I tried out 5 popular lip liners over the course of 7 days—here's the one that didn’t need to be reapplied.

I tried out 5 popular lip liners over the course of 7 days—here's the one that didn’t need to be reapplied.

      A quality lip liner can be game-changing. Trust me: a basic overlining method can make your lips appear twice their size, without needing any fillers. However, the distinction between a good lip liner and an exceptional one lies in its staying power once you're on the go. Does the color smear after your first drink, or does it last for hours without needing touch-ups? My beauty pet peeve is spending time perfecting my lip combination, only to look in the mirror moments later and find it has vanished. (Is anyone else with me on this?!) So, I decided to run a small experiment: a wear test on five of my favorite liners to determine which formula lasts the longest. I ate, drank, sweated on the subway, and even faced a windy rainstorm (without an umbrella, much to my regret) to find the top contender among long-lasting lip liners. Honestly, the winner surprised me—keep scrolling, and I bet you’ll be surprised too.

      1. Rhode Peptide Lip Shape

      Rhode's Peptide Lip Shape is likely my favorite product from the brand (though the Pocket Blush is a very close second!). The shades are unmatched, designed to create a contour effect that makes your lips appear naturally fuller. I can personally vouch for this; my lips genuinely look twice their size. I prefer the shade Lunge, a rosy beige, which has a neutral, my-lips-but-better finish that allows me to seamlessly extend my natural lip line. The application is creamy and blends beautifully; I don’t even need to use the built-in smudger at the pencil’s end. It’s that easy to diffuse onto the skin. To be honest, Rhode doesn’t last as long as some other options on this list. However, it isn't marketed as a smudge-proof, water-resistant formula; smudging is part of the soft-focus effect it’s known for! But if you’re seeking some hassle-free staying power, you might want to look elsewhere. I’m truly in love with the finish, so I wouldn’t mind applying it multiple times a day for effortlessly full lips each time. You can also enhance its staying power by ensuring the skin around your lips is completely dry (no lingering moisturizer or sunscreen) and lightly setting them with powder before application. This pro tip, which I picked up from makeup artist Kelli Anne Sewell, was what I did in the photos above.

      Shop the Lip Combo I'm Wearing

      Rhode Peptide Lip Shape in Lunge

      cocokind Ceramide Lip Blur Balm in Be Powerful

      2. Tarte Maracuja Juicy Lip Stain Liner

      This Tarte product grabbed my attention right away. It’s a "lip stain liner," providing juicy, long-lasting color while precisely defining the border with a pointed tip. You can either fill your entire lip area with the felt marker or blend out the liner and top it off with a balm or gloss (which is what I did in the photos above). True to its name, the liner stains your lips but is quite forgiving; I was concerned that if I messed up my line (thanks to my unsteady hands), my lips would look uneven all day, but the formula blurs beautifully with a simple tap from my fingertip, leaving a velvety, just-bitten finish. I applied it in the morning before a breakfast event, and while the glossiness faded after eating and drinking, the liner stayed true! If you look closely at my Uber selfie, you can see the faint line beneath my lower lip, right where I overlined. I did end up reapplying my gloss before heading into the office (I crave that shine!), but I still consider the liner a solid staple.

      Shop the Lip Combo I'm Wearing

      Tarte Maracuja Juicy Lip Stain Liner in Honeysuckle

      Vitamasques Tinted Lip Butter Balm in Wild Cherry

      3. Refy Lip Sculpt Longwear Liner

      Refy has recently updated its popular Lip Sculpt to offer a 16-hour wear time and a no-touch-up formula (bold claims indeed!). The previous version had a dual-ended setter to enhance the liner’s longevity, but this new formula incorporates that setting power into the long-lasting pigment, simplifying application. As someone who rarely used the original attached setter, I’m delighted with this change. What really excited me, however, was its all-day definition. Excuse the sweaty subway selfie, but I was genuinely impressed by how long the formula remained on my lips! I used the shade Rosewood, a medium warm pink perfect for daily wear, as it easily enhances my natural lip color. The subway selfie was taken after a full workday (during which I rushed across the city to several events), and if you look closely, you can still see where I filled in my Cupid's bow for a rounder, fuller effect.

      Shop the Lip Combo I'm Wearing

      REFY Lip Sculpt

I tried out 5 popular lip liners over the course of 7 days—here's the one that didn’t need to be reapplied. I tried out 5 popular lip liners over the course of 7 days—here's the one that didn’t need to be reapplied. I tried out 5 popular lip liners over the course of 7 days—here's the one that didn’t need to be reapplied. I tried out 5 popular lip liners over the course of 7 days—here's the one that didn’t need to be reapplied. I tried out 5 popular lip liners over the course of 7 days—here's the one that didn’t need to be reapplied. I tried out 5 popular lip liners over the course of 7 days—here's the one that didn’t need to be reapplied. I tried out 5 popular lip liners over the course of 7 days—here's the one that didn’t need to be reapplied. I tried out 5 popular lip liners over the course of 7 days—here's the one that didn’t need to be reapplied. I tried out 5 popular lip liners over the course of 7 days—here's the one that didn’t need to be reapplied. I tried out 5 popular lip liners over the course of 7 days—here's the one that didn’t need to be reapplied. I tried out 5 popular lip liners over the course of 7 days—here's the one that didn’t need to be reapplied. I tried out 5 popular lip liners over the course of 7 days—here's the one that didn’t need to be reapplied. I tried out 5 popular lip liners over the course of 7 days—here's the one that didn’t need to be reapplied. I tried out 5 popular lip liners over the course of 7 days—here's the one that didn’t need to be reapplied. I tried out 5 popular lip liners over the course of 7 days—here's the one that didn’t need to be reapplied. I tried out 5 popular lip liners over the course of 7 days—here's the one that didn’t need to be reapplied. I tried out 5 popular lip liners over the course of 7 days—here's the one that didn’t need to be reapplied. I tried out 5 popular lip liners over the course of 7 days—here's the one that didn’t need to be reapplied. I tried out 5 popular lip liners over the course of 7 days—here's the one that didn’t need to be reapplied. I tried out 5 popular lip liners over the course of 7 days—here's the one that didn’t need to be reapplied. I tried out 5 popular lip liners over the course of 7 days—here's the one that didn’t need to be reapplied.

Other articles

To Upgrade Your Wardrobe, Consider These J.Crew Pieces (Including Essential Linen Staples) To Upgrade Your Wardrobe, Consider These J.Crew Pieces (Including Essential Linen Staples) Stylish, no doubt. It's true—these "tacky" color trends will be seen as stylish once more by Fall 2025. It's true—these "tacky" color trends will be seen as stylish once more by Fall 2025. Just trust me on this one. My sister and I have different skin types, yet these products *miraculously* suit both of us. My sister and I have different skin types, yet these products *miraculously* suit both of us. My sister and I possess different skin types, yet we both adore these 8 products. Click here to view them all.

I tried out 5 popular lip liners over the course of 7 days—here's the one that didn’t need to be reapplied.

The winner may catch you off guard.