I Tested Maybelline's "1000 Touch" Lipstick Claims During My Busiest Office Day – Here's What Really Happened
When Maybelline launched their Super Stay Matte Ink lipstick with the bold promise of lasting "up to 1000 touches with no touch-up needed," I knew I had to put it to the test. Lucky for me, I was gifted a few of their shades to try!
At just $12.99, could this drugstore lipstick really deliver what luxury brands charge $40+ for?
As someone who's constantly sipping coffee, taking calls, and running between meetings, I needed to know: Is this the holy grail long-wear lipstick we've all been searching for, or just clever marketing?
The Setup: My Ultimate Real-World Test
I decided to test this during one of my busiest office days – the kind where I barely have time to check my reflection, let alone reapply lipstick. Here's what my day looked like:
8:30 AM: Application and morning coffee
10 AM: Back-to-back teams calls calls
12 PM: Working lunch with messy pasta (yes, really)
2 PM: Afternoon coffee break
4 PM: Team meeting with lots of talking
6 PM: Final assessment, head home to continue working
I chose the shade "Amazonian" – a deep terracotta nude color.
Hour 1-3: Strong Start
The application was smooth and the color payoff was impressive. The formula felt lightweight but had that characteristic "grip" of a long-wear lipstick. My morning iced coffee test was promising – minimal transfer on my mug, which is usually where most lipsticks fail immediately.
Verdict so far: Living up to the hype.
Hour 4-6: The Real Test Begins
This is where most lipsticks start to break down, especially around the inner lip area. After my working lunch (which included a lasagna pasta bake – I wasn't going easy on this test), I expected to see significant wear.
The results surprised me. While there was some slight fading in the center of my lips, the color was still very much present. No patchy, uneven wear that makes you look like you've been eating berries.
Hour 7-9: Afternoon Challenges
Multiple cups of coffee and sipping water, constant talking during meetings, and even stress-eating a granola bar. By this point, most lipsticks would have completely disappeared or looked terrible.
The Maybelline Super Stay was showing wear, but it was graceful wear. Instead of patchy spots, it had faded evenly, leaving a nice tint that still looked intentional.
The Final Verdict: 1000 Touches Later
After 9 hours of real-world testing, here's my honest assessment:
What Worked:
- Longevity: Definitely lasted longer than expected for the price point
- Transfer resistance: Minimal transfer on cups, phones, and masks
- Even fade: When it did wear off, it looked natural, not patchy
- Comfort: Never felt dry or cracked, even after hours of wear
What Didn't:
- The inner lip area: Like most liquid lipsticks, this is the first place to show wear
- True 1000 touches: Let's be real – I didn't count, I'm a believer that this lives up to the hype!
Is It Worth the Hype?
For $12.99? Absolutely. While it might not literally last 1000 touches (what does, really?), the Maybelline Super Stay Matte Ink delivered impressive performance that rivals lipsticks costing 3-4 times more.
Perfect for: Busy professionals, long workdays, people who forget to reapply makeup, anyone wanting luxury performance on a drugstore budget.
Skip if: You prefer glossy finishes, have very dry lips, or need a lipstick that looks perfect after eating messy foods.
The Bottom Line
Maybelline's marketing might be slightly ambitious with the "1000 touches" claim, but this lipstick delivers where it counts. For less than $13, you get a formula that will genuinely last through most of your day with minimal maintenance.
My rating: 5/5 stars
I picked up three more shades because at this price point, it's a no-brainer addition to any makeup bag.
Have you tried the Maybelline Super Stay Matte Ink? What's your experience with long-wear lipsticks? Drop a comment below – I'd love to hear about your holy grail formulas!
