Matte lipstick is the best route to a perfectly pigmented pout — but it's not for the faint of heart. (Or for the un-exfoliated lip.) Unlike its satiny or sheer cousins, matte lipstick has a tendency to highlight dryness, peeling, and creases. While it should be as simple as running a tube over your lips, blotting, and voila, matte lipstick works best when it's applied with a little finesse. Herewith, four top makeup artists share the steps for getting a matte lip that's worth puckering up for. From how to choose a matte lipstick color to assuring it glides on smoothly (and stays put) read on for their tips.
Matte vs. Satin vs. Sheer Lipstick
To state the (semi) obvious, matte lipstick is... well, matte. Lacking a glossed finish, "matte lipsticks are usually highly pigmented and shine-free," says makeup artist and creator Dakota Alexandra. "Matte lipsticks come in different formulas such as liquid, pressed in a palette, or in a classic lipstick tube."
Matte lipsticks do not reflect light the way a satin or glossed finish would, and as a result, they often have a more monotone, saturated, and uniform look on the lip. Makeup artist Alexa Persico notes, "All lipsticks have a combination of oil, wax, and pigmentation. A matte lipstick has less oil and moisture than other lipstick types and will not give off any 'sheen' on the lips like a satin or sheer would."
And what makes matte different than a satin or sheer lip? "When it comes to a matte lipstick vs. a satin finish lipstick, satin tends to be a little creamier then matte and has some shine added to the formula," makeup artist Jacqueline Fraioli explains. "Satin finish lipstick is not as drying as a matte formula. Sheer lipstick has much more luster and shine, almost giving a glossy wash of color. Sheer lipstick would pretty much be the exact opposite of a matte lippie."
How To Apply Matte Lipstick
This recipe is surprisingly easy to make, if you have all the right equipment and ingredients. Cost for the raw materials is less than $30 and you will be able to make enough base for 8-10 full size lipsticks. Process takes about 45 minutes.
Must Have Equipment:
Two heat-resistant 1-cup containers
Double Boiler set up. Please do not use a microwave for this project
A heat-resistant spatula
A heat-resistant tongs or hot pads for handling your hot containers
Small bowls to weigh out your ingredients
Scale
For safety and hygiene: Alcohol, latex gloves, eye protection, dust mask
Air tight cosmetic containers to store your base
Recommended Equipment:
Mini Mixer
Pipettes to measure out the liquid ingredients
Some zip lock bags and a scissors.
Matte Liquid Lip Stick Recipe
Product Name
INCI (Ingredient Name)
Quantity
Phase A
Isododecane
Isododecane
27 grams
Flake Resin
Trimethylsiloxysilicate (and) Polypropylsilsesquioxane
9 grams
Dimethicone 1.5
Dimethicone 1.5
10 grams
Phase B
Nylon 12
Nylon 12
1 gram
Silica Dimethyl Silylate
Silica Dimethyl Silylate
3 grams
Silica Microsphere
Silica
1 gram
Phase C
Wax (either Beeswax or Sunflower Wax)
Cera Alba (Beeswax) or Helianthus Annuus (Sunflower) Seed Wax
3 grams
Preservative Cap-2
Preservative Cap-2
2-3 drops