When it comes to a statement-making pout, matte lipstick is the way to go. The product leaves the lip with a velvety finish that stops people in their tracks. From hot pinks to deep burgundies, matte lips are not the easiest of looks to pull off, but when you can, they look flawless. We’ve rounded up some of our best tutorials and inspiration images so you can find the color that works for you as well as how to make the matte lipstick look work no matter what the season.
Makeup artist and beauty expert, Katie Essary has outlined a foolproof method to the matte madness and the first step for any of these looks? Exfoliate! “Before applying any product, exfoliate your lips with a scrub. Just as you would with your skin, exfoliation preps the lips and gets rid of any dry flakes that will not look fabulous with a matte lip.” After exfoliating, use a think layer of lip balm — colorless — and you are ready to take on the matte.
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Nude Matte
A nude lip never goes out of style especially during the summer months. No matte what the occasion or look, a nude lip will always pair well. After you apply lip balm to your lips, Essary suggests a lip crayon that is either nude or the natural shade of your lips to use just on the inside of your lips and the corners of your lips. “The balm consistency of the crayon and balm will keep the edge of your lips moist and will act as a barrier between your teeth and your lipstick.” Next up is the lip liner, “Choose a liner that will pair well with the nude lipstick, you want the colors to be seamless.” Now it’s time for the lipstick, “Apply the lipstick to your bottom lip and go all the way in to the corners of your mouth. Gently blot your lips together. Unless the lipstick is not a specifically matte lipstick, there is no reason to use a tissue. Matte lipstick is meant to keep the color on your lips with minimal shine.”
Nars Velvet Matte Lip Pencil
MAC Matte Lipstick in ‘Yash’
MAC Lip Liner in ‘Naked’
Brown Matte
It is difficult to scroll through Instagram and not see a brown matte lip, there are even product lines dedicated just to the brown matte. All hale! For the brown matte lip look, the key is the lipstick and choosing the right shade for your skintone. “If you go too dark, you go into bold, fall or winter lips. If you go too light, it’s trying to be a nude neutral.” Luckily, we have a solution for the perfect brown shade lipsticks here. “You don’t want the brown lip to look too bold and not too passive — a fine balance. The key is to add a bit of definition at the cupid’s bow, bringing the line of lipstick up just a bit at the center of your lip.” Blot your lips if there is sheen or shine and your brown matte look is good to go.
Charlotte Tilbury Matte Revolution Lipstick in ‘Birkin Brown’
Charlotte Tilbury Lip Cheat Lip Liner in ‘Foxy Brown’
Red Matte
Confession time: we have a slight obcession with red lips. We have have a Womanista Approved list to well, prove it. For the red matte look, start with concealer, not liner, “Line just outside of your lip line with concealer and blend well, this creates a barrier for color so that the lipstick won’t bleed,” explains Essary. “Then line your lips and follow with lipstick. The final touch will be going back over the corners of the lips and cupid’s bow with concealer again to ensure there is no overflow of color.”
Yves Saint Laurent Rouge Pur Couture ‘The Mats’ Lipstick in ‘Rouge Rock’
MAC Lip Pencil in ‘Cherry’
MAC Mineralize Concealer
Check out all our editors and Katie Essary’s Womanista Approved Matte Lipsticks for the complete overview!
