You finally nail the perfect lip colour. Two hours later, it's gone. Sound familiar?
You want your lipstick to last longer, but every long-wear formula leaves your lips feeling like sandpaper. Here's the thing: making your lipstick stay put doesn't have to mean sacrificing comfort.
These seven tips will help you get more wear time while keeping your lips soft and happy.
Okay, So How Do You Actually Make Lipstick Last Longer?
Good news: it's not complicated. A few tweaks to your routine can add hours to your wear time without sacrificing comfort. Here's what actually works.
Exfoliate First (Yes, Really)
Dry, flaky lips are the number one reason lipstick wears off unevenly. Gently exfoliate your lips with a soft toothbrush or sugar scrub the night before or at least 30 minutes before applying makeup. This removes dead skin and gives your lipstick a smooth surface to grip onto.
Moisturise, But Don't Overdo It
Here's where most people go wrong. Yes, use a lip balm, but applying lipstick over a greasy balm is a recipe for slipping and fading. Apply a thin layer, wait 5-10 minutes for it to absorb, then blot off any excess. Your lips should feel soft, not slick.
Fill Your Entire Lip With Liner
Lip liner isn't just for outlining. Fill in your entire lip with a liner that matches your lipstick shade. This creates a base layer that helps colour grip better and prevents feathering. This step alone can add hours to your wear time.
Layer It Up (Thin Coats Win)
One thick swipe might seem faster, but it won't last. Apply a thin layer of your lipstick, blot with a tissue, then apply another thin layer. This builds colour while removing excess product that would otherwise slide off. For bold shades, repeat 2-3 times.
The Tissue-and-Powder Trick
This old-school trick actually works. After your first layer of lipstick, hold a single-ply tissue over your lips and dust a tiny bit of translucent powder through it. This sets the colour without feeling cakey. Then apply your final layer on top.
Keep Your Hands (and Tongue) Away
Licking your lips, pressing them together constantly, or touching them breaks down colour faster. If you're a habitual lip-licker, keep a hydrating lip oil nearby for touch-ups instead.
Pick a Formula That Actually Cares About Your Lips
This is the big one. If your lipstick is full of drying alcohols and synthetic waxes, no amount of prep work will save your lips. Long-lasting lipstick tips only work when the formula itself is good for your lips.
Look for lipsticks with nourishing ingredients like plant butters, natural oils, and antioxidants. These formulas might need a touch-up after meals, but your lips will thank you.
Wait, Why Do Long-Wear Lipsticks Dry Your Lips Out?
Most "long-wear" formulas use heavy synthetic polymers and alcohol to create that locked-in effect. Sure, the colour stays, but it forms a film that prevents your lips from breathing or retaining moisture. By day's end, you're left with colour that's technically there but lips that feel tight and cracked.
The good news? You don't have to choose between lipstick that lasts longer and lips that feel comfortable.
So Which Lipstick Lasts Longer Without Wrecking Your Lips?
When people ask which lipstick lasts longer, the answer isn't always about the marketing claims. It's about the formula. Lipsticks with quality natural waxes like carnauba and candelilla provide structure and staying power. Plant butters like shea and mango condition while they colour. And oils like jojoba, almond, and castor keep everything smooth without feeling greasy.
Our Semi-Matte Lipstick is built exactly this way. It's packed with plant butters and botanical oils that hydrate while you wear it. The colour stays for hours, and when it fades, it fades evenly without wrecking your lips.
For even more staying power, layer it with our Lip Creme. The velvety formula is powered by 7 plant oils and bamboo silica for intense pigment that feels like skincare.
The Bottom Line
Getting your lipstick to last longer doesn't require magic. It requires good prep, smart application, and a formula that actually cares about your lips.
Skip the drying long-wear formulas. With the right lipstick long long-lasting tips, and a nourishing formula, you can have colour that stays and lips that feel amazing.
FAQs
Q: How can I make my lipstick last longer without it feeling dry?
Prep work and formula choice are key. Exfoliate and hydrate beforehand, apply in thin layers with blotting in between, and choose lipsticks with nourishing ingredients like plant butters instead of drying alcohols.
Q: Which lipstick lasts longer: matte or cream?
Matte formulas typically last longer because they have less slip. However, many matte lipsticks are extremely drying. Semi-matte formulas offer a good balance, giving you decent staying power with more comfortable wear.
Q: Does lip liner really help lipstick last longer?
Yes! Filling in your entire lip with liner creates a base that helps your lipstick grip better. It also prevents colour from bleeding into fine lines and gives you something to touch up with if the main colour fades.
Q: Why does my lipstick fade so quickly?
Common reasons include dry lips, applying over greasy balm, eating oily foods, or using a formula that doesn't suit your lip type. Proper prep and blotting between layers helps significantly.
Q: Can I make natural lipstick last as long as conventional long-wear formulas?
With good application techniques, you can get impressive wear time from natural formulas. They may need a touch-up after meals, but your lips will feel much healthier throughout the day.
