I used to be one of those girls who absolutely hated using lip products. The most I’d use was chapstick, but otherwise, I’d shun every form of lipstick or lipgloss that came my way… which was a considerably easier task back then, since it was only just lipstick and lipgloss. Now there’s freakin’ lip butters and lip tars and lip stains and how am I ever supposed to own them all?!
Anyway, my aversion to lipsticks continued for many years, until suddenly – almost overnight, really – I was obsessed with lip products. Now my friends very pointedly steer me away from all makeup counters just so that I’m not triggered into another round of manic buying. The point is: in a very short space of time, I acquired many lip products. And for some reason, I toted them all around, because you just never know what lip product you’ll need when…
Yes, this used to be my daily make up bag. I’ve toned it down considerably since then, mostly because I’ve gotten a chance to really use them all and figure out my favourites… and also because on any given day, I really don’t need four types of lipbalm. So now I’ve streamlined my make up bag and will carry only two or three – no, I’ve still not brought it down to one – of these lip products.
Maybelline Baby Lips
I couldn’t possibly start off my list without mentioning Baby Lips. One of the main reasons I never wore lip colours was because my lips used to be super chapped and nothing would look good on them. I’ve tried everything – from drugstore chapstick to herbal lip balms to high end ones to just plain olive oil – and nothing has worked on my lips the way this has. I really can’t rave enough about this, so suffice it to say that Baby Lips is perhaps the biggest force behind my lipstick addiction. (Thanks, Baby Lips. My bank account hates you. I love you.)
Mac’s Ruby Woo
What can I say about this lipstick that hasn’t been said already? This was a recent purchase, and let’s just say I’m in looove already. It’s supposed to be one of those shades that’s just universally pretty on everyone, and while I haven’t tested that theory, I know it’s pretty on me. I love matte lipsticks and I love red, so it’s perfect – and it stays on all day, so no issues there. It’s become my “special occasion” lipstick because I think it’s impossible to wear it and not feel a little extra glamourous.
Wet ‘N’ Wild Mega Last Red Velvet
I didn’t need a red lipstick when I picked this one up, but it was called “red velvet” so I was sort of morally obligated to own it. Wet ‘N’ Wild is a US drugstore make up brand that’s inexpensive, and while it’s usually hit and miss with their products, the Mega Last range has been receiving some great reviews. This is my only colour from the range and I love it – plus, I bought it for only $2! Seriously. It’s extremely pigmented, goes on smooth and has decent staying power. Some people also call it a Ruby Woo dupe, but I think it’s a bit brighter, which I actually like. See the difference?
Red Velvet is the perfect, inexpensive choice to pick up if you want to test out red lips and see if the look works for you – though you’d probably have to ask someone from the States to send it over. (See also: their Stoplight Red shade. Haven’t tried it yet, but from what I read, it’s a closer dupe of Ruby Woo.)
Revlon Just Bitten Kissable Balm Stain in Sweetheart
Ohhh, how I love this product. I’ve got it in two shades: Sweetheart and Romantic, and while I use both, Sweetheart has become my go-to lip product. I’m obsessed with these jumbo lip balm gloss stick thingies, so I own quite a few, but the Revlon ones are my favourite. It’s such an easy product to apply, and Sweetheart is a gorgeous pink. They don’t dry my lips out (although I wear all my lip products over lipbalm) and they fade evenly. Strangely, I find my lips even more pigmented after I’ve been wearing Sweetheart for a bit, since it leaves behind a stain, which I’m quite okay with since I like lip stains! You can also build this one up: if I want a sheer look, I apply it very lightly over lip balm and it just gives a mild pink, glossy look. (Check out the difference between one swipe and multiple swipes in the picture above.) Obviously most times I apply it properly, because I am all about a bold lip.
Rimmel Lasting Finish by Kate Moss in #06
And when I do want to wear a bolder pink lip, I pick up my Rimmel by Kate lipstick in shade #06. It’s a gorgeous hot pink and has become my lipstick of choice for the days when I really want a bright “pop” of colour. It’s also a creamy lipstick, which means that it goes on extremely smoothly and doesn’t dry my lips out. On the flipside, it transfers and bleeds very easily, so you may want to wear it with a colourless lip liner. I’d say that I love this one more for its colour than anything else, because I’ve got it in another shade and I’ve barely worn that one yet.
What are your favourites? Tell me in the comments below; I’m always willing to try out new shades! In the meantime, I’m going to trawl online make up stores, because there’s the perfect coral shade out there somewhere, and I’m duty-bound to find it.