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Best Lipstick Primers

Updated December 2021
Bottom line
Pros
Cons
Best of the Best
Anastasia Beverly Hills Lip Primer
Anastasia Beverly Hills
Lip Primer
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Bottom Line

Sheer primer that locks in color.

Pros

Excellent for matte lipsticks. Keeps lipstick fresh for hours. Doubles as a lip balm. Can be used overnight as a conditioning lip treatment.

Cons

Did not stop liquid lipsticks from creasing.

Best Bang for the Buck
Too Faced Lip Insurance
Too Faced
Lip Insurance
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Bottom Line

Primer that prevents feathering and locks in color.

Pros

Vitamin E enriched formula pampers lips. Primer is comfortable and non-sticky. Prolongs the staying power of even cheaper brand lipsticks. Prevents lip glosses and lipsticks from fading or feathering.

Cons

Can be drying.

Guerlain Kiss Kiss Lip Lift Smoothing Lipstick Primer
Guerlain
Kiss Kiss Lip Lift Smoothing Lipstick Primer
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Bottom Line

Stick-form smoothing base that plumps lips and holds lipstick.

Pros

Smooth, silky texture. Highlights the shape of the mouth. Prevents bleeding and holds lip color. Moisturizing primer works well for aging skin that's showing marionette lines.

Cons

Very thick, which can affect the lipstick color.

M.A.C. Cosmetics Prep And Prime Lip Base
M.A.C. Cosmetics
Prep And Prime Lip Base
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Bottom Line

Adds light moisture and improves the appearance of lipstick.

Pros

Gives lipstick a velvety look. Prevents leakage and makes lips feel smooth. Keeps lips moist and comfortable throughout the day.

Cons

Not as effective with gloss lipstick, which still feathered.

Stila Lush Lips Water Plumping Primer
Stila
Lush Lips Water Plumping Primer
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Bottom Line

Aqua-balm and primer in one.

Pros

High-performance pigments neutralize lip discoloration and imperfections. Makes lips soft and smooths out lines. Works well as a primer for liquid lipsticks.

Cons

Applicator is flimsy.

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BestReviews spends thousands of hours researching, analyzing, and testing products to recommend the best picks for most consumers. We only make money if you purchase a product through our links, and all opinions about the products are our own. About BestReviews  
BestReviews spends thousands of hours researching, analyzing, and testing products to recommend the best picks for most consumers. We buy all products with our own funds, and we never accept free products from manufacturers.About BestReviews 
HOW WE TESTED

We recommend these products based on an intensive research process that's designed to cut through the noise and find the top products in this space. Guided by experts, we spend hours looking into the factors that matter, to bring you these selections.

38
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70
Consumers
Consulted
16
Hours
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The team that worked on this review
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