By CHAB OCAMPO
Collage Art by SANDY ARANAS
The world has eased into the post-pandemic era and with less mask-wearing, we're training the spotlight back on our lips. Lips products are taking the world by storm, with innovation upon innovation, proving the beauty truly adjusts to the times. The lip liner is a true winner this season; we consider it the beauty category of the year with countless trends emerging from the lip liner alone. What were once not the most essential step in lip makeup is now the star, musts in many a beauty junkie's routine. With masks off and more airtime for your lips, here are the lipsticks, lip liners, glosses, and oils that can make a difference in your routine. Pucker up.
When it comes to lip liners, we love for creamy formulas that don’t tug on the lips but can last all day long. And Jane Iredale's Lip Liner ticks all these boxes and more. The brand is uncompromising about how its makeup also needs to be good for the skin, and its Lip Liners are no exception to this rule. Made with conditioning oils and waxes, the lip liner can draw fine, detailed lines and can be blended on the lips as an all-over base.
Nothing embodies lip-loving luxury more than the Hermès Hermesistible Infused Care Oil. Using this lip oil is a truly sensorial experience: the nourishing combination of plant oils hydrate and comfort the lips; it comes in six different shades that are reminiscent of vibrant, lush fruits and each perfectly complements different skin tones; and the six scents that correspond to each color give the whole collection a unique touch we’ve never seen in other lip products before. With this, we can’t deny that swiping on the Hermesistible Infused Care Oil is completely addictive!
Whether you have a mask on or not, you'll love the long-lasting, transfer-proof wear that the Rouge Dior Forever Lipstick provides. Besides its longevity, it’s also intensely pigmented, allowing you to customize your look however you want to. Not to mention that it’s extremely comfortable on the lips, making them a staple in our beauty bags. Needless to say, we’re obsessed with the color 999 Forever Dior—the fashion's house's iconic red.
We're no strangers to NARS lip products, and we think that the new Powermatte Lipsticks are a welcome addition to the brand's lip collection. The highly pigmented lipsticks come in 15 shades and a smooth cream-to-matte texture. They're also lightweight and have feel comfortable on the lips, making them one of our go-to products for our everyday makeup routines. We personally love the shade American Woman, a dusty rose that was also our favorite in NARS' Powermatte Lip Pigment.
While some matte lipsticks can make the lips look dry and cracked, this one by M.A.C Cosmetics does the exact opposite. The M.A.C Cosmetics Velvet Blur Slim Lipstick smooths the lips and reduces the appearance of lip lines, making your puckers look soft and plump. It delivers bold color pigments that don’t bleed, feather, or settle in fine lines; comes in a fade-resistant formula; all in a convenient sleek, slim tube. What more can you ask for?
When it comes to lip definition, we want products that can deliver clean and precise lines. That's why we’re crazy about the Victoria Beckham Beauty Lip Definer: itt has a smooth, tug-free texture that prevents skipping and feathering, allowing you to line or overline your lips just the way you prefer. It comes in five natural shades and a red, making it everything you’ll ever need, no matter what lipstick or gloss you’re pairing it with. It's one of Posh Spice’s personal favorites!
Want the pigment of lipstick and the slick shine of a gloss? Try this hybrid innovation from Stila. The Shine Fever Lip Vinyls are highly pigmented lacquers that bring together shine, pigment, and longevity. Its oil-infused formula both moisturizes the lips and creates a glass-like finish, and the color pigments glide on smoothly for an even application. The result? Plump, pigmented lips that stay on all day.
Liquid lipsticks are no longer the ultra drying, matte products that they once were. Now, it’s easier to find one that wears comfortably but delivers an amazing amount of pigment and can last the entire day. One of our favorite finds is the Rare Beauty's Lip Soufflé Matte Lip Cream. It has a whipped texture that goes on smoothly and can be worn naturally or built up for a statement lip. Looking for an everyday red lip? Try Selena Gomez's favorite shade, Inspire.
For a creamy, my-lips-but-better look, we use the Pat McGrath Labs SatinAllure Lipsticks. While pigment is good, we also love medium-buildable formulas for when we want to wear more natural, no-makeup makeup looks. These lipsticks also have a flattering satin finish that makes the lips look plump and feel moisturized. Not to mention our favorite detail: the Bridgerton-inspired component with its blue and pink hues and the chic golden bow which are to die for.
If you're fully immersed in the beauty world like we are, then Charlotte Tilbury's Pillow Talk Lipstick isn't anything new to you. The cult classic lip product now comes in a set with the addition of its matching Lip Cheat Lip Liner and, as you might have guessed, we're completely obsessed with this duo. The Matte Revolution Lipstick in Pillow Talk enhances your natural lip color while evening it out, creating the look of soft, pillowy lips; while the Lip Cheat Lip Liner in Pillow Talk allows you to apply your product exactly where you want it. And you can even use it as a base to make sure your lipstick stays on all day!
When we’re looking for both comfort and color, a new go-to are the Rare Beauty Kind Words Matte Lipsticks. Though these were launched just this July, it’s been a regular in both our vanities and our handbags! The lipsticks are creamy, comfortable, and deliver a soft matte finish that doesn't leave the lips feeling dry. We can’t get enough of how nourishing the formula feels with each swipe, and they're a great option if you're looking for a straightforward, no-fuss lippie.
A balm and gloss in one? Yes, please! Made with vegan oils to help nourish, hydrate, and moisturize the lips, the Makeup by Mario MoistureGlow Plumping Lip Serums are melting glossy balms that deliver subtle color and tons of shine. We love how it plumps the lips and gives a minty, cooling sensation that comes with every swipe. A current fave shade is the Apricot Glow, which is great on bare lips or over our go-to my-lips-but-better lipsticks.
If you know you'll be out all day and need your lip color to last, we recommend using the Make Up For Ever Rouge Artist For Ever Matte 24HR Longwear Liquid Lipsticks. These lippies completely redefine what it means to be a liquid lipstick. Other than being transfer-proof and matte, these feel weightless and have a smoothing effect on the lips—so no need to worry about them emphasizing your lip lines. Its innovative applicator also has a reservoir that delivers just the right amount of product to your lips.
Lip prep is just as important as the actual makeup application itself, which is why we're obsessed with this two-in-one product: The Shiseido LipLiner InkDuos, which have both a lip liner and lip primer to help whatever lippie you wear apply easily and stay in place. Whenever we use this, we notice that our lipstick doesn't bleed outside of our lips, the product goes on smoother, and the color lasts longer. Perfect!
This comfortable, non-sticky gloss has a mirror-like shine that's flattering on any lip shape. It contains a conditioning blend of jojoba oil and pomegranate extract to nourish, protect, and soften the lips. It's also formulated with raspberry oil to smoothe the lips and provide a high-shine finish. It comes in 10 sheer shades that look amazing when worn alone or layered on top of your go-to lipstick.
