Lip color emerged as the standout beauty movement of 2017. Looking ahead to 2018, lip products are set to remain at the forefront, fueled by an endless stream of new releases and shade guides spanning both premium and masstige price points. Below, you'll find a collection of lip makeup pointers designed to help you master a flawless pout and nail the ideal lip look.
Lipstick: A Woman's Modern Armor
Whereas eyeshadow palettes captured the spotlight in 2015, and 2016 belonged to strobing and contouring, it seems 2017 and 2018 have been—and will continue to be—defined by lip color. The reasoning is simple: that final stroke of lipstick before stepping out functions as a woman's way of preparing for combat. Outlining, coloring, and defining your lips equates to wielding a metaphorical sword.
Ready for action at any moment! Photo courtesy of 3 CONCEPT EYES
Lip color formulations have evolved dramatically from the simple waxy sticks of yesteryear. Today's products often contain moisturizing components like plant-derived oils and shea butter to maintain softness and suppleness. Additional elements such as collagen, plant-based extracts, vitamins, and various nutrients are blended with cutting-edge cosmetic technology to deliver vivid, extended-wear color that resists smudging and transfers for hours on end.
Choosing Your Ideal Lip Color Formula
Matte, creamy, glossy, or stain—which formula deserves a spot in your collection? Explore the brief overview below highlighting the most sought-after and best-selling lip makeup choices at YesStyle, along with simple tricks for achieving an impeccable pout!
The Matte Finish
Matte looks dominated the beauty scene throughout 2017, much like they did during the 1990s. Liquid matte variants proved especially popular, with brands releasing collection after collection and lip kit after lip kit. Matte textures deliver bold, opaque coverage, resulting in lips that appear smooth with a velvety, suede-like quality. 3 CONCEPT EYES' Mood Recipe Matte Lip Color ranks among YesStyle's top picks, thanks to its effortless application and earthy palette that flatters a wide range of complexions. The majority of matte lipsticks boast long-wearing formulas and highly concentrated pigments to preserve their coverage, though these properties can sometimes lead to dryness. Many contemporary formulas now incorporate hydrating elements that provide a soft sheen while preventing flaking.
Application tips: Begin by exfoliating with a lip scrub, then layer on a lip balm prior to color application. To make your lips pop, grab a matte lip liner in an identical shade—or one shade deeper—than your matte lipstick to define the outer edges and blend gently. For a slimmer-looking pout, start with a lip concealer to mask the areas beyond your natural lip line. Trace the outline with a matte lip pencil before filling in with your chosen color.
Creamy Lipstick Formulas
Among the most popular lipstick textures, creamy formulas have been worn by silver screen legends such as Marilyn Monroe and Ava Gardner, and they're linked to allure and old-school Hollywood sophistication. Creamy lipsticks strike a balance between glossy and matte, delivering a customizable finish with rich color payoff—making them an effortless option for daily use. Their luxurious consistency accommodates everything from the palest nudes to the most dramatic deep shades. On top of that, creamy lipsticks demand only minimal touch-ups across the day. Skinfood's Fresh Fruit Lip & Cheek Trio delivers a handy trio of coordinating shades in a creamy formula, perfect for a unified look across both lips and cheeks.
Application tips: Stop your lipstick from migrating beyond the lip line by tracing the edges with a lip liner that closely matches your creamy shade. Make sure to blot with a tissue or an ultra-fine setting powder!
Lip Tints and Stain Options
Alongside matte lip products, lip tints and stains enjoy widespread popularity thanks to their lightweight, quick-drying feel. These products merge the appearance of a creamy lipstick with the durable wear associated with most matte formulas. Found in watery gel or velvety creamy consistencies, these tints and stains offer buildable coverage—delivering a gentle wash of color that enhances your lips' natural hue with a single application, or building into a more intense look with additional layers. The trendy Korean gradient lip style relies heavily on tints and stains to produce that just-kissed appearance, reminiscent of having just enjoyed a cherry-flavored treat. For an adorable yet elevated variation, try the Labiotte Chateau Labiotte Wine Lip Tints—Korean wine-inspired tints packaged in miniature wine bottles and infused with sepivinol sourced from French wine, providing lasting hydration and nourishment to the lips. For those craving an even bolder look, the bestselling Laneige Two Tone Tint Lip Bar offers an inventive tinted lip balm that lets you sport two harmonious or contrasting shades simultaneously for a striking ombré effect.
Application tips: Start by exfoliating with a lip scrub, then follow up with a hydrating lip balm. To create gradient lips, use your tint or stain's applicator to cover the inner portion of the lips first, then blend outward.
Glossy and Satin Varieties
Glossy lips with a natural appearance or a touch of color work beautifully when you're after an effortless aesthetic or that just-rolled-out-of-bed vibe. Sheer, glossy lip colors excel at delivering outstanding moisture along with a whisper of color and luminosity. Though it might bring back memories of high school, glossy lips are returning in full force, particularly if you're aiming for an extra-voluminous, irresistibly kissable pout. Today's formulas even include shimmery or fully sparkling options—ideal for evening outings or pairing with a barely-there makeup look. Skinfood's Plum Mellow Glow Lip Lacquer features plummy, delectable tones with a captivating shine.
Application tips: Always begin with a lip scrub to slough away dead skin, creating a sleek, smooth base for your glossy color to glide across!
Caring for Your Lips Properly
Looking after your lips demands suitable products and dedicated time to keep them healthy, hydrated, and supple. Establishing a consistent lip care routine—similar to your morning and evening skincare regimen—is just as important as selecting the ideal lip color or finish.
To maintain soft, flake-free lips even on makeup-free days, we suggest the following lip care products and steps.
1) Exfoliating Lip Scrubs
Lips are susceptible to dryness just like the rest of your skin. Soft, supple lips are crucial for flawless lip color application, particularly with matte and creamy finishes, tints, and stains, which tend to gather in the natural creases of the lips. A lip scrub helps maintain that smooth appearance while softening the look of lip lines. For a chemical exfoliation option, consider RiRe's Bubble Lip Mask, which employs bubbling action to exfoliate while incorporating Vitamin C extracts that help brighten. If you prefer manual exfoliation, Skinfood's Avocado and Sugar Lip Scrub harnesses sugar granules combined with avocado, jojoba seed, and lime oils, along with shea butter, to clear away dead skin and uncover softer, smoother lips.
2) Nourishing Lip Masks
After restoring your lips' natural baby-soft feel, seal in hydration and nutrients with a lip mask or lip patch. Laneige's Lip Sleeping Mask stands as a YesStyle best-seller, delivering proven overnight nourishment through its patented Berry Complex—infused with antioxidant berry components and Vitamin C. You can rise the next morning to a smoother, more alluring base for your lip color!
3) Hydrating Lip Balms
A daily must-have, lip balms deliver a steady stream of moisture to your pout—even when you're going bare-faced. Most lip balms contain hydrating ingredients such as beeswax, collagen, botanical oils, or seed-derived butters to moisturize and lock in hydration. These days, numerous lip balms also include sun protection, since lips can indeed experience UV damage, which may lead to collagen depletion and additional lines. Korean label peripera's Milk Moist Lip Balm features protein-rich milk extracts, a vitamin complex, and delicious strawberry or peach flavors, keeping your lips in tip-top shape.
