The best long-lasting lipsticks for Indian women, according to celebrity makeup artists
The best makeup artists in India pick their favourites from luxury brands and drugstore finds
“Pour yourself a drink, put on some lipstick, and pull yourself together”, is a quote often attributed to Elizabeth Taylor. Solid advice from Taylor but she didn’t take into account that there are a range of women (me, included) who find it harder to stay inside lip line when applying lipstick, than they did when using colouring books in school. Not to mention making sure that it stays in place through Monday presentations and vodka cocktails on ladies night. Applying and finding lipsticks that check all the right boxes should, at the very least, be rewarded with a doctorate.
We asked top makeup artists to give us their favourite lipsticks and here’s the ultimate guide to getting your hands on the best lipsticks out there. These formulas ensure that you never experience a lipstick faux-pas ever again, so you can dive into that bowl of gulaab jamun without worrying about walking away with a Joker-inspired lipstick smear.
Janhvi Kapoor’s dewy glow, Sonam Kapoor’s game changing looks and Rhea Kapoor’s understated charm are all Tanvi’s doing. Apart from being a favourite among the Kapoor sisters, she has also worked her magic on the likes of Aditi Rao Hyadri, Deepika Padukone, and Mithila Palkar.
Luxury: LIP COLOR by Tom Ford
“I absolutely love the lipsticks by Tom Ford. My favourite shade is Casablanca. It’s the perfect mix of pink and brown, and works really well for Indian skin tones.” Rs 4,000
Budget: Soft Matte Lip Cream by NYX Professional Makeup
“The NYX matte lip creams are extremely affordable and have a huge range of colours. I like them a lot because despite being matte, they don’t dry out the lips and last you the entire day. My favourite shade is Stockholm, it’s the perfect peachy nude and looks great on Indian skin tones.” Rs 600
Mausam juggles between quirky, understated, glamorous and traditional with equal ease. From working with musician Lisa Mishra and style influencer Santoshi Shetty to chef Pooja Dhingra and singer Ananya Birla, her client list is as diverse as her makeup techniques.
Luxury: Lipstick by Charlotte Tilbury
“I don’t like lipsticks that end up looking like lip tattoos. I like my lips to be tinted with the lipstick shade, which makes it more natural as opposed to super defined and made-up. Hence, Charlotte Tilbury is my pick. It looks super natural, and feels soft and buttery. The shade Pillow Talk is my absolute favourite because the deep nude suits almost every skin colour.” Rs 7,999
Budget: M.A.C. mini lipstick and Lakmé 9 to 5 lipstick
“M.A.C. wouldn’t be considered a budget brand, but, if my lipstick lasts me two years and costs me just Rs 1,050 then I’m more than happy to buy this over other drugstore brands. M.A.C. has a variety of shades and finishes, and the minis are great for when you’re travelling or for times when you’re carrying a small bag – they fit anywhere. Rs. 1,050
I also like the Lakmé 9 to 5 range. They have some amazing shades for medium and dusky skin tones. They are long-lasting lipsticks, which are great for everyday use. Rs 500
Her ability to work with varied skin tones and face shapes has made her a favourite among India’s top modelling agencies. From editorial shoots to experimental and edgy looks – she has done it all.
Luxury: Lipstick by Kat Von D
“What I really like about Kat Von D is that you can layer it and even though it dries matte, it doesn’t crack your lips and literally lasts all day. It was one of the first few lipsticks I purchased while building my kit and it’s one of my favourites. I particularly love the shade Lolita because it’s a little deeper than a nude but has a lovely pink undertone.” Rs 4,499
Budget: Lip Lingerie by NYX Professional Makeup
“NYX liquid lingerie is really easy to work with. The texture is nice and creamy and I feel like a little product goes a long way. I usually blend the product into the lip with a fluffy brush or my fingers. I feel like some of the other products usually crease on the lip easily, but that’s not the case with this one. I really like the shade Exotic, it’s a really pretty brown, but isn’t too dark.” Rs 650
A flawless bridal look and a contemporary editorial spread – she can pull off both with equal amount of ease. Her client list includes top influencers like Anam C, heiress Tania Shroff and comedian Aditi Mittal.
Luxury: Luxe Liquid Lip High Shine Lacquer by Bobbi Brown
“What I love most about this collection is that it sits very comfortably while giving the lips a beautiful luminous finish. I love the shade Au Natural. It’s the perfect nude and goes with most skin tones. This is a shade you can use by itself for a basic nude look and even mix with other shades for a softer glossy finish. Since gloss is trending again, this lipstick is perfect for a super pigmented lip with a glossy finish.” Rs 3,600
Budget: Maybelline New York Super Stay Matte Ink Liquid Lipstick and Colorbar Sinful Matte Lipcolor
“These lipsticks are intensely pigmented and stay on for hours. The fact that these lipsticks refuse to budge once worn, make them ideal for brides. They are a perfect blend of matte and creamy. What’s even better is that their price range is totally affordable. You’ll always find the shades Inspire and Delicate in my kit.” Rs 650
“Colorbar Sinful has a beautiful silky texture and is richly pigmented. The powder matte finish to this is unlike any other drugstore lipstick I have seen. It glides on smoothly and stays put. I love the shades Envious, Tainted, Lustful, and Virgin.” Rs 1,200
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