From The Straits Times    |

The new iconic lipstick to know now is Dior’s Ultra Rouge

In 1947, Christian Dior revolutionised women’s wardrobes with the New Look, a silhouette that continues to influence women and designers everywhere. Six years later, he turned his attention to makeup, declaring, “I want to dress women’s smiles.” The result was Rouge Dior, which back then came in just two shades, both of which were red.

Over the years, the Rouge Dior lipstick range expanded, but always at the heart of it was a bright, suits-everyone red known as 999. When makeup maestro Peter Philips came to develop a whole new permanent line of lipsticks for a new generation of Dior lovers he thought of it as an ode to red. So he developed the concept of ‘The red kiss you will never forget’, and created Ultra Rouge, a collection that includes multiple red IT shades.

The new iconic lipstick to know now is Dior’s Ultra Rouge

Star billing goes to the red par excellence, 999 Ultra Dior, still an iconic shade but as you can see it now has a new ultra-light texture that delivers a stain effect, from a single swipe, with a finish that’s matte, but not flat.

The new iconic lipstick to know now is Dior’s Ultra Rouge

But right now, top of everyone’s wishlist is 436 Ultra Trouble, a neutral, easy-to-wear brown red that suits warm-toned complexions and is perfect for everyday wear.

The new iconic lipstick to know now is Dior’s Ultra Rouge

Or on days when you want something more edgy you might want to try a shade like Ultra Shock 851, a darker burgundy red that will add instant drama.

The new iconic lipstick to know now is Dior’s Ultra Rouge

But it’s not all about reds. Dior knows that some days you wake up feeling soft and sweet and others, you want something edgy. So the shades in the collection go from light nude to deep cherry, and in total there are 15 shades plus two limited edition bases/topcoats called Ultra Light 47 and Ultra Night 47, which allow you to tone down or dial up your colour, so you really do have everything you need to keep your makeup game on point and create as many different looks as you can think of.

The new iconic lipstick to know now is Dior’s Ultra Rouge

When you’re wearing Ultra Rouge, it feels like nothing at all, but the colour delivers maximum impact and it lasts for up to 12 hours without fading or going patchy. A high percentage of water, combined with hydrating jojoba oil and pansy flower, moisturise your pucker without making the colour slide off.

The new iconic lipstick to know now is Dior’s Ultra Rouge

For that perfectly defined, powerful pout, pair Ultra Rouge with the new DiorRouge Ink Lip Liner, a couture liner that’s as precise and pigmented as the eyeliner you use to do your cat-eye flicks. It has a fine tip for perfect precision and an ink formulation for a 12-hour stain. Perfectly matte, use it to line and fill for maximum impact. It comes in six shades including – naturally – 999 Rouge Dior.

The new iconic lipstick to know now is Dior’s Ultra Rouge

Rouge Dior Ultra Rouge lipstick, $50, and Dior Rouge Ink Lip Liner, $45, both available at all Dior counters.