Every woman who has put on a sexy red or sultry burgundy shade for a dinner date can attest to the fact that lip colours can transform your look instantly. However, the power of a lipstick is more far-reaching than that. As Coco Chanel once said, “If you’re sad, add more lipstick and attack”, a slick of lipstick has a mood-altering effect as well. And lipstick sales reflect that because each time the economy goes south, the number of lipsticks sold spike.
Best part, lip colours are about as low as you can go in terms of commitment level for beauty products because you can easily switch up your look by wearing multiple shades in a day. And with the thousands of options we have—be it glosses, liquid lip colours, crayons, as well as the multitude of finishes available, it can be difficult to select the absolute must-haves to add to your vanity. Don’t go shopping without reading this list of beauty editors’ favourite lipsticks.
Expect nothing short of comfortable wear, vibrant colour and ease of application in this elegant lipstick bullet. Made with Premium Argan Tree Oil and Illuminating Hydro-Wrap Complex, it nourishes lips and keeps them soft and supple. A unique blend of translucent pigments, oils and finely milled powder means fine lines are smoothed and lip colour remains luminous for hours on end. It also has a petal-shaped tip that envelops lip contours for effortless application.
While the Pure Color Love range does include chrome and shimmery finishes, the matte ones are the true standout. And thanks to its superfruit cocktail of pomegranate, mango and acai oils, it glides onto lips to delivery saturated pigment payoff in just one coat. Best part? It doesn’t dry out lips and feels next to nothing.
Designed to combine the intense colour of lipsticks with the plumping benefits of a lip balm, this is your go-to if you prefer a glossy finish to pigment-packed lipsticks. Featuring an exclusive combination of five ultra-shiny, ultra-light nourishing oils and beeswax, it melts onto lips upon application, drenching your lips in high-impact colour and a vinyl-like effect.
From the barest nude to the deepest plum shade, this lipstick coats lips in a sheer veil of colour while promising an intense and long-lasting moisture boost. It also has a new bullet shape to make application effortless—you don’t even need a mirror for perfect lips!
Forget thick and tacky lip glosses and opt for this non-sticky formula from Chanel. Not only does it come fortified with coconut oil, peptides, vitamin E and the brand’s exclusive Hydraboost Complex to lock in moisture and ensure comfort for hours on end, the lightweight gloss visibly smooths fine lines and plump lips. Its dual-sided applicator also makes it easy to apply with high precision and ensure even coverage.
The convenience of a pencil format meets the intensity of a matte lipstick in this cult classic from NARS. Despite its dramatic matte finish, the formula is non-drying as a result of its unique combination of vitamin E, emollients and silicones. Apply one coat and blend out the edges for a natural, stained effect or layer multiple layers for maximum impact.
Never worry about tugging at your lips and struggling with precision ever again with this lip liner from Kat Von D as it glides onto skin like a dream to define lip contours. Fully pigmented, it is perfect on its own when applied all over the lips. Alternatively, it creates the perfect base for lipstick application as it prolongs the wear and increase the colour intensity of products applied after.
As its name suggests, each lip balm is a purse-friendly size that’s small enough to slide into the tiniest of clutches. The lightly tinted balm delivers long-lasting moisture and vibrant colour in an ultra-glossy finish, making it perfect for enhancing your natural lip colour even if you wear it on its own.
Packed with vitamins, antioxidants and tea extracts, this multi-use lip product leaves a natural, just-bitten stain on lips that works on virtually every skin tone. Use alone or over existing lip colour as an instant dose of moisture to refresh and revive your makeup.