Lipstick has entered the chat.
While many of us continued to wear lip color under our masks, now that mask mandates have been lifted, our pouts are on full display. Thursday, July 29, is National Lipstick Day, and to commemorate that and the return of lipstick into the conversation, I want to run down all the different lip finishes you can wear and some of the best products to try.
Velvet
This finish is what comes to mind when you think of a classic lipstick. It doesn’t stay put as well as a liquid lipstick, but it’s a comfortable, creamy wear and great for every day. M.A.C. Cosmetics Matte Lipstick is the classic in this category. Ruby Woo, heralded as a universally flattering red, and pinky-beige Velvet Teddy are my favorite shades. You’ll also never go wrong with buttery-smooth Charlotte Tilbury Matte Revolution Lipsticks. The shades Pillow Talk, a pinky nude, and Very Victoria, a neutral taupe, are both staples in my makeup bag.
Liquid
These babies had a moment back in 2015, and even though they’re not as popular now, their ability to last through a day of drinking, eating and sweating makes them a key product in our collections. Drugstore darlings Maybelline Super Stay Matte Ink Liquid Lipsticks are like glue and will not move until you use a makeup remover. Also in this category are KVD Vegan Beauty Everlasting Liquid Lipsticks. While the brand’s former namesake, tattoo artist Kat Von D, walked away from the company in 2019, it still offers a full range of vegan and cruelty-free lipsticks that last all day.
Gloss
There’s nothing more luscious than a glossy lip. Fenty Beauty Gloss Bomb Cream lip glosses deliver creamy, full color and shine to make lips look smoother and more voluminous. (I like shades Fenty Glow, a rose nude, and Cookie Jar, a chocolate caramel.) NYX Cosmetics Butter Lip Gloss comes in 37 rich and buttery soft shades, including Praline, a warm taupe, and Spiked Toffee, a brown mauve.
Oil
While glosses have been around forever, lip oils are everywhere right now, as they offer that same shiny finish without any stickiness. Haus Labs PHD Hybrid Lip Oil Stains provide hydration and color. It’s also formulated with a pigment that reacts to your lips’ pH level to produce the perfect wash of color for your skin tone. Speaking of, sometimes your own lip color is the perfect hue. Swipe on something like Charlotte Tilbury Charlotte’s Magic Lip Oil Crystal Elixir for nourishing hydration and shine.
Stain
Bring out your inner cool, chic French girl with a “just bitten” lip stain. Flower Beauty Bitten Lip Stain’s formulation is water-based so it moisturizes lips upon application and then dries down to a long-lasting, comfortable tint. The brand, created by actress and daytime TV host Drew Barrymore, also is available at drugstores. Colourpop Cosmetics Lip Stain has a shiny, comfortable finish but is made to last up to eight hours. Shades Berry Ripe, a cool-toned berry, and Ice Pop, a medium pink, are my favorites.
Tint/balm
Great in a pinch, lip tints and balms provide just a touch of color. INC.redible Jammy Lips Sheer Lacquer Lip Tint leaves lips feeling hydrated and healthy with a hint of shiny color. Glossier Ultralip provides the moisture of a lip balm, the shininess of a gloss and the buildable color of a lip tint without requiring several products. Villa, a dusty rose, is perfect for every day, and Coupe is a fun blood orange for summer. You also can find a balm that shields lips from sun and wind damage. Sun Bum Lip Balm contains SPF 30 and leaves behind a nice tint.
Gia Mazur is an award-winning staff writer and beauty obsessive who joined The Times-Tribune’s Lifestyles department in 2015. She’s a product enthusiast who can’t live without an eyelash curler. A proud Virgo, Charlotte Tilbury Matte Revolution Lipstick in Pillow Talk is her go-to. Contact: gmazur@timesshamrock.com; 570-348-9127; @gmazurTT
