Everything You Need to Know About Lip Makeup

Lip makeup is a huge category full of gorgeous goodies, including lip kits, liquid lipsticks and lip liners. These products help transform your look for drab to fab in an instant. But with so many different options to look through, it can be hard to find the perfect lip formula for you.

So, whether you're an MUA who wants to revamp your makeup collection or a beauty newbie who needs the full rundown, we collated everything you need to know about all the best lip products right here at Cosmetify.

Lipstick

What colour lipstick suits me?

It's all about testing out your favourite shades. When deciding on the best nude lipstick for example, opt for a shade darker than your skin tone, with pink nudes for cool undertones and caramel colours for warmer undertones.

No matter your style, it's about experimenting and finding what works with your makeup habits. Whether you choose natural nudes, ravishing reds or pretty pinks, there's a lipstick to suit every skin tone at Cosmetify. Check out our handy filter system to find the best red lipstick for your skin tone and the best dark lipsticks for a vampy look.

Prepping your lips properly helps your lipstick stay put, with no smudging or bleeding throughout the day. To do so, exfoliate your lips with your favourite lip scrub and give them a much-need boost of hydration with your favourite lip oil or balm. Once everything has soaked in apply a lip liner that matches the colour of your lipstick.

Next choose a long-wearing lipstick formula and apply carefully with a lip brush. This small brush helps you get a precise application. Then the final step is to blot and set your lipstick with a light dusting of translucent powder, which prevents your the colour from bleeding throughout the day.

This depends on your mood, the occasion, your style and sometimes even the season. For example, in the winter months beauty buffs love trying matte shades for a seductive, moody look. Whereas in the summer, a glossy, bold pop of colour can be a fun, flirty vibe. No matter where the mood takes you, you should wear whichever finish you feel most comfortable in. But remember, matte lipsticks need a little bit more prep time with a lip scrub to exfoliate your pout to create a smooth base. A glossy lipstick, however, is an easy one to just swipe and go for those more natural makeup days.

How to Apply Matte Lipstick

Matte lipsticks are beloved for their rich pigmentation and flawless, red carpet look...the caveat being that they must be properly applied. A matte is not so forgiving if casually whipped on like a gloss or satin lipstick. To become a matte master, there are a few basics you need to know. Below are Mented’s tips for makeup for women of color, specifically meant to help you learn how to apply matte lipstick like a seasoned pro.

In the family of lipstick types, a matte is like the sophisticated older sister who effortlessly commands attention. A matte lipstick is characterized by its velvety finish free of shimmer or glitter. Since it does not reflect light like other lipsticks do, such as frosted or satin lipsticks, a matte lipstick boasts a more saturated and uniform color. This creates a bold look that makes the lips the focus of attention. Whether you need a lipstick for dark skin tones or fair skin tones, matte lipsticks will be a flawless choice.

Statement-making matte lipsticks can be worn with little makeup for a refined daytime look. For something more dramatic, heavier eye makeup can be paired with a matte lipstick for a night on the town.

Besides its versatility and high-fashion sensibility, mattes are many women’s go-to lipstick for their long-lasting wear. All lipsticks have a combination of oil, wax and pigmentation. A matte lipstick has less oil and moisture than other lipstick types. Not only does this endow a matte with its resonate tone, the lip color also stays on longer, is less likely to feather outside of the lips and requires fewer touch-ups throughout the day.

Finally, mattes can easily be worn no matter the time of year. Their staying power and luxurious, non-sticky texture make them perfect for hot weather when other makeup may melt or get gooey. When the temperature drops outside, vibrant matte lip colors like burgundy and reds are perfect complements to dark winter clothes. While matte lipsticks work well in any shade, they are treasured in deeper tones precisely because the color pops and doesn’t budge.

Chapped lips do's and don'ts: Follow these doctor-approved tips

These tips from doctor will help you combat chapped lips as the weather gets colder. There are easy things you can start doing now.

It is a truth universally acknowledged that chapped lips aren't attractive, to say the least.

But before you reach for that lip balm, take note: While you won't get addicted to the actual ingredients in Chapstick, it is possible to get addicted, or at least accustomed to, the feeling of soft, smooth lips — meaning you'll find yourself reaching for that product more and more. That's why some beauty pros and doctors believe that certain balms actually make things worse, leading to a vicious cycle of skin that's dependent on faux moisture to keep itself supple.

And if anything's less attractive than cracked lips, it's cracked lips for the rest of your life. Dun dun DUN.

What, then, are we to do with our sad, sorry, chapped lips if not smother them in Chapstick every hour on the hour? Vicious cycles be damned: Our lips need a solution — and stat.

Luckily, Dr. Jessica Wu, a Los Angeles-based dermatologist and assistant clinical professor of dermatology at the University of Southern California's School of Medicine, as well as Dr. Cybele Fishman, a board-certified dermatologist based in New York City, agreed to help us make sense of all the confusion surrounding one of our favorite handbag staples.

Without further ado, we give you the unofficial do's and don'ts of chapped lips.

Lip Balm vs Lip Gloss

As the name suggests, lip balm is a product that is typically used to get rid of issues like cracks, dry lips, etc. A high-quality lip balm will protect your lips from environmental factors like cold weather and dry wind that can cause your lips to become dry, rough, and flaky. Ideally, lip balms do not contain chemicals and are made from oils and ingredients that are obtained from plants.

Women and girls like to wear lipstick after applying a lip balm as it helps the lipstick to spread easily. These days, lip balms of different tints and shades are also available that can be used as an alternative to lipstick. Here, We will discuss the Lip Balm vs Lip Gloss and you can choose what is best for your lips.

On the other hand, lip glosses are used to make your lips look more attractive. They do this by adding a glossy finish to your lips that cannot be achieved with a normal lipstick. Some lip glosses are formulated to add a shine to your lips whereas some are formulated to add a wet look to your lips. However, though lip glosses add shine to your lips, they don't moisturize them.

You may need to keep applying it regularly to maintain that glossy shimmer. Also, most lip glosses are made of cosmetic ingredients that might not prove healthy for your delicate lips. The good news is that some brands have evolved and have started manufacturing lip glosses made entirely of organic ingredients!

Difference Between Lip Balm and Lip Gloss

Both Lip glosses and lip balms moisturize your lips to some extent. However, lip balms are better in doing that as compared to lip glosses because they are formulated to make your lips healthy, moist, and crack-free. A lip gloss can also work as a lip balm but as it is mostly applied after wearing the lipstick, it does not provide the kind of lip care that a lip balm can. Check difference between both lip gloss and lip balm on behalf of their various properties:

Lip Balm and Lip Gloss Benefits

A lip balm keeps your lips hydrated for a long time whereas a lip gloss simply makes them appear to be moist and wet. A lip gloss is normally used to add a sharp contrast to the makeup by using shades that are either dark or bright.

A lip balm may not add the glaze to your lips but it does help to maintain the beauty of your lips naturally. A lip balm made of natural ingredients nourishes your lips and prevents them from getting dry. It may also reduce the irritation due to dryness and also makes them supple and fuller.

Lip Balm Vs Lip Gloss Uses

A lip balm can contain powerful ingredients like essential oils that can protect your skin from damage caused due to sun, winds, and other external factors. On the other hand, a lip gloss might simply contain a glittering agent and color that accentuate the overall appeal and appearance of your lips.

A lip gloss tries to provide an aesthetic look to your dry and chapped lips whereas a lip gloss cannot do it. A lip gloss that contains moisturizing ingredients like Vitamin E can make your lips look better while maintaining their natural moisture. Therefore, we can say that the uses of lip balms and lip glosses solely depend on the ingredients that are used to manufacture them.

Lip Balm and Lip Gloss - How To Apply?

Clear your lips with water and pat them dry with tissue paper. Now, apply a generous coat of your favorite lip gloss on your lips. After applying the lip gloss, you will need to mark the outline of your lips by using a lip pencil, and then you can finally apply the lipstick.

Women also tend to mark their lips with a concealer after applying the lipstick whereas some just set it with a powder. Wash your lips with lukewarm water and let them dry. Now, apply a thick coat of lip balm on your lips and rub your lips over each other to help spread it evenly. You should always wait for a few minutes before applying the lipstick once you have applied a lip balm.