'Good Housekeeping' Rates Lipsticks

Jan. 22 -- Can lip colors that claim to last all day really stick from early morning until that goodnight kiss?

The Good Housekeeping Institute asked seven volunteers to pucker up and test the staying power of a few most popular brands of lipstick.

After applying a different cherry-red lipstick each morning, the testers were fed breakfast, asked to blot, and then to kiss a companion.

The volunteers were required to record their results in a daily "lip log" that would be used to calculate results for Good Housekeeping magazine. The volunteers filled out questionnaires indicating application ease, color retention, moisture levels and other details.

The results of the logs placed the most pucker power on Cover Girl's Outlast All-Day Lipcolor, which sells for $9.50. The testers reported that they loved the uniform color, flake-free coat and eight-hour shine.

The lipstick is applied in two parts. First, users apply the lipstick and then follow it up with the other side of the tube, which contains the moisture stick.

"It never wore off, even after kissing my husband's unshaven cheek," said one volunteer.

The second in line, according to the volunteers' response, was Revlon Colorstay Overtime (also a two-part lipstick), which sells for $9.25.

Max Factor Lipfinity (again, a two-part lipstick), available for $12.75, came in third.

The Good Housekeeping Institute's volunteers also tested L'Oreal Endless ($9.75) and Estee Lauder Pure Color Long Lasting Lipstick ($22). The tester's used original Avon lipstick (not a long-lasting version), which was highly rated for moisture, in the testing as well.