Liquid lipsticks have come a long way since their peak popularity in 2015. Early formulas were thick, overly matte, and prone to cracking. Today’s best options deliver long-lasting wear without drying out your lips—plus, they’re available in a variety of finishes, from glossy to the trendy K-beauty blurred effect. Some are even smudge-proof.

Vogue’s Top Liquid Lipstick Picks
Best Overall: Chanel Rouge Allure Laque, $50
Best Long-Wearing: Charlotte Tilbury Airbrush Flawless Lip Blur, $35
Best French Girl Lips: Violette_FR Petal Bouche Matte, $31
Best Drugstore: Maybelline Super Stay Vinyl Ink, $13

### How to Choose & Apply Liquid Lipstick
The fusion of skincare and makeup has revolutionized lip products. “Older long-wear formulas often contained drying alcohols,” says makeup artist El DeBratto. “Now, many include hydrating ingredients like hyaluronic acid, botanical oils, and dimethicone to plump lips and prevent creasing.”

Below, discover nine standout formulas for every finish.

### Best Overall: Chanel Rouge Allure Laque
Price: $50
Why we love it: This water-resistant formula glides on smoothly, drying to a velvety satin finish with impressive staying power. Polymers lock in moisture while preserving color.
Shades: 18
Finish: Satin, blurred
Key ingredients: Dimethicone, synthetic wax, kaolin
Staying power: Up to 12 hours

### Best Long-Wearing: Charlotte Tilbury Airbrush Flawless Lip Blur
Price: $35
Why we love it: Designed to mimic an airbrushed effect, this formula avoids settling into lines. Infused with vitamin E, sunflower oil, and hyaluronic acid, it keeps lips hydrated all day.
Shades: 8
Finish: Soft-focus matte
Key ingredients: Dimethicone, tocopherol, hyaluronic acid
Staying power: Up to 24 hours

### Best Matte: NARS Air Matte Lip Color
Price: $28
Why we love it: Lightweight and cushiony, this matte lipstick feels barely there. Micro-powders and polymers prevent dryness for comfortable wear.
Shades: 12
Finish: Soft matte
Key ingredients: Dimethicone crosspolymer
Staying power: Up to 8 hours

### Best for Blurred Lips: Flower Knows Strawberry Rococo Cloud Lip Cream
Price: $18–$22
Why we love it: With whimsical Marie Antoinette-inspired packaging, this K-beauty pick delivers a breathable, blurred finish in one swipe.
Shades: 9
Finish: Blurred
Key ingredients: Dimethicone crosspolymer
Staying power: Up to 8 hours

### Best Drugstore: Maybelline Super Stay Vinyl Ink
Price: $10–$13
Why we love it: Vogue’s Margaux Anbouba swears by this high-shine, long-wearing formula. “It stays put without drying out my lips and gives a plump, glossy look,” she says.
Shades: [Number not specified]
Finish: Vinyl shine
Key ingredients: [Not listed]
Staying power: All-day wearFrom soft nudes to bold hot pink, this lipstick makes me feel powerful,” says Anbouba.

Shades: 20
Finish: Shine
Key Ingredients: Dimethicone, aloe barbadensis leaf extract, tocopherol
Staying Power: Up to 16 hours

### Best French Girl Lips: Violette_FR Petal Bouche Matte
Shade: Amour Fou
Price: $28
Why we love it: Celebrity makeup artist Emily Gray told Vogue, “As someone with dry skin, I look for transfer-proof lipsticks that still feel hydrating or so lightweight they’re barely noticeable. This one stays comfortable all day, even on dry lips.” The matte liquid formula comes in three soft yet vibrant shades.

Shades: 3
Finish: Matte
Key Ingredients: Isododecane, dimethicone, trimethylsiloxysilicate
Staying Power: Long-wearing

### Best Transfer-Proof Drugstore: NYX Shine Loud High Shine Lip Color
Price: $12 ($7 on Amazon)
Why we love it: For a glossy, transfer-proof look that’s budget-friendly, NYX Shine Loud delivers. The dual-ended stick features a smudge-proof matte base and a non-sticky gloss for shine. When the gloss fades, reapply—the color stays put for up to 16 hours.

Shades: 30
Finish: Matte base with glossy top coat
Key Ingredients: Macadamia seed oil, coriander fruit oil, jojoba seed oil, apricot kernel oil, passionfruit seed oil
Staying Power: 16 hours

### Best Plumping: About Face Blur Matte Lip Plump
Price: $18
Why we love it: About Face’s newest lip plumper does it all—it glides on smoothly, leaves a cooling tingle, and lasts all night without fading.

Shades: 6
Finish: Blurred
Staying Power: Long-wearing

### How to Choose a Liquid Lipstick
The right liquid lipstick depends on your preferred finish. “While true matte is classic, newer formulas offer satin, gloss, blurred, and soft matte options,” says DeBratto. “Since matte can be drying, I prefer hydrating finishes like satin or shine.”

### How to Apply Liquid Lipstick
Start with moisturized lips—try a lip mask the night before for extra softness.

1. Line lips with a matching lip liner, filling them in lightly.
2. Use the doe-foot applicator to apply the lipstick evenly.
3. Gently tap the product with your finger or a flat brush to blend.
4. Clean up edges with a Q-tip or concealer.

Celebrity makeup artist Emily Gray recommends prepping lips with balm during your makeup routine: “Apply lip balm while doing the rest of your face, then wipe it off before lipstick. Dust lips lightly with powder to prevent transfer.”Before applying lipstick.

Meet the Experts

El DeBratto is a non-binary editorial makeup artist based in New York. Their clients include Coco Rocha, Flower Beauty, Kristin Ess, and Glamour Magazine.

Emily Gray is a professional makeup artist in Nashville. She has worked with Lana Del Rey, Kimberly Schlapman, Kelsea Ballerini, and others.