7 Lipsticks I Can't Live Without
- Sue Lobo
- May 4, 2015
- 5 min read
I grew up wearing only two items of makeup and that was my Lakme liquid eyeliner (which I still faithfully use) and my Lip Smacker lip balm in bubblegum (who remembers them?). I only started regularly wearing lipstick about two years ago. In retrospect, I honestly don’t know how I survived all those years without lipstick! Comparing my current photos with some old ones, got me realizing how lipstick honestly adds so much character and instantly lifts up your face.
I took the plunge with a red shade from Clinique and after that there was no looking back. I was instantly comfortable with dark shades as I felt they complimented my skin better. It is only off late that I have developed a fondness for nude shades and have come to the conclusion that while it’s true that certain lip shades do suit some skin tones better it’s all about how you carry it off.
I have had a lot of people ask me about the various lipsticks I wear, so here are my top 7 lipsticks I cannot live without:
If there was only one lip stick I could live with, then this would be it. It is bold and beautiful and ensures you feel like a million bucks! It can instantly glam up the plainest of an ensemble and always gets me a compliment. I usually pair it up with outfits in white, gray, blue, purple, green and of course black. Wear it to the pool, to the office or on a night about town, this is one shade that never fails! The matte finish really allows the color to standout and I usually need to touch it up probably once if I wear it from day to night. As I have more of a cool tone, the shade looks like a bright fuchsia as opposed to those with warm tones where it looks a bit more plum or red. This one is on the top of my list as it’s highly pigmented, blendable, long-wearing and an outstanding shade of pink.
Dupes: Urban Decay - Anarchy, Maybelline - Electric Fuchsia
I love deep shades of lipsticks because they seem to suit my dusky skin but recently decided to give absolute nudes a shot and I think I’ve found my favorite. Taupe is a gorgeous, medium intensity brown with hints of both plum and red. It is an amazing nude for deeper skin tones and does not look washed out. It pairs nicely with any brown, beige or pink toned lip liners and this pretty much works for any event any time of day or night. It also works great as a base if you want to mix a few browns for that Kylie Jenner pout.
Dupe: Revlon - Cocoa Craving
Finding the right shade of red that doesn’t come off as tranny is quite hard. True reds like MAC’s Russian Red don’t really give an elegant appeal at least on my skin but then came Viva Glam I – This brick red is my go-to, fail-safe red lippy that I always carry around. The matte texture makes it look very classic and doesn’t dry out my lips and the staying power is incredible. Think pin-up, statement lips and Snow White - Your lips will stand out with this one!! I also own Revlon’s matte balm formula in 'Standout' as it comes extremely close to giving the same finish and shade and is great for daily wear.
Dupes: Revlon matte balm – Standout, NARS – 413 BLKR, Make Up For Ever - Rouge Artist Intense Lipstick #44
For that feminine, delicate pout, sultry is awesome! It’s the perfect nude pink and I mix it with ‘Taupe’ from Mac for a perfect ombre pout. The color just livens up your face and adds a dimension to your look. The balm itself is creamy, pigmented, and semi matte and isn't drying at all. The stick format provides convenience and easy application with great longevity. I usually pair this look with a simple eye (mascara and eyeliner) and light blush.
Dupe: NYC - Sugar Plum
Hot Tamale is what came to mind when I tested this shade at the MAC store in Singapore. Chili is a very warm red-brown, with a burnt orange tint. It is another one of those shades that really make my lips pop and is the perfect spring summery shade that goes well with a ton of outfits.
Dupes: Maybelline Superstay - Red Passion, Maybelline - Fatal Red, Revlon Colorburst - Crimson, Loreal Colour Riche lipcolour - Drumbeat Red
Rebel is another one of those iconic MAC shades that is so versatile. This color is a bit wild and very distinct and used to be our signature lip shade. It is a dark raspberry kind of color but is unique in the sense that it is a purple, pink, and red lipstick at the same time depending on the lighting and the lip liner you use. In my opinion it can be worn year round and works with so many outfits, you will be surprised.
Dupes: Marc Jacobs Beauty - Headliner (608), YSL - Forbidden Burgundy (12), Urban Decay - Venom
The hue of this Stila liquid lipstick which dries to matte is so rich I save it for special occasions and important work events. This is honestly the perfect red that I have been looking for the longest time. The liquid lipstick has a thin but smooth consistency and applies evenly on the lips and quickly sets to a transfer-proof matte finish. It elevates your look to a whole new level of sophistication and looks amazing when worn with Indian attire or a black LBD.
Dupe: Kat Von D Everlasting Liquid Lipstick - Underage Red - bright crimson
The next time you want to try on a bit of makeup, experiment with a lipstick. The three most important things to remember the next time you find yourself lost in Sephora trying to buy a lippy are:
- Lip shape - There are some general rules that apply to certain lip shapes - darker colors make lips look smaller while lighter and brighter colors make lips appear bigger. So take note of whether you want to accentuate or minimize your lip shape before you start narrowing down lip colors.
- The One – It is important to have that one lipstick you can always count on to look great. For me its 'Flat Out Fabulous' and Stila’s Fiery.
- Know your tone - If you’re unsure of your skin’s undertone, the easiest way is to look at the color of your veins on your inner wrists in the light. If they appear bluish, you’re cool and if they appear greenish, you’re warm!
While there are a ton of brands out there, the above work well with the texture, shape and color of my lip. True, there are so many rules just on picking a lip color but in the end, what matters is to wear what makes you feel good! All cool-toned or light complexions aren’t the same so experiment with colors you like!
Do you like to stick to certain hues when it comes to lipstick or do you wear what you feel like?
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