My Mother Can Pull Off Lipstick Like Nobody's Business—Here Are 5 Shades She Swears By

By Kaitlyn Yarborough
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Credit: Yves Saint Laurent

Like many other things, lipstick is one of those that I’ve grown to love only as I’ve gotten older, which isn’t all too surprising when you consider I grew up during the frosted lips trend. Dark brown lip liner topped with icy purple lipstick doesn’t just fade from memory, you know—so by no means was I born a “lipstick girl.” My mother, on the other hand, can pull off lipstick effortlessly and with utter elegance, and I’ve always envied it. Generally a minimalist when it comes to makeup and often totally bare on any given weekday, my skincare-driven mom doesn’t seem like she would be a lipstick girl, either. But when she swipes on one of her signature lipstick shades, it seems she was made to carry a classic red, bright coral, or baby pink lip. What it comes down to? Confidence, which is something she’s taught me every step of the way, bare lips and otherwise. 

Here are my mom’s five all-time best lipstick shades that can make any day feel like a lipstick day.

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Chanel Rouge Coco Ultra Hydrating Lip Colour in Carmen

Credit: Chanel

For a classic red 

She swears by this shade when she wants a timeless red lip to transform her outfit and attitude in seconds. “Just makes you feel so classic and confident,” she says. The Carmen lipstick shade is a slightly more robust true red—more grown-up, I think—than the brand's cult-fave cherry red Coco shade, also in the matte finish. 

SHOP IT: $38; chanel.com

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Chantecaille Lip Veil in Tamboti

For an everyday nude

This warm, wearable nude glides right on for a neutral wash of color that my mom dubs the perfect option, “to put yourself together on any super low maintenance normal day.” The addition of baobab oil ensures a healthy pump of hydration to make lips look healthy and youthful. 

SHOP IT: $48; nordstrom.com

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NARS Lipstick in Barbarella

Credit: Sephora

For a glossy wash of peach 

Although she doesn’t wear this iconic shade often anymore, she “used to go through tubes of it.” It offers a super juicy layer of peachy pink color that enhances your natural lip color and brightens up your face instantly. With a subtle glossy finish, this shade is perfect for those who are afraid of more drying matte shades. 

SHOP IT: $26; nordstrom.com

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Tata Harper Tinted Anti-Aging Neuropeptide Lip Treatment in Be Adored

Credit: Tata Harper

For an ageless pink flush 

This newer launch by the clean beauty brand has been on my mother’s must-have list for weeks now, and she finally splurged. The antiaging lip product is meant to cover your pout in a veil of juicy raspberry color that comes off more naturally flushed pink when applied. More still, the brand claims that the concentrated formula gives lips a dose of plumping hydration and minimizes the look of wrinkles.

SHOP IT: $32; amazon.com

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Yves Saint Laurent Tatouage Couture Velvet Cream Liquid Lipstick in Coral Symbol

Credit: Sephora

For a bright pop of color

My mom turns to this punchy coral red color often in the spring and summer for special occasions when she doesn’t want to do classic red. The liquid lipstick formula dries into an almost blurred matte finish that she swears will last hours without a touchup, even when it’s hot out, and is perfect to top off minimal eye makeup.

SHOP IT: $38; sephora.com

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By Kaitlyn Yarborough