Trend & Tested: Orange Lipsticks
If there is one thing we don’t want our makeup to be, it’s orange. But 2020 has other ideas. That’s right, Pantone (the most popular colour matching system in the world) chose Orange Peel, a vibrant tangerine as one of its shades of the season. The report gives us a heads up on what to expect on the runways, and in stores. For Spring/Summer 2020, Pantone’s predictions were bright; there’s no question about that. Some of the other hues chosen alongside side Orange Peel were Flame Scarlet, a burning red, and Saffron, a golden yellow.
“Combining our desire for stability, creativity, and more spontaneous design approaches, the colour palette for Spring/Summer 2020 infuses heritage and tradition with a colourful youthful update that creates strong multi-coloured combinations as well as energizing and optimistic pairings.”
– Leatrice Eiseman, Executive Director of the Pantone Color Institute
For many of us, this shade selection is scary. It’s bold, and not for the faint-hearted, or for someone like me who’s wardrobe contains nothing but neutrals. So, it got me thinking, how can I stay on trend this summer? Well, there are many other ways to ‘wear’ the season’s biggest shades; my favourite alternative is makeup, more specifically, lipstick. It’s less ‘out there’ than a full outfit, and you can be trendy without stepping too far out of your comfort zone. I’ve handpicked five lip colours inspired by my favourite S/S 2020 hue, Orange Peel, to show you just how easy it is.
1. The Lipgloss
If bold colour scares you, choose a lipgloss. Lipglosses tend to be less pigmented than lipsticks, so they’re a great way to ease yourself into wearing colour. Shiseido has the perfect option for this edit too; 06 – Daidai Orange is pink with an orange shift and golden shimmer. A part of the Shimmer GelGloss collection, you’ll be happy to hear this lipgloss isn’t sticky one bit. The formula contains shea butter, which provides 12-hour moisture, and a Dual Gel system is what gives lips mirror-like shine.
2. The Lipstick
Ultra Rush is for someone ready to nose dive into this trend; no questions asked. 533 is a fearless orange in a semi-matte finish; it isn’t for the fainthearted, but that’s what makes it so beautiful. The lip colour is a limited edition release, which sits within the iconic Ultra Rouge range; this means it won’t be around forever! The formula is the result of long research and offers comfortable colour that lasts, which is just what the doctor ordered when it comes to bold colour.
See more shades of Ultra Rouge Lipstick swatched on the lips and arm here.
3. The Liquid Lipstick
Lipstick isn’t for everyone. If you prefer a creamier formula, I’d recommend a liquid lipstick; they’re great for creating precise lines, which is handy when you’re dealing which vibrant colours like we are here. One of my favourites is the L’Absolu Lacquer. A lipstick-lipgloss hybrid, the colour pay-off is incredible, and it contains a honeycomb structure that helps keep lips supple and smooth. The shade to choose for this trend is Be Happy without a doubt. A fiery red, it’s close enough to red that it’s not too scary, but far enough away that it turns heads.
4. The Liquid Balm
Here we have colour with a side of couture. Givenchy Le Rose Perfecto in Vital Glow offers another subtle way to wear orange on your lips this season. The shade is a feminine peachy-orange that brings immediate radiance to the face; this is a ‘running out the door’ lip colour without a doubt, it’ll suit everyone and is pretty fail-safe. The formula is also very reliable; in the tinted balm, you’ll find hydrating hyaluronic acid, shea butter and cranberry oil.