It’s really more of a personal debate that I have with myself all the time. It’s also similar to the question I asked you guys on Friday about whether you wear heels or flats to work.
Here’s my personal stance on lipstick. I LOVE THE WAY IT LOOKS…. on other people.
I think it’s fashionable and pretty (and also brave) to swipe bright, bold color onto lips. But I just can’t seem to do it. Unless I’m going out to a party, which (let’s face it) rarely happens, I have a hard time considering wearing lipstick. I know of girls who don’t leave the house without lipstick.
And I’m a little envious.
I was saying a few weeks ago to someone that I always feel like a child that has gotten into her mother’s makeup drawer when I have lipstick on. For someone who’s morning makeup routine lasts a total of three minutes, lipstick seems overdone. It seems too bright on my pale skin. It seems… like I’m trying to hard.
Maybe I’m missing something? Was there some sort of lesson that I missed in the seventh grade girls bathroom?
The crazy thing is that I actually own lipstick. I get all swept up in the excitement at the Nordstrom makeup counter. Smooth talking saleswomen convince me that “this shade is perfect“for me. I jealously watch my sister effortlessly walk away with new tubes of lipstick and I have to join in on the fun. And then the lipsticks sit at the bottom of my purse or the back of my makeup drawer.
For now, I have a few lipstick alternatives:
As part of this post, Tarte Cosmetics sent me a huge box of all sorts of makeup. My sister and I spent a good afternoon opening everything up and testing out different colors and deciding who got what. I loved pretty much all the products, but I especially loved all the lip tints. The color lasts a LONG time and it really does feel like lip balm, not lipstick.
The consistency of this is great. Very smooth and very, well, hydrating. I am kind of addicted to lip balm and can’t stand it when my lips feel dry. This is perfect. SPF 15? Even better.
Lancôme | Color Design HydraBalm Tinted Lip Balm
I don’t have this, but I’m super interested in trying it out. It deceitfully looks like actual lipstick, which would be great for parties when I want to pretend like I’m wearing the real stuff. If anyone has used this before, please let me know what you think!
The classic lip balm we know and trust… with a hint of color. I really think Burt’s Bees is just fantastic. I love everything from the face wash to the foot cream. This has all the benefits of the good ole’ minty lip balm and a great color. It would be easy to put on all day, for sure. Maybe consider using the regular stuff during the day and switching to this for nights out!
Now, I want to ask: do you wear lipstick? What brands and shades do you love the most?
xoxo
Try out Urban Decay's or Korres' lipsticks – both have some sheen and look really natural! I'm the same way with lipsticks, but love both of those formulations.
Fresh Sugar Plum! It's a colored balm as well and is seriously my favorite beauty product of all time. The whole Fresh Sugar line of balms is great, but the Sugar Plum is perfect for my coloring (dark hair, pale skin – similar to you, I think). It's shiny and very hydrating as well.
I think with lipstick one of the key things is to balance it with the rest of your face. While it might be easy to think that you don't need other makeup especially if it is a bright, usually a crisp swipe of eyeliner, flawless foundation/concealer/tinted moisturizer, and if you are pale don't forget to put on some complementing blush. It also helps to start out with a more neutral, natural color to get used to the idea of wearing it before breaking out the bright corals, oranges, pinks and reds. Other than that, just make sure to whiten your teeth, bring a concealer stick in case of bleeds (huge help) and wear with confidence!
I totally understand you.
I used to have the same problem.
Now, I use a lipgloss that looks a bit like my natural lip color, only prettier and with a bit of shimmer.
I still don't feel comfortable wearing red lipstick.
Love
Vicky
http://cottoncandychronicles.blogspot.be/
I actually have a similar thing when it comes to lipstick. I'm more of a balm/gloss girl myself. I have the Burt's Bees lip balm. I hadn't heard of the Lancome one, but am now interested in trying it.
I think I bought a tube of lipstick back in 2007 and probably used it once or twice. I'm a chapstick (sometimes a bit of gloss) girl…always have been.
I've never seemed to find the right color.
I wear lipstick on most days – but it took some getting used to. I recommend trying one of the lipstick-gloss hybrids to start off with. My favorite is the Revlon Lip Butter. It comes in a bunch of shades, and it's glossy and natural – not think and opaque!
I love that Burt's Bees lip balm- I'm weird about lipstick, too. Have you tried a lipstain? I've used them in the past, and I swipe on some regular chapstick over it
I usually wear soft pink lipsticks-Bobbi Brown makes lots of neutral shades. However, I tried red lipstick for the first time this weekend and once I got over the initial shock, I was a big fan!
i LOVE the burts bees one. that is my go-to lately and i love that it is all natural.
http://lachapstickfanatique.blogspot.com
I am just like you…I love the way lipstick looks, but I have never been a huge fan. Recently I started using Clinqiue chubby sticks and I am obsessed with them. Chuncky Cherry is my favorite. They give you a lot of color and stay on long, but feel much more like a chap-stick!
I'm all about Clinique chubby sticks too! I have Super Strawberry and Graped-up- love em!
I have one lipstick I use, it's by Make Up Forever (ironyyy). I was at Sephora once and then had this wheel that you select your hair and skin color and it tells you your perfect red, your perfect pink, etc. I also hate having dry lips, so I either layer it over my cocoa butter chapstick or put some pink gloss over it. I recently tried ELF lipstick but I'm not 100% sold on it yet.
ditto! make up forever is my go-to for lipwear. i think i bought a gloss on a whim and now it's all i use. i love the rosewood color (in gloss and stick). just enough (try it, carly!)
Oh geez. I could rhapsodize about awesome lipsticks for days. I have a semi-unhealthy obsession with a retro red lip (with a simple cat-eye), and I own a gazillion different lipsticks.
MAC has the best lipsticks, in my opinion. You can pick from super matte (never runs!) to more creme-y and glossy. My favorite shades of red are Ruby Woo and Russian Red. If you're going for a more neutral look, I'm a fan of Velvet Teddy (it's a nude-ish color), and if you want that wine color that'll be everywhere this fall, Diva is really nice.
If you're doing drugstore brands, I love Maybelline's Superstay 24 hour lipcolor. They have a nice range of shades, and that lipcolor really, really stays on forever. It's a nice way to transition into wearing color on your lips–mostly because you don't constantly have to worry about it. (I actually wear it when I go to the pool or beach! If the rest of my face is makeup free and covered by sunglasses/hat, at least my lips can be bright and happy!)
I remember when I first started wearing bright bright lipstick, I was super self-conscious. I felt like EVERYONE was looking at my lips. But, the more I wore it, the more I got used to it, and now, I feel weird when I don't wear it. (Plus, it's kind of like my trademark now!)
I can't get enough lipstick! I have feeling a little down in the dumps that day I slap some of that stuff on it and it just cheers me right up 🙂 I love anything that comes from revlon & maybelline. I wear a lot of reds and fuscias and corals. If i want something bright and fun I wear a bright red or fuscia, and if I want a pop of color but want it to be suttle I will wear a coral or pink 🙂 It's something you will get use to, but once you start wearing lipstick and feel comfortable with it you will LOVE it! I always have an extra boost of confidence when I wear mine. Now, when I don't wear it I feel a little naked.
I never wear lipstick either (because I also feel like I don't know how to make it look good!) but I love the Burt's Bees tinted lip balm. The hibiscus shade adds a touch of color to my lips without looking like I'm wearing a full coat of lipstick.
Bailey
baileys-college-life.blogspot.com
I wear lipstick but I tend to turn it into a tinted lip balm. I usually apply chapstick on my lips then one coat of lipstick on my bottom lip only and smoosh my lips together. I find this way the colour isn't too strong and its perfect for everyday.
I actually feel the same way that you do! I don't ever wear lipstick because I can't pick out the best shade and don't want to spend tons of money on something I'll never wear. I stick to EOS. I love it!
I love tinted balms! I find that I usually smudge lipstick by the end of the day.
I wear clinque chubby stick in two ton tomato. Its that classic read that I can't seem to pull off in regular lipstick. and it doesn't smear like red lipstick!
I love lipstick! My go-to shades are Chanel Coco Rouge in Boy and MAC Cherish. If I want a lighter look I opt for Korres tinted lip butter in pomegranate or Clinique chuppy stick in Mega Melon.
Lip stain is another great alternative! I highly recommend it!
I am forever debating this with myself too! I'm typically a clear or nearly clear gloss or lip balm girl. I see such pretty lipsticks on other ladies and love the look! I tend to feel like I'm at a color disadvantage b/c of my red hair and then I'll see someone with pretty auburn hair and an amazing lipstick and think "well there! I can do that too!" and so I do, I break out the lip colors I was confident enough to get while at the beauty counter and I'll sweep the pretty color on and wear it…around the house. But, I often get nervous about wearing it outside of the house like me of all girls cannot pull it off publicly. Once in a while I work up the nerve to wear it out and I find the more I do it, the more confident I am in my bold lips. 🙂
PRAISE! Someone understands my battle. I always look ridiculous!
Highcottonhoney.blogspot.com
I have the exact same problem. My guess is that I just have yet to find the right shade. Lately I've been trying to transition from chap stick to gloss and ultimately to lipstick. I get this monthly make up sample kit called Birchbox and they gave me this awesome lips stain. I think the brand is Stella? It's super sheer so that it gives me color without me feeling like a clown. Give it a try!
thedesignamateur.blogspot.com
I've always stayed away from lipstick too…
until my wedding day this summer when I realized I needed lipstick for my bridal photos! The answer: Covergirl Outlast.
Goes on like a gloss, and then you just swipe a clear shiny coat over it whenever you like. The color SERIOUSLY lasted through my entire wedding day – photo sessions, ceremony, dinner, and dancing. And it didnt feel gloppy. If you're on the fence about lipstick, you have to try this stuff.
I used to be the same way until I tried MAC's lipstick in the color "Modesty". The trick I learned was to try and match a lipstick to your own lip color. I feel as though Modesty is the perfect fit and makes my lips look like they're the perfect shape without looking like I have anything on!
Hey carly! I work for Lancome and I can tell you the hydra-balm is AMAZING! It looks like lipstick but its not at all, its so much better than chapstick, it actually lets your lips breathe without feeling waxy. Also, check out La Base, it's clear but comes in a lipstick tube and it binds moisture to your lips. You won't regret either of these. ALSO, check out the L'absolu Nu line by Lancome. They are more sheer than your average lipstick so you can get an amazing lipstick look without the heavy feeling or super strong colors. Lastly, I also LOVE the Fresh lip balms, their amazing!! Hope this helps!!!
I'm more into lip tinting but I do love lipstick. I think it's just because lip gloss looks so bad on me that I converted, haha! Every girl looks wonderful in a lipstick color or a lip stain, so I just saw take the plunge and go for it! I love Burt's Bees and my new favorite is Revlon's Colorburst Lip Butter!
I feel exactly the same way! The minute I put it on, I feel like I'm wearing a costume and then I'm back to my same old gloss!
I'm actually going to do a post on the same thing! I love Clinique Chubby Sticks b/c they feel almost like chapstick but give you some color. And don't make me feel ridiculous!
Revlon lip butters are my go to because:
1) Color is fairly pigmented (like a lipstick)
2) Color is sheer and shiny (like a lip gloss)
3) Moisturizes a bit (like a lip balm)
Didn't mean to comment a shameless promo, but they're pretty awesome! I recommend them.
I feel exactly the same way about lipstick. If it makes you feel any better, I'm in my 30's and never wear lipstick and always wear flats too. I just don't feel like myself when I wear a bright (or any) color on my lips or heels on my feet. And I'd rather be comfortable and feel like me any day of the week.
KK
The Burt's Bees Cocoa Lip Shimmer leaves my lilps SO dry and the color is really odd on me. I've been wearing a lot of the Fresh Sugar (I think the shade is Warm Nude) and I also like Clinique's Chubby Stick.
Especially love Burt's Bees and Tarte lipsticks. The more you wear lipstick, the more confident you'll become wearing it. Try just wearing some around your apartment, even if you know you are going to be alone. Just get used to seeing your face with lipstick and you'll endure less mirror shock going forward.
I really like a lipstick/lipgloss combo. I use MAC for both. Lipstick goes on first, gloss goes on after. I find it gives the vibrant colour of the lipstick with the comfort/moisture of a gloss. I'm definitely not an everyday lipstick girl though.
I tried the Revlon Lip Butter (the one with Emma Stone in the commercial) in Peach Parfait. It's the most fabulous product I own! The color is just right, because I'm pretty pale. I either wear it full on, or dab it to create a stain effect.
I know I already commented…but over the weekend I picked up Revlon's ColorBurst Lip Butter on a whim. I actually REALLY like it. You might want to save it until the weather cools down though. My friend's apartment isn't air conditioned and it started MELTING. I had to keep it in the fridge while I was visiting. It would probably not do well in a purse all day in the summer.
Carmex tinted moisterizer
You really can't go wrong with any Tarte products. The consistency of their lipsurgence tints are amazing, great picks!
Birdie Shoots