Liquid matte lipsticks are the most committed thing on the lip shelf. They wear longer than anything else, they resist transfer, and in exchange they ask for dry lips, careful application and no casual touch-ups. Matte Chic Liquid belongs to that category, and knowing what the format demands is most of what makes it work.
Preparing lips - the step people skip
A liquid matte sets into a film. Anything underneath it stays visible, so preparation does more for the result than technique does:
- Exfoliate gently the night before, or in the shower - a soft toothbrush or a lip scrub
- Balm well, then leave it at least ten minutes
- Blot the balm off completely before applying. Residual balm is the usual reason a long-wear formula slides or wears patchily
Applying it cleanly
- Start at the centre of the upper lip and work outward with the applicator, following your natural line
- Do the lower lip in two strokes from the centre out
- Thin and even beats thick. A heavy layer takes far longer to set and creases
- Leave it alone while it sets - pressing your lips together mid-set is what causes uneven patches
- Clean up the edges with a cotton bud before it dries fully; after that it will not move
Living with it
Once set, it stays. That is the point, and also the limitation:
- It will not come off on a cup, which makes it good for long days and events
- Reapplication over a partly worn layer looks uneven - remove and redo instead
- It emphasises dryness as the day goes on. Keeping a balm for later is fine as long as you accept it softens the finish
- Remove with an oil-based or dedicated remover; ordinary micellar water on its own tends to struggle
Who should choose something else
If your lips are naturally dry, or you are outdoors in cold or wind, a satin or caring formula will look better after a few hours. Liquid mattes are for occasions and long days, not for comfort.
Shades and the current lipstick line-up are published in the Faberlic catalogue, which changes about every three weeks.