I've always been a lover of lip color. The problem is, lip colors haven't always loved me back. My quests for long-lasting, vibrant hues — be they in pencil, stick, stain, or liquid form — often result in chalky, chapped disasters or gone-by-lunchtime lips. Finding long-lasting lipstick that stays on while kissing or eating is a serious struggle, so I set out to meet my match.
I decided to document my latest endeavor into the land of lip products, with a mission to pinpoint what sets one long-lasting lipstick apart from the rest. I sent out an APB to the beauty gods that be for long-lasting, brightly colored lip products. When they arrived at my desk in all their sumptuously packaged glory, I got to work testing the shades. I feverishly recorded everything — from how they smelled and how easily I could apply them, to how my lips felt after committing themselves to each one. I kissed quite a few paper towel rolls, too, in an effort to document the various lipsticks' staying power when it comes to necking (quite possibly their most important quality).
While my top choices remain those that outlasted the others, a few surprises smoothly glided into my favorites list, too. Ahead, my top seven lip choices that stay put when kissing or eating — plus a few extras worth a swipe or two of your own.
1. Stila Stay All Day Liquid Lipstick
Stila Stay All Day Liquid Lipstick in Tesoro, $22, Amazon
The Highlight: Longest-Lasting & Most Even Coverage
Stila's liquid lipstick has quickly become one of my all-time favorites. Not only did it pass my paper towel kiss-proof test with nary a lip print in sight, but just one flick of the wand transferred the exact opaque shade onto my lips (a rarity, in my experience). The formula goes on like liquid velvet with a subtle shine, then turns matte in a matter of seconds. Though its quick-drying, stay-put pigment means you need a steady hand on the first pass, my lips stayed blanketed in moisture underneath that bold finish, thanks to the vitamin E and avocado oil.
The Paper Towel Kiss Results:
What lip print?
2. Lorac Pro Matte Lip Color
Lorac Pro Matte Lip Color in Ruby, $16, Amazon
Highlight: Easiest To Apply
This matte lip color glided onto my lips like a lightweight, creamy crayon, which made it a great on-the-go alternative to lipsticks and liquids that require a little too much precision. The hue offered a noticeable pop of color for daywear, and because of its lightweight pigment, the color built up easily for brighter lips at night. Even with its matte finish, its grape seed extracts and vitamins C and E kept my lips from drying out. Plus, the shade stayed put after copious swigs of Diet Coke all day.
The Paper Towel Kiss Results:
Barely a lip print on that paper!
3. Revlon ColorStay Ultimate Suede Lipstick
Revlon ColorStay Ultimate Suede Lipstick in Sylist, $10, Amazon
Highlight: Unexpected Shimmer
While this lipstick's scent was more faint than the rest, it was still pleasant (and that matters when you're sporting it beneath your nose for hours at a time). The coolest part about the ColorStay stick was the shimmer that erupted as soon as my lips hit the light. (Bonus: The stick audibly clicks when twisted up or down, so you can cap it without looking — knowing you didn't just crush the tip.) The metallic shine did wipe off as I ate, but a deeper pink stain stayed present all day long.
The Paper Towel Kiss Results:
A discernible print was revealed after taking the paper towel test.
4. N.Y.C. New York Color Expert Last Lip Lacquer
N.Y.C. New York Color Expert Last Lip Lacquer in Rockaway Ruby , $4, Amazon
The Highlight: Glossy Finish Without Getting Sticky
This bright red liquid lipstick took just a few careful coats to achieve even coverage and vibrant color, and once in place retained its luminous shine — as long as I didn't touch it. The finish was slick without getting goopy, which sets it apart from other glossy finishes. I also really liked the bottle's design because it let me pull the precision wand out of its vacuum-like opening without wasting a ton of product.
The Paper Towel Kiss Results:
The paper lifted up an obvious kiss print, but the color on my lips remained un-phased, nonetheless.
5. Nuance Salma Hayek True Color Moisture Rich Lipstick
Nuance Salma Hayek True Color Moisture Rich Lipstick in Blooming Red , $17, CVS
Also Consider: Salma Hayek Color Vibrance Lipstick in Paprika, $17, Amazon
The Highlight: Really Hydrates Lips
As soon as I slid this shiny color across my lips, I loved how it felt. The peppermint oil-infused formula was like wearing a richly pigmented moisturizer — as if hydration was the first priority, and color a successful afterthought. The shade felt light and not at all waxy, but the pigment smoothly filled in the lines of my lip, creating an immediate plumping effect. The lasting power, however, was not as awesome as its moisturizing camellia leaf extract.
The Paper Towel Kiss Results:
The filled-in kiss mark is definitely noticeable.
6. Dermelect Smooth + Plump Lipstick
Dermelect Smooth + Plump Lipstick in Illicit, $20, Time For Me
The Highlight: Sleekest Design & Easiest Pigment to Layer
When I first unsheathed the Dermelect lipstick, I have to say I was mesmerized by the monochrome packaging. The stick's color matched with the tube, and those two matched with the cap, and the whole thing just looked sleek and pretty. It's the type of glamorous beauty product you sneak into the corner of desk shots on Instagram (what, just me?). But aside from that, the peptide-infused plumping formula was super lightweight and hydrating, and the finish became noticeably more dramatic with each additional layer I applied.
The Paper Towel Kiss Results:
A light lip print is visible with a definite layer lifted off of my lips.
7. Kiko Milano Colour Click Lipstick
Kiko Milano Colour Click Lipstick in Realistic Mauve, $8, Kiko Cosmetics
The Highlight: Most Natural Feeling
The Colour Click lipstick is a good option for those interested in all-day wear that looks fairly natural. This lipstick even felt natural, too, and its creamy-smooth application was even and moisturizing. Though it required several applications to keep color crisp and it smudged easily, I actually forgot I was wearing any lip product at all. Plus, the tube clicks up into the cap like a button, which felt pretty cool — until I did it on accident and smashed the top. If you're a fan of the natural look (and you're not accident-prone), this could be an excellent option for you.
The Paper Towel Kiss Results:
A significant amount of color was lifted off of my lips and onto the paper.
The Honorable Mentions:
8. Rimmel London Provocalips 16 Hours Kissproof Lip Colour
Rimmel London Provocalips 16 Hours Kissproof Lip Colour in Little Minx, $29, Amazon
• Two-in-one lip color (the pink side is applied as a highly pigmented gloss, then once it dries a minute, you apply the white end as a top coat to set and add shine)
• Once top coat is set, the color is stubborn,
• Mild fragrance is barely noticeable while wearing
9. Josie Maran Argan Love Your Lips Hydrating Lipstick
Josie Maran Argan Love Your Lips Hydrating Lipstick in Fuchsia Frolic, $22, Amazon
• Innovative design features skinny cylinder of bright pink encased in ultra-moisturizing pure Argan oil
• Lips felt nourished, and the lipstick wears like a tinted balm — requiring a few coats to keep color vibrant
10. NYX Rouge a Levres in Shocking Pink
NYX Rouge a Levres in Shocking Pink, $6, Drugstore.com
• Beeswax helps this one fill in lip lines for fuller pout
• Hypoallergenic ingredients make this formula a safer bet for those with sensitive lips
11. Revlon Colorstay Moisture Stain
Revlon Colorstay Moisture Stain in Barcelona Nights , $5, Amazon
• Long-lasting, slick formula wears like a stain with a creamy finish
• Feels moisturizing long after application
12. NYC New York Color Lip & Cheek Tint
NYC Lovatics by Demi Lovato in Cheeky Pink (3 Pack), $14, Amazon
• Ideal for the makeup minimalist — doubles as a cheek and lip stain
• Feels tingly and looks like a subtle, natural flush on the lips
Bustle may receive a portion of sales from products purchased from this article, which was created independently from Bustle's editorial and sales departments.
Images: Bianca Consunji/Bustle; Amazon (8); CVS.com (1); Dermelect (1); Kiko Cosmetics (1); Drugstore.com (1)
