One of the most overheard phrases in the PEOPLE StyleWatch office is “I love that lipstick — where did you get it?!” And now more than ever, with our complexions at their palest and the party circuit at its highest, we’re finding ourselves reaching for the brightest, boldest and prettiest shades in our arsenals. See what we’ll be wearing tonight, through the weekend and well into New Year’s — and share your favorite lip picks in the comments!
Courtesy Editors
Colleen Kratofil, Assistant Producer: As someone who rarely strays from the play-it-safe red and pink color families, this Cynthia Rowley Creamy Lip Stain in Dahlia made me very hesitant — on first glance the shade seemed much brighter than the deep plum promised. But after trying it, I love how demure the eggplant tint looks. The stain is super smooth, long-lasting has an added bonus: It’s vegan, cruelty-free and paraben-free. Win, win and win.
Catherine Kast, Style Writer: If you like to eat everything at cocktail parties, you and I have something in common. So I’m forgoing a high maintenance lip in favor of one that can facilitate treat-eating. Behold, a Frozen-inspired pout thanks to Lipstick Queen’s “Ice Queen.” To avoid looking like I kissed Olaf the Snowman, I layered the snowy shade over a touch of “Coffee Break,” a shimmery nude from Queen Latifah’s collaboration with Covergirl.
Brittany Talarico, Style News Editor: Unlike some of my fellow editors, I’m not a pro lipstick wearer, but I do love to amp up my pout around the holidays. Luckily, I found the perfect product for non-lipstick wearers like myself. Almay’s Smart Shade Butter Kiss colors go-on crazy smooth (seriously, it feels like you’re putting on a balm), and the “Red Light” shade is now my new go-to for parties. And no, I didn’t plan for my lips to match my blazer.
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Courtesy Editors
Jackie Fields, Beauty Writer: This season I’m going for gold — gold lips ,that is. That’s right, I’m shelving my traditional rouge in favor of something outside of the gift-wrapped box: Tom Ford’s new gilded shade, “Blake,” from the designer’s latest collection, “Lips & Boys”. So far I’ve worn this metallic hue to a holiday party hosted by my BFF, where I scored major compliments. Even better? My decked-out pout was the perfect excuse to decline all the desserts!
Loni Venti, Style and Beauty Editor: Everyone and their sister will be wearing red lips for December 24 (yawn), so I’m taking a not #basic route and flaunting this epic indigo hue (a combination of Manic Panic’s “Enchanted Forest” and “Violet Night”). The shade names sound more festive than a candy cane and I love how the finished product contrasts against my snowman-esque complexion. Sure, the fam may not be totally on board … but by that point, my gifts will be wrapped and safely placed beneath the tree, so they can’t switch me to the “naughty list” last minute. Worst case scenario: I’ll have a blue Christmas.
Sarah Kinonen, Editorial Assistant: First of all, I don’t do selfies. Not because I don’t like taking photos of myself, but honestly, I can’t ever seem to coordinate the posing/timing/photo capturing all in one fell swoop. (The evidence is in the right-hand corner of the photo where my hand managed to sneak in.) Regardless, here’s the colorful (and super moisturizing) lip shade I’ll be rocking all through my New Year’s Eve party. Clinique’s Long Last Soft Matte Lipstick in “Matte Plum”, $16, is the perfect pop of color that comes in a velvety, matte finish, which will last for hours long after the ball drops.
Alex Apatoff, Senior Style Editor: I wear red lipstick so often that my coworkers will drop off vivid sample tubes in my office, saying, “This is such an ‘Alex color.’” So the color I wear from Christmas until the last ornament comes down (on, like, Jan. 16 — I’m kinda obsessed with our Christmas tree) has to be an extra-special shade. Like this Gucci hue, called, appropriately, “Iconic Red.” It’s super-intense, super-matte (and thus super-glam) and I’m super excited not be frantically reapplying as the countdown begins at 11:58 — this stuff isn’t going anywhere, Champagne be damned.
What lipstick are you loving for this season? Tell us below!
