Denise Primbet
As far as long-lasting makeup heroes go, smudge-proof lipsticks are an absolute game-changer. After all, lip formulas are the first to move around and fade throughout the day, and sometimes, we need a little more than a lip tint or a lip gloss to withstand the day. Whether it's for a wedding, a hen-do, an important work event or just a day full of errands, a quality lipstick that won't budge can go a long way.
"The only battle with this is finding the balance of long-wearing lipstick without drying the lips out," says Rebecca Moore, NARS senior makeup artist. However, if a full-on lip look really isn't your bag, then Moore suggests that there are plenty of lipstick alternatives around, like layering a gloss or lip balm over your matte lipstick for a more pared-back finish. "This is great to get more hydration to your lips but without the worry of the transfer," she explains.
As a beauty journalist and a lip product connoisseur, I can also tell you that not every lipstick is the same. Some lack pigment, others are too drying, and some aren't particularly long-lasting. Be it a bright red, a mauvy nude or a vampy plum, I've tested enough budge-proof lipsticks to know what separates a good formula from an underwhelming one. Below, I've put together a definitive guide to the very best options around.
What to Look for in a Smudge-Proof Lipstick
When shopping for a smudge-proof lipstick, the key is finding a formula that strikes a balance between longevity and comfort. The best options should resist transferring onto coffee cups, while still feeling flexible and moisturising on the lips.
To me, the pigment payoff is one of the most important factors as well. Ideally, one swipe should deliver bold, even colour without clinging to dry patches. While matte formulas are the safest choice for long-wearing lipsticks, luckily, the industry has evolved enough to offer flexible finishes. You'd also do well by choosing the right shade: be sure to pay attention to factors like undertones, your skin tone and whether or not you're planning to wear a lip liner alongside the lipstick.
How We Chose
Here atBest Knockoff Luxury Clothing UK, our makeup testing expertise knows no bounds. Between our editors, we have trialled hundreds of formulas over the years—from classic bullets to liquid mattes and transfer-proof tints. To make it into this line-up, each lipstick had to prove itself across multiple road tests (think: morning coffees, lunch on the go, after-work drinks and everything in between). We paid close attention to key factors like longevity, comfort, pigment payoff and transfer-resistance, while also considering equally important details such as shade range, packaging and price point. The end result? A carefully curated edit of the smudge-proof lipsticks that actually deliver.
The Best Long-Lasting Lipsticks 2025
1. Best Overall: NARS Powermatte Lipstick
2. Best Liquid Lipstick: Lisa Eldridge Velveteen Liquid Lip Colour
3. Best With A Glossy Finish: Rouge Dior On Stage
4. Best For A Matte Finish: Charlotte Tilbury Matte Revolution
5. Best Red: Chanel Rouge Allure Ink Fusion in 818 True Red
1. Nars Powermatte Lipstick
#1: Nars Air Matte Lip Colour
Available shades: 17
Finish: matte
Pigment level: 9/10
This is, undoubtedly, one of the best matte lipsticks that I've ever tried. The texture is so velvety and lightweight. Once you've applied it, you won't even remember that you're wearing anything—there's none of the dryness that can come with more traditional matte lipsticks. Even better, once it's on, it genuinely sticks around all day. You can drink, eat, kiss (if they're in your social bubble, of course), and this stuff isn't going anywhere. Moore tells me that the shade I'm wearing here, Shag, "is going to be one of the best-selling shades, as it's a beautiful pinky nude that will suit everyone." I wholeheartedly agree.
Pros
- Impressive pigment
- Wide shade range
- Genuinely lasts
Cons
- May feel drying if not prepped with a lip balm
2. Morphe Lip Filter Hydroplump Soft Matte Lipstick
#2: Morphe Mega Matte Lipstick
Available shades: 12
Finish: matte
Pigment level: 8/10
Traditionally, I like my matte lipsticks to be one thing and one thing only: red. So I was genuinely surprised at how much I liked this '90s-style neutral from Instagram-favourite makeup brand Morphe. Colour aside, though (this lipstick formula comes in 12 flexible shades spanning the colour spectrum), this is a brilliant long-wearing lipstick at an affordable price point. It's full coverage and lasts for hours without any touch-ups required. Also, I actually found this to have a pleasantly creamy finish, which gives it widespread appeal.
Pros
- Slim bullet allows for precise application
- Impressive pigment
Cons
- Doesn't offer any red shades
3. Dior Rouge Dior On Stage
Available shades: 10
Finish: Shiny
Pigment level: 9/10
"I have to admit, it's not often that I come across a lipstick with a high-shine finish that also happens to be long-lasting. Although I was skeptical at first, I fell in love with this Dior formula from the first swipe. Not only does it glide on like butter, it also offers seriously punchy pigment, but it also surprisingly managed just about every longevity test I threw at it. From spending a whole day in Central London while running errands to attending an intense pilates class and enjoying a bowl of cheesy pasta over dinner, this beautiful formula managed to pass every challenge with flying colours," says Who What Wear UK Beauty Contributor Denise Primbet.
Pros
- Gorgeous high-shine finish
- Ultra pigmented
Cons
- Expensive
4. MAC Powder Kiss Liquid Lipcolour
#4: MAC Powder Kiss Liquid Lipcolour
Available shades: 12
Finish: velvety matte
Pigment level: 8/10
When I spoke to Dominic Skinner, global senior artist at MAC, he couldn't stop raving about these liquid lipsticks from MAC. I have to say, the hype was well and truly justified. I was a little nervous that something with "powder" in the name would instantly suck all of the moisture from my lips, but the mousse-like texture is actually incredibly moisturising. This would probably be my pick for anyone feeling a little nervous about embracing matte lipsticks because the hourglass-shaped applicator makes it easy to apply and almost diffuses the colour out at the edges of your lips for a more laid-back finish.
Pros
- Feels weightless on the lips
- Doesn't feel drying
Cons
- The pigment may feel a tad intimidating if you're not used to it
5. Chanel Rouge Allure Ink Fusion
#5: Chanel Rouge Allure Ink Fusion
Available shades: 11
Finish: matte
Pigment level: 9/10
It comes as no surprise that the master of classic red lipsticks has managed to move with the times when it comes to new-generation long-wear lipsticks. Described by the brand as a "second skin," the Rouge Allure Ink Fusion lipsticks are ultra-fine in texture, meshing with your lips for a natural finish that lasts all day. I can apply this before work and barely give it a second thought until it comes to removing it at night, and I'm definitely in love with this classic shade of pillar-box red. Bravo, Chanel.
Pros
- The pigment is truly unmatched
- Feels hydrating
Cons
- It's expensive
6. L'Oreal Infallible Very Matte Lip Crayon in 110 Caramel Rebel
#3: L'Oréal Infallible Very Matte Lip Crayon
Available shades: 16
Finish: matte
Pigment level: 6/10
This is definitely going to be my summer lipstick of choice—a fiery orange-red that makes me feel instantly cheery. One of the things I like most about this L'Oréal number is the slanted, crayon-style applicator tip that allows you to easily trace the edge of your lips for a precise line before scribbling in the rest with colour. It contains jojoba oil and vitamin E to keep your lips feeling supple and conditioned throughout the day without compromising on that classic matte finish.
Pros
- Affordable
- Crayon tip allows for precise application
Cons
- Feels a tad drying
7. Lisa Eldridge Velveteen Liquid Lip Colour
Available shades: 8
Finish: matte
Pigment level: 9/10
"While I'm well aware that we all continue to embrace the era of natural, glossy lip formulas, my obsession with matte liquid lipsticks continues, and this formula from Lisa Eldridge is by far one of my all-time favourites. Available in 8 wearable and bold shades, this liquid lipstick doesn't feel drying at all, and as far as the pigment goes, it's unbeatable. My personal go-to is the shade Ribbon, which is a perfect red that can elevate just about any makeup look. Above all, I really enjoy the slim doe foot applicator, which makes it easier to achieve a precise look without the need to use a lip liner underneath," says Denise.
Pros
- Strong pigment
- Comfortable to wear all day long
Cons
- Doesn't offer as many shades compared to other formulas
8. Charlotte Tilbury Matte Revolution
Available shades: 13
Finish: soft matte
Pigment level: 7/10
"Whatever the occasion, I can always count on my good 'ol Charlotte Tilbury lipstick in the iconic shade Pillow Talk. While it may not be as long-lasting and super-pigmented compared to liquid lipsticks, I still find that this particular formula easily beats every other bullet lipstick I own when it comes to longevity. Whether I'm after all-out pigment or just a few dabs for a soft wash of colour, it's flexible enough to adjust to any look. Unlike other matte formulas I own, it offers ultra-comfortable wear while also offering a diffused, and almost 'filtered' finish," says Denise.
Pros
- Impressive shade range
- Feels nourishing on the lips
Cons
- Expensive
9. Sacheu Stay-N Lip Liner
Available shades: 5
Finish: matte
Pigment level: 7/10
"While it may not be a lipstick per se, it's still one of the most long-lasting lip formulas I own, and for a good reason. Whether I wear it as a lip liner or all over the lip for a more intense pigment, I love that, unlike other lip tints or stains, it doesn't cling to dry patches or feel too rough when dried down. Once peeled off, it doesn't even feel like I'm wearing anything at all, which is particularly great when I'm going away for a beachside holiday. Plus, it also doubles as a blush stain and even a freckle stain," says Denise.
Pros
- The best lip stain for busy lifestyles
- Doesn't feel drying
Cons
- The peel-off process isn't always smooth
10. Maybelline Superstay Matte Ink Crayon Lipstick
Available shades: 7
Finish: demi-matte
Level of pigment: 6/10
If you don't want to spend tons on a long-lasting lipstick, then I can't recommend this one from Maybelline enough. The colour is just as vibrant at the start of the day as it is at the end. Plus, its precise crayon tip allows for an ultra-precise finish, which comes particularly handy if you don't happen to have a lip liner at hand. Whether you're after a soft mauve, a cool pink hue or a brown-y nude, you can't go wrong with this affordable formula.
Pros
- Affordable
- Features a crayon tip
Cons
- Not as pigmented
11. Nudestix Magnetic Lip Plush Paint
Available shades: 5
Finish: soft matte
Pigment level: 6/10
A modern approach to matte lips, this Plush Paint can be applied on lips, cheeks and eyelids for velvety colour wherever you want it. Non-drying and soft in texture, it's a fun yet low-maintenance addition to your makeup bag. This formula is particularly great for those of us who hate the heavy feel of a traditional matte lipstick, as this formula is anything but that. On the contrary, it feels super weightless and velvety once applied, and dries down like second skin.
Pros
- Feels super weightless
- Doesn't transfer
Cons
- Not as pigmented
12. BareMinerals Mineralist Comfort Matte Liquid Lipstick
Available shades: 3
Finish: Velvety matte
Pigment level: 6/10
When I first tried these weightless liquid formulas from BareMinerals, I was dubious that they would live up to my expectations, and whether or not they would actually feel comfortable on the lips. To my surprise, they turned out to be one of the most lightweight and creamiest lip products I tried. They absolutely deliver, drying down to a long-lasting matte finish that keeps lips hydrated. The shade range is a bit sparse, but if you're after an everyday nude, you can't go wrong.
Pros
- Super lightweight
- Feels creamy and hydrating
Cons
- Not massively pigmented
Why Trust Us
AtBest Knockoff Luxury Clothing UK, we know that beauty isn’t one-size-fits-all. Our editors have tested thousands of products over the years—spanning skincare, makeup, hair and nails—and work closely with trusted experts including dermatologists, makeup artists and leading industry insiders to ensure every guide is well-researched, inclusive and relevant to you.
We focus on formulas that deliver, whether they’re affordable favourites or luxury investments. Our product selection is based on tangible results, ingredient know-how and what we’d truly recommend to a friend.
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