It Took Me Weeks to Find the Perfect Bridal Lipstick — but This Is It

I've long heard about the luxurious formulas of Tom Ford's beauty products — and the reports weren't exaggerating. I slathered this over my dry lips and the creamy texture melted like butter, moisturizing my flakey pucker. I didn't want to put any balm on for fear of interfering with this superscientific study, but it turned out that I didn't need it!

By noon, the creaminess had mostly evaporated, but the color remained. My lunch must have dissolved the pigments, though, because by 4 p.m., I was rocking bare lips. At the end of the day, there's no denying that Tom Ford's colors are universally flattering and creamy as hell, but you'll need a second application to get that maximum wow effect!

Tom Ford Lip Color in Pink Dust ($54)

Don't let the subtle shade fool you; Hourglass is not messing around. The brand is known for its long-lasting formulas, and the Opaque Rouge has serious staying power. This particular line is super matte, and I was shocked to see that not a hint of color transferred onto my iced-coffee straw.

The fact that it doesn't transfer is a huge coup for brides but perhaps even more beneficial for grooms, who won't find themselves coated in sticky color after the ceremonial smooch. The color had barely budged by noon, but it was less successful in the 4 p.m. check-in. Still, it's hard to argue with a lip stain that only requires one touch-up in eight hours.

Hourglass Opaque Rouge in Rose ($28)

Well hello, new best friend. I've long been a fan of Nars's matte finish lipsticks (Heat Wave is my go-to for a pop of color), but I may be replacing my collection with the brand's new Powermatte Lip Pigment. Walk This Way is one of those "your lip color — but better" shades; it's subtle enough that you look natural but not so faint that it doesn't make a difference.

The rosy hue stayed put all throughout coffee hour, lunch, and even afternoon snack time! I could have napped in this and it wouldn't have budged. (I'm not a child, you're a child.) It faded only slightly by 4 p.m., and even then it wasn't wiped clean — it just settled into a lighter version of what it was before. I will take one in every color, thank you.

Nars Powermatte Lip Pigment in Walk This Way ($26)

Putting on a Givenchy lip product feels so ridiculously luxurious. It's like slipping into a genuine leather coat or tossing on a pair of four-inch heels; no matter what else you're wearing, you feel confident. The Rouge Interdit Satin Lipstick is formulated with antioxidants, so your lips actually get nourishment during the day.

This particular color is a deep berry that would flatter just about any skin tone. It made my lips pop against my pale skin in the morning, and by midday it had settled into a light blush color, complementing my rosy cheeks. Unfortunately, I chewed most of it off in the afternoon, leading me to bare lips by 4 p.m. The color is still worth the price, but you will need a second application after dinner!

Givenchy Rouge Interdit Satin Lipstick in Rose Alibi ($34)

This creamy color strayed way more into coral territory than any of the other colors, but in a great way. I could see it complementing most skin tones, as it even made me look less corpse-like for the first half of my day. Bite formulated its classic Amuse Bouche Lipsticks with 12 edible oils and freshly pressed fruit, which accounts for the fact that it tastes delicately delicious.

Bite's amusingly named Amuse Bouche lipsticks are intense in color and lasted midway through the afternoon. Unfortunately, it didn't survive my salad, but I blame the oily dressing. And the fact that I gnawed on my lips. By the end of the day, though, my lips actively felt healthier — perhaps thanks to the vitamins and omega oils?

Bite Amuse Bouche Lipstick in Gingersnap ($26)

Is it possible for a lipstick to be . . . too pigmented? Of course not. This product is so rich that you have to be extremely careful to only put it on your lips, so putting this on in the bathroom mirror felt like I was playing a game of Operation. If you're a true makeup junkie, though, this is your best bet.

Once you do get it in the right place, it stays put. The bubblegum pink (one of 42 shades) wasn't as deep at noon as it was at 8 a.m., but I was still getting compliments on the ultramatte shade well into the afternoon. The color was spent by 4 p.m., but to be fair, so was the rest of my face that day.

Kat Von D Everlasting Liquid Lipstick in Melancholia ($20)

Tarte describes Salt Lyfe as a mauve gray, but I didn't expect it to be quite so dark. It's a great everyday color, and it's vegan! The fact that it's so silky-smooth can be attributed to three things: shea butter, olive oil, and Tarte's trademarked Rainforest of the Sea complex, which contains algae and marine flower extracts.

Great in the morning, still keeping still at noon, but 100 percent gone by the end of the day. The staying power might be better with some of the deeper colors, but this will be my go-to for the bachelorette night before the wedding!

Tarte Color Splash Lipstick in Salt Lyfe ($21)

Full disclosure: I love Make Up For Ever. It's one of my favorite luxe brands because the formulas actually deliver on the line's namesake promise. These formulas stay on until you actively spackle them off your face (aka gently dissolve them with makeup remover).

Praline turned out to be way darker on my face than I anticipated. It's definitely more pink in the bottle, but the color is still pretty — one coworker said I looked "edgy." (Which was the first time anyone had called me that since I dressed up like Fairuza Balk from The Craft last Halloween.) While it may not be the color I'm going for on my wedding day, the formula stayed put all the way into the afternoon. There was definite fadeage (new word, you're welcome) by 4 p.m., but it had just morphed into a tame version of the original shade.

Make Up For Ever Artist Liquid Matte in Praline ($20)

I'm obsessed with this product. Look at how impressed my face is! As promised, the Powermatte Lip Pigment feels weightless on your lips, but the color stays put all damn day — almost like ink. It doesn't smudge or budge, and I trust it will last through the fudge on my cake. (Yeah, I did that.)

Christian Louboutin lipstick is the pinnacle of luxury. The product comes in its own protective case, you get a little fabric slip to keep it in (like sunglasses), and the packaging itself looks like it's a weapon to protect you against vampires or night stalkers. You can even attach it to your keychain next to your pepper spray!

The color is gorgeous, and it's tremendously satisfying to smooth over your lips. (In my case, it even took to my dry, chapped lips.) Though the creamy formula feels great on, it wore away relatively quickly. By lunch, most of it was on my can of La Croix. Still, if you're looking to splurge on a special-occasion lipstick, this is the one.

Christian Louboutin Silky Satin in Bikini ($90)

If you want something even more serious than Lorac lipstick, try the Lorac Pro Matte Lip Color. This hybrid lipstick-pencil practically dyes your lips for a few hours. The color doesn't stray beyond your liplines, and it's a great texture that borders between a cream and a matte.

Lorac Pro Matte Lip Color in Pink ($18-$19)