The Best Lipstick to Wear With—And Without

I put dozens of lipsticks to the test, here are the ones that held up.

The Best Lipstick to Wear With—And Without—a Mask

In the before times, there was nothing that would boost my mood like a swipe of lipstick. These days it's not as simple. Even with the best long-lasting lipstick formulas, it's 10 times harder to get that pick-me-up without getting smudges all over my mask and face.

The simple solution here is to either (a) skip a mask or (b) skip lipstick, but for me, neither is going to happen. Masks are still recommended indoors, and lipstick is the key to bringing some semblance of normalcy to my day. Even if no one is going to see my cherry red Chanel but me or my Zoom call, it makes me feel put together and ready to take on the day. And besides, there's something kind of glamorous about wearing lipstick that only you know about, like wearing La Perla lingerie under jeans and a sweatshirt.

However, as mask mandates begin to relax, I'm more than ready to show off my lipstick at a dinner or on my daily walks. But since I still will gladly wear a mask on the subway or while walking around a restaurant, I still want something with some serious staying power. I'm not alone. Lipsticks sales dropped during the pandemic—putting an end to the famed “lipstick index” economists have cited for decades—but they're finally on the upswing again as vaccination rates rise.

So, keeping in mind that the only solution to 100% avoiding smudging is to not wear lipstick at all, I set out to find which of the best long-lasting lipstick options actually hold up with and without a mask. Here are the ones worth a spot in your makeup bag for the foreseeable future—and then some.

Best Overall: L’Oréal Paris Rouge Signature Lightweight Matte Lip Stain in I Create

This is hands down my favorite out of all the smudge-proof lipstick formulas I put to the test. I generally find liquid lipsticks to be so uncomfortable, but this one feels like I don't have anything on. It didn't move at all when I wore it on a three-hour train excursion gone wrong, and it wasn't distracting or heavy-feeling. This shade reminds me of some far more expensive ones in my collection. It's the perfect pinky beige for my skin tone to wake up my face and make my lips look a bit fuller. Despite its insane staying power, it has the prettiest stain finish, and the tapered doe foot makes it a breeze to apply. It will have a permanent spot in my purse, even when masks are no longer required.

L'Oréal Paris Rouge Signature Lightweight Matte Lip Stain

$12L'OréalBuy Now

Best Liquid: Dior Rouge Dior Ultracare Liquid in 999

While I love a ’90s nude lip (like most of those in this story), when I’m feeling extremely blah, a classic red is the only thing that works for me—and it doesn't get any more timeless than Dior's 999. The color is stunning. It's very Old Hollywood, and instantly made me feel glam, even though I hadn't washed my hair in a few days. The formula is infused with flower oil, so it's fairly hydrating, and much more comfortable than most liquids since it doesn't dry down all the way. Unfortunately, that means it moves around a little more. I had to touch up slightly once I took my mask off—a bit had traveled to my chin when I put the mask on—but the lipstick stayed bright and 99% in place through a brisk walk and an iced matcha, which I consider a win even under normal circumstances. It also fades evenly into a stain rather than crumbling off, which I always appreciate.

Dior Rouge Dior Ultra Care Liquid Lipstick

$38DiorBuy Now

Best Bullet: Pat McGrath Labs MatteTrance Lipstick in 1995

Oh look, another ’90s nude. This is what I throw on when I want to channel the iconic supermodels of that era—it’s a nice classic beige brown that's warm enough to not make me look dead, and it's super matte. It almost looks like velvet on but feels totally comfortable, and the packaging is stunning. This one survived a walk to pick up dinner with minimal shifting, and although a little rubbed off on my mask, it didn't get all over my face.

Pat McGrath Labs Mattetrance Lipstick

$38Pat McGrath LabsBuy Now

Best Drugstore: Maybelline Superstay Ink Crayon in Enjoy the View

These pencils are criminally underrated. They rival even the luxury options. They're creamy nad comfortable, and do. not. move. It actually makes no sense to me how something that looks and feels so nice stays put so well, but I'm not going to question it. I love this shade for when I want something a little more interesting than my go-to nude without veering into bold territory. It's also great for patting on my cheeks for a pretty, bronzy blush situation that stays on all day.

Maybelline SuperStay Ink Crayon Lipstick

$9MaybellineBuy Now

Best Stain: Benefit Cosmetics Lovetint Lip & Cheek Stain

I really love a sheer red lip and not much other makeup, and Benefit's Love Tint is perfect for getting that “just ate a Popsicle” vibe. Stains are also a no-brainer for mask wearing, as staining your lips is kind of their whole job. This one is surprisingly versatile. One dab gives you a sheer wash, while a few more builds up into a pretty vibrant cherry. It's not drying but it's not really hydrating either, so I topped it with a little balm and didn't have any problems with transfer. It's also so cute on my cheeks as a little flush.