Several occasions call for the best transfer-proof lipsticks, and they all start with the letter S: smooching, snacking, sipping, and special occasions. Sometimes, we all require a little bit more reassurance that our lip look isn’t going anywhere. “A transfer proof lipstick will stay on your lips only and won’t even move onto a drinking glass,” explains professional makeup artist Emily Gray. She adds that these are “self-setting lipstick formulas,” so they won’t budge from the lips no matter what. They’ll also stand the test of time, should you need to make it through cocktail hour and dinner. Below, shop the 11 best transfer-proof lipsticks for every skin tone, and price point.
Vogue’s Favorite Transfer-Proof Lipsticks:
In This Story
Best Glossy: Chanel Le Rouge Duo Ultra Tenue
- Why we love it: For those who love a shiny lip but don’t want any smudgy mess, look no further than Chanel’s high-performing liquid lip duo. The dual-ended stick includes an ultra-pigmented, long-wearing base coat and a clear, glossy top coat for shine and hydration. Gray says Chanel’s Le Rouge Duo Tenue is in a class of its own, “thanks to its impressive high-shine finish.” “The only thing you need to refresh your lips is the clear gloss throughout the day,” Gray says.
- Shades: 26
- Finish: Matte base coat, with gloss top coat
- Type: Liquid
- Key ingredients: Dimethicone (for lip-conditioning), isododecane (for glide), trimethylsiloxysilicate (for long-wear)
- Staying power: The liquid base coat is long-wear, while the gloss top coat can be reapplied
- Ease of application: According to Chanel, apply the base coat to clean lips with the attached wand applicator, allowing it to dry fully before applying the top coat with the same method. Reapply top coat as needed.
Best Drugstore Matte: Revlon ColorStay Suede Ink Lipstick
- Why we love it: Revlon’s “ColorStay” lipstick does just as the name implies—the built-in primer helps to keep lip color from drying out for up to 8 hours (enough to get you through an entire workday with no touch-ups). The formulation is vegan, featuring vitamin E as its star ingredient, for a soft matte finish.
- Shades: 18
- Finish: Soft matte
- Type: Cream
- Key ingredients: Vitamin E
- Staying power: 8 hours
- Ease of application: According to Revlon, apply to the center of your lips and glide outward, using the flat base of the lipstick.
Best French Girl Lips: Violette_FR Petal Bouche Matte
- Why we love it: “As someone with dry skin, I look for transfer-proof lipsticks that still have some hydration to them or are so thin that they don’t feel like anything on the lips,” says Gray. That’s why she’s fond of Violette FR’s Petal Bouche lipstick, which says is weightless, comfortable, while still being matte and transfer-proof. “It’s truly comfortable to wear all day, even if you tend to have more dry lips and skin,” explains Gray. The matte liquid lipstick comes in two additional shades, each with pigments soft like a flower petal, for an effortless French girl makeup look.
- Shades: 3
- Finish: Matte
- Type: Liquid
- Key ingredients: Isododecane, dimethicone, trimethylsiloxysilicate
- Staying power: Long-wearing
- Ease of application: Apply the lipstick to the bottom lip, then to the top one. Add a bit more color to the corners of the lips, then use your fingers to blot and blur the edges, as needed.
Best Extra Long-wear: MAC Cosmetics Locked Kiss 24hr Lipstick
- Why we love it: Do you dare put this lipstick to the test for 24 hours of wear? This MAC lipstick is formulated to take you through a full day—work, dinner, and an after-party that lasts into the early morning hours. The slim stick design allows for precise application, while the formula provides full coverage pigment that effortlessly glides on. The extra creamy texture ensures zero dragging, thanks to the inclusion of passion fruit oil—to keep it that way, make sure to click the cap properly shut to avoid the product drying out.
- Shades: 18
- Finish: Matte
- Type: Cream
- Key ingredients: Dimethicone, synthetic wax, passiflora edulis seed oil
- Staying power: 24 hours, long-wearing
- Ease of application: For best results, apply directly to clean lips, and wait at least two minutes for the formula to full set.
Best Bold: Pat McGrath Liquilust Legendary Wear Lipstick
- Why we love it: From ultra vibrant shades to glistening metallics, no one makes a bold liquid lip quite like beauty icon Pat McGrath. The tapered applicator allows for precise application—synthetic beeswax prevents dragging—and the whipped texture dries down quickly. Best of all, the product boasts up to 12 hours of wear, without any fear of smudging.
- Shades: 15
- Finish: Matte, metallic
- Type: Liquid
- Key ingredients: Kaolin, synthetic beeswax
- Staying power: 12 hours
- Ease of application: Use the pointed tip of the applicator, carefully line your lips. Then, with the flat edged of the applicator fill in the lines with a layer of color.
Best Blurring: Tom Ford Liquid Lip Luxe Matte
- Why we love it: If your hesitation with matte lipsticks is a heavy feel that emphasizes every line on your lips, look no further than Tom Ford’s liquid lippie. The blend of black rose oil and seaweed extract delivers impactful color that’s lightweight and long-lasting.
- Shades: 15
- Finish: Matte
- Type: Liquid
- Key ingredients: Algae extract, rosa hybrid flower extract
- Staying power: All day wear
- Ease of application: Apply to the center of your lips and glide outward, using the flat base of the lipstick. To refine the corners of your mouth, use the tip of the applicator, allowing the product to dry before gently blurring the edges with your finger tips.
Best Matte: NARS Power Matte Lipstick
- Why we love it: During last year’s Met Gala, this matte lipstick was my saving grace—I’ve even kissed a napkin several times to test the transfer-proof qualities of this lipstick, and it passed the test. This is a fail-proof choice when there’s no time for touchups during a busy evening event.
- Shades: 24
- Finish: Matte
- Type: Cream
- Key ingredients: Lauroyl lysine (fatty and amino acid blend)
- Staying power: 10 hours
- Ease of application: Use the tip of the lipstick to define your lip line, starting at the center and working outward. Use the flat side of the lipstick to fill in lips.
Best Shade Range: Dior Rouge Dior Forever
- Why we love it: Dior’s transfer-proof lipstick boasts up to 16 hours of wear, with a vibrant color payoff and soft focus finish. (What’s more, the brand says that its lipstick is even safe near your whitest clothes—the color shouldn’t transfer when in contact with fabrics.) With 32 to shades to pick from, you’re sure to find one that’s perfect for you. Meanwhile, red peony extract and jojoba keep your pout hydrated.
- Shades: 32
- Finish: Matte
- Type: Cream
- Key ingredients: Red peony extract, jojoba
- Staying power: 16 hours
- Ease of application: After applying directly to lips, allow three minutes for the color to set.
Best Weightless: Fenty Beauty Stunna Lip Paint
- Why we love it: With six universally flattering shades for all skin tones, each color dries down to a soft matte finish—even when rubbing your lips together, the product feels silky and weightless (no flaking here). Plus, it’s a personal favorite of professional makeup artist Jen Tioseco. “I love Fenty Lip Stunna because although its transfer-proof, it still gives a beautiful satin finish keeping your lips looking juicy still without the mess,” Tioseco says.
- Shades: 6
- Finish: Soft matte
- Type: Liquid
- Key ingredients: Isododecane, dimethicone, trimethylsiloxysilicate
- Staying power: Long-wearing
- Ease of application: Shake the tube before applying the lip paint to activate pigments. Using the precision wand, hold the brush upright to define the lips and point it down to fill them in.
Best Drugstore Liquid Lip: Maybelline Superstay Matte Link Liquid Lipstick
- Why we love it: Maybelline’s Superstay lipstick is the ultimate long-lasting, budget friendly find—with 40 shades to pick from.
- Shades: 40
- Finish: Matte
- Type: Liquid
- Key ingredients: Dimethicone, trimethylsiloxysilicate, isododecane
- Staying power: 16 hours
- Ease of application: According to Maybelline, start by applying to the center of your upper lip and follow the contours of your mouth. Next, glide the wand applicator across your bottom lip, allowing two minutes for the product to dry.
Best Drugstore Glossy: NYX Shine Loud High Shine Lip Color
- Why we love it: For those who want a high-gloss, transfer-proof look that won’t hurt their wallet, NYX’s shiny, loud lip color wins best in the show. This dual-ended lipstick boasts up to 16 hours of transfer-proof color with a vegan formulation. On one end, the base coat offers a pigmented, smudge-proof color. Meanwhile, the opposite side of the stick includes a non-sticky lip gloss for a high-shine finish.
- Shades: 30
- Finish: Matte base coat, with gloss top coat
- Type: Liquid
- Key ingredients: Macadamia seed oil, coriander fruit oil, jojoba seed oil, apricot kernel oil, passionfruit seed oil
- Staying power: 16 hours
- Ease of application: NYX advises to start off with exfoliated lips, that are fully dry for a sooth canvas. Next, apply an even coat of the base color on your lips and allow for 60 seconds to dry. Finally, seal in the color with the glossy top coat.
What is a transfer proof lipstick?
You already know that not all lipsticks are created equal, but what makes a transfer-proof lipstick stand out is the need for fewer touch-ups. “A transfer-proof lipstick is a type of lipstick that is meant for long wear without smudging or transferring,” explains celebrity makeup artist Katie Galliher. “They are different than regular lipsticks because they contain certain ingredients and drying agents (like trimethylated silica) that enhance the adhesions of the lip pigment.”
- Type: Transfer-proof lipsticks come in creams, stains, and liquids, with the latter being the most common formulation. When in doubt, professional makeup artist Jen Tioseco recommends a liquid formula. “Generally, a liquid lipstick is a transfer-proof formula, one application, and you don’t have to spend your night worrying about touch-ups,” says Tioseco.
- Finish: Picking a transfer-proof lipstick finish is mainly up to personal preference, though the options of glossy, satin, and matte are available—some formulas glosses on the other end. “[Picking a finish] depends on the look I’m trying to achieve with my client. For a red carpet look, I lean towards choosing something more matte so my client’s lips look even and full, versus a satin which when hit with a light can create a shine which can make them appear uneven,” explains Tioseco.
How To Make Lipstick Last Longer
In addition to picking an excellent transfer-proof formula, our experts share a few other tips to ensure longwear. Galliher recommends starting with a lip liner to carve out lipstick placement and powdering over cream lipstick formulas to set them in place. “Just like cream concealers, foundations, and blushes, setting any creams with powder helps fix it to the skin, and lipstick is no different! Layering cream to powder will help with transfer and staying power,” she explains.
When reaching for a transfer-proof lipstick, particularly one with a matte finish, Galliher also says it’s essential to ensure lips are properly exfoliated and moisturized beforehand to avoid emphasizing dry or chapped skin. Gray agrees, explaining the process of starting her makeup routine with a hydrating balm. “I like to prep my lips with a hydrating lip mask while I’m doing the rest of the makeup (I save applying lipstick and liner for last). When I get to my final step, my lips, I take a wipe or cotton pad and take off the lip mask (if you leave it on, all lipsticks tend to transfer, in my experience), then I’ll take my powder puff, with some leftover powder in it, and pat it all over the lip,” says Gray.
Meet The Experts
- Jen Tioseco is a celebrity makeup artist based between LA and New York. Her clients include Cami Mendes, Madelyn Cline, Ariana Greenblatt, Zooey Deschanel, Hilary Duff and more
- Katie Galliher is a celebrity makeup artist based between New York and Nashville. Her clients include Jessica Biel, Troye Sivan, Nicole Kidman and more.
- Emily Gray is a professional makeup artist based in Nashville. Gray has worked with Lana Del Rey, Kimberly Schlapman, Kelsea Ballerini, and more.
