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… that’s also office-friendly.
It’s kind of weird how much a lipstick color can change the way you look. I remember once wearing red lipstick to work and all day, all I kept hearing was how different I looked. Red lipstick, while very much a classic and I love wearing it places other than work, can be intimidating. I’ve always been into mauve, dusty rose, and nude-ish lip colors because that’s what I feel most comfortable wearing.
Another plus? Colors like red tend to get literally everywhere. Like, why is there red lipstick on my earlobe? I don’t remember applying it there… I mean, at least I am hoping that it isn’t just me.
When it comes to office-friendly or those “everyday” colors, I always went for “barely there” nudes because wearing bright shades always requires a few touch-ups during the day which most of the time, I just can’t be bothered with.
So, it’s not really that I wouldn’t feel comfortable wearing colors like deep or bright reds to the office. There is so much work with those colors- you have to prep and prime, make sure that the application is flawless. I have zero time for that, during the workday.
When I don’t feel like wearing a lot of makeup but still want to make it look like I put in the effort, I go for Glossier’s Generation G lipstick in Zip. Yes, it is a red, but it’s nothing like those IN YOUR FACE reds, and it has the most amazing, matte yet comfortable formula. It also compliments blue eyes very nicely and really makes them pop.
Urban Decay’s Hi-Fi Shine Glosses and Fresh Sugar lip treatments/balms are also great for those days when you’re either in a hurry or if lipstick just isn’t your thing. My favorite “everyday” Sugar balm is in Rose– it’s buildable, but just one coat adds that pretty sheer color, while also hydrating your lips. Hi-Fi Shine Glosses are also very comfortable to wear, without feeling sticky; they have a sheer color and slightly plump the lips. They remind me a bit of Dior’s Addict Lip Maximizer (this one will always be a favorite though!) Of course, one of my most used shades is 1993– no surprise here, as the lipstick version is also one of my most-loved lipstick shades from Urban Decay.
SOOC, taken in natural light, from left to right are: CT Pillow Talk, Chanel L’Amoureuse (Rouge Allure Velvet #47), Fresh Sugar in Bloom, Glossier’s Zip, Rodial Suede Lips in Big Apple, Urban Decay 1993 Hi-Fi Shine Gloss, Burberry’s Liquid Lip Velvet in Fawn, Maybelline Super Stay Matte in Lover and Revlon’s Matte Lip Color in Seduction.
Of course, there are also a few matte formulas that I love- because my lipstick collection consists mostly of matte lip products. Two drugstore superstars: Revlon’s Ultra HD Matte Lip Color in Seduction, which is a pretty nude/brown and Maybelline’s Super Stay Matte in Lover, which is a pretty, pink/mauve that has the most amazing staying power. Seriously, I took these swatches yesterday, two showers ago, and I still have a hint of color left on my arm. Again, both wear very comfortably, despite the matte formula.
Another one of my most-loved everyday lipstick mattes is Burberry’s Liquid Lip Velvet in Fawn. I mean, the formula of these is just incredible. They really do feel like velvet; incredibly smooth, and all shades I’ve tried so far have great pigment and staying power.
This roundup wouldn’t be complete without Charlotte Tilbury’s Pillow Talk. This has replaced a bunch of MAC shades I used to reach for interchangeably and it’s become my go-to color. It doesn’t matter if I’m going to work or out for drinks- whenever I can’t decide on a lip color, I ended up reaching for Pillow Talk. Universally flattering, beautiful and long-lasting.
When I’m feeling like I want to go for something brighter (usually in spring or summer) I love Chanel’s Rouge Allure Velvet in L’Amoureuse. It has a matte formula that isn’t flat and glides on smoothly. Rodial Suede Lips in Big Apple has probably my least favorite formula out of all of these (it can be drying) but I do love that it has a hint of berry and mauve.
What are some of your favorite “everyday” and office friendly lip colors? I am so jealous of those who work in the beauty/makeup industry and get to have fun with all the crazy and bold lip colors on daily basis!
21 Comments
Billie
August 9, 2018 at 8:01 pmThe UD glosses sound so lovely! I’m definitely low maintenance with my lips when I’m at work. You never know if you’re going to be too busy to touch up so I don’t like to wear anything that requires too much effort.
Other Summers
Paula @ lifestylegleam.com
August 11, 2018 at 6:52 amYes! I feel the same way- I love keeping things simple on workdays!
Janet
August 10, 2018 at 12:34 amI am a collector of lipsticks and glosses. I think because my lips are so very pale, I simply look washed out without them. I’m loving Bite matte, the tube is so darn cool. Urban Decay just came out with a lip mousse. It like nothing I’ve ever seen. You just press it on your lips, its matte and stays put through anything, I can’t even get it off my finger tips. And it never feels dry, in fact, the beauty is it feels like you have NOTHING on your lips, very velvety. I also like Bobbie Brown’s big chunky pencil that come with a sharpener. much over looked but long staying. Nars has a small lip pencil that comes in a zillion shades. Sadly, the most recent one came and the tip of the color was broken off. I’ll be back to Sephora where there are no questions asked. As for the reds, I try them when we go out for dinner or drinks, maybe a party. And I check it a lot. A little loose powder on your lips before helps it stay put, and definitely a lip liner or you look like The Joker from Batman!!!!
Thanks always, Paula!! We need some pics of you, pretty girl!
Paula @ lifestylegleam.com
August 11, 2018 at 6:54 amI saw a few people talk about that lip mousse and it looks so interesting, I need to give it a try because it sounds like something I’d love! I think I know which Nars pencils you’re talking about- I haven’t had much luck with picking a shade, all the nudes I’ve tried don’t work too well with my pale complexion, love the formula though. Sephora’s return policy is great, gotta love that! Haha yess! A lip liner is definitely a must with a red lipstick! I also love using MAC’s lip primer- it makes all lipsticks last so much longer.
Thank you so much Jane, hope you’re doing well!! :)
Bry Jaimea
August 10, 2018 at 8:32 amOh I adore CT Pillow Talk! I take it with me everywhere and it’s always my go to lip colour. Great picks though, I may have to investigate adding a few more lipsticks to my arsenal.
xx Bry Jaimea | bryjaimea.com
Paula @ lifestylegleam.com
August 11, 2018 at 6:54 amHow beautiful is Pillow Talk? I also always have it with me!
Linda Libra Loca
August 10, 2018 at 9:18 amI wear red to the office, but I don’t mind the touch ups. Flattering nudes are hard to find, but I have discovered over the years that a mauve based lipstick looks the closest to my natural lip color.
Anne – Linda, Libra, Loca
Paula @ lifestylegleam.com
August 11, 2018 at 6:54 amI agree, flattering nudes really are hard to find! God, I remember when I was a teen, I’d use concealer topped with lip gloss as a lip color, haha! Ahhh, don’t miss those days at all!
Linda Libra Loca
August 11, 2018 at 8:14 amPaired with pencil thin brows and black liner all around my eyes. I still have pictures to prove that!
Danielle Alexa
August 11, 2018 at 12:02 pmSo many stunning options, I always go for a very sheer neutral through the week!
Danielle xx
https://www.fashionbeautyblog.co.uk/
Paula @ lifestylegleam.com
August 17, 2018 at 1:25 pmSheer colors are great to use during a workweek.
Diana
August 11, 2018 at 1:18 pmPillow talk from Charlotte Tilbury has been on my wishlist for ages! And I love the shade selection that you tend to go to as well! Personally I love really deep nude lipsticks, because they always look amazing and it’s easier to transit into a night look if I need with them as well.
Wishing you all the best,
Randomlydi
Paula @ lifestylegleam.com
August 17, 2018 at 2:01 pmPillow Talk is just so beautiful and I feel like it works great with pretty much all skin tones. A good nude is always a great option!
Lesley Kim
August 11, 2018 at 4:09 pmThese all sound so good!!
Lesley Kim
Paula @ lifestylegleam.com
August 17, 2018 at 2:01 pmThanks! :)
Coco
August 11, 2018 at 5:56 pmI have been looking for a go-to nude lip colour allll summer! Everytime I swatch something, I’m just never sure! Thanks for sharing!
Coco| pjsandstuff.wordpress.com
Paula @ lifestylegleam.com
August 17, 2018 at 2:01 pmFinding a flattering nude can definitely be challenging!
Natalie Redman
August 13, 2018 at 12:11 pmGorgeous lipstick shades! Love all of them.
http://www.upyourvlog.com
Paula @ lifestylegleam.com
August 17, 2018 at 2:01 pmThank you!
Lisa Autumn
August 16, 2018 at 7:59 amI am all about CT Pillow Talk!
x Lisa | lisaautumn.com
Paula @ lifestylegleam.com
August 17, 2018 at 2:02 pmYesss, it’s such a classic.