Matte lipsticks come in two quite different formats, and choosing between them matters more than choosing a shade.
Bullet matte versus liquid matte
Bullet matte — a traditional stick. Flat finish, good wear, and importantly it stays slightly flexible on the lip. Comfortable enough for daily use, and it can be touched up.
Liquid matte — applied with an applicator, sets into a film. The longest wear available and the least comfortable, essentially impossible to touch up neatly.
A bullet matte is the everyday option. A liquid matte is for long events.
Preparation decides the result
Matte formulas sit on the surface and show everything underneath. Three steps, and they matter more than which matte you buy:
- Exfoliate gently the night before — a soft toothbrush, or a lip scrub
- Balm, and leave it at least ten minutes
- Blot the balm off completely before applying. Residual balm is why long-wear formulas slide
Skipping these is why people conclude matte lipsticks do not suit them.
Applying it
- From the centre outward on the upper lip, following your natural line
- Two strokes from the centre out on the lower lip
- Thin and even. A heavy layer creases and takes longer to set
- Blot once with a tissue, then apply a second thin layer. This is the single most effective trick for wear time
- A lip pencil in a matching shade stops colour bleeding into fine lines
Through the day
Bullet mattes can be touched up, unlike liquid ones — blot first, then reapply thinly.
If your lips dry out, a small amount of balm over the top softens the finish. That is a reasonable trade rather than a failure.
Who should choose something else
Naturally dry lips, cold or windy weather, or anyone who dislikes the feeling of matte. A satin or caring formula looks better at hour four even if matte looks better at hour one.
The current shade range is in the Faberlic catalogue. For shade selection, see the lipstick guide.