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Tasha Reiko Brown, Molly Stern, Mai Quynh and others reveal their go-to shades that stay put on the red carpet and beyond.
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Ask any Hollywood beauty insider for the best lipsticks that can survive a red carpet or a day of filming, and chances are they’ll recommend a long-wearing one that’s been tested on their many starry clients. But flashbulb-filled events aren’t the only occasions that require a bold lip shade that stays put — Valentine’s Day also calls for an effortless shade that won’t budge during dinner and drinks.
Beauty buffs have been swiping pigments onto their puckers for thousands of years, and the earliest record of crimson-painted lips dates back to the Sumerian queen Schub-ad, who created her own shade with crushed red rocks and a white lead base. While most modern-day makeup mavens might stop short of being buried with their favorite lippies (as well-to-do Sumerians once did), many have a go-to shade that’s earned a permanent place in their cosmetics kits.
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We’ve asked celebrity makeup artists to share their all-time favorite lipsticks — and in honor of the pucker-powered romantic holiday, we’ve rounded up the best long-lasting lipsticks, from Hollywood insiders’ top picks to best-sellers from star-owned brands. Check out the best long-wear lip colors below.
Chanel makeup artist Tasha Reiko Brown, whose clients include Alicia Keys, Lupita N’yongo, Tracee Ellis Ross and Yara Shahidi, explains to The Hollywood Reporter that the luxury fashion house’s Coco Rouge lipstick in #444 Gabrielle is “a timeless universal red. A bold pop on its own with a clean face is classic Parisian chic and my go-to when I need to get clients press-ready in a hurry. It works for both day and night events.”
The nourishing lipstick contains mimosa, jojoba and sunflower vegetable waxes that keep lips hydrated, and the shade delivers a long-lasting shine.
Chanel Rouge Coco Lip Color #444 Gabrielle $40 Buy now
“For a red, it’s always Armani Lip Maestro in #400,” Molly Stern tells THR. Available in 38 shades, the cult-favorite liquid lipstick is beloved for its long-lasting color and velvet matte finish that stays put for up to eight hours, and it also comes in a four-piece gift set.
Armani Beauty Lip Maestro Liquid Lipstick $38 Buy now
Grace Pae, makeup artist to Skai Jackson, Normani and Jordin Sparks, says she reaches for Nars’ Velvet Matte Lipstick Pencil in Walkyrie, a warm coral red cream shade. “It’s so convenient because it’s like a lipliner and lipstick in one. The texture is also comfortable and hydrating even though it’s matte,” she tells THR.
Nars Velvet Matte Lipstick Pencil $20.90 on Amazon.com Buy now
“My all-time favorite lip color is Stila liquid lipstick in Beso,” says Samantha Lau, whose clients include Dua Lipa and Candice Swanepoel. *I’ve had it in my kit for many many years. It’s one of those products I keep buying whenever I’m out. It’s the perfect red, and the perfect matte texture. Also, it’s long-lasting and transfer-proof,” she explains to THR.
Stila Stay All Day Lipstick $21.85 on Amazon.com Buy now
Of Stockholm-based beauty brand Manasi 7‘s multi-tasking All Over Color in Alizarin, Lisa Aharon says the deep rouge is “the perfect red stain and has so much versatility. You can easily get a hint of color but also achieve bold full coverage.”
Made in Italy in small batches, the organic and cruelty-free product is made of natural and wild-harvested ingredients and can be used as a cream eye shadow, blush and lip color.
Manasi 7 Organic All Over $57.00 on Amazon.com Buy now
Lori Taylor Davis, global pro lead artist for Smashbox Cosmetics, says the Hollywood-loved beauty brand’s Always On Cream to Matte Lipstick in Besos is “a modern alternative to red and easier to take the plunge into something bright, it’s a new classic.”
Smashbox Cosmetics Always on Cream to Matte Lipstick in Besos (reg. $24) $19 Buy now
Makeup artist Lauren Andersen has used this long-wear coral hue by Hourglass to give client Jessica Alba a dramatic lip. The smooth, matte lipstick lasts for up to 14 hours.
Hourglass Opaque Rouge Liquid Lipstick $28 Buy now
Kristofer Buckle (who works with Blake Lively, Sarah Paulson and Gabrielle Union) frequently looks to Yves Saint Laurent’s Rouge Pur Couture lipsticks, which he regularly swipes on client Jessica Chastain.
Yves Saint Laurent Rouge Pur Couture Satin Stick $38 Buy now
Mac Cosmetics’ best-selling Ruby Woo has earned a permanent spot in the cosmetics kits of stars and industry insiders, including costume designer Shay Cunliffe, who recently told THR the vibrant retro shade “lasts all day and has a vintage vibe. I’ll often put a bit of glossier lipstick underneath in a softer shade to soften the overall effect.”
Mac Cosmetics Retro Matte Lipstick (reg. $19) $15 Buy now
Róen Beauty creative director and makeup artist Kate Synnott (clients include Ashley Graham and Rosie Huntington-Whiteley) says of the brand’s Elixir Tinted Lip Oil Balm, “I love these formulas; they are nourishing and full of antioxidants plus have major skincare benefits. They give a glossy glass-like finish without tackiness and leave a long-lasting stain on the lips after the oils have [been] absorbed.”
Róen Beauty Elixir Tinted Lip Oil Balm $32.00 on Amazon.com Buy now
“My favorite nude is the Armani Beauty Lip Maestro in 100,” says Mai Quynh (Scarlett Johannson, Saoirse Ronan and Tessa Thompson are among clients) of this sand lipstick.
“I love this shade because it’s the perfect peachy nude that helps neutralize naturally pigmented pink lips. I also love how the formula is matte and long-wearing while leaving the lips feeling soft and hydrated.”
Armani Beauty Lip Maestro Liquid Lipstick $38 Buy now
“I love this hydrating formula,” says Brown of this nude shade from Chanel. “It’s the latest offering from the Coco Flash collection and it’s quickly become my favorite. It’s more modern and youthful to do nude shades with shine or satin textures as opposed to matte.”
She continues: “Dawn is a universal nude for every skin tone, so it’s a must-have for my kit. For dramatic eyes that just need the mouth to be accented, Dawn gives a clean slate as a perfect soft high shine nude.”
Chanel Rouge Coco Flash Lipstick in Dawn $40 Buy now
Lau loves Mac Cosmetics’ cult-fave matte lipstick in Taupe, which “works so well on a lot of skin tones. t’s a great color for a natural mid-tone lip shade. A rich lipstick featuring high color payoff and a creamy matte finish.”
Mac Matte Lipstick in Taupe $19 Buy now
Carissa Ferreri (whose clients include Sophia Bush, Ciera Payton and Suki Waterhouse) and Grace Pae are both fans of Valdé, the luxury beauty brand founded in 2020 by former Sephora chief merchant Margarita Arriagada.
“I’ve recently discovered Valdé lipsticks, which are incredible,” Ferreri tells THR. “They come in a very unique holster and are creamy and super hydrating on the lips, not to mention the color range is perfection and they are refillable.”
The cruelty-free label lets you customize its Ritual creamy satin lip color and lip balm, which come in a feather-adorned black or gold metal refillable metal case (dubbed “Armor” by the label) with built-in magnifying mirror. The set includes a suede pouch, a stunning display box and a custom mantra card. You can also opt for monogram engraving.
Pae favors Resilience, a toasted mauve nude lip color: “This shade is beautiful on pretty much every skin tone and comes in the most beautiful packaging. Every client always compliments it when they see it in my kit.”
Valdé Armor and Refillable Lip Set $199+ Buy now
Róen’s Synnott says of Victoria Beckham Beauty’s Posh Lipstick, “these lipsticks are so buttery with a great pigment. You can dab a little on or really build it up for a full glam effect.” Among her favorite shades is Spice, a mauve-ish nude.
Victoria Beckham Beauty Posh Lipstick $38 Buy now
“The formula is long-lasting without the dry feel of your typical long wear lipstick,” says Lisa Aharon (makeup artist to Zosia Mamet and Rachel Brosnahan) of Dior’s Ultra Rouge Lipstick in shade 450 Ultra Lively, a salmon pink color. “This shade is a perfect coral for most skin tones and can so easily brighten a complexion.”
Dior Ultra Rouge Lipstick $38 Buy now
Carissa Ferreri says clean beauty brand Kosas’ Weightless Lip Color Lipstick in Rosewater is one of her “favorite go-to lipsticks for myself and my kit, it looks great on everyone.”
Kosas Weightless Lip Color Lipstick $28 Buy now
For an eye-popping statement, Lau says she loves Nars Cosmetics’ matte lipstick in Schiap. “It is such an iconic shade,” she notes of the vivid pink hue (left) inspired by iconic surrealist fashion designer Elsa Schiaparelli.
“However, my other favorite [which] I think it deserves a mention Funny Face. While Schiap is more hot pink, I find Funny Face, a cool fuchsia easier to wear and works on more skin tones,” adds Lau.
Nars Cosmetics Matte Lipstick $26 Buy now
Kindra Mann, whose clients include Jordana Brewster, Mandy Moore and Busy Phillips, tells THR that Chanel’s Les Beiges tinted lip balm in Warm is one of “my favorite g-to lip colors for myself and my kit. This is a great throw-on color I keep in my purse that offers a little bit of color and a whole lot of moisturizer for days I want more of a tinted lip balm texture.”
Chanel Les Beiges Healthy Glow Tinted Lip Balm $30 Buy now
CBD-infused skin care brand Saint Jane’s Luxury Lip Cream in Divine is also a must-have for Mann, who says “it’s the perfect go-to color that is universally flattering on everyone since it’s a perfect blend of rose and mauve. Its vitamin-rich formula is super hydrating on the lips and won’t dry them out.”
Saint Jane Luxury Lip Cream in Divine $28 Buy now
Another favorite of Pae’s is this Nars Matte Lipstick Pencil in Dolce Vita, a dusty rose shade. The jumbo lip pencil contains vitamin E that gives it an easy-to-wear creamy texture.
Nars Velvet Matte Lipstick Pencil $27 Buy now
“The drama!” says Tasha Reiko Brown of Chanel’s Rouge Allure Velvet Extreme lipstick in Muted Fuschia. “This high pigment matte is bold. It’s a modern twist on a classic red lip, it’s youthful and fun. For my kit, it’s also the perfect mixing shade. I use it to brighten a pink, to give life to a safe red or on its own to command attention.”
Chanel Rouge Allure Velvet Extreme Lip Colour $40 Buy now
“For a perfect peachy nude, I am obsessed with the new Armani Lip Power in 108, In Love,” Molly Stern says. The velvet-finish, long-wear lipstick comes in 25 shades. Armani Lip Power Lipstick $38 Buy now
Hollywood makeup artist-turned-beauty entrepreneur Charlotte Tilbury’s Matte Revolution in M.I. Kiss (previously known as Bond Girl) is a personal favorite of Lau. “It is my everyday natural shade for the last few years. It’s hard for me to find a natural lip color because of the pigment in my lips. The matte formulation is so comfortable I feel that the brand has changed the game for matte lipsticks,” she adds.
Charlotte Tilbury Matte Revolution $34 Buy now
Of the Pat McGrath Labs’ Mattetrance shade inspired by model and musician Karen Elson, Arahon says, “I’ve always been a sucker for a matte red-orange lip (hello Nars Pop Life and Mac Lady Danger!) and this one is perfection, lightweight, opaque and bright.”
Pat McGrath Labs Mattetrance Lipstick $38 Buy now
L’Oréal Paris celebrity makeup artist Sir John once revealed that for his client Beyoncé, the drugstore brand’s long-lasting Rouge Signature Matt Lip Stain “is my jam,” specifically the brand’s pink-brown I Create hue. “I know when it hits the carpet, I know if she eats, I know it’s not going to dry, it’s not going to get crusty, and she’s going to feel good,” he has said.
L'Oreal Paris Rouge Signature Matte Lip Stain $8.98 on Amazon.com Buy now
Nick Lujan (who has worked with Beyoncé and Lizzo), global director of artistry and education for Kevyn Aucoin, says the brand’s Unforgettable Lipstick in Enigma “is the perfect pink for every skin tone. I have yet to find someone it doesn’t work for. Because the formula has a sheer quality and doesn’t have a lot of white pigment, it works on a wider range of skin tones and lip colors. You can apply just a dab or layer it up for color payoff. Plus, it feels super hydrating. Anytime I want to encourage my clients to play in color, I encourage them to try [this].”
Kevyn Aucoin Unforgettable Lipstick in Enigma $30 Buy now
Rihanna’s cruelty-free beauty brand Fenty includes the Stunna Lip Paint long-wear fluid lip color that features a soft matte finish and a liquid formula that lasts all day.
FentyStunna Lip Paint Long-Wear Fluid Lip Color $26 Buy now
Halsey’s vegan beauty line About Face offers a range of highly-pigmented cosmetics, including this shimmering long-wear liquid lipstick that has light-reflecting sparkles and a waterproof, cruelty-free and full-coverage formula.
About Face Fractal Glitter Lip Color $19 Buy now
Rosie Huntington-Whiteley’s clean beauty brand, Rose Inc, delivers long-wearing color in this matte, plumping formula that also leaves lips hydrated.
Rose Inc Lip Sculpt Clean Moisturizing Pigmented Lipstick $26 Buy now
Lady Gaga-founded brand Haus Laboratories’ Le Monster Matte Crayon is a favorite among makeup-loving Little Monsters for its long-wear, full-coverage and vegan formula that’s available in over 20 shades.
Haus Laboratories Le Monster Matte Crayon $18.00 on Amazon.com Buy now
Bite’s virtual and brick-and-mortar Lip Labs let you customize the lipstick of your dreams (from the perfect color, finish, flavor or scent) — but if you prefer to ready-made shade instead, the Canadian beauty brand’s Outburst Longwear Lip Stain will get you through the day without smearing.
Bite Outburst Longwear Lip Stain (reg. $27) $14 Buy now
Makeup artist Daniel Martin is the creative consultant for Honest Beauty, the non-toxic brand founded by Jessica Alba (who’s also a client), and whose products he used to create Meghan Markle’s royal wedding look. Among the label’s best-sellers is its long-wear liquid lipstick, a hydrating and cruelty-free lip color that leaves a matte finish.
Honest Beauty Liquid Lipstick $8.93 on Amazon.com Buy now
Smashbox’s Always On Longwear Matte Lipstick (available in 12 colors), stays put for up to eight hours.
Smashbox Cosmetics Always On Longwear Matte Lipstick $24 Buy now
Founded by tattoo artist-turned-beauty mogul Kat Von D (who stepped away from the brand in 2020), the vegan brand is known for offering some the best long-wear lipsticks in a variety of pigments. The best-selling Studded Kiss Creme Lipstick in Adora is a metallic red.
KVD Beauty Studded Kiss Creme Lipstick (reg. $20) $10 Buy now
This story was originally published July 29, 2021.
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