It was impossible to look away from Constance Jablonski’s perfect lips when her Fall 2011 Estee Lauder campaign was released. Of course the color was spectacular, but it made an impact because it was natural and fresh looking, without being overly glossed or shiny. The matte look is one we loved during the Fall/Winter 2011 shows, and now are happy to see the look being executed in real time.
It’s easy to get stuck into the wet-look rut. Hundreds (maybe thousands) of lip gloss shades are being sold by every beauty company—they are easy to apply, moisturizing, and inexpensive. But we’re fans of stepping out of our comfort zone in search of a crisp clean pout. The trick is to find a brand that doesn’t dry your lips out as you wean yourself off the gloss. Here are our favorites in a variety of shades and price points.
If you tire of colors quickly, keep your cost down with a drugstore brand. Revlon’s Matte Lipstick comes in 13 different shades and provides just a tint of color if you want to try out this trend subtly.
Revlon Matte Lipstick - $6.99
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If you’re a lip gloss junkie and can’t quite ditch the little brush, Chanel Allure Laque allows you to apply the color like you would a gloss, but when its dries, the result is a matte shine that doesn’t dry you out.
Chanel Allure Laque - $42.36
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The NARS velvet matte lip pencil is the absolute best choice for precision. The pencil is fat enough that you won’t get that thin lip liner look, but you’ll also be able to place the color exactly where you want it without going outside the lines.
NARS Velvet Matte Lip Pencil - $24
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Make Up For Ever is the beloved brand of all makeup artists, so it’s hard not to trust the professionals. The Rogue Artist Intense Collection has a great series of matte shades including flesh, antique pink and Bordeaux. These are all intense colors with 50 percent more pigment than regular lipsticks, so go ahead and make a statement with this brand.
Make Up For Ever Artist Intense Lipstick - $19
