Creating the Perfect Matte Lip for Fall

by Jessica Pigza

Everywhere I look I’m seeing lips with less gloss and more matte. There’s a sweet sophistication about matte lips and they are perfect as we transition into fall. I love the beautiful berry colors and darker shades of red. To achieve the perfect matte lip is going to take a bit more effort, but it is totally doable if you know how. Below are some steps to help pull off the perfect matte lips for fall.

1. Exfoliate

The first step in creating that smooth look is to remove the dead, dry skin from your lips. You can use a lip exfoliant such as Fresh Sugar Lip Polish or make your own using brown sugar and coconut oil. Mix it fresh right before use and let it sit on your lips to soak in before scrubbing. Use a soft toothbrush for a more intense scrub but remember to still be gentle. It’s recommended to exfoliate your lips about twice a week, any more than that could dry them out.

Fresh Sugar Lip Polish

2. Moisturize

Putting matte lipstick on dry lips will result in cracking and flaking color and nobody wants that. To prep your lips for color, you’ll also need to moisturize. Use a lightweight lip balm or chapstick, like Burts Bees Moisturizing Lip Balm, to help lock in moisture before applying your lipstick. Just be sure to let it soak completely into your lips before putting on your color. You can also use a lip primer such as MAC’s Prep + Prime Lip Primer. Not only will a product like this add moisture to your lips, but it will help fill in any cracks and add some staying power to your lipstick.

Burts Bees Moisturizing Lip Balm

Mac Prep + Prime Lip Primer

3. Line Your Lips

Because matte lipsticks are highly pigmented they not only can have a tendance to bleed but can be very hard to remove any imperfections. To help combat this line your lips with either a color that closely matches your lipstick color or use a clear lip liner such as Maybelline® Color Sensational Shaping Lip Liner in Clear. Line your lips first and then add your color. This will help keep your color from bleeding out.

Maybelline® Color Sensational Shaping Lip Liner in Clear

4. Choose the Right Lipstick

Choosing the right matte lipstick is very important. Although most matte lipsticks tend to be on the drying side anyway, there are a few things you can look for to help minimize the fallout. Do your research. Check that the lipstick has ingredients such as jojoba oil or vitamin E and read the reviews. If everyone is complaining about how dry their lips feel using the product, move on to the next. Below are some matte lipsticks with awesome reviews and have a moisturizing oil as a key ingredient.

Hint: If you’re a bit intimated by this trend you’re not alone! Start out with a lighter color as they are more forgiving, then once you get the technique down, go bold! Try stepping out of your comfort zone with color. Worse case scenario, you wipe it off and try something else.

Bonus: Since matte lipsticks are very pigmented they can be harder to remove and can leave a bit of a stain. To help with this apply some Vaseline to your lips for a few minutes and then remove color using a tissue and working in a circular motion.

Bobbi Brown Luxe Matte Lipstick in Crown Jewel

Urban Decay Nice Lipstick Comfort Matte in Backtalk

L’Oréal Paris Colour Riche Matte Lip Color in Matte-caron

Mac Matte Lipstick in Studded Kiss

5. Continue to Hydrate

It’s important to keep hydrating your lips. While wearing your lipstick, you may start to feel your lips tightening up and drying out as the day goes on. To keep your lips looking fresh throughout the day, keep a lip balm, such as Kiehl’s Lip Balm #1, and your lipstick with you for touchups. Before reapplying your lipstick, use the balm first to add some moisture back into your lips, wait a bit and then add your lipstick.

Kiehl’s Lip Balm #1

6. Give Your Lips a Break

Although matte lipstick looks gorgeous and comes in so many beautiful shades, you have to give your lips a break every once in a while. Using it too much may severely dry out your lips and lead to painful cracking, especially in the dryer months. Using an overnight moisturizing treatment such as Clinique Pep-Start Pout Restoring Night Mask can keep lips looking healthy. And for the daytime, try using a tinted lip balm like Burt’s Bees 100% Natural Tinted Lip Balm to add some color and deep penetrating moisture!

Clinique Pep-Start Pout Restoring Night Mask