The Long-Lasting Red Lipsticks I Never Travel Without

26.06.2024 - 14:45 / cntraveler.com

At home in Paris, a red lip feels like an everyday part of life. An undeniable classic, it can be worn softly smudged on for coffee in the morning or applied more thoughtfully at night. It complements an already dressed-up look, elevates jeans and a T-shirt, and makes a Zoom call read like I’m not wearing sweats.

I’m currently spending two months away from home—and the comfort of everyday routines—while on tour in the United States and Canada for my most recent book le SUD: Recipes from Provence-Alpes-Côte d’Azur. When I left Paris, I tucked a few favorite reds in my bag. Along the way, I’ve picked up a few more—compact souvenirs, if you will. Their size is especially important when traveling for two months with only a carry-on.

During this time on the road, applying a red lip has taken on a deeper layer of meaning. Done in the lead up to hosting apéros and dinners across the country, television appearances and talks held at favorite bookstores, the simple act of putting on a red lip has served to ease the transition from introvert writer to slightly less introverted conversationalist—at least for the length of application.

My roving collection spans deep reds to more orange-undertone hues; from sheer and moisturizing to glossy and lush to matte and decidedly bold. There are options to apply sans-mirror on the go and others that ask for a more steady hand (none, for me at least, require a liner). Listed below are my reds with staying power, all of which I’ll be keeping in rotation long after I’m back to normal routines.

When I want to go all in with an intensely bright, intensely red lip, Chanel’s Rouge Allure l’Extrait in shade 854 is my go-to. The refillable lipstick has a thinner bullet that feels both sleek and compact, and also helps to make the color application more precise. While it’s definitely not one I can quickly slip on in a moving vehicle or without a mirror, the strong red color is phenomenal and has serious lasting power. It's perfect for date nights or occasions when I want to feel especially powerful.

On days when I’m after a hit of color but not looking for it to read too strong (or need an especially stable hand), I reach for Violette FR’s Bisou Balm in Amour Fou. It’s an everyday lip that imparts a soft stroke of color and diffused edges, giving you that understated bitten-lip look without much fuss.

Another refillable lipstick, this one with a leather case (and an option to monogram) comes from French label La Bouche Rouge. The Rouge Vendôme is fire red with orange undertones and enriched with spring seaweed harvested in Saint-Suliac in Brittany. It’s both moisturizing and strongly pigmented with a demi-matte finish.

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