Let me start by saying I’ve been a professional makeup artist for over 15 years, and I’ve seen countless lip products come and go. When clients ask me for a lipstick that ACTUALLY stays put all day without breaking the bank, COVERGIRL Outlast All-Day Lip Color is always my first recommendation. Today I’m deep-diving into the shade “Naturalast 545” – a customer favorite that’s apparently been flying off shelves for years!
First Impressions & Packaging
The product comes in a dual-ended packaging – one end contains the liquid lip color, and the other has a clear moisturizing balm/topcoat. Nothing fancy here, just practical plastic packaging that’s travel-friendly and doesn’t take up much space in your makeup bag. The liquid color applicator is a standard doe-foot that allows for precise application, while the balm has a lipgloss-like wand.
Naturalast 545 is marketed as a “natural” everyday shade, which has made it incredibly popular. It’s described as a neutral rose-brown with slight mauve undertones. The shade has apparently become hard to find in physical stores, with many reviewers mentioning they’ve switched to buying it online because it sells out so quickly.
Application Process – The Learning Curve
I have to be honest – this isn’t the most foolproof product to apply if you’re new to liquid lipsticks. Based on customer feedback, there’s definitely a learning curve:
- Apply a THIN layer of the color – this is crucial! Applying too much leads to flaking and peeling.
- Let it dry COMPLETELY (about 60 seconds) without rubbing your lips together.
- Apply the clear topcoat to seal and moisturize.
Several reviewers mentioned messing up their first few applications by:
- Applying too much product
- Not letting it dry completely
- Rubbing their lips together (which creates a “clumpy, spider lash” effect)
- Applying regular lip gloss over it (which causes it to transfer like regular lipstick)
But once you get the technique down, application becomes second nature. The good news is that you’ll have plenty of practice since most users report only needing to apply once a day!
The BIG Question: Does It Really Last All Day?
This is the product’s main selling point, and based on the overwhelming feedback – YES, it does live up to its claims for most users! The consensus seems to be:
- Most users report 8-12 hours of solid wear time
- Many report it lasting “all day” with minimal touchups
- Several mentioned it only coming off with makeup remover or oil
- It stands up to drinking, talking, and light meals
- Heavy, oily meals can break it down somewhat (especially in the center of the lips)
One user summed it up perfectly: “I’d say it lasts about 8 hours looking great, by hour 12 I’ve managed to wear the inner part away and by 18 I end up removing it because I get bored.”
Another major advantage is that it truly doesn’t transfer! Multiple reviewers specifically mentioned:
- No lipstick marks on coffee mugs or wine glasses
- No color transfer when kissing their husbands (this was mentioned several times!)
- No smudging throughout the day
- Dental hygienists even commented on how it doesn’t transfer to their gloves during cleanings!
The Color – Naturalast 545
The shade “Naturalast 545” is described by most users as:
- A neutral rose-brown
- Natural-looking with a touch of color
- Perfect for everyday wear
- Slightly bronze undertones
- A “my lips but better” shade for many
However, there are some discrepancies in how people perceive the color. While most love it, some reviewers noted:
- “Actual color of lipstick is a metallic, medium-light, rose-bronze”
- “The color of this lipstick that the ad shows is not the color that you receive… It looks like a mauve color, but it’s really an ugly sparkly brown color!!!”
- “The undertones are too blue/purple for me, and not truly neutral as is claimed”
This suggests the shade may look different depending on your natural lip color and undertones. That’s common with “neutral” shades, but worth noting if you’re shopping online without trying it first.
Comfort Factor – Is It Drying?
This is where opinions diverge a bit. Long-wearing lipsticks are notorious for being drying, and this product isn’t entirely immune to that issue:
- Many users find it comfortable with regular application of the topcoat
- Several mentioned it “doesn’t dry out my lips”
- Others found it “very drying” despite the topcoat
- Some found they needed to apply the topcoat multiple times throughout the day
- A few mentioned it feels “lightweight” compared to other long-lasting lipsticks
The consensus seems to be that the clear topcoat is ESSENTIAL for comfort. Without it, the color can feel dry and uncomfortable. One reviewer mentioned: “You def need the gloss for it to stay!” which seems counterintuitive but was echoed by others.
A common tip from long-term users: maintain a good lip care routine at night to keep your lips in good condition if you wear this product regularly.
Value for Money
The product is generally considered excellent value for money because:
- It lasts all day, so you use less product over time
- The price point is reasonable for drugstore makeup
- Many reviewers have been using it for years or even decades
However, there’s one significant complaint about product waste: several customers mentioned that “half of the product gets stuck at the top of the tube and nothing I have tried works at getting it to the bottom – so you can never get to it.” This issue was mentioned multiple times, suggesting a potential design flaw.
Another common complaint is an imbalance between the color and topcoat: “Too much of the topper and not enough of the lip stain – I wind up with so much extra of the topper that it’s silly. I had 4 toppers to 1 of the lip stain.”
Long-Term Loyalty – The Ultimate Endorsement
What impressed me most from the reviews was the INCREDIBLE brand loyalty this product has generated. Comments like these were abundant:
- “I’ve been using this product for years and still especially like it”
- “I have worn this outlast color for years. It is the perfect neutral”
- “I’ve been wearing this product for two decades. It’s excellent”
- “My mom recommended this lip color and I have been using this ever since, probably more than 10 years now!”
- “I have worn this brand and type lipstick over 10 years. Love it!!!”
This level of loyalty is rare in the constantly changing beauty world, and speaks volumes about the product’s consistent quality and performance.
The Downsides – Let’s Be Real
No product is perfect, and for transparency, these are the main complaints I found:
- Color mismatch: Several reviewers felt the color didn’t match what was shown online
- Product waste: The issue with product getting stuck in the tube
- Learning curve: Application can be tricky for beginners
- Dryness: Some find it too drying despite the topcoat
- Limited shade range: Several wished for more color options
- Flaking/peeling: Can happen if applied incorrectly or too thickly
- Color fading: The inner part of the lips may wear away faster with eating
Who Should Buy This?
Based on all the feedback, this product is PERFECT for:
- People who need truly long-lasting lip color
- Those who hate constant reapplication
- Anyone who wants a “no-fuss” lip product
- People who are tired of lipstick transferring to cups, masks, or other people!
- Those looking for a natural everyday shade that enhances their lips
It might NOT be ideal for:
- Those with very dry lips who find long-wearing formulas uncomfortable
- People who prefer glossy finishes (though the topcoat helps)
- Those who like to frequently change lip colors throughout the day
- Anyone who struggles with precise application
Tips from Long-Term Users
These helpful tips came directly from reviewers who’ve used the product for years:
- “Let it dry for 5-10 min before applying the gloss and it’ll stay on all day!”
- “You can’t blot or do anything, just let it dry”
- “Apply a thin coat, let completely dry, apply the gloss, try to avoid excessive licking and biting”
- “Only oil takes it off” (useful for removal)
- “I don’t use the gloss tube that comes with it. I don’t need it since it’s not drying” (from someone who prefers a matte finish)
Final Verdict
COVERGIRL Outlast All-Day Lip Color in Naturalast 545 is genuinely a standout drugstore lip product that delivers on its main promise: long-lasting color that doesn’t transfer. The number of loyal users who’ve stuck with this product for 5, 10, or even 20 years is remarkable and tells you everything you need to know.
Is it perfect? No. The application takes practice, it can be drying for some, and there are issues with product waste in the packaging design. But for the price point and performance, it’s hard to beat.
If you’re tired of reapplying lipstick throughout the day or finding it all over your coffee cup, this product deserves a spot in your makeup collection. Just remember there’s a learning curve to application, and the Naturalast shade may look slightly different on you than expected depending on your natural lip tone.
For under $15, you’re getting a lip product that could potentially become your holy grail for years to come – and that’s rare in the ever-changing world of beauty products!
Overall Rating: 4.5/5 stars
Have you tried COVERGIRL Outlast All-Day Lip Color? What’s your experience been? Drop a comment below!
Buy on Amazon: Here
