Kiss test-approved lippies
There’s nothing more annoying than spending time perfecting your lipstick only for it to disappear after the first sip of coffee or, worse, smudge onto someone else’s cheek. Thankfully, today’s longwear formulas have come a long way from the dry, crackly mattes of the early 2010s.
The hunt for a lipstick that lasts through caffeine, cocktails, and dinner is practically a modern beauty quest. Between glossy promises and matte disappointments, only a few truly deliver. These are the ones that manage to balance pigment, comfort, and lasting power in one swipe.
Lancôme L’Absolu Rouge Drama Matte Lipstick
No one talks about this enough, and that needs to change. It’s the kind of matte lipstick that feels like silk—comfortable, rich, and never chalky. It stays put beautifully without feeling heavy or drying, and the color payoff is stunning. It’s elegant without trying too hard, which is exactly what you want from a lipstick.
Rouge Dior Forever Lipstick
I didn’t expect to love this as much as I did. It’s Dior’s first transfer-proof bullet lipstick, and it truly does not move. I wore it through lunch, coffee, and even a quick nap (don’t judge), and it still looked freshly applied. The formula sets seamlessly and feels weightless, like soft suede on the lips.
Tom Ford Liquid Lip Luxe Matte
This one feels like luxury from the first swipe. The texture is creamy, the color payoff intense, and it dries down to a plush matte that stays immaculate even after a full dinner. It’s expensive, yes, but it performs like it should, and is refined, polished, and surprisingly low maintenance for something so high-end.
Nars Powermatte High-Intensity Lip Pencil
Effortlessly precise, and easily one of my favorites. The pencil format makes touch-ups ridiculously easy (not that you’ll need many), and the color doesn’t feather or fade. It feels lighter than most longwear formulas but has that same grip. You can forget it’s on until you catch your reflection and realize it still looks perfect.
Kiko Milano Unlimited Double Touch
This one genuinely surprised me. It’s not matte, but it still manages to last almost all day. The liquid lipstick side gives intense color that sets quickly, and the gloss adds a layer of shine without breaking the formula underneath. The key is patience—let it set before applying the gloss. The gloss fades but does not completely disappear, but the color underneath stays beautifully intact.
Barenbliss Aura Mood Transferproof Lip Cream
Barenbliss is such an underrated K-beauty brand, and this formula proves it. I tried both the Matte and Vinyl finishes. The Matte gives a smooth, transfer-proof stain, while the Vinyl adds shine without the stickiness. Both versions last impressively long, to the point where I had to use an oil cleanser to fully remove them, and even then, it leaves your lips with a stain.
Peripera Ink the Velvet
A longtime K-beauty staple for a reason. It feels light as air but leaves behind intense pigment that clings beautifully to the lips. I love that it gives that diffused, romantic look while still being practically bulletproof. Even after hours and snacks, it fades evenly rather than patchy.
L’Oréal Paris Infallible Laque Resistance Liquid Lipstick
L’Oréal nailed this formula. It’s glossy but somehow doesn’t transfer, and it holds up through everything: meetings, coffee, lunch, repeat. It feels hydrating and not sticky, which is rare for something this long-lasting. A drugstore gem I’d absolutely repurchase.
