Best matte lipsticks: bold, stunning colours in fashion for 2018, at the most reasonable prices
While some high-end brands offer the most luxurious choices available, you can get similar shades at half the cost in Hong Kong drug stores or from Korean and Japanese make-up brands. Here is our guide for all budgets
Red
It takes ages for the Matte Lip Lacquer (HK$105) by Japanese brand Visée to dry to a velvet finish, but its mousse-like formula is very moisturising. Handsome Red, which is not overly bright, feels just right for the winter season, although getting your hands on it maybe difficultas it is already sold out at many cosmetic stores.
YSL’s Tatouage Couture (HK$310) offers nine different red and coral colours. Carmin Statement, a medium blue-red, complement those with cool or pink undertones, while True Orange, a coral red colour, flatters and gives warmth. If your skin tone is neutral or if you are not sure, go for Red Tribe, a true red shade that works for all.
Burgundy
Giorgio Armani’s Lip Magnet (HK$310) is named for the way it clings to your lips, but it is not as long-lasting as we hope it’d be. If we can only have one lipstick for the fall, we would go with Adrenaline, which is the classic shade of wine. Its diamond-shaped wand makes it very easy to draw a clean outline for your lips.
China’s fragrance market: a learning curve for businesses and consumers
Innisfree’s Vivid Cotton Ink (HK$78) is more of a tint than a liquid lipstick. But given it is not as pigmented, it is easier to achieve the gradient lip that is very popular in K-beauty. All four other shades are bright and eye-catching, so Burgundy Tulip seems the most fitting.
Rich Berry
Rimmel’s smudge-free, long-wearing Stay Matte Liquid Lip Color (HK$79) made us glad that the brand has arrived in Hong Kong this fall. The collection has rare shades such as Pitch Black, Blue Iris and Shadow, a silvery grey, but our favourite is Plum This Show, a dark raspberry colour. The only downside is that its formula is slightly thick, making it hard to apply evenly.
Japanese beauty brands reassert themselves amid K-beauty buzz
Inspired by the rock 'n' roll era, the Powermatte Lip Pigment (HK$240) by NARS has bold, gothy shades with great colour pay-off such as Rock With You, a deep mulberry, and Warm Leatherette, in a fuchsia berry. But they leave such a strong stain on the lips that we had trouble removing it afterwards.
Nude
For those who have issues finding a nude lipstick, Rouge Dior Liquid (HK$280) in the shade of Jungle Matte comes to your rescue. It is a creamy latte colour with a hint of pink. It works well with most skin tones and would not make one look washed out. But make sure you exfoliate your lips before application as it will make chapped lips very obvious.
Of all the products, 3CE’s Velvet Lip Tint (HK$129) feels most comfortable on the lips. Apply more layers to add texture and deepen the colour, but it is so pigmented that one single coat already feels sufficient. Going Right, a nude coral shade, can balance out a smokey or dramatic eye look so your make-up does not look too heavy.
Purple
Purple may feel like a very intimidating colour to wear but Make Up Forever’s Artist Liquid Matte (HK$190) will change your mind. Madsberry, a muted purple with a hint of pink, can make your face pop without drawing too much attention to your lips. It also goes on really smooth and does not budge at all. But it is a little drying, so make sure your lips are well moisturised.
Metallic
Revlon put a new twist to matte with the recent launch of Ultra HD Matte Metallic (HK$108). The four metallic colours can be used on top of the matte shades to glam up your look. They feel a little sticky and have an overpowering fragrance, but they are a fun addition to your make-up collection.
