Dior Addict Fluid Stick

While I love experimenting with new colours and products, deep down I'm a little envious of the chic minimalists who have a signature lipstick for which they're known. It takes bravado to know oneself so well and exercise such restraint. But even the sternest minimalist ought to make room in her beauty kit for the new Dior Addict Fluid Stick ($36), which hits the Bay April 2014 and other Dior counters May 2014.

Formulated with water instead of wax, the liquid texture of this hybrid lip product delivers impressive shine and intense pigment, sans the stickiness of a gloss or liquid lipstick. On the lips, it feels like a weightless veil of colour. How amazing is Fluid Stick's texture? Well, I've always avoided glosses precisely because of the stickiness, but I adore these. Fluid Stick also scores points for a teardrop-shaped applicator that creates a precise lipline.

So, back to the idea of a signature shade. What I love about Dior beauty is that a single shade can be available across lip and nail products. If a Fluid Stick colour works for you, you can also find it in Dior Addict Lipstick (light pigment, a texture akin to lip balm, ideal for day wear) and Dior Addict Extreme Lipstick (glossier, weightless finish with more pigment). Get your favourite shade in all 3 finishes and take your signature lip colour from day to night. The only question is, which of these shades is you?

'Aventure': A bright coral that enlivens pallid early spring complexions.

'Mirage': A warm beige with a hint of pink. I usually shy away from nude lipsticks because they make me look terminally ill, but this one had enough warmth in it to work.

'Pandore': A nicely balanced poppy red that would look good on warm and cool skin tones alike.

'Wonderland': A vivid fuchsia that would look great on cool-skinned gals.

P.S. For better swatch photos than I could ever do (my naturally rosy lips tend to distort colours, sadly), check out Liner Glitter Gloss's review of Dior Addict Fluid Stick.