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What do you look for in the perfect lipstick?


What do you look for in the perfect lipstick? What kind of coverage? Finish?

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I like a creamy–but not slippery–texture with opaque pigmentation, subtle shimmer but definite dazzle, lightly scented (vanilla or citrus is ideal!) that is available in a nice range of shades from nudes and muted shades to daring ones.

39 Comments

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CeeBee Avatar

A formula that is moiturizing, smooth to apply, wears evenly and is lightly scented – I like vanilla or rose. A range of shades from the most perfect pinks and nudes, to coral, rose and reds with mix of satin and subtle shimmer finishes!

shontay Avatar

My wants are very similar to yours Christine. I want a creamy, opaque lipstick in colors ranging from vibrant (pinks and purple) to natural (without looking dead and feeling dry). The only scent I like is the Vanilla in Mac and whatever scent Urban Decay has going on. Anything else is a turn off so perhaps no scent is ideal.

Rosanna Avatar

I like creamy lipsticks that have opaque coverage that are lightly or non-scented. I prefer cream or glossy finish. I love ones that don’t accentuate lip lines or dry out my lips. I love a wide range of colours (wish there were more purple and mauve-like colours)

I am, however, open to frost finish and sheer coverage depending on their effect. (Love my frosts MAC Victorian and Rose Maiden; Who ever thought Beachbound, a glaze would look so good as shimmering nude on me?!)

I discover MAC lipsticks tend to dry my lips a little bit around 5-8 hours of wear but still love their line. Elizabeth Arden however doesn’t dry my lips at all so love!

Laura Avatar

MAC is probably my perfect lipstick. It is inexpensive in comparison to other high end brands. I also find it has many colors and textures to choose from. I also love that all of their lip products have a wonderful vanilla scent. I personally love their matte and satin lipsticks, I find the amplified crème moves too much and gets on my teeth and out of my lip line. I love both bright and natural lip colors, what I choose to wear really depends more on my mood or my eye shadow color.

Angela Avatar

I like a lipstick which is available in a flattering colour, is reasonably priced (I have to be able to buy it!) and is comfortable to wear. Ideally it would have a slightly creamy finish; matte lipsticks don’t look natural on me. It shouldn’t dry out my lips, and ideally won’t emphasize any flakes or imperfections I already have. It should make my lips look great, and be comfortable to wear.

Kat Avatar

I want a lipstick that defines and brightens my face, thus I like a matte finishes. A lipstick that is moisturizing,a tad creamy but not too much as to slide around or give a shimmer or shine. I don’t really like most lipstick scents, so the perfect lipstick will have no fragrance, last more than a couple of moments on the lips, and will fade nicely and naturally.

kcrystal Avatar

I like a creamy matte finish with long wear pigmentation and doesn’t come off when i eat, sleep or kiss and comes in variety of flavors and smells from vanilla to bubblegum to pina colada.

Wendy M. Avatar

I like creamy, non-slippery (if that makes any sense!), full-coverage lipsticks. I don’t really mind scents as long as it’s not the BAM! IN YOUR FACE kind. I also like being able to choose froom a variety of colors.
I LOVE MAC’s lustres, cremesheens and satins. 🙂
I love their subtle vanilla scent too. 🙂

Jessie Avatar

I have to agree with you. i love a creamy formula that doesn’t feel slimy when applied, just something that feels moisturizing and gives your lips that ‘wet’ looking shimmer. I do love a little bit of shimmer to mine as well (think MAC frost or lustre finish).

There definitely needs to be a HUGE range of colour and not just a million shades of red and pink, but nudes, oranges and purples you name it. It’s always fun to mix and match colours when you have more options like this!

I definitely like a scent as well. Anything is usually nice, especially if it smells like some form of baked goods or fruit. I hate it the most when a lipstick smells plastic-y!

It’s also a plus if it tastes non-plastic-y as well. I have a habit of licking my lips on occasion and lipstick like that just really turns me off the product!

Sarah Lynn Avatar

Depending on my mood, the requirements change. However, I tend to repurchase lipsticks that are…
1. Creamy and can be easily applied
2. Long lasting
3. Moisturizing

Paige Avatar

Something that looks and feels like my real lips but with more color.
Best one so far was the L’Oreal HiP Lipsticks but those are discontinued! 🙁

baby in a corner Avatar

fairly moisturising and opaque! not really into sheer shades. really want to try lipstick queen chinatown glossy pencils but they were out when i last went to the shop!

Beth Avatar

A lot of lipsticks dry out my lips, so my main concern is something that is non-drying. Of course, a good range of colors and a pleasant scent is also important.

Jessi Avatar

I like something that doesn’t feel heavy on the lips, fades evenly and that can be blotted down for a different look. Must have plenty of bold colors. Amplified cremes fit the bill really well, but I like lustres and some glazes too.

Lizz M. Avatar

I’d like my perfect lipstick to be somewhat creamy, moisturizing, semi-opaque so it can be versatile, long lasting, anything but shimmery, and smooth without traveling – splotchy painted lips make me wanna re-do my entire face sometimes.

As far as scent is concerned, all I ask is that it doesn’t smell like plastic or playdough. Gah, I hate that.

Oh! And in a reasonable price range. I’d say my ideal range would be anywhere below $20. If I have to pay that or more, It better be a one of a kind lipstick, ha.

Grace Avatar

I like smooth, creamy lipsticks that glide on but are still opaque. A highly pigmented lipstick is really nice to have, but I like satin and glaze ones too. MAC lipsticks are my favorite, but Stila makes really good sheer, juicy shades that are awe worthy! Also, Maybelline’s lipsticks are beautiful and affordable, the colors can create amazing pops.

mkdallas Avatar

I love opaque pigmentation, creamy feel and a semi-matte finish. My HG lipsticks are usually MAC Amplified Cremes, YSL Rouge Voluptes and Guerlain Rouge Gs, all of which are in the nude-to-peachy range. My one big turn-off is any lipstick that smells of perfume; reminds me of my grandmother’s makeup!

Carrie Avatar

Anything that doesn’t dry out my lips, has a pleasant taste and smell, lasts a decent amount of time and has a really pretty color that isn’t too bold. I like rosy or mauve shades of pink and pretty nudes. SPF would also be nice.

Cathy Avatar

It must be creamy,non drying,affordable,give decent wear and come in a variety of colors.Scent,one way or the other,is not a concern.

LNU Avatar

I actually had one I loved. It was a Victoria’s Secret Sheer Moisture Lipstick, but it was discontinued. 🙁
It was completely opaque, but was a smooth, moisturizing, kind of cremesheen, and it was my perfect MLBB color.

Lisa Avatar

I’m a big fan of lipstick/lipgloss combos. I like the options these 2-in-1s give me; I can apply a color sheerly for a more natural look or build it to make it more pigmented. Plus these formulas tend to be more moisturizing than either lipsticks or glosses alone, which my lips love.

Hay Mich Avatar

I like a smooth and moisturizing lipstick with a bit of a sheen. I like pink, roses and corals and anything from strong colours to sheer washes.

Gabrielle Avatar

I got FARD À LÈVRES ROUGE PUR Pure Lipstick from YSL never failed me. I got several of them in my favorite shade #68. Hydration, stay on and this color fit so many skin tone. I wear it by itself for a very light shine effect, with a clear or glittery gloss for super shine effect or mat (I overlay with translucent powder). That’s my #1!

Annie Avatar

to give color, moisturize, to have a nice light scent or no scent at all. i hate berry, grape, rose, citrus scented lip products. and I’m not really into shimmer, at all. i like satin or matte finishes.

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