The final chapter!
The subject of this final instalment of Lipstick Confessional is the key reason why I have so many lip products: Finish. It’s not enough to have colour choice, I need to be able to create each colour, in each finish.
Irrational? Maybe, but as an artist I can carry very little and custom mix to get to any result, but first you need to understand the options for finish. This can help you break down inspiration images and turn any makeup look into a basic formula or equation. The combinations are endless!
Part Four: Finish
Gloss
What girl doesn’t love a good gloss! Gloss has a high shine and comes in a large range of tints and formulas, from buttery to super long-wearing and sticky. Gloss catches the light on the fullest part of you lips and makes them appear larger and smoother.
It’s a great option on-the-go to tint the lips with hint of colour or on top of a lipstick to give the illusion of a fuller pout. To make you lips appear even more voluptuous, try a gloss with a little lustre or shimmer.
Matte
Matte products are generally long wearing and give an opaque coverage of colour. They tend to come in bold, bright or darker shades and look just like velvet on the lips. They are great for a long day or night out, but can be drying on the lips over time, so make sure to let that lip balm really sink in before applying.
A matte lip can create a bold, edgy look or a classic vintage look. They really emphasise the shape of your lips - good or bad, so remember to line your lips first!
PRO TIP: Darker colours will make your lips look smaller. So if you have lips that are a little on the thin side aim for a lighter shade.
Creamy
This is your classic lipstick, but I think by far the most universally flattering. Creamy textured lipsticks offer a little shine, and an opaque coverage of colour; giving you the best of both worlds. They come in every shade and can be used as a base for more gloss, or powdered to a matte finish.
They also come in long wearing finishes, but don’t dry out your lips throughout the day. As they are creamy in texture, they can sometimes bleed, so still make sure to use lip liner if you are going for a crisp finish.
Sheer
This the perfect texture when you're in a rush. Similar to a gloss, sheer finish lipsticks offer a hint of colour and a moist, delicate sheen. This finish is my recommendation for your perfect nude shade as they let your natural lip colour shine through. Plus you can usually slap them on without a mirror!
These lipsticks are often not long lasting but should last longer than your average gloss, whilst helping to keep your lips hydrated during the day. These are particularly good for the office, when you want to look put together without drawing too much attention.
Frost
A staple of the 90s but still readily available, frosts are a bit of a fun hybrid. They can come in sheer and creamy formulas, but offer the lustre of a metallic finish.
They are fabulous for photography as the glitter will still catch the light and make your lips appear fuller without the risk of flashback that you can sometimes get with a gloss. Just be cautious, frosts can draw attention to lines and dry patches of the lips where glitter tends to stick. Best on a supple lip - I recommend a good coat of lip balm before application.
Stain
I love a lip stain. They are long lasting, effortless and offer a completely striking, all day look. Lip stains tint the lips with colour, with no visible shine or lustre. They soak into your lips as if they were naturally that colour and come in liquid, pen or stick packaging options.
They should be applied carefully, as when you go out of bounds, there’s no going back! They can be a little drying, particularly in darker shades, but they allow you to top up your lip balm throughout the day without losing colour. Good formulas are hard to find but when you find one you’ve found your soulmate.
Let me know if you’ve got a favourite go-to lip! I hope you enjoyed the Lipstick Confessional series. Lip products truly are my makeup weakness so I thought it was best to start here. I’ll be taking you all on a journey of basic techniques and know-how as Friday Face Facts grows. Stay tuned!
xx FemFox