However clichéd, there’s no doubting the fact that out of all make up, a slick of bright lipstick is great for morale. Not only does red feel defiant (there’s a reason Winston Churchill wouldn’t ration it) but nothing detracts from all manner of sins like a stand-out ka-POUT. With the power to make even sweats look deliberate, lipstick allows you to fake ‘made an effort’ – just reach for your brightest, most Zoom-worthy hue and your colleagues won’t notice you’ve worn the same t-shirt for days. Here are the seven bestsellers we constantly reach for…
BEST FOR: YOUR CONSCIENCE
Bringing some je ne sais quoi to your get-ready ritual, Chantecaille’s beautiful {Lip Veil} is blissfully sheer so you don’t need to fret about liner (très French, non?), while the ethically certified baobab base leaves your lips feeling wonderfully nourished. Supporting Space for Giants – a charity that helps preserve the elephants’ migration trails – we recommend treating yourself to a few of these glorious balms. Try the bright cherry ‘Portulaca’ for starters…
BEST FOR: DAZZLE
Lacing your lips with some serious shimmer, UOMA BEAUTY’s {Black Magic Hypnotic Impact Metallic Lipstick} is basically Studio 54 conjured in multi-dimensional colour. As beautiful to gaze at as to wear, this bullet of show-stopping pigment will ensure you’re always the star of your conference call…
BEST FOR: BOLDNESS
If absolutely matte is where it’s at, NARS’ {Velvet Matte Lip Pencil} cloaks lips with suede-effect colour that’s cocktail-resistant yet comfortable. My personal Holy Grali red, ‘Cruella’ is the ultimate blue-crimson that ‘lifts’ your complexion and looks just as great when applied with precision as blended with fingers for ‘caught snogging’ cool.
BEST FOR: SHINE
There’s something about gloss and sunshine that always feels right, but if thoughts of the sticky, lip lacquers of yore give you shivers then let Kosas rush to the rescue. Their {Wet Lip Oil Gloss} lends a mirror-like finish without any gloopiness – granting a seventies, vinyl effect while it softens and plumps with a cocktail of oils, precious peptides and hyaluronic acid.
BEST FOR: SPF PROTECTION
A customer favourite with glowing reviews, fresh {Tinted Lip Treatment SPF 15} is not only packed with conditioning sugar (a natural humectant), but comes with additional UV protection to keep you lips safe from the harmful effects of the sun. “This ‘Poppy’ toned balm is always going to be in my make up bag. I love the colour and it smells divine. Super nourishing, the twist-off cap is great to stop it coming loose in the bottom of my make up bag.” – Cult Beauty customer review
BEST FOR: GLAMOUR
No lip colour collection is complete without one of Charlotte Tilbury’s iconic bullets, and {K.I.S.S.I.N.G} brings cushiony comfort, a chic, dewy sheen and a shot of bold, ‘means business’ pigment. A dangerous scarlet if every there was one, ‘Love Bite’ will instantly brighten your look and your outlook, and looks just as good with your favourite white tee as it does with an actual outfit.
BEST FOR: LONGEVITY
If you’re constantly snacking, you need a lip colour that’s up to the challenge. Needing no introduction, Benefit’s {Benetint} started its life tinting nipples (not kidding) but now lends les bouches a believable, long-wearing, cookie-proof stain that is easily layered for tailored intensity.
SHOP LIPS >>