LIPS

As with face makeup, matte is the big news here. From liquid and cream lipsticks to lip stains and inks, just about everything now comes in a matte or semi-matte finish. What’s more, they no longer feel heavy or drying, thanks to improved textures and moisturising formulas.

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As with face makeup, matte is the big news here. From liquid and cream lipsticks to lip stains and inks, just about everything now comes in a matte or semi-matte finish. What’s more, they no longer feel heavy or drying, thanks to improved textures and moisturising formulas. 
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DEPARTMENT/ SPECIALITY STORE CATEGORY 
LIP TREATMENT 

● Readers’ Choice 

1. M.A.C Tendertalk Lip Balm 

Its colour changes according to different body chemistries, so you get your very own personalised tint. It keeps lips hydrated for hours sans stickiness. 

● Editors’ Choice and Bloggers’ Choice 

2. Clarins Instant Light Lip Comfort Oil 

This fluid gel-like treatment protects lips and keeps them hydrated for up to four hours with nourishing plant oils such as hazelnut and jojoba oils. Wear it on its own for a natural look or over lip colour to add some shine.  

LIP GLOSS 

● Readers’ Choice, Editors’ Choice and Bloggers’ Choice

3. Dior Dior Addict Ultra-gloss 

A reformulation of the brand’s popular lip gloss, this comes packed with hyaluronic acid to hydrate and plump lips instantly. Choose from three kinds of shiny finish: Sparkling, Watery and Iridescent.  

LIPSTICK: SEMI-MATTE/ MATTE 

● Readers’ Choice 

4. Dior Rouge / Dior Matte 

Promising up to 16 hours of comfortable wear, this has mango butter to deliver a smooth, creamy feel, as well as hyaluronic acid spheres to smooth and plump lips. 

● Editors’ Choice 

5. Kat Von D Everlasting Liquid Lipstick 

This rich, opaque liquid lippie dries to a creamy colour that stays put through meals and drinks. The paraben-free formula enriched with vitamins A and E prevents the colour from feathering.  

● Bloggers’ Choice

6. Bobbi Brown Luxe Lip Color 

Packed with moisturising ingredients that help protect against moisture loss due to changes in temperature, this is loaded with pigments and delivers bold colour with a satiny, semi-matte finish. 

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LIQUID LIPSTICK

● Readers’ Choice 

7. Chanel Rouge Allure Ink 

This scores points for packing intense colour into a weightless, creamy formula. Like second skin, it sits comfortably on lips while botanicals such as green tea extract and jojoba oil moisturise and improve circulation. 

● Editors’ Choice 

8. Tarte Tarteist Creamy Matte Lip Paint 

The whipped liquid pigments give this a soft, mousse-like feel. Its colour is buildable – one coat gives a soft, matte look, while two create an intense, opaque finish. 

● Bloggers’ Choice 

9. Clinique Pop Liquid Matte Lip Colour + Primer 

A little goes a long way with this matte lip colour, which delivers high colour pay-off  but feels weightless and is non-sticky. Moisturising elements such as avocado oil, sunflower oil and vitamin E provide lip-care benefits. 

LIP-AND-CHEEK COLOUR 

● Readers’ Choice 

10. Estee Lauder Genuine Glow Blushing Creme for Lips and Cheeks 

Offering sheer, buildable colour with just enough shimmer for a radiant flush, this has a stick design that allows for easier control, and a creamy texture instead of a liquid or gel one, which may run or dry too quickly. 

● Editors’ Choice 

11. Etude House Play 101 Blending Pencil 

The soft, melting texture makes it easy to apply and blend, whether you’re using it on the cheeks, lips or even eyes. A primer-like ingredient helps the colour last. 

LIPSTICK: GLOSSY 

● Readers’ Choice and Editors’ Choice 

12. YSL Beauty Rouge Volupte Shine 

Boasting six essential oils – including pomegranate and macadamia butter – as well as hyaluronic acid spheres and emollients, this is one hydrating, high-shine powerhouse. Its semi-sheer formula leaves a light stain, even after meals. 

● Editors’ Choice 

13. Chanel Rouge Coco Stylo 

This hybrid lives up to its promise of delivering the intense colour of a lipstick with the shine of a gloss and the comfort of a lip balm. Silk powder and beeswax help to smooth lips and add shine. 

● Bloggers’ Choice

14. Estee Lauder Pure Color Envy Hi-lustre Light Sculpting Lipstick 

Time-release encapsulated hyaluronic acid keeps lips hydrated and plump, while multi-faceted pigments prevent the colour from looking flat. 

LIP STAIN 

● Readers’ Choice 

15. M.A.C 

Versicolour Stain Combining the shine of a gloss and the fluid texture of a stain, this is creamy but lightweight. Its colour is vibrant and will last a fair way into the day. 

● Editors’ Choice and Bloggers’ Choice 

16. YSL Beauty Vernis A Levres Vinyl Cream 

Super-rich and smooth, this feels like liquefied cream and delivers high-impact, luscious shine. The colour doesn’t streak, and the pointed-tip applicator makes accentuating the Cupid’s bow super easy.    

DRUGSTORE CATEGORY 
LIPSTICK: SEMI-MATTE/ MATTE 

● Readers’ Choice, Editors’ Choice and Bloggers’ Choice

17. L’Oreal Paris Color 

Riche Collection Star It glides on velvet-smooth, isn’t drying and delivers intense colour that lasts for at least four hours. Jojoba oil and micro-fragments of mother-of-pearl lend subtle lustre, so you don’t get a flat matte look. 

● Bloggers’ Choice 

18. Maybelline Lip Flush Bitten Lips 

Get gradient lips in one swipe with this three-toned lippie. It has coconut oil to moisturise lips, and an extract of centella – a herb with known healing properties.