Peter Philips On The Make-Up Rules He Swears By

Beauty has always been cyclical. I started doing make-up in the late 80s. As a result, I’ve seen matte disappear and come back over and over again. That’s the joy of make-up – every generation wants to rediscover different finishes and ways of experimenting. Gloss never really disappeared for us at Dior, but sometimes a new formula comes along that allows you to really put the spotlight back on a certain finish.

Dior Addict Glass Lipstick felt like a very natural next step for us. Glow is such a big part of beauty right now, and people have become much more expert at glow and shine thanks to social media, tutorials and the products available to them. Women at home are now able to play with make-up in a much more professional way and this formula really completes that look in a playful, modern way.

If you have a 90% oil-based formula, making it solid rather than liquid is already a challenge. To create something you can put into a stick rather than a tube is phase one. Once we found the formula's architecture, we had to fine-tune it shade by shade. Depending on the pigments or glitters added, you have to adjust the formula to ensure harmony across the whole range. That’s why so many tests were needed.

The packaging also had to reflect the formula's finish. We wanted it to feel mirror-like, very pure, very simple – almost like a monolith.

The modern glossy lip is all about balance. What people often get wrong is that they think more gloss equals more shine, but that’s not actually the case. You don’t need four layers of product. The shine simply needs to catch the light properly. If you apply too much, particularly with pigmented glosses, the product starts moving around, and you lose that beautiful, uniform finish.

A good glossy lip always starts with structure underneath. I like using lip liner under sheer or glossy textures – a slightly deeper shade adds shape and definition, helps stop the product moving, and subtly sculpts the lips by deepening the outer corners while keeping the centre light for volume.

For extra longevity, a lip tint beneath the gloss works well as a base, then the shine layered on top – just keep it balanced so it still looks fresh, not heavy. Dior Addict Glass Lipstick does this beautifully; even the bolder shades stay naturally sheer, so you can wear them as a soft stain or build them up for something more polished and dramatic.

I love pairing a glossy lip with glowing skin and a smoky eye. Especially for Middle Eastern beauty – it looks incredible. You can create something really dramatic or wear the lipstick in a much softer way. Or you can wear it in a softer way, as Jisoo does in the campaign. She wears ‘Rose Charms’ beautifully, as it almost becomes a natural rosy tone on her skin. It feels fresh, youthful and effortless.

People also underestimate the importance of lip preparation. Before applying any lipstick or gloss, you need to make sure there’s no dry skin. Even something as simple as gently exfoliating with a washcloth in the morning makes a difference. Healthy lips will always make every lipstick look better.

When choosing a lip shade, it’s not only about skin tone. You need to consider your natural lip pigmentation, the rest of your make-up and the overall mood of the look. If you’re wearing warmer tones on the eyes and cheeks, you might want something peachier or more coral on the lips. If the look is cooler or smokier, a colder lip tone might make more sense. Everything should feel harmonious.

This lipstick really lends itself to different styles, cultures and ages. Because the formula is so hydrating and comfortable, even more mature women will love it. It adds colour and shine while still feeling nourishing throughout the day.

The campaign itself was designed to reflect different expressions of the Dior Addict woman. Anya Taylor-Joy, Jisoo and Willow Smith all represent completely different types of beauty and femininity, but they are all strong, successful and independent women in their own worlds. Together, they create this wider Dior Addict universe. What I love about the Dior Addict world today is that it feels much more playful and accessible. When campaigns focus on a single iconic model, the product can sometimes feel intimidating or untouchable. Now, it feels more fun, more joyful and more like a world you genuinely want to be part of.

I’ve worked on so many Dior Addict launches over the years, and there have been some really memorable campaigns. I remember Jennifer Lawrence sitting on the oval chair for one of the earlier campaigns – it was incredibly chic and iconic. Bella Hadid, Miss Bella, was also an amazing ambassador for Dior Addict and Dior Backstage. At the end of the day, I think women want beauty to feel joyful while still delivering a beautiful make-up result. That’s what Dior Addict has always represented to me: glamour, shine, femininity and pleasure

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