Splurge or save on these lipsticks?

Coral, or pinkish-orange, lipsticks add a soft flush of colour to the face and are flattering on most complexions.

If you find pink too boring, and red too bold, coral strikes the perfect balance.

Looking to make a statement? Try deep coral, an orangey-red.

The latest coral lipstick shades come in a variety of textures and intensities to suit all skin tones.

SAVE

1. Ettusais Creamy Lip Crayon in 0R2

$23, from Ettusais counters

Made with moisturising rose hip oil to moisturise, and SPF18 to protect lips from the sun.

Review: A hydrating melt-on-the-lips balm with just a hint of colour. Leaves lips with a glossy finish.

2. Laneige Two-Tone Lip Bar in no.3

$34, available at Laneige counters from next month

A two-tone lipstick that lets you create the ombre lip look without fuss.

Review: This duo-coloured lipstick is shaped like a rectangular bullet.

This makes it surprisingly easy to slick on the bright orange and pink shades with a subtle ombre effect.

I like the product's rich, balm-like texture too.

SPLURGE

3. Nars Audacious Lipstick in Geraldine

$44, from Nars counters

An intense and opaque but lightweight and moisturising lipstick.

Review: Tired of the blue-red or true-red shades? Try this bold orangey-red with a semi-matte finish for a similar effect. It packs more punch while brightening your complexion.

The Audacious range is long-lasting too. This lipstick left an even stain on my lips even after I ate and drank through a meal.

4. Lunasol Stain Color Lips in no. 5, no. 6 and no. 7

$46, from Lunasol counters

A pastel, matte range of sheer lipsticks.

Review: There are three moisturising, coral shades in this collection. Go for them if all you want are natural-looking shades that play up your natural lip colour.

No. 5 is a semi-opaque semi-matte coral; no. 6 is a semi-opaque matte orange; and no. 7 is a semi-opaque semi-matte pink-orange.

5. Chanel Rouge Allure Luminous Intense Lip Colour in no.152 Insaisissable

$48, from Chanel counters

A lipstick that promises to be long-wearing and luminous.

Review: A rather moisturising, opaque and semi-matte, flattering bright pink coral.

It left a stain on my lips the entire day.

This article was first published on Feb 27, 2015.
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