A luxury guide to lipstick – by one of the world's most renowned make-up artists, Peter Philips

Having created an haute couture concept for the lips with Dior Rouge Premier, Peter Philips reveals his tricks for wearing lipstick like an A-lister

A pioneer in the field of high-fashion beauty, Peter Philips – the creative and image director for Dior Makeup – knows everything about executing a luxury lipstick look. His vision and technique has been behind countless catwalk beauty looks, magazine editorials and campaigns and, now, the exquisite new Dior Rouge Premier lipsticks crafted with true haute couture spirit.

"It's a new approach to beauty and lipstick," he tells me in Paris, where I'm able to experience the collectible refillable lipstick collection, created in partnership with the fifth-generation porcelain house Bernardaud. The precious cases (weighty treasures which remain cold to the touch) are handcrafted in ceramic – a material that portrays fragility but is extremely strong – and adorned with the toile de Jouy print (a timeless signature motif of Christian Dior) in emblematic Gris Dior. Beyond collectible, they're intended to be handed down through generations – as is common with a cherished handbag or watch, but less so with a beauty accessory, despite the emotional connections held for a child and memories of their mother's make-up.

The craftsmanship extends to the unique formula, naturally, which "injects a huge amount of pigment, guaranteeing a smooth payoff in one swipe, as well as a long-lasting effect of up to eight hours," Philips explains. It's as caring as it is indulgent, with "a selection of the best ingredients," including red hibiscus extract, jojoba oil, shea butter and... 24-carat gold. "It’s a very discreet decadence," Philips explains of the latter, added not for the look but for an ultra-luxurious quality. "It was a kind of tour de force to formulate because gold melts at a different temperature to other ingredients," he reveals of the technical challenge. "But that's what haute couture is all about; you bend yourself backwards to get that little extra beading into a creation, which might not always be noticeable, but it makes a difference to how the wearer feels, and the whole experience."