TALK TO MY LIPS

4 Jul, 2017

Bring on the weekend with these game-changing lip products that boast fresh textures to transform your pout.

There’s nothing like the thrill of discovering a new, transformative lip tube. Like a moist kiss, you glide the wand over your mouth, leaving a dewy trail of colour that leaves you feeling like you could take on the world.

From Audrey Hepburn to Blake Lively, many modern heroines have espoused the powers of a well-painted pout. Who hasn’t heard of the “lipstick effect”, the theory that during an economic recession, lipstick sales still continue to rise?

Epic stuff, but did you know that the texture of your lip product has as much effect on the impact it creates as the colour? Whether you want the look to be flirty, fun or fierce, below is my pick of 5 incredible new lip products on the market designed to plump, prime and power you up through the winter months.

NudeStix Gel Lip + Cheek Colour

While you have 4 different texture finishes to choose from in the Nudestix Lip & Cheek categories (Magnetic Matte, Intense Matte & Cream), it’s their famous Gel formula that gets me every time! This super pigmented lip crayon finishes somewhere between a gloss and a cream – minus the stickiness and with the staying power of a stain. And, it’s just sheer enough on the lips to showcase your natural texture, ensuring a natural look that’s rich enough to hold the test of time – and give your lips a more luxe, plump feeling. Pssst, my favourite shades are Siren, Fate and Luxe.

Wear for: a fresh, no-fuss daytime look

Shu Uemura X Ambush Rouge Unlimited Matte Lipstick

Limited edition on every level: this collaboration between Shu Uemura & Ambush Jewellery is one of the most luxe collabs I’ve experienced in a long time – and I’ve seen them all in the makeup world! Packaged in a provocative golf bullet tube with two finishes to choose from (Sheer Shine and Supreme Matte), it’s the matte variety that excites me most. Many companies have done a matte lip colour, yet lately, most of them have been a liquid-to-matte consistency which, once reapplied or touched up, become cakey, gluggy and begin to flake on the lips due to their overly thick and non-buildable formulas. Not Shu Uemura. This Japanese company is on point when it comes to luxury, quality and design, earning its premium global reputation by capturing the spirit of a true artist. Shu Uemura constantly pursues the highest standards of beauty, both in makeup creation and presentation. And now, the maestro has come out with a formula that doesn’t need to be liquid to get you the same liquid-to-matte intensity. Instead, the brand has designed a formula that has a rich velvet-like texture that easily glides over lips, can be re-applied without fear of caking, and will never flake due to its moisture-infused formula. Love it!

Coming in two classic statement orange and red colours, I’ve stocked myself up with enough to last me a lifetime… and I suggest you do the same.

Wear for: making a serious impact

Lanolips The Number #1 Essential Lip Trio

These luscious tubes are my go-to lip colours when I want to treat, enhance and give a youthful no-makeup-makeup look to my clients. You can’t go wrong with these three plumping lip conditioners in Rose, Rhubarb and Perfect Nude when wanting to highlight your natural lip colour. Plus, these non-stick, lightly pigmented formulas boost, hydrate and nourish your lips healthfully throughout the day.

No matter the season or the condition, your lips are protected with an SPF30 and lanolin-rich formula to protects lips on all fronts.

Wear for: a polished weekend look

Burberry Lip Colour Contour

Now here’s a product designed to enhance the natural contours of your lips and give the illusion of a fuller lip – naturally. Burberrys Lip Colour Contour Sticks can be worn solo or under your favourite lip colour, depending on the level of saturation you’re looking for. These easy-to-use delicate Lip Contours have been one of my favourite lip choices, both on and off the set since their short arrival on the shelves. Apply straight off the wand to effortlessly hug the lips’ natural curves and contours for a juicier, plumper pout. With a light, nearly-sheer cream formula, this product is weightless on the lips, while still easily building to be an extreme long-wear lip colour if you so choose. There are 4 nude shades in the range, but I’m yet to find a skin colour they don’t suit – making this one of the most perfect, around-the-clock nude lip collections on the market. Tip: for extreme long wear, layer your favourite shade of lipstick over the top of the Lip Contour that most resembles your natural lip colour, similar to how you’d use a lip pencil.

Wear for: a seductive, plump pout

Lancome Le Metallique

If you’re one of the few lucky people who own a now-sold-out Pat McGrath Labs Lust 004 Kit, have fun experimenting with glitter lips using all the components in her comprehensive set. For everyone else, we have a mess-free and equally playful alternative. Lancome Le Metallique will give your lips the same metallic, mirrored effect and finish, without having to execute multiple steps or getting glitter everywhere. This super-pigmented gloss simply needs to be layered over a matching lip pencil for a multi-dimension wear and finish. With 13 fun, classic, sexy and futuristic colours to choose from, my favourite shades are: Rouge Magma (Metallic Ruby Red), Purple Onyx ( Metallic Blackberry) & Mirrored Nude ( Metallic Pink Champagne).

Wear for: shining at your next party

Tip: Prime every look first with MAC Prep + Prime Lip, colour-free base to wear under lipstick that adds light moisture, smooths and refines the lips and improves the appearance and finish of any lip pro

CREDITS

Hair & Makeup & Product Review: Max May / Words: Alina Berdichevsky / Photographer: Emily Abay / Model: Emma Boyd at Priscilla Model Management