Unlike the latest contour creams and brow gels, lipstick has been a mainstay in many a makeup bag for decades. But getting it to stay put past lunch is a mystery that has eluded makeup lovers for just as long. Because nothing perks up a complexion and makes more of an impact than the right lipstick, we found the best budge-proof formulas in a variety of finishes. Here's the long-wear pick for your pout.
Gloss
High-shine formulas are notorious for their five-minute life cycles. The trick is finding a gloss that has bit of tack, so it clings to lips, but doesn’t feel sticky. Chanel's Lèvres Scintillantes Glossimer is a constant winner in our annual beauty awards, makeup artist Jeannia Robinette has noted that this winning formula “isn’t runny yet wears for hours.”
Satin
These rich and creamy bullets deliver intense color in one swipe. Available in over 40 colors, Nars Audacious lipsticks are “rich and creamy, and it has a satin finish, which is so wearable,” says makeup artist Johnny Saade. “You get perfect opaque coverage that's long lasting. It's everything you could want in a lipstick,” he adds.
Matte
Matte lipsticks might not slide off like a gloss but they can crack of crumble by day’s end….so finding a version that stays put yet feels comfortable is the hard feat here. Julep's matte lip mousse glides onto lips without tugging. It then dries down to a soft velvet finish. One editor applied this before breakfast and found that it stayed put all the way through a late night work dinner. Better yet, it didn’t settle into lines even after a full day of wear.
