Matte Work

Shiny's out, matte lipsticks in hypersaturated hues are in

We won't gloss over the subject: Matte lipstick is hot right now. The lip color, which flaunts straightforward pigment without shimmer or shine, will be all over spring catalogs, says makeup artist Cammy Kelly, who's based in Chicago and New York City.

"Mattes give that little pop of color that brings out the freshness of the face," she enthuses.

It doesn't stop at color. Matte lipstick is also long-lasting and adds gorgeous texture and dimension to your pucker. Anybody can pull off the look by taking a few simple tips.

Say Bye-Bye Dry
Avoid flakes and dryness by keeping your pout hydrated and smooth. "I always tell models to exfoliate before putting on lip color. A good trick is brushing lips with a toothbrush, or using honey and sugar to get the dead skin off," says Kelly.

Afterward, nourish newly smooth lips with light lip balm or even facial moisturizer. If that gives your lips too much slip, blot them with a tissue before putting on lipstick.

For a hyperpigmented look that feels creamy, try a cross between matte and gloss, such as NYX Soft Matte Lip Cream in the fiery Amsterdam hue.

Color with Care
As with any cosmetic, the way you apply matte lipstick can make or break your look. Kelly suggests taking color from the tube and gently patting it on lips using your finger. "If you do a huge swoop, then it gets too thick," she says.

Tracing lips with liner keeps things clean. Or, try a secret weapon: matte lip crayons. ULTA Lip Crayon in Dynamite, for example, draws color with precision.

Flirty fuchsias are good for daytime. Stila Long Wear Lip Color in Lover is a romantic bright that stays put and even slips a coy hint of glimmer.

By night, go vampy with heart-pounding reds like Revlon Super Lustrous Lipstick in Fire & Ice. "I love deep red colors, because they have a 1940s look to them," says matte lipstick fan Shannan Nauman, 39.

It's true that while mattes are currently trendy, their bold charm is infinitely classic - and proof that you don't need to go glossy to enjoy a shining moment.