Listen, I know we’re all supposed to be wearing masks right now, but it’s time to talk about lipstick.
For me, a good lip product is the piece de resistance to any makeup look. There’s nothing more satisfying to me than seeing everything come together once I swipe on a little bit of lipstick or lip gloss.
In fact, it’s so satisfying that I have not yet cut it out of my pandemic makeup routine, despite the fact that about half of my masks end up with makeup all over them. It’s just a sacrifice I have to make.
One of my favorite things about lip products are how versatile they are. There’s a color and formula for everyone. I was always a bit hesitant going into lip products because my lips are usually on the dry side, but I have found a number of products that work for me.
Right now, my favorite is the Revlon Super Lustrous Lipstick. The formula doesn’t have a long wear time and will probably rub off some on your coffee cup, but it’s very comfortable. It honestly doesn’t feel like anything when I wear it, which is greatly appreciated.
I have a couple different shades from this line, but my go-to is the shade Extra Spicy. It’s a warm spiced red that I find to be really flattering. My favorite way to wear it currently is to apply it really lightly and blot it out for a bit of an orangey-red tint. Because it’s such a soft formula, the color disperses really well and doesn’t sink in to any lip lines too deeply.
This product will run you about $9 a tube and comes in 91 different shades. Most of these are reds, pinks, nudes and browns that range in brightness and deepness, so it’s likely that anyone can find something that they’ll like from this line.
Another reasonably-priced lipstick line I like is ColourPop’s Lux Liquid Lipstick. This lipstick feels a bit more drying admittedly, but that is par for the course as far as liquid lipsticks go. As a tradeoff for that added dryness, it lasts longer, so there’s less need to reapply as you go about your day.
The shade that I typically use is Wonderboy, which is described as a rich berry. Since it’s a bit darker than what I would usually wear, I don’t get a lot of use out of it. However, it’s a lovely shade that I wish wasn’t limited edition. It it still available for purchase on the website, but there isn’t any way to know how much longer it will be there.
This lipstick also costs $9, but as for shade count, I really couldn’t be too sure. ColourPop is notorious for releasing entirely too many products in a set period of time and discontinuing/not restocking even more, so the number changes pretty often. As of writing this article, this lipstick comes in about 24 shades, most of which are nudes and reds.
If you’re looking to splurge a little bit on a lipstick, I would recommend Urban Decay’s Vice line. They have a similar feel and finish to the Revlon lipsticks, but I tend to feel like they stay on better. My favorite shade is Wrong Number, which is a natural nudey-pink. It’s been a staple in my collection for a while now because it’s the kind of formula and shade that’s perfect for any situation.
Urban Decay’s Vice lipsticks are $19 a pop and come in 100 shades, so there’s definitely something for everyone. There are understated nudes for those who like a natural look, bright pinks, purples and oranges for those looking for a pop of color, and dark blues, greens and blacks for a more alternative style.
As for lip glosses, I’ve had a bit of a rocky relationship with them. I loathed them because I always associated them with that sticky, heavy and drying feeling that always seemed to follow them. However, as time has gone by, I’ve found a few formulas that subverted that expectation.
The first is Nyx’s Butter Gloss formula. I seriously couldn’t recommend this enough. I tried this product after hearing rave reviews from people online, and it absolutely lived up to the hype for me. The formula is really light and barely feels like I’m wearing anything more than chapstick, however, the color is still there.
One warning I do have is that it has a really sweet smell, kind of like a cupcake. For me, it isn’t too overwhelming and is really nice, but for those who are sensitive to fragrance, I might be careful or wait until test bottles are available in stores again.
The Butter Gloss costs $5 a tube and comes in 21 shades. The range is mostly wearable nudes and pinks, but they also have a few brighter colors. My favorite is the shade Sorbet, which is a coral pink. It’s a really nice warm shade that gives me a subtle pop of color.
The second is Maybelline’s Lip Lifter Gloss. It’s a really comfortable formula that provides a nice wash of color. It’s a little bit heavier than the Butter Gloss, but it manages to keep from feeling too heavy or sticky. It also has a nice, sweet smell, much like the Butter Gloss. I frankly haven’t used this one as much as some of the other products in my collection, but I think it deserves a bit more love than I give it because it’s so dependable.
This product costs $8.99 a tube and comes in 10 shades. The shade I have is Topaz, a light peachy-orange. It’s a fun and flattering shade that makes me excited to try other colors from the line.
For me, lip products are such a fun part of putting on makeup. It’s an easy way for me to elevate my mood when I’m going out, even if I’m wearing a mask the whole time, or feel more put-together on a Zoom call. I hope these recommendations have given you something new to try, even if it’s just around the house.
Image Credit / colourpop.com
