Lip lacquers
Shiny, moist pouts are huge for 2018, and while lip glosses tend to be the go-to makeup for recreating the look, these do the same minus the stickiness, and with more intense, long-lasting pigmentation (note: they actually stain your lips, so you’ll need the makeup remover before cleansing). Once a fancy name for liquid lipsticks, lacquer has evolved into an entire category on its own. The latest are boosted with skin-loving ingredients such as glycerine in Lancome’s L’Absolu Lacquer, and hibiscus extract in Dior’s Dior Addict Lacquer Plump. What this means: an even more hydrated, plumper-looking pout.
Super smooth mattes
By now, beauty tech has gotten so advanced that the idea of a matte lipstick that feels dry and heavy sounds archaic. The latest generation, however, is the super achiever of the lot, promising not only to glide on smooth, but also to nourish. Clarins’ Joli Rouge Velvet, for example, is enriched with apricot oil, jojoba and organic marsh samphire to keep lips soft and supple. Meanwhile, Shu Uemura’s Rouge Unlimited Supreme Matte contains three active ingredients that make it feel lightweight and comfortable – each of its 32 shades (from nudes to bold reds) goes on velvety smooth, then dries matte.
Lightweight creams
Perhaps it’s the muggy weather here, but the latest crop of lipsticks out in stores are more about texture than colour. YSL Beaute, for example, has reformulated one of its signature glosses to come up with Volupte Liquid Colour Balm. Despite its name, it has a creamy texture that feels lightweight yet leaves a satiny finish and strong colour payoff. Offering a similar effect: Hera’s Rouge Holic Exceptional, which promises to go on smooth, stay on, yet feel like you’ve got nothing on.
Photography Frenchescar Lim Art Direction Hisyam Abd Rahman Hair & Makeup Manisa Tan/Paletteinc Model Marina/Mannequin
This story first appeared in Female’s July 2018 print issue.
