I was a teenager in the 90s so perhaps that explains my obsession with matte lips. But I think it's mostly the fact that I am a gym bunny, I drink a lot of coffee and I'm not big on reapplying lip colour. I love a lip stain for that reason too! It is long lasting. It endures. It looks good while doing it. A matte liquid lipstick is a lot like me.
If you absolutely insist, you could layer lip gloss on...but my preference is to keep it matte and experiment with colours. Try mixing a brown with a pink - or an orange with a pink - or even a pink and a purple. You only need a few shades to make an entire new palette.
Here are my top 5 matte liquid lip products and each of them are cruelty free and vegan.
1. Dose Of Colors
This is a cult US brand for a reason. The matte liquid lip paints are highly pigmented so it doesn't take much on the wand to leave a long lasting, deep colour on the lips. The absolute rainbow of colour options is jaw dropping too. From sandy pale to full-on party purple, whatever your shade of choice is, it will be here. I am loving Berry Me (Berry 2 was sold out!) Available in Australia from Scotty's Makeup (stores in Melbourne and Sydney, or shop online).
I also love Stone - a chalky, pink tinged nude that is gorgeous alone or with a brown or purple-based liner.
While you're shopping up a storm at Scotty's, add a nude Ben Nye lip pencil. While your matte lip paint will last, pencil can add longetivity AND make your lips look a little poutier if you draw right up to the edges. Do not draw around your lips. Do not.
I also love Stone - a chalky, pink tinged nude that is gorgeous alone or with a brown or purple-based liner.
While you're shopping up a storm at Scotty's, add a nude Ben Nye lip pencil. While your matte lip paint will last, pencil can add longetivity AND make your lips look a little poutier if you draw right up to the edges. Do not draw around your lips. Do not.
2. Obsessive Compulsive Cosmetics Lip Tar
Without wanting to sound too over the top, you will become obsessive about this stuff. Lip Tar is also available in an extraordinary spectrum of colours. It's proudly vegan and cruelty free. It's the stuff of makeup junkie's dreams. From the palest pastel pink to blue, green, every shade of red...if you can dream it up, it exists. Not widely available, you can get it at Scotty's Makeup (online, or in Melbourne and Sydney stores). I'm into Marion (left), a browny, beige totally 90s shade of nude. I am also loving Anita (above) for evening. Vamps pay attention. This is your shade.
3. Velvet 59
Not widely available and therefore, definitely more desirable, Velvet 59 is all about classic Hollywood class. The packaging is worth the price alone - you will want to wave your gold lipstick bullet around with glee. I also adore the Matte To The Max liquid lip paint in Vanilla Macaroon.
While it would be too pale for me on its own, I combine it with lip pencils in brown, pink or purple to create new shades. Bonus? Customised to my skin and mood and long lasting. Available at Ricky's NYC.
4. Australis Velourlips
Homemade! So much love for this local brand that has only grown in size and confidence since I was given my first pastel pink lipstick at 12.
5. LA Splash
Those Los Angeles makeup maestros know their business. LA Splash is so much fun. So many super-flattering shades. For the indecisive, this is going to be an extraordinary challenge. You may have to just do them all. I have my sights set on Seductress (below) and Untamed (above).
LA Splash is available at Ricky's NYC.
Speculation!
I've heard amazing things about Kat Von D Everlasting Liquid Lipstick and would love to add Lolita to my matte lip paint collection. Has anyone got it? Do you rate it?
