There’s no question about it. Some lipsticks are absolutely horrible. You purchase and use them with high expectations only to realize they leave your lips WAY too dry, are not the color you expected, or crack and don’t sit well on the skin.
Your lips deserve so much better.
That’s why I’m here to share with you my favorite brand products and shades for all of those holiday parties you have coming up. With a long night ahead there is little time to continuously reapply your lipstick. Use these 4 incredible products to style your look and forget worrying about the hassle of running to the bathroom for a lip fix.
TIP: Use a primer, lip-liner, and lipstick for the long-lasting finish you desire. Blending different color lip-liners and lipsticks can also enhance overall appearance.
1. Yves Saint Laurent USA | Volupte Shine Oil-In-Stick Lipstick
Yves Saint Laurent makes one of my favorite lipsticks of all-time. Their Volupte Shine Oil-In-Stick lipstick is exactly what it sounds like… silky smooth! It glides softly onto the lips and, because of the oil activation in the product, never leaves your lips dry. The colors stand out and blend well. The color lasts for most of the workday. The only time I find myself reapplying is after eating or drinking during the afternoon.
My favorite color selections: Rouge, Pink In Paris, Fushia Intense, and Soft Beige
Where to purchase: Sephora, Nordstrom, Amazon, and Neiman Marcus
2. Milani Cosmetics | Color Statement Lipstick
I wear Milani products in a majority of my style photos. The reason I love this brand so much is their wide color selection and because they are super affordable for my student budget. At only $5.99 full-price you won’t be disappointed. The color lasts for a few hours and doesn’t dry out the lips. I have about 10 colors right now and I always carry one or two in my purse and car for any last-minute touch-ups or color changes. I am also fond of the Milani lip-liners. They have matching shades to the lipstick, but I like to use lip-liner that is just a shade lighter than the lipstick of choice.
My favorite color selections: Brandy Berry, Uptown Mauve, Bahama Beige, and Rose Femme
Where to purchase: Target, Walgreens, Amazon, and CVS
3. Estee Lauder | Pure Color Envy
The Estee Lauder nude shades are perfect for a casual get-together or work party where you’re trying to stay neutral. I don’t love their pink shades as much, but they do have quite the variety. These lipsticks are soft and pretty when applied. They don’t last quite as long as some of the other lipsticks I use but are easy to take along and apply. They rarely ever bleed (which is amazing) and Estee has a reputation for high-quality products! Pure Color Envy is a staple in my makeup bag.
My favorite color selections: Intense Nude, Decadent, and Insatiable Ivory
Where to purchase: Macy’s, Ulta, Sephora, and Nordstrom
4. NARS Cosmetics | Velvet Matte Lip Pencil
I have not found a better long-lasting red than NARS. I tried this product for the first time last year when Sephora gave me a sample free for my birthday. No wonder they do this because I’ve been hooked since! It lasts all day long. I usually use a lip-liner and shine afterwards if I want the red to stand out more. The crayon-style product makes application easy. I highly recommend NARS red for the holidays. I love wearing red lipstick because it is festive and fabulous!
My favorite color selections: Infatuated Red, Dragon Girl, and Never Say Never
Where to purchase: Sephora, Nordstrom, and Saks
With one of these lipsticks your makeup is bound to look gorgeous at every holiday party! Add a little bit of sparkle and shine to decorate the look. Reds and nudes are my personal favorites during the holiday season depending on the type of event. On Christmas Eve I will be wearing NARS red with a Milani red lip-liner underneath.
Check out these BEST of 2016 lipstick reviews to find more great products:
What are your favorite long-lasting lipsticks for the holiday season? Comment below!