With the birth of Parfums Givenchy in 1957 and its iconic perfume L’Interdit, Hubert de Givenchy marked the beginning of a beauty story that led to the creation of his first couture lipstick collections: precious objects that combined chromatic intensity, usually in the red spectrum, with the elegance of haute couture.
But who would have imagined, including the designer’s friend and muse Audrey Hepburn, that in the middle of 2025, his legacy would transform not only into a symbol of elegance acclaimed for its luxurious aesthetics, but also into a collection of lipsticks with the finest formulas. Like the new Le Rouge Velvet Matte by Givenchy, a matte lipstick that does not dry out the lips thanks to a velvety finish that blends with absolute lightness.
Le Rouge Velvet Matte, the best matte lipstick of 2025
«The texture of these lipsticks is characterized by a luxurious reinvention of the traditional matte finish. Creamy and ultralight formula that transforms into a powdery, diffused matte on the lip, delivering intense color without sacrificing comfort or hydration», reveals Alexander Lorenzo, National Makeup Artist of Givenchy.
I set out to discover its ingredients, and the expert’s presentation makes sense. The new Givenchy matte lipstick acts like a lip serum: it contains a hyaluronic acid complex and shea butter to smooth, plump, and add volume to the lips for 24 hours.
And how is it possible that its finish is matte with such a hydrating formula? Thanks to its soft focus powder technology that perfects the surface with its velvety, silky, and light texture that does not weigh on the lip and that does not crack, providing absolute flexibility and comfort for this area.
Le Rouge Velvet Matte by Givenchy is available in 17 shades.
As for the color, it is formed by a high-saturation pigmentation that guarantees a potent and intact color in a single swipe. It ranges from ethereal nudes to intense reds in a palette of 17 shades that reveal and enhance every skin tone. Notable are the soft pink N02 Tailored Nude and the vibrant coral P09 Blushing Tulle, two star shades that pay homage to the Maison’s savoir-faire, explain the brand.
Its stylish packaging in the classic black that evokes the couture silhouettes of the Maison never fails, and it is decorated with the metal 4G logo, a symbol of Givenchy’s timeless elegance. As for the lipstick itself, it features an innovative beveled applicator system that makes it easy to use on all lip shapes.
I tried the Givenchy matte lipstick and this is what I think
Regarding my experience, Le Rouge Velvet Matte by Givenchy has restored my faith in matte lipsticks, those I had banished from my makeup bag because they are so impractical, especially for my dry lips: they crack within five minutes of wear, and after a few hours, they leave that annoying ring around the lip line that forces you to touch up and end up with an excessive amount of product at the end of the day.
With this matte lipstick I have not felt dry or chapped lips at any moment, and I wore it for all kinds of occasions: from going to work to important events. In my case, I tried the shade P09, a deep warm pink with coral hints that looks very natural and suits all skin tones very well.
Another important detail is that it is transferable, so it disappears completely after a few hours after eating or drinking. A green light indicates that it can be reapplied perfectly without causing excess product. That said, it is not your lipstick if you are looking for a waterproof matte with long-lasting wear that won’t move all day.
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It is 100% matte but does not dry out the lips.
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It has a treatment formula that plumps the lips and keeps them hydrated.
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It is available in 17 shades.
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It is very easy to apply thanks to its slender, beveled bullet.
How to apply a matte lipstick properly
If you want to apply it like an expert, Alexander Lorenzo gives us the keys to do so. The first step is lip preparation. “It is essential to apply a nourishing balm first for deep hydration. Ideally, apply it as soon as you start doing your makeup and let it act and absorb completely while you continue with your makeup (base, eyes…). That way, when we get to applying the lipstick, the lips will be nourished but you can remove the excess product to ensure the matte lipstick glides perfectly,” explains the National Makeup Artist.
Next, you move on to applying the lipstick itself. “The goal is to create defined edges and a uniform color. To do this, we should start with a lip liner in the same shade as the bullet. Start at the Cupid’s bow (center of the upper lip) and outline it with the pencil without reaching the corners. Continue with the central area of the lower lip. Finally, from the corners inward, join the points to ensure the stroke is symmetrical. Throughout, we’ll start applying the lipstick on the upper lip by sliding the product toward the corners, finally including the lower lip. For greater precision, I recommend using a lip brush.”
What about the final touch? “I recommend using concealer, also with a fine brush, at the end of applying the lipstick to correct any mistakes and give it a sharper effect.”
The natural matte lip, created with Le Rouge Velvet Matte, was the protagonist of the makeup at the Givenchy Spring/Summer 2026 Womenswear show.
What makeup to pair with matte lipstick
That said, one of the eternal doubts is how to pair matte lipstick with the rest of the makeup, since its saturated color, along with very defined eyes or a very striking blush, could result in a too excessive and unesthetic look. As Alexander confirms, “the matte lipstick is back in fashion,” take note of his recommendation.
«The matte lipstick, being opaque, becomes the focal point of the face. That’s why I advise pairing it with luminous, satin skin and soft, natural makeup, just like in the latest Givenchy Spring/Summer show. If you have doubts, always choose balance (if the lips are intense, the rest of the makeup should be soft and vice versa…)». Time to try it!
