In honour of National Lipstick Day, we’ve created our very own lipstick guide. From cream finishes to lip stains, glosses, and everything in between, our list covers all the beauty bases. We’ve included high end ~and~ high street recommendations too, to satisfy your shopping needs.
Cream
What you need to know: These wax-based lipsticks are a classic (and for good reason). Not only do cream lipsticks keep our pouts soft and smooth thanks to conditioning ingredients like vitamin E, but they define our lips with their full-coverage finish. You can easily find one or two cream lipsticks in our bag at any moment, whether it’s National Lipstick Day or not.
Cosmo ME high end rec: Natasha Denona I Need a Rose Lipstick, Dhs105, sephora.ae
Cosmo ME high street rec: Rimmel London Lasting Finish Lipstick, Dhs20, binsina.ae
Satin
What you need to know: If you combine the best aspects of cream lipsticks with the best parts of matte lipsticks, you get the satin finish. Think of it as a National Lipstick Day superstar. These lipsticks are popular for their creaminess and glossy finish and have the staying power of a matte. We love to wear satin lipsticks both in the office and on date nights in Dubai.
Cosmo ME high end rec: Charlotte Tilbury K.I.S.S.I.N.G Lipstick, Dhs160, ae.namshi.com
Cosmo ME high street rec: Makeup Revolution Satin Kiss Lipstick, Dhs19, lookfanstastic.ae
Matte
Supplied
What you need to know: For those who want to steer clear of a shiny, glossy finish, matte is for you. These lipsticks provide even coverage, a soft-focused finish, and major definition to the lips. The only downside? They can be ultra-drying.
Cosmo ME high end rec: Valentino Rosso Matte Lipstick, Dhs225, sephora.ae
Cosmo ME high street rec: L’Oreal Paris Color Riche Matte Lipstick, Dhs69.30, ae.boots.com
Liquid Matte
What you need to know: Put your lip oils aside, sisters, it’s National Lipstick Day so there’s no better time to be bold, saucy, and compliment that dewy complexion with Gucci’s new Rouge À Lèvres Liquide Mat Lipstick. We know, we know – it’s been a while since you’ve been able to fully commit to liquid lips, but they’re officially back and totally revamped. Infused with black rose oil, hyaluronic acid, and Vitamin E, Gucci’s latest launch will leave your pout smooth. And because it’s transfer-proof, you better believe it won’t budge in this heat.
Cosmo ME high end rec: Gucci Rouge À Lèvres Liquide Mat, Dhs170, bloomingdales.ae
Cosmo ME high street rec: Maybelline New York Sensational Liquid Matte Lipstick, Dhs29, binsina.ae
Lip Stain
What you need to know: Want a touch of colour and no shine or shimmer? Take a look at lip stains. Rather than the colour sitting on top of your lips, stains do exactly what their name implies- they stain the skin of your lips to a bright and pigmented colour. They are making a comeback lately thanks to the popularity K-beauty and Princess Riri, who just released her own stain (right before National Lipstick Day 😉). Stains last up to 12 hours, however, they can be quite drying.
Cosmo ME high end rec: Fenty Beauty Poutsicle Hydrating Lip Stain, Dhs120, sephora.ae
Cosmo ME high street rec: 16Brand Fruit-Chu Lip Tint, Dhs39, watsons.ae
Gel
What you need to know: Combine one part creamy lipstick, one part tinted balm, and one part gloss and you wind up with a gel lip formula. We love this finish because it glides easily onto our lips, it’s ultra-hydrating, and it’s usually packed with nourishing ingredients like smoothing vitamin E and a medley of conditioning oils. In our book, gel formulas deserve a gold medal on National Lipstick Day.
Cosmo ME high end rec: Nudestix Gel Color Lip + Cheek Balm, Dhs101, sephora.ae
Cosmo ME high street rec: Revlon Ultra HD Gel Lipcolor, Dhs40, lookfanstastic.ae
Lip Liner
What you need to know: If you were the type of kid that had trouble colouring within the lines, a lip liner might be a key component in your makeup kit. *wink wink* Outlining (or even overlining) your lips is a great way to guide your lipstick application. They also add dimension and fullness to your lip look. If you plan on celebrating National Lipstick Day in style, we totally recommend you start with your lip liner of choice.
Cosmo ME high end rec: Rare Beauty Kind Words Matte Lip liner, Dhs85, sephora.ae
Cosmo ME high street rec: NYX Professional Makeup Suede Matte Lip liner, Dhs25, ae.namshi.com
Gloss
What you need to know: For shiny looking lips, lip gloss is the way to go. This popular lip product conditions lips with nourishing ingredients and gives our pouts a smooth and supple feeling. Glosses come in a variety of finishes and flavours and can be worn on their own or over lipstick to enhance the lip look with a luminous pop of colour.
Cosmo ME high end rec: Surratt Lip Lustre, Dhs150, lookfantastic.ae
Cosmo ME high street rec: Pretty Little Thing Hydrating Lip Gloss, Dhs30, prettylittlething.ae
Tinted Balm
What you need to know: If you were to elevate a lip balm to something a little bit more of the makeup spectrum, a tinted lip balm is what you’d create. These balms contain are a makeup and skincare hybrid, offering skin-conditioning ingredients with a lipstick-like finish.
Cosmo ME high end rec: Ilia Balmy Tint Hydrating Lip Balm, Dhs150, powderbeauty.com
Cosmo ME high street rec: Burt’s Bees Tinted Lip Balm, Dhs30, lookfantastic.ae
Lead Credits:
Styling by Janice Crasto
Photography by Efraim Evidor