In today’s fast-paced world, who has time for constant lipstick touch-ups? Enter Maybelline New York’s SuperStay 24 2-Step Liquid Lipstick—a product that boldly claims to deliver vibrant color that lasts an entire day through eating, drinking, and even kissing. As someone who has spent years testing countless lip products, I was both intrigued and skeptical about these claims. Is it truly possible for a drugstore lipstick to deliver high-end, long-lasting results? After extensive testing and collecting feedback from numerous users, I’m ready to break down everything you need to know about this popular liquid lipstick, specifically in the classic shade “Steady Red-Y.”
Product Overview
The Maybelline SuperStay 24 2-Step Liquid Lipstick comes as a dual-ended product with two separate components:
- Step 1: Micro-Flex liquid color with high-impact pigments
- Step 2: Clear balm topcoat for moisture and shine
This innovative approach to long-wear lip color addresses one of the most common complaints about traditional long-wearing formulas: dryness. By separating the color base from the moisturizing component, Maybelline aims to deliver both longevity and comfort—a combination that has often seemed impossible to achieve in a single formula.
The packaging is sleek and practical, with each end clearly marked for easy application. At approximately half the price of many high-end brands offering similar products, the SuperStay 24 represents significant value if it can deliver on its promises.
Color Analysis: Steady Red-Y
“Steady Red-Y” is marketed as a classic, vibrant red—a timeless shade that should work across various skin tones. Based on multiple user experiences, this particular shade has garnered mixed reviews regarding its true color payoff:
Many users describe it as a bold, striking red that makes a statement: “The color is BOLD and the wear is almost unbelievable!” Others find it has a slightly orange undertone that wasn’t apparent from packaging photos: “If you like ORANGE RED, this is the color for you but I don’t.” This discrepancy likely stems from individual skin undertones influencing how the color appears once applied.
The pigmentation level receives mostly positive feedback, though some users note that it can be “a little bit sheer and streaky” initially, requiring building up for full opacity. However, most agree that once properly applied, the color impact is impressive: “A lovely bright perfect long lasting splash of pearly color.”
Application Experience
The application process for the SuperStay 24 is more involved than traditional lipsticks, requiring attention to detail for optimal results:
Step 1: Color Application
The liquid color formula has a distinctive texture that requires some adaptation for first-time users. Several reviewers note that it has a unique consistency—”it drys down very weird almost sticky at first but then matte after”—which can take practice to master. The applicator wand is precise enough for defining lip lines, though some find it challenging to achieve perfectly even application on the first try.
For best results, I recommend applying a thin, even layer and allowing it to dry completely before applying a second coat if needed. The drying time is approximately 60-90 seconds, during which you should avoid pressing your lips together to prevent patchiness.
Step 2: Balm Application
Once the color has set completely, the clear balm can be applied as needed throughout the day. This balm is crucial to the comfort factor: “Just remember to apply a dap of the balm or it will dry out your lips like a desert.” The balm adds a pleasant sheen that transforms the matte base into a more dimensional finish while providing much-needed moisture.
Many users note that while the color component lasts remarkably well, the balm needs frequent reapplication: “It’s only moisture is in the clear step 2 which doesn’t last long and has to be applied often.”
Performance: Does It Really Last 24 Hours?
The most important question: Does this product live up to its 24-hour wear claim? The consensus from user feedback reveals a more nuanced reality:
Longevity Champions
Many users are genuinely impressed by the staying power:
- “This lipstick is unbelievable! Put on, went out to dinner, kissing, and it was still on the next morning.”
- “I call this stuff super glue lipstick lol. With this color you have to apply two coats but you only have to apply it once. Lasts all day for me.”
- “I cant say enough about how great this is. It truly lasts through anything. I was in a bad car accident… but when I looked in a mirror hours later. No lie. My lip stick still looked great!”
Conditional Longevity
Others find the wear time impressive but dependent on specific conditions:
- “As long as you don’t eat or drink anything with oil in it or that has been prepared in grease, this will stay on until you take it off.”
- “It stays on all day! It can be difficult to get off sometimes. That can be challenging or if you eat greasy food it can slide off easy.”
Skeptics
Some users find the 24-hour claim exaggerated:
- “Doesn’t stay for 24hrs”
- “It doesn’t go on smooth or last long.”
- “It got flakey after about 2 hours and the flakes stick to teeth.”
From my professional assessment, the SuperStay 24 does offer significantly longer wear than traditional lipsticks—potentially 8-10 hours under ideal conditions. However, the full 24-hour claim holds true only in specific circumstances (minimal eating/drinking, avoiding oily foods). Its performance appears to vary somewhat depending on individual factors like lip texture, hydration levels, and daily habits.
Comfort and Feel
Long-wearing lip colors often sacrifice comfort for longevity, so how does the SuperStay 24 balance these competing priorities?
User feedback on comfort shows two distinct camps:
Comfortable Wear
Some find the two-step system effectively addresses the dryness issue:
- “I love the color and feel, however, it does have a little after taste.”
- “I have been using this product for 16 years. It is the best lipstick I have ever used.”
Dryness Concerns
Others struggle with the formula’s effect on their lips:
- “Love the color, doesn’t smear, but makes my lips very dry and flaky, which is strange because superstay is my go lipstick above all, my other colors don’t do this.”
- “Would have returned, but wasn’t worth it to pay postage. Very drying and the color was Way brighter than the photo.”
A key insight from experienced users is that proper lip preparation makes a significant difference. Exfoliating lips before application and consistent use of the balm component throughout wear time dramatically improves comfort.
Many note that you can definitely “feel like you’re wearing something thick on ur lips”—this isn’t a formula that disappears on application. However, the sensation isn’t universally described as unpleasant, just noticeable.
Removal Process
One unexpected aspect mentioned repeatedly in user feedback is the removal process. The extreme durability that makes this lipstick appealing also makes it challenging to remove:
- “I use vasline to take it off. I soak my lips with vaseline, leave it on for a while then take a tissue and wipe it off.”
- “I remove it easily with organic sesame oil.”
Standard makeup removers may struggle with this formula, so oil-based products are recommended for effective removal without excessive rubbing that could irritate the lips.
Comparison to Competitors
Several users directly compare the SuperStay 24 to other long-wear formulas on the market:
Vs. High-End Brands
- “Love this so much cheaper than lipsense but does just as well.”
- “The best stay-on smudge-proof lipstick I’ve ever had!”
Vs. Other Drugstore Options
- “I have used both the Maybelline & the CoverGirl long lasting lipsticks & they are both fine products… the Cover Girl Outlast really does outlast it.”
- “I wear the Cover Girl version of this, Outlast, with zero problems.”
The consensus seems to be that while there are competing products with similar performance, the SuperStay 24’s combination of price point, color range, and accessibility makes it a standout option in its category.
Value Assessment
At roughly $9-12 per kit (depending on retailer), the SuperStay 24 represents significant value compared to high-end long-wear lipsticks that often cost $20-35. However, some users note that the product quantity seems limited: “Actually lasts all day. Most amazing lipstick you can buy. Wish the container for the lipstick was larger.”
The question of value ultimately depends on how many applications you can expect from a single kit. Based on user feedback and my testing, each kit typically provides 2-3 months of regular use before needing replacement—fairly standard for liquid lip products but potentially less than traditional bullet lipsticks.
Environmental Considerations
In today’s beauty landscape, environmental impact is increasingly important to consider. The SuperStay 24 comes in standard plastic packaging with no specific sustainability claims. For environmentally conscious consumers, this represents an area where Maybelline could potentially improve in future iterations.
Specific Use Scenarios
The SuperStay 24 shows particular strengths in certain situations that are worth highlighting:
Professional Settings
For those in customer-facing roles or who speak frequently in professional settings, the minimal transfer and long wear time make this an excellent option: “I work online with cameras for meetings I don’t have time to re apply. This last pretty long.”
Special Occasions
For weddings, formal events, or any occasion where touch-ups would be inconvenient, this formula excels: “Hands down the best lip stain on the market. It actually looks like lipstick but stays on all night.”
Mask Wearing
With face masks still common in many settings, transfer resistance has become a key feature: “Lipstick last all day and I really like the color. However, it smudge a little bit on my mask.” While not completely transfer-proof with masks, it performs better than most traditional formulas.
Tips for Optimal Results
Based on collective user experience, here are some key tips for getting the best performance from the SuperStay 24:
- Prep properly: Exfoliate lips and ensure they’re clean and dry before application
- Apply thinly: A thick application is more likely to flake or feel uncomfortable
- Wait completely: Allow the color to dry fully before applying the balm or pressing lips together
- Avoid oil: During wear, minimize oily foods which break down the formula
- Reapply balm liberally: Don’t wait for dryness; regular balm application maintains comfort
- Use oil for removal: Coconut oil, olive oil, or specialized oil-based makeup removers work best
Who Should Consider This Product?
The SuperStay 24 is particularly well-suited for:
- Busy professionals who need all-day wear without touch-ups
- Those who frequently eat, drink, or talk throughout the day
- Anyone who dislikes the constant maintenance of traditional lipsticks
- Budget-conscious consumers seeking high-performance at drugstore prices
- People attending special events where they don’t want to worry about their lip color
It may be less ideal for:
- Those with chronically dry or chapped lips
- People who prefer a completely weightless feel on their lips
- Anyone who changes lip colors multiple times throughout the day
- Those who prioritize organic or natural formulations
The Bottom Line: Is It Worth It?
After analyzing extensive user feedback and professional testing, the Maybelline SuperStay 24 2-Step Liquid Lipstick in Steady Red-Y earns a solid recommendation with a few caveats.
Its strengths are undeniable: impressive longevity, vibrant color payoff, minimal transfer, and excellent value for the price point. For many users, it has become a holy grail product they’ve used faithfully for years: “I have been using this product for 16 years.”
The limitations—potential dryness, learning curve for application, and the need for oil-based removal—are not insignificant but are generally outweighed by the benefits for most users. The true 24-hour claim may be somewhat exaggerated, but even 8-10 hours of reliable wear without significant fading or transfer places this product well ahead of traditional lipsticks.
If you’re tired of constantly checking and reapplying your lip color throughout the day, the Maybelline SuperStay 24 offers a practical solution at an accessible price point. With reasonable expectations and proper application technique, it can deliver the kind of reliable, long-lasting color that makes your daily beauty routine significantly easier.
Final Rating
Overall: 4.2/5 stars
- Longevity: 4.5/5 (Exceptional staying power, though perhaps not fully 24 hours)
- Color Payoff: 4/5 (Vibrant, though may require building for full opacity)
- Comfort: 3.5/5 (Better than most long-wear formulas, but still noticeable on lips)
- Ease of Application: 3.8/5 (Two-step process requires some practice)
- Value: 4.8/5 (Excellent performance at drugstore price point)
For those seeking the elusive combination of all-day color that doesn’t require babysitting, the Maybelline SuperStay 24 2-Step Liquid Lipstick in Steady Red-Y offers an impressive solution that deserves a place in your makeup collection.
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