Looking for a lipstick that won’t leave your mouth parched and flaky after a couple hours? Who isn’t, really? But before we get to the lipstick part, let’s talk about prep, because it’s more important than you might think. For the smoothest application and wear time, we recommend applying a generous layer of lip balm and letting it absorb for a few minutes before you move onto the lipstick itself. (Lip primer can also be extremely helpful if your color tends to settle into fine lines.)
As for the lipstick, look for moisturizing ingredients on the label like shea butter and coconut or jojoba seed oils, as well as any other fruit- and/or flower-based oils. Note that these ingredients are highly emollient and are therefore likely to cause the lipstick to rub off more quickly than others, so you’ll need to reapply them more often. Alas, it’s a price we’re willing to pay for supple lips—which brings us to our top picks for the 16 best hydrating lipsticks ahead.
