Allow Me To Share My Fave Lippies
Chances are, one of the first beauty products you played around with was lipstick. And why not? She’s bold, she’s brave, she’s (relatively) easy to apply — but there are just so.many.dang. options on the market and it can be hard to find the one that hits all the high notes.
So let’s break it down! For every product, I’ll share the pros and cons (of real testing!), along with a price point. Options will range from full-coverage to relatively sheer, so you can play around with different lewks. No gatekeeping here— I’ll tell ya the truth, so you can find what’s best for YOU.
$ - Under $10
$$ - Under $35
$$$ - Under $50
$$$$ – Under $75
Shiseido Technosatin Gel Lipstick
A lot of brands claim to offer formulas that are highly-pigmented and hydrating, but if I’m being honest, this one’s one of the few that delivers.
Pros: BOLD colour in a single swipe with a buttery formula that doesn’t skip while you’re putting it on (or bleed afterwards, either). As a bonus, it’s also simple to fix with a cotton bud if you accidentally colour outside the lines.
Cons: If you’re used to more traditional formulas, use a light hand because this one is surprisingly soft (and easy to mess up, if I’m being honest).
$$$
Armani Beauty Lip Maestro Satin
Looks like a liquid lip, wears like a luminous lipstick. No! Notes!
Pros: Easy to apply, thanks to it’s heart-shaped, doe-foot applicator. It also has seeeeerious lasting power — even after you wipe it off, you’ll be left with a light stain. It’s also richly pigmented (like, I’m talking single-swipe coverage) and keeps my lips feeling comfy, even if I’ve been wearing it for hours.
Cons: While I love that it’s long-lasting, it is a bit tricky to clean up if you happen to mess up like I did. The price is also a smidge steep — at $54, it’s the most expensive option on this list.
$$$$
Merit Shade Slick Gelée Sheer Tinted Lip Oil
It took a while for me to hop on the lip oil trend, but now that I’m here, I am LOVING it. It’s the perfect blend of hydrating balm, sheer tint, and lip enhancer (the shade Jeté transforms into your unique shade after a few minutes!).
Pros: Almost impossible to mess up, thanks to its sheer finish. I love that you get the exact right amount every time you pull out the applicator, so I don’t have to mess around with overly-goopy formulas when I’m just.trying.to.get.ready.
Cons: It’s thinner than a gloss, so reapplication is a must (especially in the cooler months).
$$
Summer Fridays Lip Butter Balm
She’s moisturizing. She’s smooth as butta. She’s an ICON — and for good reason.
Pros: TONS of product inside the tube. I mean, seriously. Especially considering the fact that you really don’t need that much to give your lips a glossy, tinted makeover.
Cons: This is totally a personal preference, but I don’t necessarily love tradish scents like vanilla, sugar, caramel, and the like, so I would love an option in mint, lemon, or another fresher (and less sweet) option.
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