Lipsticks, not diamonds, are really a girl’s best friend. That is why lipstick sales tend to rise during hard times such as recessions and conflicts. During the Second World War, it had become increasingly difficult to import the raw materials used in most cosmetics. Still, the government understood that these products, especially lipstick, were essential to keep up morale, declaring them “necessary and vital” for the war effort. 

This blog has everything you need to know about lip makeup, all in one place. Starting with a list of the different kinds of lip products, it moves on to instructions on selecting colors and finishes. Then it covers the basics of lip product application with notes on how proper lip care can affect the final results. This comprehensive resource will help even the most basic makeup users get lip makeup right every time.

What Are The Different Types of Lip Products?

There is a lip product out there for every single preference in color, shade, finish, longevity, or texture. The sheer variety, however, can make visits to the makeup counter incredibly overwhelming. This blog is here to help. The first section is a breakdown of the different kinds of lip products and what they do. Knowing the results of each project will make the choice easy. Remember that you can always experiment with different products to see what kind of textures, wear times, and coverage you prefer. 

Lip Balm and Lip Oil

A must-have for dry skin and weather, both these products are more for lip care than for aesthetics. Lip balms have a thicker, more waxy or creamy texture that seals away moisture and protects the lips from the environment. Lip oils have a lighter and slightly less nourishing formula that delivers a shiny finish. Both can be tinted and often contain nourishing natural oils.

Lip Plumper 

Lip plumpers are products that contain ‘plumping’ ingredients such as cinnamon, peppermint, and maybe some chemicals, such as peptides. These cause the lips to swell. They are harmless, and the plumping effect is temporary. Lip plumpers come in mostly shiny finishes, some with added glitter and shimmer, which can make the lips look even bigger.

Lip Liner

A lip liner is an essential lip product that helps lip products adhere to the lip and stay within the lines in which they are applied. It prevents the product from smudging and feathering into the lines around the lips, especially on mature or oily skin. 

Lip Crayon 

This lip product is softer, creamier, stick encased in a wooden or plastic holder. It works as either a liner or a lipstick and comes in a variety of coverages and finishes. The pencil holder makes the crayon easy to apply. 

Bullet Lipstick 

There probably isn’t a woman on the planet who doesn’t own a tube of lipstick. Its popularity comes from the fact that it is available in every kind of color, shade, finish, wear, and texture that the heart may desire. They are easy to carry and apply; in fact, applying lipstick using a compact has become a well-known and romanticised gesture of elegant femininity. 

Liquid Lipstick

This product is one of the many recent innovations that have come about with the addition of film-forming polymers to makeup. The liquid is designed to glide on the lips smoothly and then dry into an opaque and supple layer that stays on for up to 12 hours. 

Lip Gloss

A hydrating, sticky product that’s meant to add a highly reflective gloss to the lips, creating lush definition that can be further enhanced by iridescence. Glosses can be worn on their own or layered on top of less reactive lip products like matte lipsticks or stains. 

Lip Tint

Another hydrating lip product that's lightweight and typically water-based. They’re meant to add a sheer flush of color that’s long-lasting and a great option for people with sensitive skin who don’t like heavy formulas. 

Lip Stain

Lip stains absorb into the skin to deliver a natural-looking tinge of color that’s long-lasting and comfortable. Typical lip stain formulas are meant to be wiped off soon after application and just alter the color of the lips. They can be a bit drying, so they are best paired with a clear balm, oil, or gloss. 

How Do I Choose the Right Lip Color and Finish?

Once you’re sure what kind of lip products need to be in regular rotation in your lip kit, the next step is choosing shades and finishes. 

The right lipstick color can be a huge challenge if you don’t understand the shade of your skin and especially your undertone, since clashing colors can highlight redness or discoloration instead of drawing attention to the lips. 

The Difference Between Skin Shade and Undertone:

Skin shade or tone is what the surface of the skin looks like. It is determined by melanin and can change over the seasons because of sun exposure. It is the easiest to determine and is as follows: a range from lightest to darkest. There are many intermediate shades between the four below:

• Light
• Fair  
• Medium or tan
• Deep or dark. 

The undertone is the hue under the surface of the skin that remains unchanged over the seasons. It is of three types:

• Cool
• Neutral
• Warm

How Can I Find Out My Skin Tone?

This is easy. Simply look at your jawline and neck area under strong natural light and compare it to any skin shade card. 

How Can I Find Out My Undertone?

Undertone can be tricky. There are a few tests that you can perform to figure out what your undertone is. Once you know for sure, it becomes very easy to always choose the correct shade of lip product that will flatter your skin.

Vein Test (H6)

Look at the color of your veins on the inside of your wrist under bright natural light. If they are 

• Blue or purple: You have a cool undertone
• Green: You have a warm undertone 
• A Mix of both: You have a neutral undertone. 

Jewellry Test(H6)

Open your jewelry box. What color jewelry do you think looks best on you, or that you wear most often?

• Silver: You have a cool undertone
• Gold: You have a warm undertone 
• Both: You have a neutral undertone. 

Paper Test (H6)

Look into a mirror under bright natural light and hold a white sheet of paper next to your face. If your skin looks:  

• Pinkish: You have a cool undertone
• Yellowish: You have a warm undertone 
• Unsure: You have a neutral undertone. 

Shades to Choose or Avoid

Knowing your skin tone and undertone will help you save time and avoid frustration when shopping for lip products. You can always experiment, but you’ll find that using the right shade for your skin will generally give the most flattering result.

Skin Shade or Tone (H6)

Generally, light and fair skin tones look best with lighter colored lip products such as pale pinks and nudes. Fair skin tends not to handle contrast well. The darker your skin, the more you should gravitate to darker shades with higher contrast. Your natural hair color will offer a clue here. If your hair is much darker than your skin, you should choose more contrasting colors. 

This doesn’t mean that fair people should steer clear of dark colors. A deep red on a pale complexion will be more attention-grabbing and so more suitable for special events rather than everyday. 

Skin Undertones (H6)

The rules for undertones are stricter. Lip products have undertones just as the skin does. Each color comes in either cool, warm, or neutral shades, and you should match that with your own undertone. 

For example, pinks come in cool pinks as well as warm, orangy corals. Reds can lean more purplish or rusty. Nudes, especially, can be a bit tricky, so test shades under the proper lighting on a clean face. 

If you’re lucky, you have a neutral undertone and can wear most shades well. 

How Can I Choose the Correct Finish?

Color is one part of the story; another part is the finish of the lip product. This means how the product interacts with the lip and the light. The table shows a list of finishes with all the information you need on which to choose for any occasion:

How do I Apply Lip Products?

Choosing the right lip product is just half the job. A polished application can make all the difference to what your lip product looks like, how long it lasts, and how much it can change your makeup look. This next section is all about how lip products can be best applied, starting with proper lip care and prep and then moving on to application tips and techniques. 

Applying makeup is a skill, and just like any skill, you can get better at it with practice. 

What Are the Basics of Lip Care?

Ask any artist the secret to their best work, and they’ll tell you that it’s down to choosing the best paper or canvas and taking care to prep it well. Lip products give the best results on soft, smooth, and hydrated lips. Start with the following:

Exfoliation 

Exfoliation removes dead cells from the lips, leaving them smoother and softer, reducing discoloration, lip lines, and preventing chapping. 

You’ll need a lip scrub to exfoliate properly. A lip scrub is usually made up of solid grains suspended in a semi-liquid. While you can always buy a lip scrub from a drugstore, homemade scrubs are cheaper and just as effective. You can find endless recipes online and use ingredients such as sugar, coffee grounds, and honey. 

Clean your lips, wet them, and apply your scrub with a toothbrush or your finger. Rub for a few minutes and then rinse. 

Overnight Lip Masks

Moisturising lip masks are designed to be applied overnight and provide more nourishing hydration than regular lip balms. Great for people with very dry lips or for those who live in very dry and cold weather, lip masks repair, improve texture, and enhance your natural lip color. 

Daily Lip Hydration 

Stash a lip balm or lip oil in your purse, car, or bag so you can make sure you always have hydration at hand. Especially on days when you’re going bare-lipped.  It’s important to choose high-quality balms with natural ingredients such as shea butter to create a barrier between your lips and the environment. Tinted lip balms add a flush of natural color. 

Lip Product Removal

One of the worst things you can do for your lip health is to fall asleep with any lip product on. Apart from a lip balm or mask that is. Most lip products can be removed by regular makeup removers, but transferproof matte lipsticks and liquid lipsticks need heavy-duty oil-based makeup removers or balms. 

Healthy Lip Habits

Keep your lips beautiful and lush by using lip products with SPF and by avoiding smoking. A healthy diet with lots of vegetables and fruits also goes a long way to make sure you start with a perfect pout every time. 

Lip Prep 

When I sit down at my vanity, ready to apply some color, the worst thing I can do is to just slap on my usual lipstick with no preparation. I typically apply some lip balm a few minutes before and after it’s been absorbed. Here’s what I use:

A Lip Liner

There is no need to buy a separate lip liner for every lip color you own. One or two to match your brightest shades is plenty. For everything else, I’ve invested in a high-quality, clear lip liner or a liner that matches the exact color of your lips. Take time to apply the lip liner properly without overlining.  

A Lip Primer

A lip primer can make sure your lip product doesn’t smudge, budge, or transfer. It keeps the lips soft and prevents creamy formulas from settling into lip lines. Consider adding a lip primer to your kit if you need your look to last long days and survive multiple meals and uncooperative weather. 

Lip Product Application Tools

If you’re serious about your lip makeup, then two extra tools can make your application so much easier and better. Consider adding the following to your lip kit:

• Lip Brushes: A lip makeup brush gives you greater control over application, great for clumsy hands. It can be used to blend different lip products together and apply the product in thin, even layers. 
• Makeup Mixing Palette: A makeup mixing palette can be used to blend and adjust custom lip colors and formulas, mixing hydrating products with drier ones or adjusting lipstick undertone. 

A Step-by-Step Lip Product Application Guide 

Lip makeup tutorials vary depending on which products you use and the kind of finish you’re going for. Here is a basic tutorial for a full face makeup look that’s meant to look well put together and last for hours. 

1. Start with clean, hydrated lips. Prep with primer, concealer, or blend a little foundation over the lips to create a base.
2. Take a sharpened lip liner and start defining the cupid's bow. 
3. Line the lower lip by starting at the middle and following your natural lip line until the outer corners. Avoid overlining. 
4. Now line the rest of your upper lip. You can fill in your lips with the liner for a more opaque look or blend in the liner with a lip brush for a softer look.
5. Apply a layer of matte or velvet, transferproof lipstick inside the liner, using a lip brush. 
6. Use a paper towel to blot the lipstick.
7. Apply more layers until the desired opacity is achieved, blotting each layer. 
8. For more definition or to make your lips appear bigger, apply some clear gloss to the centre of your lips. 

FAQs

How often should I exfoliate my lips

Once or twice a week, depending on the weather. Too much can irritate them. 

When should I apply lip primer?

Apply lip primer in the same step as the face primer, before you apply lip liner. You can also apply concealer in its place to make your lip color stand out. 

Does Skin tone and undertone change with age?

Skin tone may change slightly with age over the years of sun and weather damage, but undertone does not. 

Can I store my lip products in the fridge?

You can store bullet lipstick shades that you don’t use often to make them last longer. However, avoid refrigerating lip products such as glosses or tints that come in a liquid formula, as that might alter their consistency.  

Can I use lipstick on my cheeks?

Lipstick can be used like a cream blush on the cheeks. Start by blending a very small amount and build up the color, especially when using heavily pigmented cream or matte formulations. 

Conclusion

You’ve just finished a crash course on lip makeup and are now ready to start creating the perfect pout. This blog covered the basic kinds of lip products with their main features, instructions on how to choose shades and finishes, and gave tips on how to get the most out of every application. It has been written to help you get the most out of your lip products, but none of the content is set in stone. Experiment! Get creative! Make mistakes. Your personal style is always evolving, and hopefully, this knowledge will give you the confidence to step out of your comfort zone. 

A Velvety Swatch of Bold Color

The Haya Beauty  Velvet Matte Lipsticks and Matte Liquid Lipsticks provide the perfect pop of color with a soft powdery finish. Enjoy hours of smudgeproof and transferproof lip color in delicious berry shades.