Make it Matte: The latest base makeup, moisturisers and lippies for a soft matte finish

No more creases, dryness or a one-dimensional finish. The new soft mattes come without baggage, but have the same superb coverage as their predecessors.

Have a click through to find out which soft matte makeup bases, moisturisers, and lipsticks we’ve been loving lately.

MODEL PHOTOGRAPHY ELVINA FARKAS/ANUE MANAGEMENT PRODUCT PHOTOGRAPHY KENNETH WONG HAIR JIMMY YAP/KENARIS MAKEUP SHA SHAMSI MODEL SABI/MANNEQUIN CLOTHES MIU MIU

This article was first published in the February 2017 issue of Her World.
 

READ MORE: Review: The new blurring soft matte concealer from Nars, a new local brand is selling artisanal soaps that look like really expensive desserts, and our favourite new face mists for all skin types.

Matte used to mean either of these textures: liquid or powder. Now, it comes in the creamiest cream, and even cushions, which are famously known to give a dewy effect.

1. Nars Soft Matte Complete Concealer, $45 

A concealer has to be in cream form to give high coverage. This one does exactly that – but it also finishes off as a powder so that we can cover up without feeling covered up.

2. Dior Capture Totale Dreamskin Perfect Skin Cushion Broad Spectrum SPF 50/PA+++, $105 

It nixes any kind of redness so you don’t need a concealer or colour corrector.

3. La Mer The Soft Fluid Long Wear Foundation SPF20, $190

This has the brand’s best-selling Moisturising Soft Lotion, which means it off ers the same hydrating properties. What makes it even better: a colour capsule technology that keeps the foundation from oxidising. 

READ MORE: Review: The new blurring soft matte concealer from Nars, a new local brand is selling artisanal soaps that look like really expensive desserts, and our favourite new face mists for all skin types.

The latest ones tackle the greasies by creating moisture and sebum balance, not by drying the skin to death. Why this matters: Without moisture, skin gets oilier. 

1. L’Occitane Pivoine Pure Perfecting Mattifying Fluid, $58 

In this hydrating fluid, lemon extract acts as an astringent while conditioning skin. 

2. Kenzoki Moisturizing Jelly to Mattify, $73

The light-as-air lotion sinks in quickly. Its mattifying powder minimises the look of pores and “fills in” lines instead of caking around them.

READ MORE: Review: The new blurring soft matte concealer from Nars, a new local brand is selling artisanal soaps that look like really expensive desserts, and our favourite new face mists for all skin types.

If they didn’t say these were matte, we wouldn’t have known. They have the smoothness of hydrating creams, and two of the three here don’t have a traditional matte finish. 

1. Burberry Liquid Lip Velvet, $46 

It’s so comfortable that we almost forget we have it on. In 16 shades, from nude to bright red. Take a look at our wear test and swatches here.

2. RMK Face Pop Matte Lips, $45

The latest collection comes in a range of pinks, from sweet to hot to metallic. 

3. Shu Uemura Rouge Unlimited Supreme Matte Lipstick, $38

In 24 shades, from red to coral and nude. 

4. Laura Mercier Velour Lip Colour Limited Edition, $42

Each of the three shades gives a subtle metallic sheen.

READ MORE: Review: The new blurring soft matte concealer from Nars, a new local brand is selling artisanal soaps that look like really expensive desserts, and our favourite new face mists for all skin types.