7 Lip Primers for Longer-Lasting Lip Makeup
(Photo : Vecteezy / Yuliia Kaveshnikova)

It might be unbelievable, but most of us jump right to lip color. However, lip primers offer an advantage that's just difficult to resist. It makes lip makeup last longer!

Lip Primers

Lip primer ensures your lip color stays vibrant all day because it acts as a base layer, smoothing your lips for flawless lipstick application. Lip primers are formulated with hydrating ingredients to prevent dryness and provide a smooth surface for lipstick. It also blurs imperfections, making your lip color look even and vibrant. Lip primer extends wear time by preventing feathering and smudging. 

Apply on clean, exfoliated lips, let it set, then apply lipstick. Lip primer is great for long days, events, or meals, ensuring your lips look polished and put together with minimal touch-ups.

Get Longer-Lasting Lip Makeup with Lip Primers

Choosing the right primer lipstick involves several considerations. Start by assessing your lip type -- dry, moisturized, or normal -- to select a primer that addresses your specific needs. Match the color and texture of the primer to your lips for a natural look or choose a translucent primer for experimenting with different lip colors. Look for long-lasting formulas, and consider additional features like SPF protection or plumping effects. Here are some of our favorites:

1. MAC Cosmetics Prep + Prime Lip

MAC Cosmetics Prep + Prime Lip is a color-free lipstick base priced at $23. It adds light moisture, smooths, and refines lips, preventing feathering and retexturizing. This oil-free formula provides immediate hydration and is dermatologist-tested. To use, apply a thin coating over the entire lip area and edges, then follow with lip color. It's formulated without various ingredients, including formaldehyde and paraben.

2. NYX Professional Makeup Lip Primer

NYX Professional Makeup Lip Primer is a texture and color-enhancing lip primer that ensures your lip product lasts and stays within the lines. At $7, this lip primer creates a smooth canvas for lip color, preventing smudging and feathering. It is also vegan and cruelty-free, making it a great choice for conscious consumers. Lock down your lipstick and create the perfect pout with NYX Lip Primer.

3. Guerlain KissKiss Liplift Lipstick Primer

Guerlain KissKiss Liplift Lipstick Primer, priced at $40, is the perfect partner for your lipstick. This smoothing base in stick form redefines your lip contour, preparing lips for long-lasting makeup. Its creamy texture enhances lipstick color, leaving lips smooth and defined. The neutral translucent shade blends seamlessly and offers lasting hold, preventing feathering. With a subtle vanilla-violet fragrance, it's a luxurious addition to your makeup routine. Apply before lipstick for smoothed lips all day long.

4. Fenty Beauty Pro Kiss'r Lip-Loving Scrubstick

Fenty Beauty Pro Kiss'r Lip-Loving Scrubstick, priced at $16, is a convenient lip scrub in a twist-up stick. It's packed with apricot-seed scrubbers to gently exfoliate, leaving lips smooth and soft. This cruelty-free product is lightweight and non-greasy, making it mess-free and easy to use. Swipe over lips for gentle exfoliation, revealing smoother, kissable lips. Follow with Pro Kiss'r Luscious Lip Balm for added moisture throughout the day.

5. Bite Beauty Line & Define Vegan Lip Primer

Bite Beauty Line & Define Vegan Lip Primer, priced at $33 for 0.05 ounce, is a clean, vegan lip primer made with kiwi seed oil and jackfruit extract. It creates an invisible barrier to keep lip color in place and extend its wear. This multitasking primer also acts as a universal lip liner, ensuring your color stays within bounds. It's cruelty-free, gluten-free, and formulated without harmful ingredients, making it a safe and effective choice for your lips.

6. Fresh Sugar Wonder Drops Lip Primer

Fresh Sugar Wonder Drops Lip Primer is a no-rinse exfoliator that smooths dry, rough patches with natural AHAs, leaving lips silky soft and ready for color. Priced at $26, this liquid leave-on lip primer gently resurfaces and softens lips, prepping them for an even application of lipstick or balm. Enriched with sugar, fruit extracts, and hibiscus flower extract, it improves the look of dry, flaky lips and enhances suppleness.

7. Anastasia Beverly Hills Lip Primer

Anastasia Beverly Hills Lip Primer, priced at $16, is a colorless, lightweight primer that hydrates, smoothes, and preps lips for any lip look. Its smooth wax formula moisturizes lips and holds pigment in place, preventing fading and feathering. Ideal for layering under lip gloss or matte lipstick, it can also be used alone as a hydrating lip conditioner. Apply before lip color for longer-lasting wear and a smooth finish.