-star ratings

    Cons

      A top-seller on Amazon with over 3.5K reviews, reviewers swear this formula is trustworthy for the Big Day: "I used this lipstick for my wedding day and it did not budge one bit! It stayed on during the kiss, meal, everything!" wrote one. Though we haven't tested in the Lab, reviewers love the dual-ended long-lasting formula. Swipe on the liquid lip color, and top the patent clear lip gloss top coat infused with vitamin E, chamomile, and soy extract for hydration.

      12

      Stila Stay All Day Liquid Lipstick

      Stay All Day Liquid Lipstick

      Pros

      • Opaque, true-to-color pigmentation
      • Dries quickly

      Cons

      • Can feel drying

      A cult-favorite liquid lip, this Stila option has amassed a whopping 2K+ 5-star reviews at Ulta, with many saying they had finally found their favorite matte lipstick. Reviewers love that the product is long-lasting, true to color, and easy to apply with a wide color selection. Though we haven't tested this pick formally in the Lab, we were impressed to see that several wore it on a daily basis, and one claimed it survived their entire Thanksgiving meal. Reviewers say it can be a bit drying, but love that "it goes on opaque, dries quickly, and wears comfortably."

      Headshot of Jessica Teich
      Jessica Teich
      Director, Editorial Commerce & Product Reviews

      Jessica (she/her) is the director of editorial commerce and product reviews with over a decade of experience as a product tester, reviewer, writer and editor of beauty and lifestyle content. Previously she was the beauty editor at USA Today's Reviewed where she launched the Beauty vertical and tested hundreds of products and has covered trends for publications like The Boston Globe and The New York Times. You can usually find her sorting through piles of beauty products — and testing the best ones on camera. 

      Headshot of Sabina Wizemann
      Sabina Wizemann
      Beauty Lab Director

      Sabina (she/her) is the director of the Beauty, Health & Sustainability Lab at the Good Housekeeping Institute, where she has overseen skincare, haircare and makeup testing since 2012. She also reviews applications, substantiates claims and evaluates products for the GH Seal and the Beauty Awards and Sustainability Awards programs. She has a B.S. in chemistry from Ithaca College and more than 16 years of experience working in the pharmaceutical and personal care industries.  

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