The Ultimate Guide to Long Lasting Lipsticks

Eat, drink and kiss without worrying about smudging your lipstick. Our top picks and the right application tips will go a long way.

Praneet Sahni Kalani

Praneet Sahni Kalani

15th October, 2024
Long-lasting lipsticks Best transfer-proof lipsticks Lipstick tips Long wear lipstick guide Smudge-proof lip products

Walk into a powder room at a party and stand next to a stranger who’s probably washing her hands. Ask her if she’s got a lipstick you could borrow to touch up your makeup and I bet she won’t say no. Something so small that could fit into the tiniest of our purses, connects us so incredibly. This symbol of power and femininity is a staple in every girl’s purse. And with the start of the festive season in India, it’s that time of the year when we’re stacking up our favourite shades. Whether it’s a nude or blush for office, or a classic red for an evening out – we love our lipsticks and we want them to last long. Unless you’re going for a ‘smudge-on-purpose lips’, which has been a trend and can be described as a soft yet carefree look, nobody wants the colour running out after an hour of application. I’ve rounded up five long-lasting lipsticks that promise to stay, come rain or shine.

In this article

Here are our top picks of the best long lasting lipsticks

1. Lakme 9 to 5 Powerplay Priming Matte Lipstick in Blushing Nude : This one has a built-in primer that preps the lips for 14-hour-long wear. It is highly pigmented and gives a rich colour when applied. It’s the perfect everyday nude in a matte finish, making it smudge-proof.

Why we love it: Its key ingredients are shea butter and vitamin E which nourish, moisturise and soften the lips, while still delivering a matte look.

2. Lakme Unreal 3D Slim Bullet, Matte Finish in Red Carnival : Create the perfect pout with this lightweight formula that gives a fuller look with each stroke. Apply a little for a subtle vibe or build it up for a striking yet classic look, it’s the must-have for the festive season.

Why we love it: It’s highly pigmented and super light on the lips.

3. Lakme Absolute Matte Revolution Lip Colour in 104 Blushing Red :  Perfect for an instant glam look, this matte lipstick has a lightweight and buttery formula that softly hugs your lips without drying them out. This one’s a deep pinkish red, making it a great alternative to a classic red lipstick. It is highly pigmented and colour-rich, and is sure to amp up your look effortlessly.

Why we love it: It’s infused with raspberry seed oil that deeply nourishes and soothes the lips.

4. Lakme 9 to 5 Overtime Shine Tinted Lip Oil in Everyday Nude :  If you’re someone who loves a polished look that doesn’t explicitly scream ‘I’m wearing lipstick’, then lip oil is for you. This one comes in a number of shades. My personal favourite is the everyday nude that once applied, gives a hydrated look and feel to my lips. It’s the best for when I’m at the office or want to go out for coffee with my friends without looking like I’ve put in effort to apply makeup.

Why we love it: It contains an ultra-nourishing combination of shea butter, hyaluronic acid, Jojoba oil, almond oil, and kokum butter, that hydrates and repairs cracked and chapped lips.

5. Lakme Cushion Matte Lipstick in Mauve Spice : If you’re on the lookout for a soft matte finish lipstick, this would be it. The look is cushion-soft. I personally love the shade mauve. It’s right between light and dark pink. It’s subtle, it’s a little more than natural pink so it looks like you’re wearing a lip colour and it complements classic makeup like a winged liner or even kohl eyes. This particular lipstick is water-resistant, non-drying and doesn't dry out your lips as well.

Why we love it: It’s infused with rose oil extracts that keep lips moisturised and soft.

Whether it’s for a casual daytime look or a glitzy evening celebration, these lipsticks are the ultimate go-to for timeless beauty with a modern twist. Once you pick your favourite lipstick, here’s what you can do to maintain that picture-perfect pout all night.

Application Tips To Make Your Lips Kissproof!

  1. Prep Your Lips: Start with exfoliating the lips to remove any dead skin. This ensures a clean look when you apply the lipstick. Always moisturise your lips well before application. This will let the lipstick glide smoothly and give a more pigmented and rich look.
  2. Say Yes to a Lip-Liner: To accomplish a fuller look, first apply a lip liner. Then fill in your lips with the colour. This also makes the lipstick last longer.
  3. Use a Setting Powder: This one’s an oldie but a goodie. After applying your lipstick, blot the excess with a soft tissue. Then apply a second coat of the lipstick. Now, use a translucent setting powder and lightly dab a thin layer of this powder on your lips to set your lipstick in place.
  4. Prime With Foundation: Dab your foundation on the lips as well while doing your base. This will ensure that your lipstick stays on for longer. The foundation also gives an even base to the lips, allowing your lipstick colour to spread evenly.
Topics covered
  • Choosing the Right Long-Lasting Lipstick
  • Application Techniques
  • Prepping Your Lips
  • Making Your Lipstick Last
Praneet Sahni Kalani

Praneet Sahni Kalani

Praneet Sahni Kalani is a fashion & lifestyle writer. Find her near cream cheese dimsums and obsessing over hair care.