The best lip combinations according to the BEAUTYcrew team

“Whenever I want to wear a red lip but also eat with wild abandon, I go for a muted version. My ultimate high-low combo is the Maybelline Superstay Ink Crayon in ‘45 - Hustle in Heels’ and the CHANEL Rouge Coco Baume in ‘918 - My Rose’. First, I’ll apply the richer colour of the Ink Crayon and then use a tissue to blot and my finger to diffuse the edges. For a healthy hit of moisture (and importantly, shine but not gloss), I’ll then layer the Coco Baume on top. It smooths over the colour and gets it looking pillowy perfect but the shade just adds a touch of pinky pigment without deepening the red. Mixing the matte with the balm gives the final result a gorgeous, velvety finish that stays.” – Samantha McMeekin, BEAUTYcrew's Editor

Maybelline Superstay Ink Crayon ($15.49 at Amazon) / CHANEL Rouge Coco Baume ($57 at David Jones)

“My version of an everyday nude lip is a peachy-pink high-shine situation with a decent dose of sparkle. I’m just not cool enough for a matte ‘90s brown, okay?! I start with a swipe of the NARS Afterglow Lip Balm – it’s a your-lips-but-better shade for lighter lips like mine with a subtle touch of golden shimmer that leaves them looking ‘glossy’ without wearing actual gloss. But because I personally live by the Serena van der Woodsen lip colour commandments (that lipstick lasts longer but gloss is more fun), I double down with a coating of the real stuff, too. My fave? The gloss version of Charlotte Tilbury’s Pillow Talk – while the lipstick isn’t my perfect fit shade or finish wise, the gloss leans more pinky than nude on my colouring and stays comfortably glossy for hours, basically hitting all my briefs out of the park.” – Delaney Loane, BEAUTYcrew's Beauty Editor

NARS Afterglow Lip Balm ($42 at MECCA) / Charlotte Tilbury Lip Lustre in Pillow Talk ($38 at Charlotte Tilbury)

“I have to admit I'm not one to faff around with lip liners. Maybe I'm too lazy, maybe I just haven't found 'the one' – the jury is still out. So when it comes to my ultimate lip combo, I opt for a balm; my hella dry lips need all the nourishment they can get, and then I top it off with a 'my lips but better' lipstick. My go-to pick for balm is the Elizabeth Arden Original Eight Hour Cream. This multi-use product can be used to moisturise and protect in many ways, but my favourite is how it leaves my lips smooth, plump and prepped for whatever comes next. It works to hydrate before I go in with colour, albeit usually a natural shade, but even if you're into a more bold lip look, I couldn't recommend prepping lips with this enough. As for lipstick, my current favourite is the Fenty Beauty Slip Shine in Retro Rose. The sheer, hydrating formulation is a dream to apply and has a slight shimmer running through it, which pulls any look together.” – Aja Walter, BEAUTYDIRECTORY's Editor

Elizabeth Arden Original Eight Hour Cream Skin Protectant ($30 at Adore Beauty) / Fenty Beauty Slip Shine in Retro Rose ($37 at Sephora)

“Fave lipstick? Dolce Vita from NARS every day of the week (and has been for the last 10 years). I know there’s an endless list of the ultimate “your lips but better” shades, but this one is it. There's no need to keep different lipsticks on hand for day and night; this sheer lipstick adapts to your surroundings. In the day, it's an extremely wearable sheer dusty rose, but dim the lights and you’ll be left with a deeper mauve. For my lip liner, I used to use Patong Beach (also from NARS) but good luck tracking one of these pencils down. I'm beginning to wonder if I imagined it ever existed. In its place I’ve been using Sephora's Nano Lip Liner in the shade Rosewood. You don’t need to worry about a gloss for this combo. The NARS lipstick has been infused with vitamin E, leaving your lips looking dewy and feeling moisturised. My only qualm? I wish it lasted longer between top ups.” – Ruby Cotton, BEAUTYcrew's Content Producer

NARS Lipstick in Dolce Vita ($39 at MECCA) / Sephora Nano Lip Liner in Rosewood ($10 at Sephora)

“I am absolutely obsessed with the Anastasia Beverly Hills Tinted Lip Gloss in shade Honey Diamond, especially when pairing it with a lipstick that offers a bit more colour. It doesn't leave behind a sticky feeling (like with many other lip glosses) that I absolutely despise and it creates the most perfect, sparkling look. What’s even better (if that’s even possible) is when I apply the Bobbi Brown Luxe Matte Lip Colour on top. An absolute match made in heaven, this perfect pink, glittery combo lasts all day long and doesn’t dry out my lips at all. In fact, they feel soft and hydrated for hours on end.” – Tiarne Blackwell, BEAUTYDIRECTORY's Listings Producer

ANASTASIA BEVERLY HILLS Tinted Lip Gloss ($34 at Sephora) / Bobbi Brown Luxe Matte Lip Colour ($60 at MECCA)

“I grew up with a mother who would religiously apply brown lip liner and lipstick several times a day. Unlike my mum, I can’t apply my lip liner without a mirror and I’m more inclined to a gloss than a lipstick, but I have the same obsession with reapplication. My favourite lip liner is Morphe’s ‘Sweet Tea’, I always get a number of compliments on the matte mocha shade, plus it’s creamy and blends easily (I’m a big proponent of the blurred lip liner look). As for gloss? I love Ciaté London Pump Plump Plumping Gloss in ‘Blossom’ when I’m after a neutral nude moment. But, the Dior Addict Lip Glow Oil in ‘Cherry’ adds a subtle flush of colour to my lips that I love too.” – Briar Clark, BEAUTYcrew’s Content Producer

MORPHE Colour Pencil in ‘Sweet Tea’ ($6 at MORPHE) / Ciaté London Pump Plump Plumping Gloss in ‘Blossom’ ($29 at MECCA) / Dior Addict Lip Glow Oil in ‘Cherry’ ($60 at Dior)