A Search for the Longest Lasting Lip Color

After dying my hair dark brown, I found that I needed to wear more makeup than I did with lighter highlights. Since I’m usually rushed in the mornings, I figured a bright lip would be my best bet. I decided to test three different products in order to find the longest lasting lip color: Stila Cherry Crush Lip and CheekStain ($24), CoverGirl Outlast Lipstain in Plum Pout ($8.99) and Laura Mercier Lip Pencil in True Red ($19).

9AM: First Application
Stila
Clicking the applicator makes it hard to determine how much color is coming out from the brush. But since the stain doesn’t dry right away, if you mess up it’s fixable.

CoverGirl
The applicator is like a marker, which is great because you can be very precise. But precision is key, since the stain is very hard to get off your skin if you mess up.

Laura Mercier
The pencil makes it easy to be precise, but since it’s so matte, I need to add a swipe of Rosebud lip salve. The color is the best since you can pick out the correct shade at the makeup counter.

11AM: Post-Breakfast
Stila
The color fades a little but doesn’t rub off on any of my breakfast.

CoverGirl
Nothing changes. The color doesn’t rub off on anything and the is just as dark.

Laura Mercier
About half of the color rubs off on my the cup of my Starbucks green tea latte.

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2PM: Post-Lunch
Stila
My lips feel dry despite the vitamin-enriched formula. I apply some Rosebud lip salve, which evens out the color.

CoverGirl
There are still no changes but I use a swipe of lip balm because my lips start to feel dry.

Laura Mercier
More color rubs off. But at least it fades evenly.

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7PM: Home From Work
Stila
I have to put on more salve because my lips are very dry. The color comes off unevenly, leaving me with spotted lips.

CoverGirl
The color is not as intense but after a swipe of salve and rubbing lips together, it fades fairly even.

Laura Mercier
The color is almost completely gone.

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12AM: Before Bed
Stila
The stain is completely gone. The color actually was gone by 8pm.

CoverGirl
It finally started rubbing off around 10 but there are still splotches before bed. I go back to my natural lips by using makeup remover.

Laura Mercier
There is no color left.

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Conclusion:
The longest lasting lip color out these three products is CoverGirl Outlast Lipstain. You only need to reapply two-three times to keep the same color from early morning until late at night. The only con is if you don’t have makeup remover, get ready to wake up with a splotchy pout. I’m also still loyal to my Laura Mercier lip pencil. It’s the most flattering red I’ve found yet.