Soft Matte

If you want to look flawless, a matte finish is the only one that works in our heat and humidity

Portrait of Tammy Strobel

If you want to look flawless, a matte finish is the only one that works in our heat and humidity. This is not the hard, cakey, flat matte of the ’90s; this is the matte of 2018, which is soft and natural. It works best in lipstick and foundation.

Soft Matte Finish, 1 of 2: Red Lipstick

Part way between a cream and a matte finish, a soft matte lipstick won’t: 1) dry up lips 2) set into lip lines to make you look older or 3) look flat. It’s perfect in red, because it won’t look as vampy as a lacquered or glossy red, nor will it be as old-fashioned as satin or cream. It’s also way more forgiving of mistakes, and kinder to older, not-soplump-anymore lips.

"Rouge Dior Ultra Rouge in #999 Ultra Dior, $50."
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"Pony Effect Coverstay Cushion Foundation, $59.90, in four shades."

Soft Matte 2 of 2: Foundation

Dewy, glowy skin looks great on Instagram. But control so your foundation won’t melt and slide off  after you’ll also end up looking lunch. You look natural. You greasy by midday. The newgen foundations give the perfect in-between finish – matte, but with a glow. They lightly blur imperfections like freckles and redness for a your-skin-but-better effect. It also has slight oil look naturally radiant. You look like you. – KT

For a list of the new soft matte foundations and red lipsticks to buy, go to our digital edition.

PHOTOGRAPHY VERONICA TAY ART DIRECTION SHERLI CHONG