How to Build a Minimal Lips Makeup Collection?
How to create a complete collection of basic lips makeup products for daily use, avoid unnecessary purchases, and keep lip makeup that you absolutely love.
It’s raining lipsticks… but it doesn’t have to. Many of us have far too many lip products cluttering our drawers and vanities. The worst part is that most of them aren’t even usable because of unflattering shades and uncomfortable textures.
It is time for a sweep!
It is possible to reduce an entire lip collection to just a few well-loved basic lip products. We’ve written a complete blog on how you can do this.
Whether you’re looking to downsize or to start a capsule makeup collection from scratch, this guide will help you figure out how to choose lip products according to your personal style, skin tone, and budget. There is also a list of essentials and some tips on when and how to follow trends.
What Are the First Steps to Creating a Capsule Lip Makeup Collection?
Makeup is an extension of your personal style, so how you dress and present yourself is an important part of figuring out what you need. Begin the purge with the following steps:
What Do You Already Have?
Consider your makeup, wardrobe, and lifestyle as a whole:
- What products do you reach for most often? The lipstick you wear every day. The gloss that’s almost gone. Those are the ones you should consider restocking.
- What is your personal style? Does your wardrobe have more bright colors than beige tones? You probably won't wear bright lipsticks too often in case of the latter, no matter how pretty they look on your favourite influencer.
- What kind of makeup do you need for work? How often do you go out? What do you do for fun?
- If you spend a lot of time outdoors, consider the weather. Is it dry? Humid? Hot?
- Consider your skin type and any lip issues. Do they tend to dry out quickly? Do you struggle with feathering or wrinkles around the mouth?
Find Out Your Skin Tone
With so many products to choose from, a helpful starting point is to figure out your skin tone and undertone and then choose shades accordingly:
- Your skin tone is how fair or dark your skin is. This can depend on your genetics as well as sun exposure and can change throughout the year with the weather.
- Undertone is a bit trickier, and it’s a big reason why the same color can look different on two people with the same skin tone. Once you know your undertone, you can choose lip product shades with the same undertone for the most harmonious match.
- To figure out your undertone, try out the tests in this chart under a strong natural light:
|
Warm |
Neutral |
Cool |
|
|
What color are your veins? |
Green |
Unclear |
Blue or purple |
|
What kind of jewelry flatters you more? |
Gold |
Both |
Silver |
|
Hold a white paper next to your face |
Skin looks yellow or peachy |
Neither color is apparent |
Skin looks pink or red |
How Can I Create a Makeup Shopping Plan?
Think about the following questions to figure out how much money you’d like to spend on the basics:
- What’s your budget, and how much should each lip product get?
- Do you need to buy doubles or minis to keep in your purse or bag?
- How much money should you spend?
You can splurge on daily wear lip products with premium ingredients to keep your lips healthy - Do your research and look for high-quality drugstore dupes for the rest.
- Swatch and test at the store, but note that store lighting can make products look a bit different. Consider bringing samples to try out at home.
- Invest in quality lip care.
What Should I Put in My Lip Care Kit?
Taking care of your lips will mean that lip makeup products will give you better results. This is what your lip care kit should ideally contain:
- An exfoliator. Consider DIY recipes.
- An overnight lip treatment.
- A nourishing lip balm or lip oil, depending on which finish you’re most comfortable with.
What Lip Products Must I Absolutely Buy?
Now that you’ve figured out your lifestyle and complexion, here is a list of lip products to consider as part of your capsule makeup collection:
A Lip Liner:
While it feels impossible to be able to match a new lip liner with every lip product that you own, you don’t really need to. Get a high-quality, creamy liner that matches your lip color to prevent. It defines your lips and creates the perfect foundation for any lip makeup look. It will also keep the lip product from feathering or transferring.
Essential Colors:
Start with at least one of each of the following:
- An Everyday Nude: Choose a warm, neutral, or cool-toned nude shade for daily wear or soft makeup looks
- A Proper Pink: Great for casual events and spring weather.
- A Ravishing Red: A red that complements your skin tone instead of standing out is essential when you’re wearing your best
- A Beautiful Brown: Darker than your preferred nude shade but not as dressy as red or pink.
- A ‘Fruit’ shade: Choose a darker plum, berry, or fig colored shade that suits you best
- Something Bold or Moody: One or two bright pops of color (a bright pink or orange) and/or a dark lipstick (a rich purple or black) that channels your inner goth.
Fundamental Finishes
Lip finishes can range in shine and opacity from velvety mattes, gleaming satins, to reflective glosses. They come in cream and liquid lipsticks, lip crayons, glosses, tints, and stains. You might prefer a shiny finish if you struggle with dry lips. Our article[Matte vs Glossy article] on lip makeup finishes will help you figure out what kind of finish will suit you best. Consider stocking each of the following:
- A matte transfer proof finish for formal occasions.
- A hydrating satin cream for casual events.
- A clear gloss
- A warm or cool-toned toned shimmery or iridescent gloss.
- A lip tint or stain that enhances your natural lip color.
- A tinted gloss in your everyday pink or berry shade.
- A plumping gloss or balm.
Should I Follow Lip Makeup Trends?
It’s hard to keep your makeup bag minimal when every scroll on social media shows you someone pushing the next ‘life-changing’ lip makeup product.
Think of the questions at the beginning of this blog. Will this product suit you? Your complexion? Your lifestyle? Or will it be something that will lie at the back of a drawer until the formula goes off?
FAQs
Can I use lipstick or lip gloss every day?
Most lip products are formulated for everyday use. Just make sure you remove them properly with an oil-based remover along with your makeup every night.
Do I need a lip brush?
While most lip products come with their own applicators, a lip brush can increase precision and reduce mistakes[lip pillar article], especially when applying cream lipsticks.
Can I Mix My Lip Products?
Yes! You can mix lipstick shades to adjust their colors with the changing seasons. You can also mix a little balm with liquid lipsticks to make them less drying. Layer clear or shimmery glosses over matte products for more multidimensional looks.
Is it better to buy more expensive brands?
Not particularly. Not all premium brands offer the right shades or ingredients. Many drugstore brands and small independent brands offer quality products that deliver comparable or better results.
How Do I Store My Lip Products?
Store your lip products in a cool, dry place away from sunlight or sources of heat. Keep bullet lipsticks right side up and be sure to close all products properly.
Conclusion
You’re now ready to reorganise your lip makeup collection or create a fuss-free list of essentials. Whether you prefer minimal makeup or a full beat, it’s important to think about your routines, lifestyle, wardrobe, and other factors when deciding on what lip makeup essentials to add to your kit. Figure out your complexion, decide on a budget, and make a list of colors and finishes to stock. You’re now well on your way to creating a minimal and sustainable makeup collection that serves the real you.
Your Capsule Makeup Collection Begins Now
Remember that with a smaller lip makeup collection you plan to use more often, you need to invest in high-quality products with premium, non-toxic, and halal ingredients. Haya Beauty’s Matte Velvet Lipsticks and Matte Liquid Lipsticks are excellent starting points, providing a rich color payoff with a soft, opaque finish. The non-reactive and transfer-proof formulas also make it a great base for gloss applications.
Sources
- 10 Ways To Develop Your Personal Style - A complete guide to figuring out your personal style and creating a basic collection of clothing that reflects your personality.
- How To Match Colors to Your Skin Tone - Choose the best colors for makeup, hair, clothing, and nails for your specific skin tone.