Weindependently evaluateall of our recommendations.
If you punch links we provide, we may receive compensation.
Long-lasting lip color that wont break the bank.
Byrdie / Eden Stuart; Emily Cieslak; Alyssa Kaplan
When it comes to super intense, long-lasting lip color,liquid lipsticksreign supreme.
Theyre less likely tosmudgeor transfer as well, says makeup artistMaya Adivi.
The array of liquid lipsticks at the drugstore at wallet-friendly prices.
PHOTO: Byrdie
When it comes to performance, I think budget brands compare very favorably to high-end ones, Adivi notes.
Their products are just as opaque andlong-wearing, and the color selection is fantastic.
To that point, more affordable price tags mean experimenting with more fun shades.
We tried around 40 different drugstore liquid lipsticks to bring you a list of the key players.
These are the ones we liked best, all of which cost under $15.
This one from ColourPop does that and then some.
PHOTO: Ulta
It offers stunning shades that deliver a serious color payoff with little effort (aka, one swipe).
She did touch it up but didn’t need to fully reapply.
There was also no feathering our bleeding, always a good thing in our book.
However, you may want to keep alip balmon hand when wearing this one.
It left our testers lips hydrated, even though it dried down to a matte finish.
No smudging, no bleeding," she said.
PHOTO: Amazon
Also nice: Despite the supreme staying power, it was still very easy to remove with amakeup wipe.
The pigment also packs a punch; the color payoff is intense.
But upon first and second applications, this lipstick felt really comfortable.
The shade is also really pretty."
(To that point, it also didnt settle into lip lines.)
The bold color was rich and beautiful and came off easily.
PHOTO: Ulta
One caveat: this may not be the best option if youre looking for something super budge-proof.
It transferred and smudgeda bummer given how much we liked everything else about this.
It felt so hydrating that I would feel comfortable using this every day.
It excelled in all of our tests for smudging and transferring.
Eden Stuart, Byrdie editor with warm undertones:The color is great!
I also like how long it wears throughout the day.
PHOTO: Ulta
At one point I even ate a sandwich and didn’t need to touch up!
The only minor drawback?
It can feel a bit sticky upon initial app, though that dissipates quickly as it dries down.
I only needed one full swipe to achieve my desired intensity.
And while one coat delivered our testers ideal level of pigment, they also found it easily buildable.
It didnt perform as well with transfer-resistance.
PHOTO: Target
It smudged on hands during our smear test but left a good amount of color around the lips.
Similarly, it got very smudgy and messy during the removal process.
This one earned rave reviews for a featherweight feel that was nearly undetectable on lips.
Byrdie / Jessica Juliao
If it werent for the beautiful, opaque color, our tester easily couldve forgotten they were wearing it.
It was super long-wearing as well yet still easy to remove.
Michelle, tester with warm skin undertones:The product looked even and smooth after applying it.
PHOTO: Ulta
It didn’t have any shine and gave a matte finish while still keeping my lips hydrated and soft.
I didnt feel the need to continually reapply.
The pigment remained strong and bold and didn’t smear much at all.
This formula comes in over 20 different ones.
But its not just the quantity thats impressive, its also the quality.
Smudges and transferring are a real possibility, so you may need a touch-up or two.
PHOTO: Ulta
Alyssa Kaplan, Byrdie writer with neutral-warm undertones:The pigment is rich and buildable.
One coat provides pretty even, full coverage, but a second layer ensures complete opacity."
This liquid lipstick from Lip Bar comes in a whopping 26 shades that have true staying power.
Byrdie / Jessica Juliao
It applies almostlip stainbut dries down to a gorgeous matte finish that’s not at all drying.
However, you’re able to blot it down to achieve the color you’re hoping for.
It felt comfortable on the lips, even when it dried."
PHOTO: Ulta
That said, it really does boil down to personal preference.
Do you want the glam factor of a red lipstick or a subtle my lips but better shade?
Byrdie / Jessica Juliao
PHOTO: Ulta
PHOTO: Walmart
Byrdie / Jessica Juliao
PHOTO: Target
PHOTO: Target
