Lipsticks: how to choose

How to choose lipsticks

Begin with the finish you reach for most. A matte lip gives a defined, opaque mouth; a liquid matte sets to a soft veil; a gloss or glossy finish brings shine and a lighter feel; a balm or sheer finish keeps colour soft and translucent. The pieces in our Lips collection cover these finishes, so the first question is not which shade is boldest but which texture you will enjoy wearing on an ordinary morning.

Next, think about how you spend your day. If you want colour to stay close to the lip line through coffee, meetings and dinner, look for long-wear or waterproof wording and choose a formula you can build in thin layers. If you prefer a lip that feels lightweight, a liquid or slim bullet may suit you better than a dense matte. A liner or a dual-ended tool is useful when you want a clean edge without carrying a separate brush.

Consider the shape of the bullet and how you apply colour. A slim pencil or pen is easy to trace with, while a classic bullet is quick to sweep on. A compact set or a tube with a firm close is practical if you touch up during the day. Finally, be honest about comfort: matte formulas vary, and a velvet matte or a moisturising bullet can feel softer on the lips than a flat matte. If your lips are dry or sensitive, prepare them with balm and speak to a professional about persistent skin concerns.

Formulas, finishes and shades

Matte is the broadest family here. A velvet matte has a soft, diffused finish; a semi-suede matte sits between velvet and flat matte; a liquid matte goes on fluid and sets to a veil. Some matte pieces are waterproof and built for long wear, while others are described as lightweight and buildable. If you want a matte look but worry about tightness, look for words such as comfortable, moist or creamy in the product description, and apply a thin balm underneath.

Gloss, glossy and sheer finishes work differently. They reflect more light and leave colour looking less opaque, which makes them useful for a softer mouth or for days when a full matte feels too formal. A balm finish is the softest option in texture terms, gliding on like care and leaving a veil of pigment. You can wear a sheer or balm finish alone, or press a matte colour over it for a blurred effect.

Shades across our pieces include nude, pink and rose, red, orange, gold and black. A nude close to your natural lip is easy for everyday wear; a rose or pink can look fresh without shouting; a red or orange brings more presence. Gold and black are statement colours, so wear them when the rest of your make-up is quiet and you want the lip to lead. Rose also appears as an ingredient in our lip pieces, so check the ingredient list if you prefer to know exactly what is in a formula.

How to apply and wear them

Start with clean, dry lips and a thin layer of balm if you want slip. For a classic bullet, apply directly and move back and forth to distribute the colour evenly across the lip. Begin at the centre of the upper lip and sweep outward to the corners, then follow the lower lip. If you want a softer edge, apply from the centre outward and blend with a fingertip.

For a precise outline, turn the liner up gently and trace the lip edge, then fill with the lipstick side. With a pencil or pen, outline the lip line with the tip, starting at the centre and following the natural shape, then fill inward. With a liquid lipstick, use the wand to outline and fill, then let the colour set for a moment before pressing the lips together. Blot once with a tissue for a softer stain, or build a second pass for full intensity.

Wear your lipstick with the rest of your face in mind. A defined matte lip looks considered with a bare eye and a neat brow; a gloss or sheer finish sits well with a softer eye. If you are wearing a bold red, orange, gold or black, keep the cheek and eye quiet so the mouth has room. Through the day, blot rather than rub, and carry the same bullet or a compact set for a quick touch-up after eating.

Hygiene, storage and shelf life

Keep the cap firmly closed when the lipstick is not in use, and store it away from heat and direct sunlight. A dressing table drawer or a cool cupboard is better than a sunny windowsill or a warm bathroom shelf. If the bullet has touched your lips, wipe the surface with a clean tissue before closing it, and keep personal lip products to yourself.

Pencils and liners benefit from a clean tip: sharpen them regularly, or wipe the tip if they are twist-up. For liquid lipsticks, wipe the wand on the inside of the tube rather than on the rim, and close the tube firmly after each use. Avoid pumping the wand, which pushes air into the formula. If a product changes smell, texture or colour, stop using it.

Shelf life varies by formula and by how you store it. Check the packaging or product information for guidance, and mark the date you open a new lipstick if that helps you keep track. As a general rule, a bullet that has become dry, grainy or oddly scented has reached the end of its useful life. If you have a skin concern around the mouth, speak to a professional rather than guessing.

Standout pieces

• Long-Wear Matte Lipstick: The Long-Wear Matte Lipstick lays down even, opaque tone in one pass, settles to a soft matte finish and is waterproof and built for long wear.
• Matte Lipstick and Liner Duo: The Matte Lipstick and Liner Duo puts a rotating liner and a matte lipstick in one dual-ended tool, with a non-stick finish that keeps the lip comfortable.
• Velvet Matte Lipstick with Moist Feel: The Velvet Matte moisturising lipstick glides on smoothly, settles to a softly diffused matte finish and stays comfortable and moist on the lips with waterproof wear.
• Non-Fading Matte Liquid Lipstick: The Non-Fading Matte Liquid Lipstick goes on as a fluid liquid, sets to a soft matte veil and is made to resist fading and keep colour off the cup.
• Moisturizing Lipstick, Slim Tube: The slim-tube moisturising lipstick glides on like balm with a creamy slip and comes in six shades from frosted peach to deep wine red and a milk-soft orange.