10 ELLE Editors Share Their Favorite Lipsticks
Lipstick makes you more attractive because science.
There's a scientific reason why a slick of lipstick feels Jessica Rabbit-sexy. Red lips, specifically, mimic the natural flush that happens during sexual arousal. Beyond sex appeal, according to a recent study, faces with lips that contrast the surrounding skin are also perceived as younger. Here, in honor of national lipstick day, 10 ELLE editors discuss the lip colors they love most.
M.A.C Giambattista Valli Lipstick in Tats
"This perfect hot pink makes lips look full and color-soaked, like you've just eaten an ice pop. Unlike some brights that require extreme precision to apply, it glides on smooth like a gloss and lights up my whole face. But it's part of a limited edition collection, which means supplies won't last forever. Soon I'll be forced to cut my existing stock with Vaseline to make it last until I outbid someone on eBay."
- Julie Schott, Senior Beauty & Fitness Editor, ELLE.com
NARS Satin Lip Pencil in Majella
"I'm always trying to match the color of Michelle Williams' lips in that first set of Vuitton ads and this color comes pretty close. The pencil is easy to apply and I don't have to deal with a pencil/lipstick combo."
- Leah Chernikoff, Editorial Director, ELLE.com
Chanel's Rouge Coco Shine in Boy
"I must admit I'm a bit shy of bold lipstick colors, but I do love a little something on my lips, and definitely need some extra moisture. Chanel's Rouge Coco Shine is sheer, shiny, and super hydrating. It gives me just the right amount of color without me having to worry about overdoing it. There are SO many colors to choose from, but my daily go-to is 'Boy'. It's just a bit more intense than my natural lip color so makes me feel just that much fancier. Plus, the name is great."
- Ruthie Friedlander, Deputy Editor, ELLE.com
NARS Lipstick in Damage
NARS lipstick in Damage is what I'm wearing lately—it's the training wheels of a purple lip color, giving you that look like you just ate a grape popsicle without being too aggressive of a color. (Sephora calls it a 'sheer muted grape' which is really so on point.)"
- Natalie Matthews, Senior Editor, ELLE.com
Lipstick Queen Silver Screen in Stella
"I'm always biting my nails or absentmindedly chewing something, and so I usually forego lipstick, but Stella by Silver Screen Lipstick Queen is one I will wear and feel the most gorgeous and instantly spruced up as a result. It really shows up: the purple sheen is the prettiest, flashiest thing ever and makes me happy just looking at it—and holding it (the glinting silver tube is seriously a work of art. So fun to whip out of my clutch when I'm out at night, people are always curious about it). I don't think I own anything more feminine than this color!"
- Megan O'Neill, Beauty & Fitness Editor, ELLE
Nars Satin Lip Pencil in Rikugien
"This is the perfect color—not too dark, not too light. I'm going through a phase of wishing my lips were a little bigger, and somehow this pencil makes them appear so."
- Allison Watters, Credits Editor, ELLE
Ilia's Tinted Lip Conditioner in Arabian Knights
"I'm always game to play with different colors, but my ride or die in the realm of lipstick is Ilia's Tinted Lip Conditioner in Arabian Knights. It's more of a creamy, sheer stain, which layers beautifully from just the slightest tint to a lovely shade of raspberry. I love that I can be a little messy with it! It's also incredibly nourishing on sandpaper lips in the dead of winter, and the floral-citrus scent smells like summer. I have one of these in every bag I own."
- Victoria Hoff, Associate Editor, ELLE.com
NARS Lipstick in Fast Ride
"Ruthie introduced me to NARS' Fast Ride, which looks really dark and vampy in the tube, but goes on sheer like a gloss. It's so easy to tailor the amount of pigment and one whisper-thin layer lends Angeline-Jolie-in-Girl-Interrupted panache to girlier looks. Yes, please."
- Justine Harman, Senior Entertainment Editor, ELLE.com
Guerlain Rouge G
"Not only does Guerlain Rouge G feel perfect on the mouth—hydrating but not slimy—it wears and wears, and never fades out in the center to leave a dreaded lipstick-liner-like ring. It also comes encased in a glorious silver bullet (equipped with a mirror that snaps shut with a satisfying magnetic click) that makes you feel as glamorous as Garbo just taking it out of your purse. Garçonne, my beloved shade, is a little bit orange, which turns out to work wonders for my complexion; it's bright but not garish, and goes as well with jeans as it does with a cocktail dress."
-April Long, Executive Beauty Editor, ELLE
NARS Lipstick in Heatwave
"I like play into my rosy cheeks with this ultra-fiery shade of red."
- Ali Finney, Assistant Beauty & Fitness Editor, ELLE
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