Clueless Beauty: Lipstick

In a year that has been all about covering up the majority of our faces, lipstick has had a rough year. But, don’t feel too bad for the cosmetic giant. For starters, it’s been around for around 5,000 years. The Ancient Sumerians are thought to have been the very first to create lipstick. Back then, both genders rocked the stuff and it was made by crushing up gemstones. Travel forward about 2000 years and you have Cleopatra pioneering the way when it came to lipstick. She made boldly painted lips all the rage, and pots of lip paint have even been found in burial tombs of Egyptian nobility. Over the years, the popularity of the cosmetic would spread the world over. While lipstick may seem like one of the more straight-forward types of makeup out there, there is still a lot to consider when it comes to the ideal product to use for the look and type of “wear” you want. So, let’s dive in.

The Types:

Just like with many other cosmetics, there are tons of types of lipsticks on the market. The difference isn’t just in shades and brands, but also coverage, moisturizing capabilities, shine, and longevity. Even if you have a few go-to products that you can’t live without, you might want to learn a bit more about the different types out there and branch out.

Cream Lipstick

This type of lipstick offers a smooth application and is great for everyday use. While cream tends not to have a shiny appearance, it does provide a hint of gloss. Coverage and longevity tends to be a bit better than a sheer lipstick as creams contain a greater wax content. This type is perfect for gals with small lips.

Photo Credit: Amazon

Satin/Sheer Lipstick

These types are perfect for ladies who suffer from dry lips. You can often find satin and sheer lipsticks that offer some sort of moisturizing ingredients in them. There’s also a high oil content, which makes them less likely to dry out quickly. But, it also means you’ll have to apply this type more frequently. Another thing to keep in mind is all that oil means that the product will appear darker in tint in the package than it will on your lips. You’ll get a decent amount of gloss and shine with this, and it’s good for day and evening looks.

Photo Credit: Amazon

Stains

If it’s the color that is your main concern when it comes to your lipstick, then you’ll want to gravitate towards stains. Stains are incredibly long lasting and tend to be super vibrant in color (though nude tones are also available). They typically come in pencil form and are easy to apply, and you can even layer them to achieve a more complex look. We’re talking minimal shine here, but you can always apply a clear gloss after if you want some of that action too. This type may be the most low maintenance, but the con is it can sometimes make your lips dry.

Photo Credit: Amazon

Matte

For it’s longevity and hyper-pigmentation, it’s hard to beat a good matte lipstick. If you are not a fan of shiny looking lip products, matte is the type for you. Matte lipsticks also tend to have a very smooth finish, so they have the power to make your lips look younger and smoother. Matte’s also don’t contain as much oil as some other lip products. If dry lips are an issue, but you love you a matte finish, look for formulas which contain aloe or vitamin E.

Photo Credit: Amazon

Gloss

Many of us have a love/hate relationship with gloss. We love the youthful, playful shine of a gloss, but don’t love the slick “mess” it can sometimes leave behind. However, gloss has come a long way over the years. It’s great for ladies with smaller lips as it can really add some dimension and depth along with that shine. Glosses can also be found in all sorts of tints these days. It’s also amazing for layering if you want to add a pop of shine to your more matte finish favorites. Gloss also tends to be a bit more subtle, so it’s great for gently enhancing more natural looks.

Photo Credit: Amazon

Pearl and Frosted Lipstick

If you want a lewk that screams “Look at Meeeeeeee!”, then this type may be your best bet. Pearl and frosted lipsticks take the glisten, sparkle, and shine factor and kick them up some considerable notches. These types of products reflect light in order to produce that va-va-va-voom effect. The cons here are that these lip products can feel very heavy on your lips. They are also extremely prone to drying out and cracking. It’s recommended that you moisturize your lips before using these.

Photo Credit: Amazon

Picking A Flattering Shade

Let’s be real here: trying on different shades of lipstick can be fun. Many ladies out there probably have a “signature” shade or two that function as their absolute go-to hues. Today, it’s pretty easy to get adventurous with your lip color. Gone are the days when simple reds, wines, and neutrals ruled the market. Many makeup related websites even offer ways to virtually try on their shades before you buy.  Dramatic looks aside, there are some hues that are considered especially flattering depending on the undertones of your skin tone.

Warm Undertones

This is you if you have an olive, golden, or yellow hue to your skin. You can also tell if the veins on your wrist appear green and if you look better in gold jewelry than in silver. When it comes to lipstick, warm toned gals slay in warm shades. Here we mean things like fiery and brick reds, bright bold oranges, and rich browns.

Cool Undertones

This is you if you have a red, pink, or bluish hue to your skin. The veins on your wrist will look blue, and you tend to look better in silver jewelry. If you burn easily in the sun, you’re a member of the cool undertone club. Lipstick shades you will absolutely rock are cherry reds, rosy pinks, and a very light beige. You will want to lean more towards colors which have a blue or purple undertones and reds that lean towards orange.

Neutral Undertones

You fall under this category if you have a mix of pink and yellow tones in the base of your skin. Another way to tell is if when you look at the veins of your wrist, you can’t really tell if they appear blue or green. For you, well, the world of color is your oyster. You can pretty much get away with any shade you want. We’re talking bright reds to sultry berry, and everything in-between. We envy you.

Tips And Tricks

Alright, all that out of the way, we always think it’s helpful to learn a few insider tips and tricks. If it makes your beauty routine a little easier, and your beauty game a little more on point, it’s worth knowing.

You Can Be A Lipstick Wizard

Did you know that you can actually create your own lipstick out of eye shadow? Yusss, it can be done! All you have to do is apply a layer of clear lip balm to your lips, and then gently pat the eyes shadow over the top. If you want to ensure a more even application, you could mix the two on the back of your hand first and then apply when you get the color just right. No lip balm? Vaseline will also work.

Less Is More

Want a slightly more subtle look. Try this hack: apply lipstick only to the center of your lips, and then blend outward using your fingertips or a brush.

All That Pout

If you want to achieve a more pouty look, try using a slightly lighter lipstick at the center of both your upper and lower lip. Then, fill in the rest and along the edges with the darker hue.

Go All Out With The Liner

If you use lip liners, you might want to consider using them for more than just their namesake. Rather than just going along the outline, go ahead and color in your entire lip with the liner. Then apply your lipstick. This way, if your lipstick wears off, you will still have the color from the lip liner below, instead of your natural lip color peeking through.

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WRITTEN BY :

Omaya Michelle

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