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Ria Bhatia profile imageRia BhatiaPublished on

These global favourites are actually worth the investment.

8 global cult-favourite lipsticks that work for Indian skin tones

These global favourites are actually worth the investment

Lipstick isn’t touted as a powerful make-up tool for no reason—even on days you decide to walk out of the house bare-skinned, a pop of colour on the mouth can make a world of difference to your complexion. If you’re looking to make valuable additions to your lipstick stash, we round off some of the best picks. These have not only been cult-favourites for years but also complement Indian skin tones.

Matte Lipstick – Sugar Plum, Anastasia Beverly HillsIf fall vibes are your all-year-round vibe, try this deep and rich plum lipstick from Anastasia Beverly Hills’ matte lipstick collection. The soft matte formula delivers comfort, but also an intense colour pay-off to make your mouth the hero of your make-up look. Considering its powdery matte formula, you can diffuse the pigment for a blotted look or layer endlessly for a bold look.Priced at ₹2,600Available at Nykaa.com, TiraBeauty.com, Sephora India and Bodsess.com

Matte Lipstick – Sugar Plum, Anastasia Beverly Hills

If fall vibes are your all-year-round vibe, try this deep and rich plum lipstick from Anastasia Beverly Hills’ matte lipstick collection. The soft matte formula delivers comfort, but also an intense colour pay-off to make your mouth the hero of your make-up look. Considering its powdery matte formula, you can diffuse the pigment for a blotted look or layer endlessly for a bold look.

Priced at ₹2,600

Available at Nykaa.com, TiraBeauty.com, Sephora India and Bodsess.com

Lip Colour – Brown, Bobbi BrownThis product belongs to the original set of 10 lipsticks that make-up artist Bobbi Brown launched her eponymous beauty line with, in 1991. As the name suggests, the neutral brown features a rich chocolatey tone that accentuates the natural colour of your lips. Thanks to its formula, both the application and finish are smooth.Priced at ₹2,990Available at SSBeauty.in

Lip Colour – Brown, Bobbi Brown

This product belongs to the original set of 10 lipsticks that make-up artist Bobbi Brown launched her eponymous beauty line with, in 1991. As the name suggests, the neutral brown features a rich chocolatey tone that accentuates the natural colour of your lips. Thanks to its formula, both the application and finish are smooth.

Priced at ₹2,990

Available at SSBeauty.in

Rouge Allure Luminous Intense Lip Colour – Pirate, Chanel BeautyIf you’re on the hunt for an old-school warm red that offers shine and opulence in equal amounts, try this classic from Chanel Beauty. If you skimp over the sheer and tiny shimmer particles in the bullet, the luminous finish of the lipstick will make you believe that you’ve invested in a shine-boosting, statement-making lip colour. Plus,  it’s infused with vitamin E, castor oil and ascorbic acid to keep the lips soft, supple and protected.Priced at ₹4,000 approximatelyAvailable at Chanel stores

Rouge Allure Luminous Intense Lip Colour – Pirate, Chanel Beauty

If you’re on the hunt for an old-school warm red that offers shine and opulence in equal amounts, try this classic from Chanel Beauty. If you skimp over the sheer and tiny shimmer particles in the bullet, the luminous finish of the lipstick will make you believe that you’ve invested in a shine-boosting, statement-making lip colour. Plus,  it’s infused with vitamin E, castor oil and ascorbic acid to keep the lips soft, supple and protected.

Priced at ₹4,000 approximately

Available at Chanel stores

Matte Revolution Lipstick – Walk of No Shame, Charlotte TilburyUnlike the famous ‘Pillowtalk’ shades from the brand, this berry-meets-rose shade is one that caters to a wider spectrum of skin tones. The soft matte lipstick is easy to glide and build, allowing you to take the tint from soft rose to bold berry in just a few swipes. Priced at ₹3,150Available at Nykaa.com

Matte Revolution Lipstick – Walk of No Shame, Charlotte Tilbury

Unlike the famous ‘Pillowtalk’ shades from the brand, this berry-meets-rose shade is one that caters to a wider spectrum of skin tones. The soft matte lipstick is easy to glide and build, allowing you to take the tint from soft rose to bold berry in just a few swipes. 

Priced at ₹3,150

Available at Nykaa.com

Black Honey Almost Lipstick, CliniqueThe history of this viral lip balm-cum-lipstick dates back to 1971, when Clinique was determined to create a gooey, glossy lip product that looks different on everyone—that is, it adapts to the colour of each person’s lip. Today, the product has been reinvented and is available in a sleek twist-up stick, making the application fuss-free. The nourishing formulation has a balmy texture with a dash of warm blackberry hue that complements every skin (and lip) tone by transforming into a unique rosy MLBB  shade. Yes, you can ditch a lip balm while using this.Priced at ₹2,200Available at Clinique.in

Black Honey Almost Lipstick, Clinique

The history of this viral lip balm-cum-lipstick dates back to 1971, when Clinique was determined to create a gooey, glossy lip product that looks different on everyone—that is, it adapts to the colour of each person’s lip. Today, the product has been reinvented and is available in a sleek twist-up stick, making the application fuss-free. The nourishing formulation has a balmy texture with a dash of warm blackberry hue that complements every skin (and lip) tone by transforming into a unique rosy MLBB  shade. Yes, you can ditch a lip balm while using this.

Priced at ₹2,200

Available at Clinique.in

Retro Matte Lipstick – Ruby Woo, M.A.C CosmeticsFor many, Ruby Woo has always been synonymous with red lipstick—it’s that iconic. Why? Because the cool-toned red is universally flattering and can take any make-up look from drab to fab, irrespective of the skin tone. The lipstick launched in 1999 has made its way to every lipstick collector’s kit. The formulation is as matte as it can get, with an opaque, one-swipe formulation. This could lead to chapped lips, should you miss layering a lip hydrator underneath. All in all, it’s a red you shouldn’t sleep on.Priced at ₹1,950Available at Maccosmetics.in

Retro Matte Lipstick – Ruby Woo, M.A.C Cosmetics

For many, Ruby Woo has always been synonymous with red lipstick—it’s that iconic. Why? Because the cool-toned red is universally flattering and can take any make-up look from drab to fab, irrespective of the skin tone. The lipstick launched in 1999 has made its way to every lipstick collector’s kit. The formulation is as matte as it can get, with an opaque, one-swipe formulation. This could lead to chapped lips, should you miss layering a lip hydrator underneath. All in all, it’s a red you shouldn’t sleep on.

Priced at ₹1,950

Available at Maccosmetics.in

Superstay Vinyl Ink Liquid Lipstick – Extra, MaybellineICYMI, the Vinyl Ink Liquid Lipsticks from Maybelline are making waves on the Internet. Are we surprised? Not so much. In the age of the comeback of glossy lips, Maybelline’s all-new vinyl liquid lipstick renders a high-shine crème-like finish that stays intact from day to night, eliminating touch-ups altogether. The shade ‘extra’ is our favourite pick for it’s the perfect ’90s chocolate brown for Indian skin. Plus, it is a great choice to complete a latte make-up look on brown skin.Priced at ₹849Available at Maybelline.co.in

Superstay Vinyl Ink Liquid Lipstick – Extra, Maybelline

ICYMI, the Vinyl Ink Liquid Lipsticks from Maybelline are making waves on the Internet. Are we surprised? Not so much. In the age of the comeback of glossy lips, Maybelline’s all-new vinyl liquid lipstick renders a high-shine crème-like finish that stays intact from day to night, eliminating touch-ups altogether. The shade ‘extra’ is our favourite pick for it’s the perfect ’90s chocolate brown for Indian skin. Plus, it is a great choice to complete a latte make-up look on brown skin.

Priced at ₹849

Available at Maybelline.co.in

Velvet Matte Lip Pencil – Dragon Girl, NARSFrom Taylor Swift to Sonam Kapoor, many occasional bold-lip wearers swear by this warm-toned red from NARS, given that it is poppy enough to create an impact without looking too bright. The matte lip crayon promises easy application, and re-application, while the fats and vitamin E in the formula make sure crusty lips stay at bay. Unlike Ruby Woo, this colour might not look the exact same on every skin tone, nonetheless, it makes for a great warm orange-pink-red hybrid for brown skin.Priced at ₹2,800 approximatelyAvailable at StyleDotty.in

Velvet Matte Lip Pencil – Dragon Girl, NARS

From Taylor Swift to Sonam Kapoor, many occasional bold-lip wearers swear by this warm-toned red from NARS, given that it is poppy enough to create an impact without looking too bright. The matte lip crayon promises easy application, and re-application, while the fats and vitamin E in the formula make sure crusty lips stay at bay. Unlike Ruby Woo, this colour might not look the exact same on every skin tone, nonetheless, it makes for a great warm orange-pink-red hybrid for brown skin.

Priced at ₹2,800 approximately

Available at StyleDotty.in

Also Read: 8 liquid blushes that will stay put in the humidity

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