I am a gloss fan, but I can't ignore the latest viral lip trend: blurred lips. Find out why this look is so alluring and quickly created by the next generation of matte lip colour, says editor Trudi Brewer.
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I have had a love-hate relationship with the look and feel of matte lipstick. Applied well, it is the epitome of chic sophistication. Add lashings of mascara and a hint of highlight, and it’s a dreamy makeup look. At the same time, some matte lipstick finishes are dry and uncomfortable to wear all day and can accentuate every line no matter how much balm you prep your lips with. Back to the latest trend, 'blurred or often called blooming lip trend,' all over SS25 catwalks at shows like Versace and Ulla Johnson. This look is flattering and youthful; rather than the sharp, defined edge we usually associate with matte lipstick, the focus is on a softer look, fading out at the edges to create a diffused finish.
HOW TO: The best news with a blurred lip look is it's simple to achieve, and almost any lip product will work. With lipstick, use a small, flat eye shadow brush to dab it on, starting at the centre of your lips and working outward; this ensures you don't over-apply the product, so the lip line is diffused. Alternatively, to prevent colour pooling into fine lines, you can use lip liner by scribbling colour onto the centre of the lips and blending it to the edges with your fingertips. Below are six lipsticks to help you create a blurred lip look fast.
Glossier Generation G Sheer Matte Lipstick, $37.
This sheer-matte lipstick glides on lips and blots back in an instant. It adds a subtle tint of colour that is super sheer or buildable; it’s also uber-comfortable to wear like your favourite jeans. That’s because it’s stacked with sunflower seed wax and blue agave to keep lips hydrated. At the same time, the soft focus elasto-powder offers a mattifying but never-dry finish. There are nine shades, pictured here, Fuzz.
Combining lightweight, silky-smooth ingredients such as sunflower seed oil, camelia flower extract, and vitamin E with just the right amount of colour pigment allows you to effortlessly create a blurred-and-blotted wash of colour on the lips. There are five shades, and Cocoa Cutie is pictured here.
VIOLETTE_FR Bisou Balm, $54.
This is the most gorgeous, barely-there red with a fantastic balm-like finish. Uber-moisturising yet matte, this balm’s texture is addictive. One of the founder’s favourite lip looks is “bouche mordue” (just bitten lips), which describes the finish and speaks to this trend. Think of a subtle stain of colour that simultaneously treats the lips with plant-seed oils and bark extracts. There are five shades - this is by far our favourite, and it’s named Amour Fou.
Rom&nd Blur Fudge Tint, $22.
These Kbeauty fudge-like textured lipsticks help boost the natural base colour of your lips. They glide on effortlessly and are comfortable to wear while being long-lasting. While the finish is matte, the result is without clumps or dryness. There are five shades pictured here #13 Cooling Up a wearable nude pink, perfect for every day. Rom&ND is available at Hikcoco.
This moisturising matte lippy promises long wear and lip care at the same time. That’s thanks to a formula of candelilla and synthetic beeswax. It’s weightless, which creates a velvet-soft finish to give a blurred finish or full coverage. There are ten shades, pictured here Rose Mary.
Offering 12 hours of transfer, kiss, and smudge-proof lip colour. This great buildable vegan formula allows you to customise the finish. You can apply one swipe for a sheer, blurred look or build up to a solid bold finish - and more good news; it doubles as a liquid blush beautifully. There are eight shades, pictured here Baby Tee.
