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The Matte Lipstick Revival Is Upon Us
A far cry from the drying liquid formulas of old, the new matte is vivid, velvety and supremely soft. Here, see the formulas to try now.
If you succumbed to the chalky matte Lip Kit somewhere between 2015 and 2019, this news may cause you to cling on to your lip balm for dear life: matte is back. But wait! Come back. This time, it’s different. We’ve learned from our mistakes, and 2024’s velvet lip revival is reassuringly cooler, chicer and – crucially – much more comfortable to wear.
The beauty world’s most fashion-adjacent brands are banking on soft, suede-like textures this season. At Byredo, make-up artist Lucia Pica has launched a line of fluffy, light-as-air liquid lipsticks that look best when applied gently and smudged with a finger. They’ll last as long as you do, and won’t dry into a flaky mess by lunchtime.
Similarly, Gucci Westman’s latest launch is a collection of matte bullets infused with oils to condition lips. ‘I think we have moved on from heavy, blocky formulas that don’t feel comfortable on the lips,’ the make-up artist says. ‘With my Lip Suede lipsticks, I really wanted to create something soft that feels easy to wear, almost like a balm, but with the appearance of a matte finish.’
The star of Prada’s bold colour project is an edit of super-bright, extra-matte lipsticks that deliver a stamped-on pop of colour that remains looking fresh for hours, while Hermés’ limited-edition lipsticks come in candied shades of flamingo and tangerine.
Of course, even the best matte lipstick requires a little prep to ensure it looks its best. According to make-up artist Lesley Keane, the key to a flawless result is exfoliation, ensuring there are no patches or snags for your pigment to cling onto. 'Firstly, exfoliate the lips, then put on a deep-moisturising lip balm and allow it time to sink in before you move onto the next step', she suggests. 'After 5-10 minutes, press down on the lips with a sheet of dry tissue to absorb any excess moisture – this will prevent the texture of your lipstick changing.'
For especially dramatic looks, Keane also recommends applying a matte yet moisturising primer (not easy to come across, but MAC Prep & Prime is perfect) before going in with your lip colour. 'This gives a base for the matte lipstick to adhere to and allows for easier application,' she explains. 'Finally, apply your lipstick and neaten up the edges with a lip brush or a lip liner.'
From rich creams to tinted balms and hydrating long-wear liquids, each of the brilliant formulas below offers a soft matte finish as well as supreme comfort, thanks to nourishing ingredients and advanced pigments. Finally, a matte we can really get on board with...
The New Matte Lipsticks To Know Now
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