MATTE lipsticks are one of my least worn make-up products.
My lips are chronically dry, so I usually opt for more hydrating, glossy formulas, but a new bunch of so-called “comfortable mattes” are hitting shelves, so I put them to the test.
Budget
L’OREAL Paris Colour Riche Intense Volume matte lipstick (£9.99 for 1.8g, boots.com): I love L’Oreal Paris’s more recent lip launches, but their traditional bullet lipsticks have never been my favourite.
Largely, my dislike is because of the heavily perfumed smell rather than the formula which I know so many people love, so I’m probably in the minority.
This slimline bullet is great, as it gives more control on application and means you don’t need to use a lip liner even with the bold shades.
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The creamy formula glides on easily, and feels comfortable as promised.
Mid-range
MERIT Signature Lip matte (£28 for 3g, meritbeauty.com): I’m a huge Merit Beauty fan, and had big expectations from the outset – and after seeing the brand new lipstick used backstage at London Fashion Week at the weekend, I couldn’t wait to try it.
The colour is the most intense of the three I tested, requiring one pass for a bold lip which makes application quick and easy.
I found the formula never fully dries – which really helps stop lips feeling tight and the colour cracking as can be the case with more traditional formulas.
I’ve worn this every day for the past week now, so I think it’s safe to say it’s my favourite of the three.
Luxury
PRADA Monochrome Soft matte lipstick, (£40 for 3.8g prada.com/gb/en): I am an absolute magpie, so the luxe silver packaging embossed multiple times with the Prada logo really caught my eye.
It feels weighty and very much like a small luxury – just as well given the price tag.
The lipstick bullet itself is meticulously designed, with a triangle tip that makes it easier to trace the lip line – although after a few uses it had worn away to a more traditional shape.
The formula wasn’t as matte as expected, and was gone quite quickly, although it was super-comfortable to wear all day long.
Pick of the week
NATURAL brows are the big thing this season, which is great for anyone who’s spent a lot of cash on lamination, tinting and waxing over the years and wants to save – but not so easy for those who over plucked their brows in decades past.
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Thankfully, the new Benefit Precisely My Brow Detailer micro-fine precision pencil (£22.50), makes faking full brows easier than ever thanks to the 0.8mm pencil tip.
The creamy formula is fool-proof and lasts up to 12 hours so stays in place throughout the day.