Ancient Egyptians wore lipsticks across genders as a sign of status, while the Greeks relegated it to the realm of prostitutes. The Chinese made some of the first lipsticks from beeswax over 1,000 years ago to protect the delicate skin of the lips. Fast-forward to 1884 when the first commercial lipsticks were invented. Today, for National Lipstick Day, we celebrate these milestones with seven picks (plus one scrub) to make your smile shine this summer.
MAC Love Me Lipstick
Every second, M∙A∙C sells one tube of lipstick somewhere in the world; every minute, it sells one Ruby Woo, the No.1 cult-favourite shade out of a kaleidoscopic stable of 150. And, on August 1, the Canadian-founded company launches its new Love Me Lipstick collection, a range of 24 pigments in three families—eight nudes, eight reds, eight purples—all infused with lychee fruit extract and argan oil. Maccosmetics.ca
DIOR Rouge Dior #844 Trafalgar Limited Edition
Couture comes to life with the limited-edition fiery red Rouge Dior #844 Trafalgar lipstick, which takes its cues from the legendary designer’s famous Trafalgar dress—a vibrantly hued outfit that would unexpectedly pop up in the middle of a catwalk as a coup de Trafalgar (wake-up call) to keep audiences on their toes. Holtrenfrew.com
bareMinerals barePRO
Free of parabens, phthalates, chemical sunscreens, and other nasty stuff, bareMinerals keeps its new barePRO vegan line free of smudging and budging too. All 20 matte shades are fade- and feather-resistant in a weightless gel formula that conditions your lips thanks to an antioxidant blend of Baobab, berry oils, protective sunflower seed, and jojoba waxes—colour lasts up to eight hours with just one coat. Sephora.ca
Charlotte Tilbury Hot Lips 2
Makeup-artist-to-the-stars Charlotte Tilbury’s new Hot Lips 2 collection features 11 new tubes inspired by 11 iconic women and men. From Red Hot Susan (Susan Sarandon) to JK Magic (J.K. Rowling), the collectible tubes in designs like leopard print and stars-and-stripes rock a decidedly Hollywood vibe. Each tube helps change lives, too—proceeds benefit Women for Women International, an organization that helps women survivors of war rebuild their lives. Nordstrom.com
Shiseido Aura Dew Eyes, Face, Lips
Shiseido’s Aura Dew Eyes, Face, Lips in new shade Aurora is practically summer in a bottle. This multi-use bronze shimmer adds 12 hours of celestial sparkle when layered over top of eyeshadow, cheeks and lips. Thebay.com
Laura Mercier Rouge Essentiel Silky Crème Lipstick
Laura Mercier’s Rouge Essentiel Silky Crème Lipstick collection comes in 30 shades and fuses high-impact pigment in a custom-designed bullet to deliver colour in just one silky swipe. Infused with Mediterranean Sea algae extract, this formula moisturizes and smoothes skin’s appearance and lasts six hours without bleeding, feathering, drying, fading, or settling into lines. Nordstrom.com
Revlon Ultra HD Vinyl Lip Polish
Channel the New Romantic trend straight from the runway where glossy lips paired with pops of pink give a fresh, summery vibe. Revlon introduces its Ultra HD Vinyl Lip Polish, a smooth formula that won’t dry out or streak. Offered in eight high-shine shades ranging from neutrals to purples. Londondrugs.com
Bite Beauty Agave+ Nighttime Lip Therapy
Come bedtime, don’t forget to treat your lips with the Agave+ Nighttime Lip Therapy by Toronto’s Bite Beauty. Apply this clean, vegan and gluten-free lip treatment before your head hits the pillow; come morning, awake to softer, smoother lips. The balm-to-oil lip therapy starts as a solid and then melts onto lips, thanks to jojoba, sunflower and safflower seed oils that hydrate and moisturize, while agave nectar and superfood pomegranate extracts nourish. Chamomile and bergamot deliver sleep-inducing scents. Sephora.ca
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