Zahra’s New Matte Lipstick Is Perfect To Try Ombre Lips

The Korean Ombre lip trend has become something of a craze lately (even though it really came into prominence internationally about two years ago). Now it’s made its way into India with a host of beauty bloggers extolling its visual virtues, albeit in a more dramatic two-tone style instead of the softer, feathered variety that’s so synonymous with the Korean trend. (If you remember Sanjay Garg’s SS2016 show at AIFW, you’ll know what I’m talking about.)

It’s actually a pretty cool trend to try if you’re a beauty junkie, and one of the only products in the country right now that caters specifically to this trend is Maybelline’s new Lip Gradient crayon, which comes in 8 bright matte shades that are perfect for getting that sexy, graded look. This double-sided lip product has a creamy matte colour on one end that you can apply to the centre of your lips, and a sponge tip on the other to help blend and feather the product outwards to the edges of your lips.

 

First things first: I love the texture of the lipstick. It’s matte, but super soft and creamy — almost like butter! What’s more, the colours are super pigmented, bright and lightweight, and the shade I’ve chosen is Coral. It’s a bright hue that’s more pink than orange (with a slight neon tinge) and I think it’s the perfect everyday shade for summer. It has a way of really brightening up my pale complexion with just one swipe. Also, did I mention this is one of Alia Bhatt’s favourite lip colours right now?

Interestingly, the product sets quickly in a powdery finish (it’s matte, remember?) but doesn’t dry out the lips. Since I have dry lips anyway, I always wear some lip balm underneath and add some to the top of the lipstick every few hours. What’s more, the lip crayon has great staying power — it even lasted through a long lunch and looked like a pretty lip stain instead of wearing off completely.

To be completely honest, I’m not a fan of the gradient look — it looks sort of unfinished to me, so I prefer to wear this lippie like a normal lip colour and just add a slightly darker shade in the centre to add some depth. As for the blurring smudger on the other end? I actually use it to reduce the intensity of the colour for a softer, day look instead.

SHOP NOW: Maybelline Lip Gradation in Coral (Rs 500)

 

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If you’re wondering how exactly to use the Lip Gradation stick, this video shows you three ways to wear it:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6iyXym2ITRQ