The Best Lipsticks and Lip Gloss
Lipstick product reviews
Mini lipstick product reviews to help you find the best lipsticks for your lips.
Although often forgotten as a step in a daily makeup routine lip colour can really change a look and create a flattering finish.
Go Bold
Going bold with a lip colour is a really fun step in your makeup routine. It can also be super flattering. As people age the edges of their lips become less defined and the natural pigment can fade. Lipstick can combat this to create a youthful finish
Top tips for your best lipstick application ever
1. Lip Liner
First don’t skip the lip liner. Use this to line your lips for a defined shape and to keep the lipstick or gloss from bleeding.
Ideally pick a liner colour close to your natural lip colour or close to the colour of the product for a seamless look. Although there are plenty of trends which feature different colour liners to lipstick.
Apply the pencil lip liner over your whole lip before application of lipsticks to help the lipstick last longer. This doesn’t apply so much to gloss.
2. Lip care
Lip balm is an important step. Try applying straight after lipstick removal for a refresh. If using to rehydrate before lipstick application apply lip balm before the rest of your makeup and lipstick last to give all the layers time to sink in.
Follow my lip care steps below for more lip care tips. Just like skincare before makeup, lipstick looks best on healthy lips.
3. Careful application
After lining your lips use a brush, not the bullet, to apply lipstick within the liner shape. Whilst overlining lips can look on camera think about the fact you are wearing yours in reality.
Using a brush is better for
- precise application
- control
- hygiene
4. Seal in it
When you are finished applying lipstick/s use a sealing product to help the makeup last longer. Try Barry M’s Let’s Be Clear Lip Fixer (which can also be used around the lip edges pre-application) or Lipcote liquid lip sealant.
Lipcare and Lip balm
Lip care and lip balm are important products especially over winter when weather and heating are both harsh on skin.
Top tips for lip care
- Use lip balm regularly
- Be aware of the different types of products for example a lip butter will add moisture to your lips whilst other products create an oily barrier.
- Try a lip scrub such as Lush Lip Scrub, a sugar scrub designed especially for lips.
Lipgloss
Lipgloss is as the name implies a gloss product, designed to add shine to lips and makeup looks. Generally in tube format but sometimes in a tub/pot.
Studio 10 Balm Gloss 5/5
A beautiful gloss which does have some of that trademark stick but not too much gloop for the beautiful tint and shine you get in return!
Thats Swell XXL, Barry M 4/5
This plumbing lipgloss does what it says on the tube and plumps lips beautifully but realistically. It does tingle but doesn’t hurt. Don’t expect lip filler effects, just a little extra plumbing.
I’ve used this in both Diamond and a pretty nude shade called Get It and liked them both.
Lip toppers
These products are generally lipgloss adjacent but basically designed to layer over lipsticks to create new and dynamic products.
Holographic Lip Topper, Barry M 5/5
This gorgeous gloss is a Holographic Lip Topper from Barry M in the shade Wizard. A multi-tonal blue-purple pigmented gloss designed to go over lipsticks but is also super pretty on its own. If you press your lips together firmly to remove some of the gloss and the purple glitter really shows through!
Barry M Glitz Stick 5/5
I have been playing with this gorgeous glitter lipstick or Glitzstick from Barry M! It is so pretty and perfect for that glitter hit! It works well over lipsticks or on its own. On some lipstick products it is best to press/dab the glitz stick on rather than swipe it over the products.
Liquid Lipstick
Liquid lipstick is similar to a gloss in that in comes in tube (or similar) form. However it has a stronger pigmentation level and often is matte rather than glossy. Lipgloss is glossy by definition!
Barry M Matte Me Up 2/5
A dramatic range of matte lip colours with sadly a lack of staying power and can feel quite drying on the lip, especially with the need to reapply
Revolution Pro Matte Lipsticks 3/5
I tried two Revolution Pro Matte Lipsticks in two very dramatic shades Psychedelic (White) and Greyscale (Grey).
I applied these with a brush and felt it took a lot of product to get an even and opaque coverage. It also took a looooong time for the products to dry to a matte state-during which time I had to keep my mouth apart so the colour didn’t transfer which it really wanted to.
In the end, I pressed my lips together which transferred the white over the grey slightly but at least the product finished drying.
I probably wouldn’t buy these products again or use them on clients but I will use them in more dramatic and character looks.
Bullet Lipsticks
Bullet lipsticks are the traditional lipstick which comes in a twist up casing.
Avon Mark Lipsticks 5/5 (in Mermaid and Enchanted)
I have this lipstick in two bright shades-Blue and Purple respectively and I love them. For bright colours these apply well and most importantly last.
More product reviews
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Where to purchase makeup?
For me being cruelty-free and vegan is important in makeup. As well as making conscious decisions on what I actually need rather than just want.
Here are some top locations I would recommend looking when after new skincare and makeup goodies
Alex
Professional makeup artist with an interest in natural, complimentary makeup but also fun makeup designs and nail art too! Life is too short to be stuck with trends that don't suit you!
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