These Drugstore Lip Primers Are the Secret to Longer-Lasting Lipstick

While long-wear makeup has evolved over the past few years, lipstick can be a bit more finicky. That said, a little prep work might be all you need to achieve true staying power. Enter: lip primer. “Lip care is extremely important if you want to rock a lip color,” says makeup artist Analisa Marie. “Primers prep the area for longevity.” So whether you’re a lipstick aficionado or someone who dabbles in the art of a statement lip we’ve compiled the best drugstore lip primers, because everybody deserves a bright, bold, beautiful lip.

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Our best overall pick is NYX Professional Makeup Lip Primer, which has an incredibly soft skin feel that creates a smooth-canvas base and color-corrects with sheer pigments. For those with chapped lips, consider Revlon Kiss, which contains ingredients to exfoliate and prep lips for pigment.

Depending on the formula, these pre-lipstick products can offer hydration, gentle exfoliation, a plumping effect, anti-feathering protection, or a smooth matte base. Not only that, but some of the best options are super affordable and widely available online and at your local pharmacy.

We conducted hours of research on the best drugstore lip primers, evaluating each formula’s key ingredients, skin feel, ease of application, and how well it extends the wear of lipstick. We considered dozens of formulas, and after consulting with a makeup artist and fan-favorites, landed on these best in show.

Ahead, find the best drugstore lip primers for a perfect pout.

Our Top Picks

Best Overall:
NYX Professional Makeup Lip Primer at Amazon

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Best Anti-Feathering:
Irene Gari Anti-Feathering Lip Base at Amazon

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Best for Matte Lipstick:
L.A. Girl Lip Primer at Ulta

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Best for Dry Lips:
e.l.f Cosmetics Ride or Die Lip Balm at Ulta

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Best Exfoliating:
Revlon Kiss Exfoliating Balm at Amazon

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Best Conditioning:
Neutrogena Hydro Boost Hydrating Lip Conditioning Treatment at Amazon

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Best Moisturizing:
Rimmel London Lip Conditioning Balm at Amazon

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Best Smoothing:
ColourPop LippieStix Primer at Ulta

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Best for Extended Wear:
CoverGirl Outlast All Day Topcoat at Amazon

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Best Scrub:
Beauty Bakerie Sugar Lip Scrub at Ulta

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In This Article

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• Our Picks

• Final Verdict

• What to Look For

• How We Researched

• Why Trust Review2Coupon

Best Overall:
NYX Professional Makeup Lip Primer

4.9

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What We Like

• Nourishing

• Heals chapped lips

• Smooths lines

What We Don’t Like

• Contains synthetic fragrance

For those who wear lipstick often, we recommend using a nourishing treatment at least a couple times a week. This one from TonyMoly contains a blend of moisturizing and healing plant oils, plus plumping, line-reducing snail mucin, and a dose of collagen for good measure.

Key Ingredients: Snail secretion filtrate, plant oils, collagen, aloe | Dosage: Even coat as needed | Review2Coupon Clean: Yes | Cruelty-Free: Yes

Final Verdict

NYX Professional Makeup Lip Primer is our number one pick. The velvety-soft lipstick base creates a smooth canvas and color-corrects with sheer pigments. That said, if you’re dealing with chapped or notably dry lips, it might be best to start with an exfoliating treatment, like Revlon Kiss.