Lipstick has served as a personal armour ever since the first crushed pigment was applied to our lips thousands of years ago. That might now translate as having a powerful red lipstick on hand for an instant confidence boost, or knowing that your matte lipstick isn't going to quit on you before the night is out.
If you feel stuck in a perpetual search for your perfect shade, there are a few tricks that can help to speed up the process and save the back of your hands from myriad swatches. When it comes to finding the most flattering nude lipstick for you, "The trick is to work with your undertone and not against," explains Dominic Skinner, Global Senior Artist at MAC Cosmetics.
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"If you have a warmer or richer skin tone, work with shades that have a pink to coral undertone. Whereas, if you have a cooler, more olive undertone, look for shades that have a beige to golden hue within them. Once you’ve worked out the undertone, you can use that to go as pale or as deep in the nude spectrum as you wish," he notes.
How to apply it right? It all depends on the desired finish. "For full colour payoff, apply lipstick straight from the bullet, then use a lip liner to prevent smudging and create a base for your lipstick. For a softer finish, you can diffuse the lipstick with your fingertips," shares make-up artist and VIEVE founder, Jamie Genevieve. "Always look at the formula and finish as this will also help ensure its longevity," she adds.
Aside from your personal preferences and that immediate 'I've found the one' feeling, there are also some practical things you want to ensure your lipstick has down before you invest. We're talking about comfort, longevity, and finish, just for starters. To help you on your journey of discovery to finding your perfect lipstick, we've rounded up the best lipsticks that tick all three.
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Sported by no less than Nicola Peltz-Beckham and Lily-Rose Depp, this lipstick has an impressive clientele. And can we blame them? Transforming into a glossy oil, this ultra-hydrating lipstick gives the lips an enlivening flush of colour with a high-shine finish. Think your lips but so much better.
Chanel Coco Rouge Flash, $70, CHANEL BEAUTY.
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This matte lipstick, which was created by make-up artist Jamie Genevieve, brings to life the desire for ultra-pigmented yet nourishing lip formulas. Enriched with vitamin E, the smooth finish never flakes throughout the day; it feels comfortable for hours and has impressive staying power.
Modern Matte Lipstick, $44, VIEVE.
Uncompromising when it comes to colour payoff, this Sisley lipstick is all about creating a plumper-looking pout. Enriched with Padina pavonica extract and vitamin E, it nourishes and plumps the lips and also provides a long-lasting, velvet finish.
Phyto-Rouge Velvet, $75, SISLEY.
If the distinctive packaging and on-trend colour palette aren't enough to lure you in, the USP of this ultra chic lipstick lies in the subtle sheen and nourishing formula. You can build up the intensity or apply a thin layer for a subtle, barely-there glow.
Phyto-Rouge Velvet, $134, HERMÈS.
Forget drying, flaky liquid lipsticks of old, one swipe of Gucci Beauty's Rouge à Lèvres Liquide Matte Lipstick and you'll never look back. With a moisturising formula of black rose oil, vitamin E, rice powder and hyaluronic acid, the almost-whipped texture leaves lips feeling pillowy soft. Also, can we talk about the packaging...
Rouge À Lèvres Liquide Matte, $65, GUCCI BEAUTY.
Drawing inspiration from vintage sepia portraits and classic Rococo paintings, Lisa Eldridge is a make-up storyteller. Our adoration of these luxury lipsticks goes beyond a striking pigment or impressive wear time, they're captivating references tied up in a beautifully velvet bow.
True Velvet Lip Colour, UK$27 (about S$47), LISA ELDRIDGE.
This beauty girl-next-door strikes again. In an ever playful Glossier way, these au natural tint-gloss hybrids are totally effortless. Giving your pout a conditioning boost of colour that's oh-so-easy to build, this is the easiest lipstick you'll ever use.
Ultralip, $36, GLOSSIER.
Some might pin this pick as predictable, but we'd be lying if we said these pretty shades weren't worth the hype. 3D pigment that gives a visible fullness to your lips, paired with a comfortable matte finish? Straight to the lipstick hall of fame. The Pillow Talk collective is undeniably iconic, but we also rate Very Victoria and So 90's for their cool Autumn-ready undertones.
Matte Revolution, $55, CHARLOTTE TILBURY.
Fresh from Fashion Week, this stunning matte was everywhere this season. Not only is this pigmented lip colour a stylish staple, it also comes with a transfer-proof promise.
Powermatte Lip Pigment, $46, NARS.
Ruby Woo, Velvet Teddy... let's face it, MAC basically invented top tier lip colours. If you're fond of a softer-looking lip, this sleek long-lasting matte comes fitted with a feathered-edge applicator, giving your lips an effortlessly diffused finish that lasts all day and doesn't compromise on colour.
Powder Kiss Velvet Blur Slim Stick, $49, MAC COSMETICS.
With a 24-hour pledge, this brilliant shade is proof that a sophisticated red lip doesn't have to be high maintenance. Although this kiss-proof formula comes in an array of flattering tones, (bricks, mauves, berrys, we could go on...) 999 Forever Dior is uncut drama; the ultimate modern classic lip colour..
Rouge Dior Couture Colour, $66, DIOR BEAUTY.
From its soft pigment to its innovative design, this stylish Byredo bullet has long been a favourite of the ELLE beauty team.
Lipstick, $82, BYREDO.
This article was first seen on ELLE UK.