best liquid lipstick
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8 Lipsticks You Can Wear with a Mask

Guaranteed not to budge or smudge

Trips, weddings, festivals: all cancelled. Lipstick? Not cancelled. Because staying safe and masking up doesn’t have to mean forgoing lip colour until further notice. The key is selecting the right formula, one that won’t make a mess on your mask—or your face. 

Sadly, that leaves out anything goopy like glosses or creams, which have a tendency to stick to your mask and smear all over. No good. Instead, you want to look for matte finishes that dry down and stay put. Liquid formulas tend to hold up the best, provided you give them enough time to set.

Not ready to part with your favourite bullet? Try patting on the colour with your fingertip to create a stain. Filling in your lips with a matching pencil beforehand can also help with longevity. Finally, another makeup artist hack consists of laying down a tissue on lips and dabbing loose powder overtop. (If your tissue is quite thick, remove the first layer to allow the powder to get through.)

Thankfully, equipped with the right liquid lipstick, you don’t have to go through all this trouble—simply swipe it and forget it. Presenting eight picks that are truly mask-proof. 

best liquid lipstick
MaybellineMaybelline SuperStay Matte Ink Liquid Lipstick in Believer, $12, shoppersdrugmart.ca

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The bargain one

Available in a plethora of super-saturated shades, this drugstore favourite promises to stay put for 16 hours. A special shoutout goes to the pointed wand, which lets you outline your lip shape for a pristine application.

 

best liquid lipstick
Benefit CosmeticsBenefit Cosmetics Benetint Cheek & Lip Stain, $24, sephora.ca

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The classic one

It was the first product Benefit ever made and remains the brand’s bestseller. The iconic stain makes lips and cheeks look naturally flushed thanks to a sheer finish and pretty pink hue. And while it dries down to resist smudging, it doesn’t dry out skin or lips.

 

best liquid lipstick
StilaStila Stay All Day Liquid Lipstick in Fia, $29, sephora.ca

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The nourishing one

A lot of liquid lipsticks can leave lips feeling parched, but not this one. It’s enriched with vitamin E and avocado oil to hydrate and condition without compromising wear. Speaking of wear, the pigment-packed formula doesn’t go anywhere, yet is so light, you’ll feel like you’ve got nothing on. 

 

best liquid lipstick
Fenty BeautyFenty Beauty Stunna Lip Paint Longwear Fluid Lip Color in Underdawg, $33, sephora.ca

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The universally flattering one

This stuff packs a serious punch. So much so that you may want to apply it with a cotton swab to build up the colour gradually. Once on, the soft-matte finish feels comfortable on lips and demonstrates exceptional endurance. Bonus: Each shade is tested on a wide range of skin tones to make sure it’s universally flattering.

 

best liquid lipstick
DiorDior Addict Lip Tattoo in 251 Natural Peach, $39, thebay.com

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The luminous one

While a velvety matte is usually your best bet for long wear, this no-transfer ink manages to deliver a glowing finish. Transparent and subtly tinted, it weightlessly enhances lips’ natural colour for a full 10 hours.

 

best liquid lipstick
Honest BeautyHonest Beauty Liquid Lipstick in Forever, $17, shoppersdrugmart.ca

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The clean beauty one

Containing no harsh chemicals or synthetic film formers, this Honest Beauty lipstick stands up to masks (and coffee cups and anything else you throw at it). It’s also infused with hyaluronic acid and avocado oil to keep lips soft and supple. Well done, Jessica Alba!

 

best liquid lipstick
ClarinsClarins Waterlip Lip Stain in Orange Water, $28, clarins.ca

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The sheer one

This water-like stain can last up to 300 kisses (yes, the brand actually tested that with 22 volunteers!), so it can breezily handle a mask. From soft wash of colour to bold statement, you can customize the intensity depending on how many coats you layer.

 

best liquid lipstick
Yves Saint LaurentYves Saint Laurent Tatouage Couture Liquid Matte Lip Stain in Nu Interdit, $49, sephora.ca

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The flexible one

Like magic, this tinted fluid dries down almost instantly. That said, you never have to worry about it feeling tight or rough. Rather, it remains fresh and flexible to move with lips and create a second-skin effect. Also noteworthy is the sponge applicator, equipped with a high-precision tip.

 

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