An assortment of lipsticks.
In my opinion, the lipstick craze has been going on for decades. We’re all looking for products that will give the illusion of bigger lips for a fuller pout. For me, without a doubt, lip products are of the most fun makeup items to buy. I’m not sure if it’s the beautiful colors or large selection that gets me, but every time I walk into a beauty store, I find myself scanning through different lip products, in awe of all the pretty pigments. Even more so, I’ve been recently fascinated with the new levels companies have taken lip color to. We now have lipstick, lipgloss, lip butter, lip-stain, lip tar, etc. I’m sure plenty of people weren’t even aware that there are that many versions of one simple makeup product, but now is the time to start exploring your options.
First off, the well-loved, most popular form of lip color: lipstick. When picking the right little stick of beauty, it’s important to consider shades, pigmentation and formula. Through my endless counts of research and experimentation, I have found a couple brands with promising products in this arena. Yves Saint Laurent (YSL) has come out with a line called Rouge Volupté Shine as well as Rouge Volupté Sheer Candy. For a minimal look, try out a color from the Sheer Candy collection to get a light hint of color on the lips. On nights out, the Shine lipsticks will give off a little more color. The best part about these lipsticks is that they are incredibly moisturizing. Coming from someone with endlessly dry lips, these products will keep your lips hydrated throughout the wear. Further, this is something I intentionally look for in lip products because I often find myself going back to plain lip balm and wiping off the color because of how much they tend to dry my lips out. Thankfully, YSL’s Rouge Volupté formulation has defied those odds. The Rouge Volupté Shine lipsticks are also infused with antioxidants and vitamins, ingredients that will help promote long-lasting hydration. Quick tip: line and gently fill in your lips with a lip liner similar in color before applying the lipstick; this will provide ultimate color pigmentation that lasts.
Next up are lip glosses, which are my personal favorite. They’re quick and easy, and when you don’t feel like tracing your lip shape to perfection with lipstick, this is a perfect alternative. I have seen excellent color payoff from some glosses that a lipstick isn’t always necessary underneath. Buxom, a brand owned by Bare Minerals, has come out with a line called Full-On Lip Polish, and it has, undoubtedly, the best formulation of any gloss I have ever tried. Its plumping effect is also its claim to fame, and the tingling sensation left on the lips proves that it’s working its magic. With well over 20 shades available, there is a color out there for everyone. They come in creams and glitters, some with a higher color pay off than others. Sephora also has a gift set sampling six different shades that retails for $29 exclusively during the holiday season. It’s a great way to sample some serious bestsellers.
Lip butters are runners up for my ultimate favorite formulations. On the more affordable side, Revlon came up with this brilliant idea by combining moisture with color. Similar to the YSL lipsticks, these are a little more on the lip balm side with a light hint of color. Although, as creamy as they are, some shades have incredible pigmentation. For a drugstore product, I was highly impressed. They’re a cult favorite on YouTube and easy to throw in your purse for quick touch-ups throughout the night! Revlon has come out with a multitude of different colors, ranging from nudes to brights, and they look and feel amazing.
The newest additions to the world of lip color are lip stains and lip tars. Lip stains, as the name suggests, are made for long-lasting wear while lip tars are exclusive to Obsessive Compulsive Cosmetics and have a thicker, heavily pigmented consistency. Stains are a great multipurpose product because most of the time, they can also be used for cheek color. My absolute favorites are the Tarte Lip Stains, which come in a matte, glossy or satin finish. They leave the lips with a nice pop of color throughout the day without being too dry; they are a nice alternative to lipstick when you don’t want to look too done-up or to lip gloss if you’re looking to avoid the annoying sticky feeling they often leave. Stains always provide that “my-lips-but-better” color. Tars, on the other hand, are the exact opposite. They can be drying, but they give off an intensely bright, almost high-fashion looking color. For a night out or a hipster photo shoot, these are perfect.
The beauty industry has been especially impressive in the lip color realm, and I am excited to see what companies have in store for us beauty junkies in the future. No matter the occasion, there is a color and a formulation for you; makeup brands have made that inevitable. Lip products are the one stain of color you may never want to erase.