Luxe Or Less: The Emergency Bold Lipstick

Consider the Emergency Bold Lipstick (or EBL) your makeup bag's version of the little black dress. It's that lipstick you should always carry with you that makes you ready for fancy evening plans in seconds, and around this time of year, it's an essential for instantly transitioning from the office to a holiday party.

I've been a fan of the EBL for years and after experimenting with different formulas, I'd like to think I have the art of picking one down to a science. First, the shade must be bold, flattering, and versatile: it should have the power to brighten up an otherwise neutral face and go with most, if not all, of your wardrobe. Red is always a safe choice for that, but around this time of year a vampy plum or brilliant fuchsia can also be quite fun.

Next, the bullet should be ergonomically shaped so as to hug the curves of your cupid's bow and create a relatively perfect lipline, sans lip brush or lipliner. And finally, the formula: pigmented, long-lasting, and moisturizing with enough slip to feel good on the lips for hours.

Tall order, right? Not so for these 4 EBL picks, which tick all the above boxes.

1. Estee Lauder Pure Color Envy Sculpting Lipstick ($34)

2. Cover Girl Lip Perfection Lipstick ($6.98 at London Drugs)

3. MAC Mineralize Rich Lipstick ($26.12)

4. Rouge Dior Couture Colour Voluptuous Care Lipstick ($37)

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