This time of year, our lips need a little bit more TLC than usual due to the cold weather and dryness. Here are my favorite lip products, both for moisturizing as well as beauty needs.
1. Laneige Lip Sleeping Mask
This stuff is AMAZING! The formula is super thick, so a little goes a long way to keep your lips feeling plump and soft. It comes with a small silicone applicator so you don’t have to use your fingers (because it’s hard to wash off and takes two or three soap washes to get off your fingers). Although it’s called a sleeping mask, I’d argue this could probably be left on during the day as a semi-clear lipgloss, because it makes your lips look super shiny and keeps them feeling plump and moisturized. Just make sure you’re not planning on eating or drinking right away if you plan to use it during the daytime so it can do it’s job. Their approximately 1 oz pot retails for $22 at Sephora.
2. Fresh Sugar Advanced Lip Therapy
This is my go-to lip balm. It’s non-tinted but Fresh also makes a variety that come tinted. It doesn’t feel super waxy and just a slight hint of flavor that isn’t overpowering. For a first time user, I would recommend trying their Best Sellers Tin available for a limited time at Sephora for just $10 more ($39 total) for what you’d pay for a single full size one.
3. MAC Lip Pencils
I have been using MAC lip pencils for a long time, after snagging one of my mom’s as a teenager. My favorite go-to shade is the Soar, but the Whirl is equally great as a nude like shade that compliments my type of skin tone. But you can’t go wrong with any shade of your choice as these lip pencils not only look great on their own, but also work as a great base under a lipstick or lipgloss to keep your color in place for hours and not bleed through. I have even gifted these to my grandmother who loves glossy lipsticks and it helps keep her lipstick from bleeding off her lips.
4. MAC Ruby Woo Retro Matte Lipstick
Are you looking for a true red lipstick shade? The MAC Ruby Woo is undoubtedly one of the best shades for a red lipstick. It’s super classy and although matte, slides on effortlessly. I even sometimes use this as a dark spot corrector or even a little dab to blend on my cheeks like a cream blush. You can’t go wrong with this shade of red.
5. Huda Beauty Lip Strobe Metallic Gloss in Snobby
You’ve probably watched her tutorials on Youtube or Instagram, but beauty maven Huda Kattan has some great products in her makeup line. One particular product I love of hers is the Lip Strobe Metallic Gloss in Snobby. It is just the right amount of sparkle with both pink and gold, that can be worn by itself or layered on top of another shade.
6. NYX Suede Matte Lip Liners
If you want to buy a variety of colors in lip liners, but want to go for a more economical choice then NYX is perfect for that! When I did freelance makeup I used this on my clients all the time because of how easy it glides on and the colors are super vibrant. Did I mention it’s also vegan? I have so many shades and love experimenting by mixing and matching. For just $4 a pop, why not?
7. NYX Liquid Suede Lipstick
Another NYX favorite of mine, is their lipstick in cream form. The colors are not your normal pinks and reds and really more artistic colors in shades like blue, orange, and purple. I use just a dab of this in colors like Downtown Beauty or Life’s a Beach with other lip liners or gloss to create my own custom blended lip. A small rice-grain size amount goes a long way because they are all super pigmented. They dry quick after application for a true matte look. Did I mention super affordable for only $7?