Long-Lasting Lip Makeup: How To Keep Your Lip Color Fresh All Day

Few things are more frustrating than perfecting your lip look, only to have it smudge, fade, or feather before you even finish your morning coffee. Whether you’re into bold reds or soft nudes, making your lipstick last is all about strategy. Choosing long-lasting lip makeup is, of course, a big part of the equation, but so is perfecting your technique. As it turns out, simply swiping on your favorite lipstick might not be the best way to go. Ahead, we’ll explain how to make your lip color last all day and share our tried-and-true tricks to help keep bleeding, fading, and transferring to a minimum. Plus, we’ll share details on some of our favorite long-lasting lip makeup worth adding to your bag.

How To Make Lipstick Last Longer

If you’re gearing up for a long day (or night) and need to ensure your lipstick lasts, there are a few things you’ll want to do. We’re breaking it all down ahead, so keep reading to learn how to keep lipstick from coming off before you want it to.

Step 1: Prep your lips

You likely prep your skin before applying makeup, and your lips deserve the same level of attention. Before reaching for any lip makeup, gently exfoliate your lips with a lip scrub or a damp washcloth to help buff away any dry, dead skin that could interfere with your lipstick application. Then, apply a hydrating balm or lip oil to help lock in moisture. We love the L’Oréal Paris Plump Ambition Hyaluron Lip Oil, which delivers up to 24 hours of hydration for soft, smooth lips.

Step 2: Prime your lips

While priming your lips isn’t strictly necessary, this simple step can help your lipstick apply more evenly and may help extend wear time. If you don’t have a lip primer on hand, try applying a bit of concealer onto the back of your hand, then picking up the product with a makeup sponge and gently patting it onto your lips. Take care to use a light hand—the goal isn’t to conceal your lips, but simply to provide a smooth, even base for your lip liner and lipstick to sit on top of.

Step 3: Define with lip liner

Next, decide what lipstick you want to use and select a lip liner in a matching shade. Trace along the outer border of your lips to define your natural lip line (if you want to make your lips look bigger, you can overline slightly). Then, use the same lip liner to fill in your lips completely, creating an even, uniform base for your lipstick. To avoid a dry or cakey feel, you’ll want to be sure the lip liner you choose has a creamy, comfortable formula. We recommend the L’Oréal Paris Colour Riche Lip Liner—it’s infused with vitamin E and omega-3 and provides rich color payoff without fading or feathering.

Step 4: Choose a long-lasting lipstick formula

It probably goes without saying, but if you want lipstick that stays on, you’ll need to choose a long-lasting formula. Generally speaking, matte lipsticks tend to hold up better than satiny or glossy formulas, since they dry down and won’t slide off your lips when you’re talking or eating. For all-day wear with a comfortable (not dry) feel, we suggest the L’Oréal Paris Colour Riche Intense Volume Matte Lipstick, which comes in 22 vibrant, transfer-resistant shades from pale pink to deep berry brown.

Step 5: Apply in layers

Layering can be a great way to prolong your lipstick wear, but it’s important to do it properly: Thick layers of product may look clumpy or uneven. To start, swipe on your chosen lipstick as usual. Then, use a clean tissue to blot the color slightly before applying another layer of lipstick. This technique helps lock the pigment in place, allowing you to build up your color without risking the lipstick pilling or clumping. Plus, extra layers mean extra insurance—so you can take a sip from your iced coffee or indulge in a mid-day snack without having to worry about your lipstick disappearing.

Step 6: Set with powder or spray

Setting makeup isn’t just for keeping your foundation in place—it can also help lock in your lipstick. Once you’re satisfied with your lip look, close your eyes and mouth and lightly mist your face with the L’Oréal Paris Infallible 3-Second Setting Mist. The lightweight formula applies evenly and helps to lock eye, face, and lip makeup into place for up to 36 hours. If you don’t have a setting spray on hand, setting powder can work, too. Just make sure to select a translucent formula, like L’Oréal Paris Infallible Blur-Fection Longwear Loose Setting Powder, and use a light hand to avoid making your lips look dry or powdery.

Step 7: Touch up the edges

Lastly, use a clean cotton swab to clean up the edges for a sharp, defined look. If you plan on being out for a long time (or anticipate lots of eating and drinking), stash your lip liner and lipstick in your bag, too—even with a perfect application, you may need to do light touch-ups to keep your lips looking fresh.

4 of our Favorite Long-Lasting Lip Products

If you’re on the hunt for long-lasting lip makeup worth adding to your routine, we’re sharing details on some of our favorites, below.

L’Oréal Paris Colour Riche Intense Volume Matte Lipstick

Matte lipsticks can sometimes feel drying, but that’s not the case with this widely-loved lipstick. The unique formula contains hyaluronic acid and intense color pigments for vibrant color that feels weightless on the lips. Apply it in the morning and enjoy up to 16 hours of comfortable, smudge-proof wear.

L’Oréal Paris Colour Riche Satin Lipstick

As we mentioned earlier, glossy and satin lipsticks don’t tend to last quite as long as matte formulas—their slippery texture makes them more prone to smudging and transferring. If you’re set on a shiny lip, though, we recommend snagging this lipstick. It’s formulated with 75% caring ingredients, including argan oil and vitamin E, and is uniquely designed to resist bleeding, smearing, smudging, and feathering. You can wear it alone or pair it with your favorite long-lasting lip liner for added insurance against accidental smudges.

L’Oréal Paris Infallible Matte Resistance Liquid Lipstick

If you tend to favor liquid lipsticks, we suggest giving this matte-finish formula a try. The velvety lipstick boasts hyaluronic acid for a hydrating feel and delivers bold, stay-all-day color in a single swipe. Choose from 23 vivid, flattering shades, from classic reds to soft pinkish-nudes and on-trend browns.

L’Oréal Paris Colour Riche Lip Liner

Lip liner is a must-have in your lip makeup arsenal, and this creamy formula is among our favorites. It’s made with vitamin E and omega-3 and glides on smoothly, delivering rich, even color that won’t feather or fade. Plus, the twist-up applicator means it never needs to be sharpened—a major plus for those whose makeup bags could use a little decluttering.

Lip Makeup Mistakes To Avoid

Using long-lasting lip makeup is only part of the equation. For a truly long-lasting lip look, you’ll also need to apply your products properly. Here are a few common mistakes people make when applying lipstick—and what to do instead.

• Skipping prep: Exfoliating, moisturizing, and priming your lips may seem unnecessary, especially if you’re going for a nude lip look, but these simple steps can make a huge difference in how long your lipstick wears. If you’re wondering how to keep lipstick on all day, you need to prep your lips well—no exceptions.
• Not lining your lips: Lip liner isn’t just for defining your Cupid’s bow or making your pout look plumper—it also helps prevent lipstick from feathering or bleeding. To keep your lipstick intact throughout the day, always line your lips. Use a color that matches your lipstick for a subtle look, or opt for a lip liner a shade darker than your lipstick for a more intentionally defined lip look.
• Using a heavy hand: More product doesn’t necessarily equate to longer wear. Instead of applying a thick layer of lipstick, build up your product in thin, even layers to achieve your desired opacity without risking a clumpy or uneven finish.
• Forgetting to blot: Blotting your lipstick between layers can help “set” the pigment, improving longevity and reducing the risk of it smudging or smearing off.
• Eating oily foods: If you’ve ever found yourself wondering how to make lipstick stay on while eating, the truth is that you may not be able to–not completely, anyway. When you eat, you may subconsciously lick your lips, which can make your lipstick wear off. Eating oily foods increases the likelihood of fading, as oil is incredibly effective at breaking down makeup (that’s why cleansing oils are so popular). Instead of trying to keep your lipstick intact while you eat, enjoy your meal and plan to touch up your lips after.
• Drinking from a cup: If you’re thirsty but are hoping to avoid leaving a lipstick ring on your water bottle or coffee cup, try sipping your drink through a straw instead. Your lipstick may still transfer a little bit, but it’ll likely be far less than if you were drinking out of a cup, bottle, or glass.

Next Up: How To Use Lip Liner: A Beginner’s Guide

Photo courtesy of L’Oréal Paris