How 6 Liquid To Matte Lipsticks Last In A Day

As a novice beauty enthusiast with a low-maintenance routine, liquid to matte lipsticks are one of my tricks for getting my makeup to last throughout the day. Adding one instantly makes me feel like my look is complete. To those who may not be familiar with such products, liquid to mattes typically come in a tube, much like lip gloss. When you apply them to your lips, the product is usually a liquid. But instead of staying wet on your mouth like a gloss might, the liquid dries and turns to a dry matte finish. This means that you don't have to deal with your hair constantly getting stuck to your pout (as was always my problem with gloss). The application is highly opaque, designed to last, and so easy to wear that you may forget you have it on altogether.

One thing that I noticed when trying out different brands was that all-day wearability really differed. I wanted to conduct an experiment with six different brands of liquid to matte lipsticks to see which ones you had to re-apply the least, and which were most likely to still be on by the end of the day.

I took a photo at the beginning of the wear and at the end to show what remained by the end of the day. I also re-applied as many times as was necessary, up until I ate dinner. Here's what I found.

1. KA'OIR Kashmir Liquid Matte Lipstick

KA'OIR Kashmir Liquid Matte Lipstick In Show Stopper, $18, Kaoir

Hours Worn: 15

Reapplications: 1

I have been a big fan of KA'OIR lipsticks for a long time. It was the first brand I found that carried a baby blue lipstick — something I had been hunting for years. When I found out that it added liquid to mattes into its arsenal, I knew I needed to try the product.

The site says these stay on for 48 hours, and based on my experience, this is definitely the longest-wearing one of the bunch. I wore it on a day that required me to get up at 8 AM, and stay dressed up until almost 11 PM, and I only re-applied this once throughout that entire period. Once it dries, the feeling of this on your lips is pretty weightless and smooth. If you want a liquid to matte lipstick that you don't need to re-apply a bunch, this is your best bet.

2. ColourPop Ultra Matte Lip

ColourPop Ultra Matte Lip In LAX, $13, Amazon

Hours Worn: 12

Reapplications: 3

ColourPop is my go-to lipstick brand when I am on a budget. Every one of its ultra matte shades is only $6, so it's really no surprise that when the brand first released them over the summer, they sold out quickly. My favorite part about the ColourPop ultra mattes is that you really need to apply it one time for full coverage instead of coating it multiple times until it's fully pigmented.

I had to re-apply this three times throughout the day, primarily after I ate. But you can tell that it mostly comes off in the corners of my grin. In the past, however, I have accidentally gone to bed wearing this before because it's very smooth and doesn't get sticky or dry out your lips. If you want the best price to quality ratio, ColourPop is your answer.

3. Jeffree Star Velour Liquid Lipstick

Jeffree Star Velour Liquid Lipstick In Blue Velvet, $18, Jeffree Star Cosmetics

Hours Worn: 11

Reapplications: 5

I have a friend who is a makeup artist and swears by Jeffree Star's velour liquid lipsticks, so I tried it out based on her recommendation. The color selection is awesome if you like bright, bold hues. I am not a huge fan of the sponge applicator itself, finding it difficult to use. But my friend says it's her favorite applicator, so that is clearly just a personal preference.

In terms of application, I had to put a lot of coats for this lipstick to appear opaque in the first place, and I had to continue to re-apply many times throughout the day. It's a little stickier than some others at first and it does leave your lips feeling a little dry. By the end of said day, I was left with what looked like a dark blue liner. While this brand is probably awesome for someone with more beauty experience, I wouldn't recommend it for a fellow novice.

4. Anastasia Beverly Hills Liquid Lipstick

Anastasia Beverly Hills Liquid Lipstick In Potion, $20, Sephora

Hours Worn: 12

Reapplications: 3

I have owned Anastasia Beverly Hills' "Potion" the longest of all of these products, so I would say that I am most used to wearing this one and applying it. It has the thickest consistency of the bunch, which means that it went on smoothly in one coat (but also that you have to be careful when applying it so it doesn't end up outside your actual lip line).

This lipstick comes off after you eat, but other than that, I didn't need to re-apply it. After a meal (especially if you eat something oily), you can expect to have what looks like a thick lip liner on your pout. This one is a splurge, but for the thick consistency, I think it's worth it. I personally like that quality because I know for sure that once I apply one coat, it will be opaque. With only needing to apply one coat each time, the tube itself will last you much longer than some of the others that might need four to five coats for the same result.

5. LA Splash Smitten Liptint Mousse

LA Splash Smitten Liptint Mousse In Komodo, $16, Amazon

Hours Worn: 14

Reapplications: 7

I first got this LA Splash Smitten Liptint Mousse in the spring when this shade had a different name. I had never been able to find a deep hunter green matte lipstick, so I was so happy to get this as a gift. I totally love the color. But one thing I have noticed about this formula is that it looks great on the first application, but can sometimes get kind of crusty upon reapplication and that was certainly true this time around, making it not-ideal for those prone to dry lips. Of all of the ones on this list, this is one that I was most conscious of wearing.

6. NYX Liquid Suede Cream Lipstick

NYX Liquid Suede Cream Lipstick In Amethyst, $9, Amazon

Hours Worn: 12

Reapplications: 6

As my makeup budget has decreased over the years, NYX has become a go-to for me in terms of face makeup. When I learned that the brand came out with a liquid to matte line, I knew I had to try it. Unfortunately, while I love the purple color, it just didn't have long-lasting wearability like some of the others. The texture itself was the thinnest of the bunch, so even after I applied four coats, it really didn't have that opaque look I wanted. Because of that, I was more conscious of this one. Even though I couldn't feel it on my lips, I checked it constantly to make sure it was still on. By the end of the day, there was no indication that this had ever been on my lips.

Honestly, there was no liquid to matte lipstick that I tried that stayed on perfectly for an entire day. I had to re-apply all of them, albeit some more than others. Ultimately, I think your fave will depend on your personal preference, and whether you value color choice, applicator, or durability, and how often you'd like to re-apply. But I still maintain that — because of the way this kind of product feels on your lips — it's a great way to wear lipstick if you are a lazy beauty addict like me.

Images: Alysse Dalessandro