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Your wedding day is busy, blissful, and occasionally stressful, and the last thing you should be worrying about on your big day is how your lipstick looks. Luckily, liquid lipsticks have never been more popular—or more comfortable. Gone are the sticky, super-drying potions of the past; they’ve been replaced with lightweight, long-wearing formulas that are as gorgeous to look at as they are to wear. If you don’t want to deal with touchups throughout the day, opt for a liquid lip for kiss-proof staying power.
Makeup artist Nina McCaskey recommends her brides choose long-lasting lipsticks for ease and convenience on such a massive day. 'They’re going to be smooching all day. I don’t want that all over their partner’s face!" she says. Stains and liquids also provide a strong, lasting base. She adds, “A lot of times people don’t remember to use the touchup lipstick I give them [because they’re so busy]. Have a base that’s long-lasting so if you forget to touch up, it still looks good.”
Nina McCaskey is a makeup artist and owner of Wedded Kiss Beauty in Raleigh, North Carolina.
When choosing a shade, McCaskey recommends looking at the inside of your wrists to find your skin’s undertone and going from there, especially if you’re not able to swatch colors at the beauty store or the makeup counter. If your veins are blue, you’re generally cool-toned, so you should try pinks, plums, or blue-based reds; if they’re green, you’re more warm or neutral, so peach and rose tones will look great on you.
McCaskey says that cheeks and lips tend to disappear in photos, so she advises choosing a slightly brighter shade. She also tells her brides to exfoliate their lips the day before with a gentle scrub like Sara Happ’s The Lip Scrub to prep for the big day—and those big newlywed kisses!
For a lip color that will last from the first look to the last dance, try one of these long-wear lipstick formulas.
This drugstore favorite has serious staying power. Super Stay Matte Ink Liquid Lipstick comes in a plethora of shades, from classic neutrals to a dramatic dark blue (we're partial to the deep red shade Pioneer). If you prefer a pencil for a more precise application, the crayon version is equally long-lasting.
Beauty Bakerie’s Lip Whips are so long-lasting they almost don’t come off at all! When you need a lipstick that’s going to stay put all night long, no matter what, reach for a Lip Whip. The long-wear formula comes in a handful of shades, including pink, caramel brown, and deep, dramatic raspberry.
Use an oil-based remover to take off your long-lasting lipstick at the end of the night.
If red lipstick is your signature shade, this velvety liquid lip by makeup artist Violette will make your wedding day dreams come true. True to its name, it’s as light as a rose petal to wear and is the perfect deep, glamorous red for a very French “je ne sais quoi” moment as you walk down the aisle.
If you’re looking for a lipstick with a hint of sheen, try Revlon’s ColorStay Satin Ink. Despite the fact that it is not a traditional matte formula, the lipstick stays put for hours—up to 16 hours, to be exact! The formula is infused with black currant seed oil to infuse lips with moisture, keeping them kissable without kissing off.
Looking for a clean, vegan option for your wedding day lipstick look? ILIA’s High Impact Lipstick will fit the bill. This full-coverage bullet lipstick comes in plenty of bride-worthy shades and nourishes lips with apricot seed oil and mango seed butter to plump and soften.
Nothing is more movie star glamorous than Charlotte Tilbury’s glimmering golden tubes of lipstick. The Matte Revolution formula manages to be both lightweight and long-lasting. There’s no wonder Charlotte’s lippies are celebrity favorites! Try the iconic Pillow Talk for a subtle, romantic neutral pink, or try The Queen for a pop of pink.
The legendary makeup artist Pat McGrath delivers “color without compromise” in her line of liquid lipsticks. The Liquilust applicator is key to its success: it’s shaped to make application a breeze, whether you want full coverage or a more romantic diffused look. Liquilust is smudge and transfer-proof so you won’t need to worry about it coming off on your champagne glass—or your partner’s lips.
Did you know Halsey has a makeup line? Spoiler alert: It’s great, especially the Lip Duos, which bundle everything you need for a pop star-worthy lip in a two-piece set of coordinating colors. Line with the Matte Fix Pencil for a precise lip, then fill in with the matching liquid lip. A fun bonus is the peppermint aroma of the lipstick, which will keep you feeling minty-fresh for all that kissing.
There’s something so romantic and traditional about a classic bullet of lipstick, especially in those “getting ready” pics. Ruby Woo is the red lipstick, and this bestselling shade will last forever on your lips—from early morning hair and makeup to the afternoon “I do.” It looks good on everyone, but if red isn’t your thing, don’t worry! Retro Matte also comes in a few bright shades, including a unique plum hue.
Lancôme says this semi-matte formula provides a “bare lips feel” while imparting lasting color. One swipe of this lightweight liquid gives lips full-coverage color, though it feels like you’re wearing nothing at all. The small, pointed doe foot applicator makes application and touch-ups so easy, you almost won’t need a mirror.
This creamy clean and vegan formula from Jessica Alba’s Honest line fuses the ease of a gloss with the staying power of a liquid lipstick. It’s infused with hyaluronic acid for an instant boost of moisture and comes in eight flattering shades for every wedding style, from a beach elopement to a giant bash.
If you’ve been dreaming of a shocking pink, orchid purple, or deep brown lip look for your big day, the Lip Bar has you covered with a variety of fun shades for every skin tone. The formula goes on smoothly and sets quickly for a matte look that will last through late-night dance floor action.
This soft and velvety liquid lipstick has the Selena Gomez stamp of approval. With its creamy formula and lightweight feel, it’s a great “intro” formula for anyone who isn’t super experienced with liquid lipsticks.
The beauty behemoth knows its way around a great liquid lipstick. Their bestselling Cream Stain Liquid is not only budget-friendly at $15 a tube, but comes in a literal rainbow of shades, including teal! It’s formulated with avocado oil to keep lips feeling moisturized and comfortable throughout the day.
Ooh la la! Chanel brings the glamour and elegance to your wedding day look with their Rouge Allure Ink Matte Liquid Lipstick, which glides on like a gloss but stays put like a liquid lipstick.
Colourpop’s Lippie Stix may be slim, but they pack a major color punch. The matte and Matte X formulas apply easily with the precision of traditional lipstick and provide flexible, comfortable wear.
Kjaer Weis’s velvety soft formula is certified organic and made with jojoba, castor seed, and sunflower oils, plus shea butter and hyaluronic acid to nourish and moisturize lips while also providing long-lasting, naturally gorgeous matte color.
This popular liquid formula comes in 22 stunning shades, all of which would look perfect on any bride. True to its name, it stays all day without feathering, bleeding, or transferring, but still feels comfortable on the lips thanks to vitamin E and avocado oil.
This formula is a best-seller for a reason: It’s oh-so-comfortable to wear, it comes in a bevy of fun colors, and it’s extremely budget-friendly. What more could you ask for on your big day?
Dior’s Lip Tattoo formula gives your lips a wash of pretty, wedding day-ready color that lasts up to 10 hours. The red, pink, and berry tones are elegant enough for any formal affair and are gorgeous on their own or as a base for your lipstick look.
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