3 Of The Best Valentine's Day Lipstick Trends

Warning: there’s nothing subtle about this look, which dials up the drama of classic pink lips with a bold neon make-over. Dua Lipa and Lizzo have shown us how to wear neon brights on our eyes, and now it’s time to stain our lips in standout colour. If you’re looking for serious staying power, opt for a liquid lipstick such as KVD Beauty Everlasting Hyperlight Liquid Lipstick In Scarlet Pearl, a totally smooch-proof formula that’s lightweight and won’t transfer. Matte lipstick is a 2022 trend that’s sticking around, so make a bold statement with a pigment-rich matte lipstick that stands out from the Tinder crowd – try M.A.C Retro Matte Lipstick in Relentlessly Red. Add drama to your look with slicked back hair and a little black dress to drive all attention to where you want it.

A nude lip is timeless. Of course we all know a nude lip is not actually nude, but the idea here is to create an effortless, fresh-faced look with subtle makeup. For inspo on how to wear this revamped 90s trend, turn to celebs like Hailey Bieber, J-Lo and the OG icon Naomi Campbell who pair a matte or gloss brown lip with a sheer foundation, a lick of bronzer and lashings of mascara. While this look is about being barely there, careful selection goes into picking the lipstick hue that’s best for you. Fairer skin tones look best with taupe shades, try MAC Matte Lipstick in Taupe. While a terracotta shade with an undertone of orange will suit golden tanned skin – Elizabeth Arden Lip Colour Lipstick in Naturally Mocha is a creamy, high-pigment lipstick with moisturising ingredients for a plush pout. Olive skin can carry-off striking dark chocolate and violet vamp tones, so make a glam statement with Bobbi Brown Crushed Lip Colour in Blackberry, which is the ultimate long-wearing formula loaded with crushed pigments and lip-loving ingredients. For darker skin tones, the key is to ensure there is enough contrast between the lipstick and your natural skin tone. Follow Lizzo’s lead and add warmth with coffee-inspired shade such as Bobbi Brown Crushed Liquid Lip in Haute Cocoa that provides long lasting and super smooth my-lips-but-better colour. For the ultimate ‘90s style nude lip look try overling lips with a brown toned lip liner like M.A.C Lip Pencil in Spice and top with a clear lip gloss for a glam Pamela Anderson style pout.

Originating in Asia and gaining momentum on TikTok, this glistening lip trend is ideal if you find a traditional all-over application of lipstick too intense. It’s an ombre-style of colour, with the strongest concentration of colour in the centre of the mouth blending out to a fleshy tone around the lip line. It’s youthful, soft and dewy with no harsh edges, so it works well on everyone as it doesn’t matter how full your lips are. To recreate the look, start with a nude lipstick that’s a touch lighter than your natural lip colour, then pick your highlight colour, opting for a Barbie-pink stain or berry red. Use your finger to apply the colour in the middle of your bottom lip, then pucker your lips together to spread the colour to the top lip – you don’t want perfect edges, it’s all about creating a natural smudgy fade. A lip stain is good for this effect, try Argan Lipstain in Pink Lemonade. Once you’ve built up the intensity of ombre you’re happy with, finish with a glaze of lip gloss, MAC Clear Lipglass is a makeup artist’s favourite for creating an icy, frosty finish.