This second article in the ‘All About Red Lips’ series focuses on the different formats that red lip colours can come in.  Understanding these aspects can help you to narrow down what sort of effect you want on your lips.

Looking for more inspiration, tips or techniques for wearing red-based lip colours? If so, you might like other articles and products featured as part of the ‘All About Red Lips’ series.

Lipstick bullets can come in different textures: matte, satin, shimmer, sheer or glossy.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

How you apply lipsticks can influence how bold or subtle the colour looks on your lips.

Applying the lipstick straight from the bullet gives a more opaque coverage.  One coat will give a good layer of colour, whilst two coats will provide more saturated effect.

Patting the colour on with your fingers will give a soft, stain effect.  This technique is particularly suitable if you want to gently introduce yourself to wearing red lip colour.

If you want a softer effect on the lips, look for words like ‘balm’, ‘glaze’ or ‘stain’ in the title of the lipstick.  Balms, glazes and stains will give a sheerer finish and are ideal if you want to gently introduce yourself to red lips.  Click on the link for further hints and tips on  ‘How to Make Red Lips Intimidating’.

 

Lipstick pencils are a handy way of getting a crisp and quick sweep of colour on the lips.  They are available in a variety of finishes, from subtle stains to full impact pigment.  The Revlon line of ‘Kissable Balm Stains’ (see below) provide just a hint of colour, whilst the Maybelline ‘Colour Drama Sticks’ (see below) are bold and pigmented.

Pencils can be used to line and fill in the lips, all in one go.  They are particularly good for if you are on the go and just want to quickly top up your lip colour.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Liquid lipsticks tend to come with a wand and an applicator (doe foot, brush, sponge) to sweep colour on the lips.  These can come in a variety of finishes, depending on the effect you are looking for.  Liquid lipsticks can be quite potent and so it is worth taking a little bit of care when applying them to the lips so that they don’t go everywhere.

Swatch of Stila All Day Liquid Lipstick in ’08 Tesoro’

 

 

 

 

 

 

Lipglosses are a good way of adding a sheer, juicy tint to the lips (see the article on ‘How to Make Red Lips Intimidating’ for more hints and tips on making red lips more wearable).

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

I hope you found this second article on red lip colour formats helpful! The next article in this series will look at the types of textures that red lip colour can come in and the different effects you can achieve on the lips.