How to Create a Matte Lip Without the Dry Look

Lipstick Tip: Go Matte Without Looking Chapped

Forget that puckered, lined look--here's how to master the matte-lip trend

By Emily Hebert

Matte lips are en vogue for fall and winter, as are matte faces . But pulling off a buffed pucker is tough--especially when blustery winds and dry air threaten your less-than-lustrous finish. "Matte lipsticks contain more waxes than oils in order to make the lips less shiny--they take moisture from the skin," says celebrity makeup artist Jim Crawford , who works with Halle Berry, Julianne Moore, and Rachel Bilson. "Some waxes are good, but matte lipsticks are made specifically to make your lips look dry. Wearing matte color for too long will cause your lips to pucker-up and dry out."

That's why--in order to create a matte surface--Pat McGrath, global creative design director for P&G Beauty and Fashion Week regular, prefers to work with non-matte lipsticks. "There are ways to make your everyday lipstick look matte," she says. To achieve "rich, velvety color," the makeup maven uses concealer as a base, then continuously applies and tissues-off lipstick until she reaches her desired level of matte.

For a more moisturizing base, you can also try an anti-aging eye and/or lip salve. "To prime the lip and ensure a smooth application, I use Shu Uemura Phyto-Black Lift Anti-Wrinkle Eye & Lip Contour Cream ," says Gina Brooke, Shu Uemura artistic director and makeup artist to Madonna and Naomi Campbell. "It hydrates your lips and also reduces the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles."
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