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“Who would wear metallic lipsticks in Singapore?”

Hands up if you’ve ever had that thought when reading about a new launch of frosty lippies from some makeup brand or other. We’ll be the first to admit that we also have had similar disbelief.

Metallic Lipsticks Singapore 1

Kat Von D Everlasting Glimmer Veil in Televator

Sure, metallic lipsticks look great when we see them on American YouTubers, but they are American YouTubers, and we tend to think that Singaporean ladies can’t, or won’t, pull off half of the looks that they wear every day.

But… are they really that over-the-top? Here at Daily Vanity, we’re in favour of breaking down beauty barriers, so we challenged ourselves to try what most Singaporean women probably wouldn’t dare to.

We wore metallic lips for a whole day

Although we may be a beauty magazine, but we’re still very much Singaporeans at heart. This means that the DV squad still tends to gravitate towards conventional reddish colours, both matte and glossy.

While metallic lipsticks aren’t something that we would immediately think about wearing, we were still excited to try them out for the novelty.

Juliet

Metallic Lipsticks Juliet

Juliet is no stranger to unconventional lipstick colours; she’s tried all the colours you probably wouldn’t, like green, black, and even gold. “They have never frightened me, and that’s why I was pretty excited when tasked to give metallic lipsticks a shot.”

Metallic Lipsticks Juliet 1

Juliet chose to give the Maybelline Color Sensational Matte Metallics Lipstick in Molten Bronze to try, and we aren’t surprised at her choice. The lipstick is a dark brown-plum shade that shimmers a subtle gold and green.

“When I first applied the lipstick, I notice that it wasn’t as ‘metallic’ as I thought it might be,” said Juliet. “It was definitely more wearable than I thought, which is definitely a good thing.”

Metallic Lipsticks Maybelline Color Sensational Matte Metallics Lipstick Molten Bronze

Maybelline Color Sensational Matte Metallics Lipstick in Molten Bronze; Source: Temptalia

So how did Juliet like wearing a metallic lipstick out for the whole day?

“I wore the lip colour out for the entire day, attending two media events, and received compliments for it. One acquaintance told me she found the look unique and wondered if I achieved it using several lip products. – I think we were both glad that it only took one lipstick to achieve the look.”

One acquaintance told me she found the look unique and wondered if I achieved it using several lip products.

When asked whether she would wear it again, Juliet replied firmly in the positive.

“I would even consider trying out other metallic lipsticks. In fact, I really like the one that Mandy tried on and am thinking of getting something from 3INA’s metallic lipstick collection next.”

Metallic Lipsticks Maybelline Color Sensational Matte Metallics Lipstick Molten Bronze 1

Maybelline Color Sensational Matte Metallics Lipstick in Molten Bronze

Maybelline Color Sensational Matte Metallics Lipsticks retail at SGD14.90 each at Maybelline counters islandwide.

Zoe

Metallic Lipsticks Zoe 2

Zoe’s preferences with her lip colours veer towards dusty coral, terracotta shades that are almost nude. She is a fan of lip shades that are more neutral and natural. “I’ve tried metallic liquid lipsticks before and I didn’t like them because they didn’t dry down to a matte finish,” she says.

Metallic Lipsticks Zoe 1

For this look, Zoe chose to try out the Kat Von D Everlasting Glimmer Veil in Thunderstuck, which is a pure metallic gold shade.

Instead of wearing it by itself, however, Zoe first wore a matte liquid lipstick underneath in a complementary peachy shade, before adding a thin, translucent layer of the gold metallic lipstick over.

We’re a fan of the finished effect! While it isn’t all-out metallic, it still showed a hint of shimmer that even the most conservative lip junkies wouldn’t object to.

“The Kat Von D lipstick was surprisingly matte and it wasn’t sticky at all,” says Zoe, pleasantly surprised that her choice overhauled her previous impression of metallic lipsticks. “In terms of staying power, it’s pretty much like any other matte liquid lipsticks – it transfers and fades when you eat oily or hot food.”

Metallic Lipsticks Kat Von D Everlasting Glimmer Veil In Thunderstruck Swatch

Kat Von D Everlasting Glimmer Veil in Thunderstruck worn by itself

How did Zoe feel wearing the metallic lipstick throughout her entire work day?

“I enjoyed wearing Thunderstruck for the whole day because it was natural-looking and not too over-the-top. The formula is a dream come true because I felt like there wasn’t anything on my lips! Colleagues also said that the lip colour was unique.”

If beauty brands were to release metallic lipsticks in shades of nudes or pinks, I would be the first to buy them.

So would metallic lipsticks become part of Zoe’s lipstick repertoire?

“I generally stay away from metallic lipstick shades that are too over-the-top, and I’d only go near vibrant shades like purple, blue, or green on special occasions. If beauty brands were to release metallic lipsticks in shades of nudes or pinks, I would be the first to buy them!”

Metallic Lipsticks Kat Von D Everlasting Glimmer Veil In Thunderstruck

Kat Von D Everlasting Glimmer Veil in Thunderstruck

Kat Von D Everlasting Glimmer Veil in Thunderstruck retails for SGD35 at Sephora.

Mandy

Metallic Lipsticks Mandy

My lipstick collection is so full of reds that my colleagues are always trying to persuade me to go for something different. Reds, roses, and the occasional mauve makes up my arsenal of lippies.

I will freely admit that I was one of those who privately thought: “How does anyone wear metallic lips in Singapore?”

I wouldn’t have picked up a metallic lip of my own volition before, but when tasked to do so for this article, I was actually more excited than I thought I’d be.

Metallic Lipsticks Mandy 31

After doing some research here and there, I decided to pick 3INA’s The Longwear Lipstick in #511. I already saw how metallic it looked on swatches from the Internet, but I still got a shock when I first applied it.

I expect metallic lipsticks to be on the creamier side, but I was surprised that the 3INA lipstick was more on the watery side, which also made it easier to apply. After letting it dry for a couple of minutes, the lipstick set into a transfer-proof (another pleasant surprise), highly metallic finish.

The lipstick didn’t budge even when I sipped on my coffee, or on my water bottle. It did however flake off in patches when I had oily food for lunch, but it did well with re-application and didn’t bunch up in weird places.

Metallic Lipsticks 3ina 511 Swatch 1

3INA The Longwear Lipsticks swatches; Source: Tissam Est La

My lipstick turned out to be the most outstandingly metallic, but I was surprised by how much I liked it that way! I fell in love at first sight with the colour and I already knew that I’d wear it again from the start.

I felt a little self-conscious about it throughout my work day, but every time I caught sight of myself in the mirror, the lipstick actually brightened up my day (literally). My colleagues kept commenting on how shiny the lipstick was, but also said that it looked good on me.

Metallic Lipsticks 3ina 511 Swatch

I fell in love at first sight with the colour and I already knew that I’d wear it again from the start.

That day, I was also attending a wedding rehearsal after work, and I felt even more self-conscious about my lipstick especially since most of the people involved were bare-faced or had very light makeup on.

I was, however, reassured when the bride-to-be told me, “I really like your lipstick, it’s very nice!”

I am definitely much more open to wearing metallic lipsticks in the future, and would certainly wear the 3INA lipstick again. I didn’t expect to like the shininess of the lipstick as much as I did, and its transfer-proof nature cinched it for me.

Metallic Lipsticks 3ina 511 1

3INA The Longwear Lipstick in #511

3INA The Longwear Lipsticks retail for EUR16.95 (~S$25.04) each on the 3INA online store.

Other metallic lipsticks to try

1. Urban Decay Vice Liquid Lipstick in Big Bang

Metallic Lipsticks Urban Decay Vice Liquid Lipstick Big Bang 2

Urban Decay Vice Liquid Lipstick in Big Bang; Source: Temptalia

Urban Decay Vice Liquid Lipsticks retail for SGD32 each at Sephora and Urban Decay stores.

2. Jeffree Star Cosmetics Velour Liquid Lipstick in Candyass

Metallic Lipsticks Jeffree Star Cosmetics Velour Liquid Lipstick Candyass 2

Jeffree Star Cosmetics Velour Liquid Lipstick in Candyass

Jeffree Star Cosmetics Velour Liquid Lipstick in Candyass retails for USD18 on Beautylish (shipping rates apply).

3. Jouer Cosmetics Long-Wear Lip Creme Liquid Lipstick in Papaye

Metallic Lipsticks Jouer Cosmetics Long Wear Lip Creme Liquid Lipstick Papaye 2

Jouer Cosmetics Long Wear Lip Creme Liquid Lipstick in Papaye

Jouer Cosmetics Long Wear Lip Creme Liquid Lipstick in Papaye retails for USD18 on Beautylish, and GBP15 on CultBeauty (shipping rates apply).

4. NYX Cosmetics Liquid Suede Metallic Matte in Pure Society

Metallic Lipsticks Nyx Liquid Suede Metallic Matte Pure Society 2

NYX Liquid Suede Metallic Matte in Pure Society; Source: Temptalia

NYX Liquid Suede Metallic Matte in Pure Society retails for SGD20 at NYX boutiques. Selected shades are available at Sephora.

5. Beauty Bakerie Lip Whip Liquid Lipstick in The Grape Life

Metallic Lipsticks Beauty Bakerie Lip Whip Liquid Lipstick The Grape Life 2

Beauty Bakerie Lip Whip Liquid Lipstick in The Grape Life

Beauty Bakerie Lip Whip Liquid Lipstick in The Grape Life retails for SGD30 at Sephora.

6. M.A.C. Cosmetics Retro Matte Lipcolor in Moon Landing

Metallic Lipsticks Mac Retro Matte Liquid Lip Colour Metallic Moon Landing 2

M.A.C. Cosmetics Retro Matte Liquid Lipcolor Metallic in Moon Landing; Source: Temptalia

M.A.C. Cosmetics Retro Matte Liquid Lipcolor Metallic in Moon Landing retails for SGD39 at Sephora and all M.A.C. stores.

7. Smashbox Always On Liquid Lipstick Metallic Matte in Maneater

Metallic Lipsticks Smashbox Always On Liquid Lipstick Metallic Matte Maneater 2

Smashbox Always On Liquid Lipstick Metallic Matte in Maneater

Smashbox Always On Liquid Lipstick Metallic Matte in Maneater retails for SGD42 at Sephora.