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The 8 Longest-Lasting Lipsticks Out There

We asked a handful of celebrity makeup artists for their top picks.

Makeup
The 8 Longest-Lasting Lipsticks Out There
Meagan Wilson

Nothing completes a beauty look quite like lipstick. Whether you swear by a signature shade or keep a select few on rotation, lipstick remains a makeup bag staple season after season. The only downside to wearing the almighty classic is the multiple reapplications that come throughout the day. Finding a long-lasting formula is a total game changer, but it usually means settling for an ultra-matte, grippy texture that feels uncomfortable and makes you want to grab the makeup remover. Of course, this scenario can be averted with a little prep work and a top-notch makeup-artist-approved formula. We talked to the pros about the best long-wearing lipsticks we can always find in their kits and how exactly they ensure it stays put all day and night.

 



 Tracy Alfajora

Celeb clients: Hanne Gaby, Jacquelyn Jablonski, Chelsea Leyland

 
Pro pick:Tarte Creamy Matte Lip Paint comes in amazing colors, and the texture is great. The formula isn’t as drying as most, which makes it easy to work with.”

Pro tip: “Hydrate the lips (with a balm) and blot with a tissue. Apply the lipstick quickly, since it will stick once it dries, and have cotton swabs and makeup remover handy for easy cleanup.”

 


 Dana Delaney

Celeb client: Solange

 
Pro pick: “The texture of MAC Retro Matte Lipsticks is super matte, which allows it to wear longer than your average lipstick. The color payoff is opaque yet vivid, and you can even add a little lip balm on top without completely breaking down the coverage. I’m obsessed with the shade Relentlessly Red, which is a bit brighter than Ruby Woo and has pink and coral undertones.”

Pro tip: “With any super matte lipstick, I like to ensure that lips are smooth and hydrated. I use a sugar scrub on lips first and then a hyaluronic-acid-packed lip product to draw as much moisture to the skin as possible.”

 


 Julie Socash

MUA for DWTS

 
Pro pick: “When I need a good red, Cle De Peau Extra Rich Lipstick in #311 is my go-to. The color is so rich, and it doesn’t bleed. Even though the price point is on the high end, you need very little to get full coverage and dont have to reapply very often.”

Pro tip: “Use a lip liner in a similar color as a base, and apply lipstick with a brush. The Obsessive Compulsive Cosmetics Lip Brush is my favorite—I work my way from the inside out for precise results.”

 


 Fabiola

Celeb clients: Hilary Swank, Jennifer Garner, Katie Holmes

 
Pro pick: “I love Tom Ford Lip Color! I love the selections of color, their texture, and longevity.”

Pro tip: “The only way to keep your lipstick on is to reapply and keep your lips hydrated. You never want to have dry lips because lipstick will never wear as well [and it] will look uneven. Make sure to use a nice sugar scrub, like Bite Beauty Agave Lip Scrub, to get excess skin off, moisturize with lip balm, then dab [the] excess off before application.”

 


 Samuel Paul

Celeb clients: Kiersey Clemons, Anika Noni Rose, Sasha Lane

 
Pro pick:Giorgio Armani Lip Maestro is a lip stain but also a creamy, hydrating lipstick with great saturated color and a soft matte finish that stays put.”

Pro tip: “Make sure lips are nicely moisturized. Do a light application of the lipstick and blot before doing another pass. Once the color has set, use a lip liner to softly line around the edges to keep any color [from] bleeding.”

 


 Julie Harris

Celeb clients: Julianne Hough, Teresa Palmer, Helen Mirren, Sarah Paulson, Elisabeth Moss, Allison Janney

 
Pro pick: “I swear by NARS lipsticks for their concentrated, rich pigments and staying power. I especially love the consistency of the NARS Audacious Lipstick because it’s almost like a semi-matte and doesn’t dry out the lips like other matte formulas.”

Pro tip: “I love to prep lips so that color glides on perfectly, especially when working with darker pigments. I start with Fresh Sugar Lip Polish to remove dead skin, remove it with a moisturizing makeup wipe and then apply a thin layer of lip balm like Tata Harper Be True Lip Treatment or CV Skin Balm, which is very soothing. After letting the skin absorb the balm, I blot to remove any excess, and gently swipe on foundation using a brush along the edges. I then use a lip pencil that complements the lip color and apply the lipstick with my fingers starting at the center of the lip, where I like the pigment to be the most concentrated, and soften it up along the edges.”

 


 Ermahn Ospina

Celeb clients: Rosario Dawson, Darby Stanchfield

 
Pro pick:NARS Audacious Lipstick comes in 32 beautiful colors to suit all skin tones. The high-pigment formula leaves lips looking vibrant and feeling soft. It glides on seamlessly, depositing rich color, and you don’t have to reapply throughout the day.”

Pro tip: “Apply it in layers to guarantee there’s enough pigment to last all day and night. I apply it directly from the bullet and blot with a tissue—by pressing lips together against the tissue—in between passes. It’s as simple as that!”

 


 Kathy Jeung

Celeb clients: Rita Ora, Pink, Nicole Scherzinger, Selma Blair, Malin Akerman, Karla Souza

 
Pro pick: “I love Kylie Cosmetics Velvet and Matte liquid lipsticks. They come in a great range of colors, can be applied sheer for a stain-like finish or go on opaque for a high-impact pigmented look. Unlike a lot of long-wear formulas, they are not drying and maintain their staying power.”

Pro tip: “Before applying any lip colors—especially a long-wear formula—make sure lips are well hydrated. My favorite products to prep lips with are Fresh Sugar Lip Polish and Blistex Lip Medex, followed by Lucas PawPaw Ointment.”

 
Photo: Shot on site at 6 Colombus, a Sixty Hotel; On Solveig: Dress, Jonathan Simkhai; Coat, Sandy Liang; Ring, Azlee, Baker & Black; Hair, Angela SotoMake-up,Andriani 

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