Illamasqua matte lipstick in Liable – an orange red that’s more autumnal than summer

A Stella beauty box treat, this Illamasqua lipstick in Liable is hand crafted, and an orange red with a matte finish that seems to be the perfect colour for anyone looking to make their teeth appear whiter. It’s a wearable red, more suited to autumn I think than summer (not so neon).

It’s a full size lipstick in the beauty box, a generous size. I’m not a massive fan of very matte lipsticks, only because they dry out my lips and the colour gets flakey by the end of the day. This one is quite matte but the colour stays put throughout the day, with minimal reapplication or flakiness. I’m impressed. The orange red is darker than my NARS semi matte one in heatwave, and not nearly as moisturising on application, but doesn’t seem to dry out lips at all.

I tend to apply lipsticks straight from the tube because I am lazy, but will define my lip line with a lip pencil (my lip line seems to have faded with age!). This lipstick needs to be applied with a lip brush because it is so matte and thick, and you need the control. The colour is intense and highly pigmented so one stroke is enough to get colour on lips, or alternatively smudge a bit on lips to add a flush/stain of colour.

I’m so impressed with this lipstick that I am going to try out another of their matte shades. I really like the fact that I don’t have to top up the colour throughout the day, and that I don’t end up with sore and flakey lips at the end of the night 🙂

At £19.50 for a tube, it isn’t cheap but I think it is good value for money. I can see this tube lasting a while. You can buy them online here, and in some department stores (listed online).