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14397 Reviews
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By Karen Williams | Beauty | March 2nd, 2025
For years, I’ve been on a quest to find the perfect lip product – one that stays put, feels comfortable, comes in a great variety of shades, and doesn’t require constant application. Between lipsticks that completely transfer off after a few sips of coffee, glosses that disappear in minutes, and liners that dry out my lips, I feel like I’ve tried it all.
I’m tired of checking myself out in the mirror an hour after leaving the house and realizing that all that’s left of my perfectly applied lipstick is an unsightly ring of color around the outline of my mouth, or having a perfect stranger stop me in the street to tell me that there’s lipstick on my teeth.
Enough is enough – I decided to put some of the most viral lip products to the test with a full-day wear trial. I wanted to approach this test as scientifically as possible: I applied each product in the morning and took notes on its performance through my daily activities, meals and drinks.
My criteria? Staying power, number of reapplications needed, ease of use, and “mouthfeel”, or the consistency of each formula.
The results were eye-opening, and spoiler alert: one product stood out above the rest.
I’d seen Wonderskin’s viral lip stain all over social media, boasting over 2 million units sold and a 4.5/5 star rating based on over 14,000 reviews. But did it live up to the hype? I ordered athe stain in the shade Romance, applying it for a day trip to the zoo with my nephews.
✅ Ease of Use: 4/5 – The application process is definitely unique (the color starts out a deep blue before wiping away to reveal the perfect shade), but it’s foolproof and a fun magic trick that my nephews got a real kick out of.
✅ Staying Power: 5/5 – True to what it says on the tin, the stain was completely transfer-proof, smudge-proof and lasted all day long without fading – even after a greasy meal, coffee and lots of kisses!
✅ Number of Reapplications: 0 – that’s right, zero.
✅ Mouthfeel: 5/5 – Maybe my favorite thing about this product: it literally feels like nothing on the lips. No stickiness, no dryness, just soft natural-look color. You could even use it in combination with a hydrating chapstick.
Verdict: A total winner – my only regret is not discovering it sooner. The Wonderskin lip stain outperformed every other product, delivering long-lasting color, zero smudging and a weightless feel.
MAC’s Matte Lipstick was consistently recommended to me as a classic lip color with a smooth application and a 12-hour wear claim. I picked it up in the shade Kinda Sexy and put it to the test on a day when I was set to attend a wedding. How did it hold up?
✅ Ease of Use: 4/5 – Applies smoothly and precisely, although it works best when complemented with a lip liner to prevent feathering.
✅ Staying Power: 2/5 – The pigment was strong on application, but faded quickly, especially after eating and drinking. A full meal erased it entirely, and the rim of my champagne flute was lipstick-stained and unsightly all day long.
✅ Number of Reapplications: 4
✅ Mouthfeel: 2/5 – Starts off creamy but becomes dry, tight and flaky over time, making lips look and feel dry.
Verdict: Great range of shades for a bold look, but expect to reapply often, and expect some dryness. Doesn’t last anywhere near the promised 12 hours.
Many swear by lip liner as a way to lock in color and maintain a neat, polished look for longer. Charlotte Tilbury’s Lip Cheat is one of the most popular options, but is it enough on its own? I tried it in the shade Pillow Talk before heading to the office.
✅ Ease of Use: 3/5 – Somewhat awkward to apply, and requires a precise hand – not ideal for quick touch-ups.
✅ Staying Power: 3/5 – It held up better than traditional lipstick, but faded from the center of my lips, leaving an embarrassing outline effect.
✅ Number of Reapplications: 3
✅ Mouthfeel: 3/5 – Feels a bit dry and chalky on application, but lightweight and easy to forget about throughout the day.
Verdict: A useful tool for cleaner edges in combination with lipstick, but not ideal as a stand-alone color for all-day wear.
Fenty Beauty’s Gloss Bomb is beloved for its high-shine finish and nourishing formula. But does it have the staying power we’re looking for? I applied it in the shade RiRi for day out shopping with my girlfriends.
✅ Ease of Use: 5/5 – Simple to apply, no precision required. Easy reapplication on the go.
✅ Staying Power: 1/5 – That previous point is important, because you’ll need to reapply constantly. The gloss wore off in under an hour and transferred onto everything – glasses, clothes, even hair.
✅ Reapplications: 5+
✅ Mouthfeel: 4/5 – Comfortable and hydrating, but sticky. My hair constantly got caught in it and trying on clothes was a nightmare.
Verdict: Gorgeous, glowing shine, but you’ll be reapplying hourly, especially if you eat or drink anything.
This drugstore favourite claims to last up to 16 hours – but does it deliver? I picked it up in the shade Dreamer from my local CVS and applied it in the car on my way to run errands one Saturday.
✅ Ease of Use: 3/5 – The applicator is precise, but the liquid formula takes time to dry and feels sticky at first. Difficult to remove and reply on the go.
✅ Staying Power: 4/5 – Held up well enough to a matcha latte and a light lunch, but started flaking after several hours.
✅ Reapplications: 1
✅ Mouthfeel: 2/5 – Feels heavy and slightly tacky, even after drying, and flaky a few hours after application.
Verdict: A solid long-wear option, but the texture didn’t sit right with me. You feel why it’s cheaper than the others.
Having tried 5 viral lip products, I can confidently say that if you want a vibrant color that lasts all day with zero maintenance, the Wonderskin Wonder Blading Lip Stain Masque is the clear winner. It combines the best of all worlds: the longevity of a lip stain, the comfort of a balm, and the effortless beauty of naturally flushed lips.
I reached out to Wonderskin letting them know that their product performed the best out of all those I tried, and was able to secure an exclusive discount for my readers: for a limited time, you can enjoy a Buy 2, Get 1 Free offer, bringing the cost of a Wonderskin lip stain to less than $15 per tube. Plus, with free shipping over $50, this is the perfect opportunity to stock up on a few different shades.
With 18 signature colors to choose from, Wonderskin offers an incredible “Shade Match Promise”: they guarantee to swap your lip stain purchase as many times as needed until you find your perfect new signature color.
This offer is limited, so don’t miss your chance: click below to grab this deal before it’s gone!
CLICK HERE TO CHECK THE PRICE AND AVAILABILITY 👉
