In Honour of National Lipstick Day, The Bazaar Arabia Team Share Their All-Time Favourite Lipsticks

Because you can never have too many…

Arguably one of the most powerful products when it comes to instantly changing one’s look while on the go, lipstick has almost magical properties when it comes from going drab to full on vamp in a matter of seconds. A quick swipe from a bullet can transform both your mood, demeanour and the way you present yourself to the world

A bold red will add a supercharged element of glam, while a nude lip can effortlessly elevate your natural beauty. But, naturally, there will always be that one (or two, or three) shades that will naturally make you feel like the best version of yourself.

In celebration of National Lipstick Day today, the Bazaar Arabia team are sharing a few of their favourite lipstick shades.

Olivia Phillips, Editor In Chief

While Olivia is partial to a more glossy look her favourite “proper” lipstick is the classic Russian Red by MAC Cosmetics. For a more subtle look, she opts for Christian Louboutin Beauty’s Just Nothing.

Christian Louboutin Beauty Velvet Matte Lip Colour in Just Nothing, Dhs410, bloomindales.ae

Jessica Michault, Deputy Editor 

“This lipstick is about to blow up the beauty market. I got to grab a tube of it during a preview of the new line with Peter Philips, Creative and Image Director of Christian Dior Makeup a few months ago. And I have been obsessively wearing it whenever I feel a pick-me-up dash of lipstick is needed. My go-to shade is Forever Famous and what I love about this lipstick, besides the shade is that it has the long-lasting (16 hours) finish of a liquid matte lipstick, without the dryness that comes after. It’s super easy to apply thanks to the angular shape of its tube and once it sets (which is pretty much instantaneously) there is no risk of the red transferring over to hubby. Five stars all around… so keep an eye out for it when it hits stores in the fall.”

DIOR Rouge Dior Forever Liquid, Dhs 184, sephora.ae

Laura Kell, Digital Editor

While she’s known for being a bit of a lipstick fiend after-hours, Laura counts Charlotte Tolbury’s Pillow Talk as her favourite nude (a classic!), followed by Armani Beauty’s Lip Power Vivid Color Long Wear Lipstick in Brave and Givenchy’s Rouge Infusé Le Rouge Deep Velvet Lipstick in N36. To keep her lips in tip-top shape, she regularly scrubs them with Lush Cosmetic’s in Bubblegum and uses Laneige Lip Sleeping Mask in Berry for overnight hydration.

Armani Beauty Lip Power Vivid Color Long Wear Lipstick from in 506 Brave, Dhs190, ounass.ae

Nina Catt, Editor,
Harper’s Bazaar Arabia Bride & Harper’s Bazaar Arabia Junior 

“As an ex-beauty director I still hoard lipsticks, especially those that come housed in decorative bullets (hello Dolce & Gabbana floral casing),” says Nina. “I have countless lip products in every formula on rotation at all times to suit my mood or the occasion – or of late, if I know I’ll be wearing a face mask then its matte or stains all the way to avoid inevitable smudging.”

“A few favourites that I always reach for are; Fenty Beauty Mattemoiselle Plush Matte lipstick in Dragon Mami. The pigment is intense and even though it’s a matte formula, it’s comfortable to wear all day and doesn’t dry out. I’m also never far away from Charlotte Tilbury Pillow Talk Lip Cheat lip pencil in the original shade. I use it to fill in my entire lip. The brand has launched several shades since, but the original still suits my colouring the best. And finally (because I know I can’t list 20, although I’d love to!), Chanel Rouge Coco Flash in Sunbeam. It’s a pretty pink that brightens my complexion in an instant. I also like to dab a little colour on my cheeks for an all-round, glossy look.”

Fenty Beauty Mattemoiselle Plush Matte Lipstick in Dragon Mami, Dhs95, sephora.ae

Alison Tay, Editorial Director (Collectables)

If cheeky-velvet-pink and a rosy-lavender tint were to meet, they’d birth Huda Beauty’s Power Bullet Matte Lipstick in the shade Honeymoon. Alison’s cool-toned hue, highly-pigmented matte lipstick is an essential for a quick pamper session or just to throw in your purse. Nevertheless, from its soft, silky application to that perfect perfect pop of colour, she’s got us covered for a look oh-so chic.

HUDA BEAUTY Power Bullet Matte Lipstick in Honeymoon, Dhs 115, sephora.ae

Nourah Aldaej, Junior Writer, Harper’s Bazaar KSA

“BUTTERSTICK Lip Treatment “naturally Nud” from Kiehl’s is my all times. due to it rich formula, which provides 12-hour hydration, Coconut oil and lemon butter are used to treat dryness and soften lips. Extracted from the Coconut palm tree, also known as the “Tree of Life,” the tree has been used in Ayurvedic medicine for over 4000 years due to its high concentration of fatty acids, which are known for their nourishing. In addition to the antioxidant-rich natural lemon butter extracted from lemon peel. The lip balm’s ingredients are all natural and Fair Trade certified.”

Kiehl’s Butterstick Lip Treatment SPF30 in Naturally Nude, Dhs 158, amazon.ae

Rahaf Alqunaibet, Junior Writer, Harper’s Bazaar KSA

“Mine will absolutely be M.A.C Cosmetics “mull it over” The formula feels very lightweight and velvety on my lips, I have been using it for years and its long lasting despite sips and bites!”

MAC Powder Kiss Liquid Lip Colour in Mull It Over, Dhs 95, maccosmetics.ae

Laura Jane Brown, Fashion Editor

“Nars’ Powermatte lip pigment in shade Light My Fire is my all-time favourite lipstick! Matte finish, smudge-proof and the perfect day to night red.”

NARS Powermatte Lip Pigment in Light My Fire, Dhs 72, sephora.ae

Khulood Ahmed, Arabic Editor

“I would choose Hindash’s Lipstick in shade Rest In Roses as it never leaves my purse. It has a rich colour with velvet matte finish that can go for every look day and night.”

HINDASH Rest In Roses Manifesto Lipstick, Dhs 115, saudi.ounass

Fiona Embleton, Contributing Writer 

There’s no one who does suave better than Fiona. Recommending Rose Inc’s Satin Lip Colour Hydrating Lipstick in the shade Poetic, you’d never tell that she was sporting anything. With utter enthusiasm, the contributing editor’s love affair with the product comes down to its hydration properties of which are “brimming with hydrating squalene and the shade is very neutral, so it looks like your natural lip, only better!”

ROSE INC Satin Lip Colour Refillable Hydrating Lipstick in Poetic, Dhs 102, sephora.com

Ayesha Sohail, Editor, Harper’s Bazaar Interiors

Ayesha is not one to shy away from being bold. Going with Fenty Beauty’s Stunna Longwear Lip Paint in the shade Uncensored, the Bazaar Interior Editor has convinced us that “this is the perfect red with a soft matte finish and stays on through thick and thin, flawlessly. Perfect for making a statement on any occasion.” We’ll have to give it a go ourselves.

FENTY BEAUTY Stunna Lip Paint Longwear Fluid Lip Colour in Uncensored, Dhs 135, sephora.ae

Sofia Celeste, Contributing Writer 

Contributor by day, superhero by night, Sofia shares her “secret weapon” with us: the Mac Retro Matte Liquid Lipcolour in the shade Lady Be Good.

“This is my everyday, go-to lipstick that takes me from day-to-night and triples as a blush and even an eyeshadow. Since I have a darker, olive undertone, my skin is hard to match and this shade provides a lively contrast and gives me a peachy hue no matter how tired I am! It was also envisaged part of a retro, 1960s colour palette which reminds me of the same lipstick Audrey Hepburn wore in Breakfast at Tiffany’s.  I find it so elegant and polished, no matter what the occasion.”

MAC Retro Matte Liquid Lipcolour in Lady Be Good, Dhs 115, maccosmestics.ae

Jade Chilton, Contributor Writer

“I’m all or nothing when comes to lipstick. I’m either wearing a slick of Hermès’ vibrant Rose Inoui lipstick with a brush of bronzer and groomed eyebrows, or relying on nothing more than a simple lip balm. However this summer I discovered Chanel’s new Rouge Coco Baume in shade My Rose. It’s a lightly tinted, moisturising lipstick that I’ve been wearing it on the beach with nothing else but my freckles.”

CHANEL Rouge Coco Baume in My Rose, Dhs 180, chanel.ae

Lead image shot by Fernando Gomez for Harper’s Bazaar Arabia’s March 2021 issue.