THE PERFECT ORANGEY-RED LIP
This may come as a surprise but I did not even don a red lip until I was over 30. But it has since become my signature, I like how it makes me feel, I think it suits me and it makes me feel ‘done’ even when I’m not feeling particularly inspired.
But it has to fit a lot of criteria - it has to be orangey-red, not a blue red. It has to feel bright and vibrant, ideally it would be buildable so I can re apply easily without a mirror. Not extortionately priced either, preferably. That’s no small task, and until now, Bobbi Brown’s crushed lip colour in ‘Sunset’ was the perfect one, there was not any need to try any others (except maybe Fenty’s ‘Unattached’ which has been a good back-up). But as my favourite colour has been discontinued, I decided to Road-test a range at different price-points with varying qualities - here are my reviews of the best ones.
As a side note, all the glasses I’m wearing are from my Specsavers Edit!
BOBBI BROWN
PR sample. Bobbi Brown ‘Power Play’: £29.75, John Lewis (prices correct at time of publication).
This is really vibrant, amazing shade, I actually put this on again the other day and it offers such a punch of colour. It’s not a buildable colour, it needs to be ‘on’ as soon as it hits your lips. I tried dabbing it but it doesn’t work as well. I had to do a few top-ups throughout the day, as expected with a red but I would have expected it to last longer than it did for the price.
2. VIOLETTE
PR sample. Bisou Balm in ‘Guimauve’: "£29, Violette FR (cruelty-free)
When I opened this product, I thought it was a mistake as there was nothing orange about this lipstick but when I tried it, I fell in love. It’s not as bright as my usual orangey-red, this is more of an orange but it has the feeling of nothing on. It’s more of a tinted lip balm but perfectly matte, you don't need a mirror to apply it and you can press as hard as you like, it won’t be too much. I have since bought this in another colour.
3. No 7
‘Gay Geranium’ Match Made Stay Perfect Lipstick: £9.56, No 7 at Boots (cruelty-free)
Apparently ‘Gay Geranium’ was the late Queen’s favourite lip colour, she wore it to ‘boost morale’ in tough times. And it might just be mine, too! A great pricepoint and the hue is the perfect orangey-red. My only negative is that it feels quite heavy after a whole day of wear, I only topped it up once though (after lunch).
4. HOURGLASS
PR product. ‘Zinnia’ by Hourglass: £37, Cult Beauty (cruelty-free)
I requested Hourglass to try as I had seen a great orange on Alex Beard’s Instagram feed but it must be out of stock as this is the closest one I was sent. It feels beautiful on, creamy but matte, cruelty-free and a lovely colour. It’s more of a brick red though, and the most expensive I tried, so it’s a pass from me.
5. SOAP & GLORY
‘Life’s A Peach’ Fabu-Lipstick Satin Lipstick: £10.99, Soap & Glory at Boots (cruelty-free)
This is nice, it’s more of a tinted lip balm with shine but it’s lovely to wear and the perfect lipstick for those who are a bit nervous of a full orange/red pout. This is a great low maintenance lip colour as you don’t need a mirror - just slick it on and go! But because it’s light it does wear off quite easily, expect to do a few top-ups throughout the day.
6. MAC
‘Lady Danger’ Macximal Silky Matte Lipstick: £25, MAC
I’ve got two for you here, as they’re both great. I’d been recomended the shade ‘Lady Danger’ a lot before but I had never really fancied it. I was wrong, it’s great.
‘Vegas Volt’ Amplified Lipstick: £22, MAC
‘Vegas Volt’ is a creamy, more coral lipstick I had years ago but they didn’t have it on display when I went in store, I assumed it had been discontinued (like most of my faves) but the sales person went and found it deep in a drawer for me! It’s an ideal holiday lipstick as it goes so well with a glow, but I’ll wear it all year round.
7. WET N’ WILD
This is definitely more of a red/red but wanted to include it as it’s such a good pricepoint, and smells like marshmallows. It reminds me of Fenty’s lip stunnas, this goes wet but dries matte. It has excellent coverage and lasts well. It’s also the cheapest!
‘Fluff You’ Cloud Pout: £5.49, Wet n’ Wild (cruelty-free)
