Shopping Fix: An airy, cushion-soft matte lipstick that won’t budge

Meet Nars Air Matte Lip Colour, the perfect, cushiony soft lipstick that’ll get you out of a make-up rut

Look, lipstick probably hasn’t exactly been the height of your priorities the past year. You’ve had other things on your mind. Your face hasn’t been visible in public from the eyes down in months.

But this is our weird new reality now and actually, you need lipstick more than ever. It changes everything. It will lift your day. Your jeans are suddenly evening-wear. Make it a red lip and you’re basically a different person, plus your boring white shirt looks chic and you don’t even need any other make-up, it’s better on a clean, fresh face.

So don’t let your mask keep you from your lipstick. What you need is a creamy matte. You need a formula that won’t budge, that will make your box jump out of the grid on your video call and won’t smear onto your cheeks and chin with your mask when you go for a takeaway coffee.

Well, lucky you. The perfect airy matte lipstick has just launched. It’s called Nars Air Matte Lip Colour, €28, and it’s limited edition so you better be quick.

Nars Air Matte Lip Colour in All Yours, €28

Now, the miracle of this is how it feels. If your lips are suffering right now with the dryness of winter and the idea of a chalky matte makes you want to gag, this is basically a lip balm. It feels lightweight and cushiony on, thanks to a weightless blend of silky polymers and micro-powders that give the formula it’s subtle effect while keeping your lips comfortable. A hydrating matte lipstick isn’t an easy find. It has a smooth liquid texture that’s smudge-proof, so you won’t find it down your chin an hour later. The applicator is smart too, making it idiot-proof to apply and rendering lip liner unnecessary.

Now while it feels fluffy and light on, the lasting power is anything but. It glides on and feels airy, but it ll last you right through a workday, no matter how many coffees you get through.

Nars Air Matte Lip Colour in Pin Up, €28

The greatest feat of this lipstick however might be the colour selection. It’s the perfect wardrobe of 10 no-faff shades; there are firetruck reds, blush nudes and a coral that’ll perk up your grey face.

Whether you like a subtle, blotted lip that looks like it’s been wiped off or a shouty red, Nars Air Matte Lip Colours, on first application, are a soft-focus diffused stain but can be built up for high impact.

Lipstick, then. Needed now, more than ever.

Nars Air Matte Lip Colours, €28