Do your lips like a local
Providing women around the world instant armor and confidence, the lipstick is arguably the most quintessential and beloved makeup item of all time. And while a woman’s love for lipsticks is universal, how universal are the shades and formulations? To answer this question — and to celebrate International Lipstick Day on July 29 — we ask a handful of global DFS staff members and makeup artists to share what lip colors and products they see the most of in their home countries and cities.
From the barely-there to the proudly loud, read on to discover what’s trending now.
“With many more people shedding face masks, there’s been a big return to having fun with lips in L.A. I’d say both high-octane shades and lip tints are taking the spotlight. You can see the trends on the runways, the streets, and in my makeup bag. While it’s about bold color, it’s not defined by a single shade — you’ll see everything from orangey corals to deep nineties browns.”
“In Australia, the trend is fuller-looking lips, so we’re all about products that help pouts look glossy and juicy. As for color, something natural, like a peachy pink, tends to be popular. It’s winter here at the moment, so there’s extra attention paid to avoiding chapped, dry lips. I’ve always got a couple of glossy, lightly tinted, ultra-moisturizing lip balms in my handbag!”
— Jenny Huang, Beauty Advisor, Sydney, Australia
“2022 is the year of glossy lipstick - to express freedom, freshness, lightness and beauty as a wish to leave behind these last two years of darkness due to the pandemic, and rediscover the smile hidden behind the masks. In Italy, wearing glossy lipstick has become a full-fledged trend in which you can indulge yourself everyday with different shades from nude to bold reds to express your own beauty."
— Mariglena Peci, Sales Associate, Venice, Italy
“There’s something confident and powerful about bold red lipstick. We don’t wear it all the time in France — we also like a nude ‘nothing’ look — but swiping on vivid red, when the occasion calls, is always a classic. I like a matte finish blue-toned red lipstick, with the blue undertone helping to make my teeth appear whiter.”
— Annabelle Lafer, Beauty Team Leader, Paris, France
“I feel like New Zealanders tend to shy away from opaque lippies and opt for glossy washes with a universal appeal, like a soft, subtle pink. Personally, something long-wear but not sticky is perfect for me.”
— Anna Tao, Tiffany & Co. Sales Associate, Auckland, New Zealand
“People embrace a little color here — an energetic but pretty red or pink is always a go-to. I’m also seeing a lot more liquid lip colors that stain your lips for long-lasting effects. There are some great ones out there that are lightweight and comfortable without peeling or cracking. We prefer this to a matte lipstick, which tends to feel a bit heavy for the balmy weather.”
— Jayme Fu, Make Up Artist, Hong Kong
Discover more from DFS’s covetable edit of lipsticks and lip products
