The ELLE Team On The Lipstick Shades They Love The Most

'Wearing Velvet muse never fails to lift my mood and, along with my lip balm, is always in my bag. I love the semi-matte finish and how velvety it applies on the lips. It's richly pigmented, so you only need to swipe it once, and it lasts! Even after a cocktail or two it still feels fresh.'

'I searched forever to find the perfect nude and Chanel's Rouge coco Flash in Casual is it. Tragically this shade has been discontinued, but the same lipstick in Boy is almost as good. It feels like a sheer balm with no stickiness and just the right amount of colour for someone who doesn’t like lipstick. Also, there’s no packaging more chic than Chanel.'

'Whether I’ve got a meeting via Zoom or catching up with friends for a drink, I always make sure to slick on some Charlotte Tilbury Pillow Talk original. I’ve always struggled to find a red-coloured lipstick that suits my skin tone so Pillow Talk is my go-to alternative for feeling confident, bold and adds a perfect, subtle pink shade to my laidback make-up look without being OTT. The fact that it's matte and doesn't try my lips out is a miracle!'

'I don't wear this one a lot - and during lockdown it remained firmly in my make-up drawer – it's more for a dinner out/any day of holiday/work event kind of vibe. But, because of this, when I put it on I notice the difference, instantly. As do other people, it always gets comments. It's a burst of colour that doesn't wash me out (my pale complexion and brunette hair means dark reds sometimes do) and different from my day-to-day nudes. Plus, it's literally the longest-wearing lipstick. Put it on at the start of the day or night and it won't need to be topped up at all, no matter how many margaritas you consume.'

‘The red lipstick to end all red lipsticks, nothing compares to the punchy scarlet red colour or sheer ability to stay on through all weather/meals/dates (delete as appropriate). If a lipstick could channel Rihanna's sass, this is it.’

'I'm not a lipstick wearer, really. I have a huge mouth (literally and maybe figuratively) and lips that are usually quite dry. But this balmy formula and barely-there shade just enhance in the best way. It gives definition, pigment and a buttery shine without even needing to look in a mirror.'

‘It’s a classic for a reason. No matter if I’m feeling pasty and grey in mid winter or glowing, beachy and tanned in mid August - this red always suits my skin tone. It can be the only make-up I wear on a day of meetings or complete an evening look. And always stays put for the whole night long. It’s also brilliant for hiding a hangover.’

'This is a "nude" I wasn’t expecting to love, but it made its way into my bag months ago and hasn’t been relegated since. The shade is slightly weird, but not in a way that makes you look sickly or surly – which is kind of the brilliance of the entire Byredo colour line. Somewhere in-between a pink and a taupe, it feels ridiculously hydrating and has an almost-shiny satin finish that’ll draw you away from liquid mattes forever. If girlish glosses and petal pinks don't quite do it for you, head here.'

‘My childhood beauty icon was (and still is) Dita Von Teese, so much so that I’ve been wearing red lipstick at 14 and never looked back since. To this day I’ll wear a red lip with absolutely anything and for any occasion, I almost don’t feel 100% myself without it. I’ll give any matte red lipstick a go but I’ve got about five that I’ll never part with. Velvet Ribbon is one of them.

Lisa Eldridge knows her make-up history, so this blue-red to me, looks like a true 1950s Hollywood red. Yes it brightens my olive skin, but more than that, I swear I stand taller, speak louder, and generally feel happier when I wear it. The soft velvety matte texture also means that I can wear it both a stain or a statement lip.’

‘Blondes still searching for that elusive red should seek out shades at the orange end of the spectrum. They are eternally flattering against lighter hair, and are my go-to for a flattering but still punchy power lip. NARS Satin Lip Pencil in Timanfaya is a personal favourite worn with a white shirt and jeans.’

'MAC's Lady Danger is my absolute go-to, even just for the name. It's bright, it's super bold and I get compliments on it whenever I wear it, so it's a total mood-booster every time. That being said, I feel like Lady Danger is a lot of people's favourite, so when I want to wear something a bit more intriguing and spicy, I wear MAC's Devoted to Chili’

'Though I've had affairs with concealer nude, coral orange, tomato red, and chestnut brown, it's clear balms I always come back to, since I regrettably feel more comfortable in more "natural" make-up. Currently, By Sarah London's organic lip balm is what I'm loving, partly due to the perfect glass pot it comes in. When finishing my make-up I'll often add some to my cheekbones and eyelids, hopefully giving the impression my skin is healthier and more dewy than it really is.'