Editor’s tip: Start with Lippie Primer, then dab your lipstick on with your finger instead of swiping. This helps press the pigment in for an effortless, just-bitten stain that stays longer.
Key ingredients: vitamin E, mango, avocado, shea butter | Flavor-free: no
Best with SPF: NudeStix NudeScreen Lip Primer SPF 30
Why we love it: You’re diligent about SPF for your face (right?), but don’t forget about your lips—they need protection, too. Enter NudeStix NudeScreen Lip Primer SPF 30, a hydrating, tinted multitasker packed with non-nano zinc oxide to shield your lips from the sun while keeping them soft and smooth. “This lip primer is great for anyone with dry lips looking for a tinted base that hydrates and protects with SPF 30,” says Christine. “But if your main goal is to lock in lip color all day without smudging or bleeding, I’d go for something more wax-based.” If you want nourished, sun-protected lips with a hint of tint, this one’s a winner.
Editor’s tip: This primer’s purple tea extract is packed with powerful antioxidants that help fight off free radicals and shield your lips from environmental stressors.
Key ingredients: zinc oxide, algae, passionflower, purple tea extract | Flavor-free: yes
Best for Shine: About-Face Lip Fix Hydrating Primer
Why we love it: The About-Face Lip Fix Hydrating Primer is the best of both worlds—it grips onto your lip color for longer wear while delivering lightweight hydration for a pillowy-soft finish. It goes on with a hint of tint (so you know exactly where you’ve applied it), then dries down totally invisible, making any lipstick, gloss, or stain look smoother and more flawless. “It helps with wear longevity, but the doe-foot applicator and creamy, wet texture give it more of a lip moisturizer feel than a traditional waxy primer,” says Sanchez. So, if you love a primer that keeps your lips smooth, nourished, and locked in, this is it.
Editor’s tip: it features glycerin, a powerful hydrator that pulls moisture into the lips.
Key ingredients: glycerin, triolein, cucumber extract | Flavor-free: yes
Frequently Asked Questions
What’s the purpose of a lip primer?
Think of a lip primer as your lipstick’s wing woman: It smooths, hydrates, and grips onto color, so your lip look stays fresh without feathering, smudging, or fading. “The purpose of lip primers—as with a face primer—is to prep the base for a better application and assist with longevity,” says Christine. “When prepping the base of your lips with a lip primer, it fills in fine lines, creating a smooth canvas for lipstick.” Some formulas even plump and hydrate, keeping lips comfortable all day. Whether you’re sporting a bold matte or a sheer gloss, a good lip primer makes sure your color stays put without the hassle of constant touch-ups.
What does a lip primer do that lip balm doesn’t?
While lip balm is great for hydrating and nourishing your lips, a lip primer takes things further by creating a grippy, smooth base that helps lipstick apply evenly, last longer, and stay put without smudging or feathering. “A lip primer is designed to prep your lips for lipstick, while a lip balm can be too slick and overly hydrating, which can cause lipstick to smudge and wear off faster,” says Valledor. “Think of it like eating oily foods—your lipstick breaks down and fades. That’s what a balm underneath will almost do.”
