137 Lipsticks That Pass the Happy Hour Test
We drank, ate, and then drank some more—no need to thank us!
Unless you're sealing a letter with a kiss, chances you want your lip color to stay on your lips. Read: Not on your wine glass, significant other's lips, pulled-pork slider, or BFF's cheek. Drinking, eating, and kissing being such hard work and all, we thought we'd help you out with some heavy-lifting of our own. So we enlisted a group of five lipstick-loving friends to put a group of lip colors—all designed to last—to the test. And happy hour was indeed happy: These lip products went the mile, or, er, the night. Even better, they come in a rainbow of 137 shades. So whether you're into vampy violet or velvety red, it's time to upgrade to one of these budge-proof babies for every hour.
1. Rimmel Provocalips
Price: $7.49
Best-Selling Shade: Wish Upon a Berry
Staying power through cocktails: 🍷 🍷 🍷 🍷 🍷
Staying power through nibbles: 🍟 🍟 🍟 🍟 🍟
How comfie and hydrating it feels: 💋 💋 💋 💋
Pro: "Commitment-phobes be warned: This lip duo is a stage-five clinger—in the best way! No matter what you do, this stuff is sticking around."
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Con: "Even my makeup remover and a wash cloth couldn't get it off."
Insider tip: When you're ready to say bye-bye to this budge-proof formula, wipe it off with an oil-based makeup remove like Lancôme Bi-Facil.
2. Yves Saint Laurent Rouge Pur Couture Glossy Stain
Price: $36.00
Best-Selling Shade: #12 Corail Fauve
Staying power through cocktails: 🍷 🍷 🍷 🍷
Staying power through nibbles: 🍟 🍟 🍟 🍟
How comfie and hydrating it feels: 💋 💋 💋 💋 💋
Pro: "Did the goodbye-kiss test with my boyfriend—and the color stayed on! I was surprised at how long it stayed shiny."
Con: "Texture is a little sticky. It probably wasn't the best decision to wear this on a windy day—I was pulling hair away from my lips all afternoon."
Insider tip: Its pointed applicator makes swiping it on super easy and precise.
3. NARS Velvet Matte Lip Pencil
Price: $27.00
Best-Selling Shade: Dolce Vita
Staying power through cocktails: 🍷 🍷 🍷
Staying power through nibbles: 🍟 🍟 🍟
How comfie and hydrating it feels: 💋 💋 💋 💋 💋
Pro: "I've never been an avid lip crayon user, however this may change after using this one! It went on smoothly like a regular lipstick and I was pleasantly surprised when it didn't dry my lips [since it's matte]."
Con: "You definitely need to tote it along for touch-ups."
Insider tip: This pencil is so easy to use that you don't need a mirror—it's worth springing for a sharpener to keep it that way.
4. MAKE UP FOR EVER Artist Acrylip
Price: $18.00
Best-Selling Shade: #501 Eggplant
Staying power through cocktails: 🍷 🍷 🍷 🍷
Staying power through nibbles: 🍟 🍟 🍟 🍟 🍟
How comfie and hydrating it feels: 💋 💋 💋 💋
Pro: "While the color was really intense on application, it dried to a pretty stain. My lips felt really moisturized. I've never been a gloss girl, but this non-sticky lip paint might just convert me to the shiny side."
Con: "It was a little tricky to control where the color went."
Insider tip: For a sheer wash of color, squeeze out a bit—about the size of grain of rice. If you want to go bold, use about a pea-sized amount.
5. Kat Von D Studded Kiss Lipstick
Price: $18.00
Best-Selling Shade: Lolita
Staying power through cocktails: 🍷 🍷 🍷 🍷
Staying power through nibbles: 🍟 🍟 🍟 🍟
How comfie and hydrating it feels: 💋 💋 💋 💋
Pro: "I was very impressed by this lipstick! I sat through a 3-course meal with lots of red wine without having to reapply. And lips stayed hydrated. I've steered clear from matte lipsticks in the past as they tend to dry my lips out, but I'd definitely wear this one again!"
Con: "It faded quickly, though some color remained throughout the day."
Insider tip: If you fall into the camp that sees fading, layer a lip pencil underneath it for added staying power.
6. MAC Pro Longwear Lip Pencil
Price: $21.00
Best-Selling Shade: Morning Coffee
Staying power through cocktails: 🍷 🍷 🍷
Staying power through nibbles: 🍟 🍟 🍟 🍟
How comfie and hydrating it feels: 💋 💋 💋
Pro: "I chose to test this lip liner with one of my MAC lipsticks, and boy, it did not disappoint! I could definitely tell the difference—my lipstick stayed on for longer. The nude color of this pencil makes it all the more versatile."
Con: "To go the distance, it's best to pair it with another lip product."
Insider tip: To help the pigment slip onto lips, moisturize with a balm and blot before applying it.
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