7 Ways to Make Lip Gloss Look Cool Again
In case you haven’t noticed, matte lipstick has taken over. It’s rare to see a glossy lip nowadays, because of brands like Kat Von D, NYX, ColourPop, Stila, and yes, Kylie Jenner’s Lip Kit, pumping out incredibly long-lasting, highly pigmented matte liquid lipsticks that are hard to resist. But what happens when you have too much of a good thing? Boredom, of course.
We’ve been missing gloss lately, especially in the winter since matte lipsticks can be so, so drying. So we asked our Beauty Panel how they wear lip gloss and make it look cool again. It’s time to bring shine back.
Challenge 110: How do you update lip gloss? See the answers now! »
Have a beauty question you want to see the panel answer? Send it our way at [email protected]. Read on for the answers to this week’s challenge and for more goodness, get to know all contributors on our Beauty Panel hub page.
Jenn Fong
Vancouver | A Beautiful Zen
Matte lips are trending and almost every brand has hopped on board. These lipsticks can be quite drying but I’ve found the Maybelline Color Sensational Creamy Mattes forgiving since the creaminess doesn’t produce a flat look. If true flat matte is your game, the WetnWild Mega Last Lipsticks are amazing for under $5.
Though mattes (and liquid lipsticks) are making their way around, I still go for gloss every now and then. My first gloss love was Dior Addict Gloss in Bal D’Été, a limited edition spring shade from 2013. Dior is actually relaunching their glosses and will be releasing the Ultra-Gloss in March. I got to try a few shades already and I can’t quite say that anything has made my lips more plump and juicy looking while being comfortable to wear.
Products used: Dior Ultra-Gloss in “Mirrored”
Julie Martinson
Toronto | Julie Martinson
Matte lips may be all the rage, but let’s not forget about how kissable, plump and hydrated your lips appear with a fresh, glossy look. How do I rock a glossy lip? It’s easy!
1. Scrub
Now you’re probably already keeping those lips in shape with the weather being as cold as it is. And even though you’re applying a more hydrating lip look, you still want to create a smooth foundation.
I like Lush Lip Scrubs made with fair trade organic cocoa butter, caster sugar and fine sea salt.
2. Prime
I know some people avoid lip gloss because it feathers or wears off quickly, but I have a tip for you: try a primer! There are even lip primers out there made specifically for glossy lips.
I like Too Faced Lip Insurance Glossy, it keeps my lip gloss from feathering and helps boosts shine.
3. Line
As you get older, your lip line tends to fade and fine lines form which can cause feathering. By lining the lips, you keep the gloss from migrating and define that lip line, which will make your lips look fuller and more youthful.
I like Dior Addict Lip Glow Liner, a universal shade that creates a precise lip line and acts as a barrier against feathering.
4. Shine
Now for the star of the show… lip gloss! This is where personal preference really comes into play. Do you like opaque colour? Do you want a vinyl look or something a bit more subtle? My favourite glosses tend to be sheer with a TON of shimmer. I find the shimmer really helps amp up the shine, and I’m all about that bling!
I like Dior’s new Dior Addict Ultra-Gloss in Shock.
Products used: Lush Lip Scrub in “The Kiss,” Too Faced Lip Insurance Glossy, Dior Addict Lip Glow Liner, Dior Addict Ultra-Gloss in “Shock.”
Kira Paran
Edmonton | Northern Style Exposure
Don’t me wrong, I love the matte lip beauty trend but for everyday looks in broad daylight I prefer a high shine gloss. I was a big fan of the Maybelline Baby Lips sticks, so when they came out with a gloss I knew I needed to try it. I love that it has shine but minimal colour leaving my lips looking youthful and soft in daylight. The price point is amazing, for under $5 it is a steal so you can try several colours for varying looks. When picking a gloss, I usually ask myself if I’ll be wearing it during the day or at night. For night looks, you can add more drama by using a full coverage gloss. But for day, I always opt for a sheer gloss, as it looks far more natural.
Products used: Maybelline Baby Lips Gloss in “Fascia Flicker #15”, Yves Saint Laurent Touche Eclat Blur Primer, Revlon Ultra Volume Mascara
Chelsea Olivia
Vancouver | Chelsea Olivia
While the matte lip trend may still be going strong, my love for a good glossy lip will never die. My lips, much like my skin, are pretty much always dry, which makes a matte lip extremely hard (and uncomfortable!) to pull off. This hasn’t stopped me from accumulating quite the collection of matte lipsticks, though, as I’m always on the hunt for one that might just work perfectly for me.
Although there have been quite a few matte lipsticks along the way that just haven’t worked out for me, it doesn’t mean I can’t use them. I have recently taken to pairing a coloured gloss with a coordinating matte lipstick shade, and I am absolutely loving how it looks! A non-sticky, pigmented gloss can bring life back into a lipstick that you thought may never work for you (this goes for shades that may have been a little off for your skin tone, as well) and will leave your lips feeling anything but dry and chapped!
Another plus side to finishing off your lipstick with a gloss, other than the whole no more dryness factor, is that gloss gives the illusion that your lips are fuller than they actually are. For thin-lipped ladies like myself, this is a dream come true!
Products used: Milani Color Statement Moisture Matte Lipstick in “Matte Glam” and NYX Butter Gloss in “Raspberry Tart”
Colleen Conroy
Vancouver | Blush Rouge
I love a good glossy lip. Velvety, muted lips have been so on trend these days that my tendency to slather on springtime bright lipstick and gloss usually ends up sticking out like a sore thumb (I do it anyway. All the time). However, to get a nice balanced mix during this time of transition between seasons, I created a look that features a fresher and slightly lighter brownish-red tone that still keeps on trend with the current lip hues. I then gave it an update from the matte textures by adding a solid layer of clear gloss on top.
Products used: MAC Lip pencil in “Mahogany”, MAC Lipstick in “Crème Cerise,” MAC Lipglass Lip Gloss.
Katie Elwood
Vancouver | Katie Elwood
I used to be strictly a gloss girl. It really wasn’t until my mid 20s that I discovered the world of lipstick. I then went through a strictly bold lipstick phase. Now I have an assortment of lippies on hand to fit whatever mood I am in. When I do reach for a gloss I often pair it with one of my current favourite lipsticks. Using a gloss adds an instant boost of hydration and gives the illusion of more plumped lips, something most of us are after! Here I went with a soft coral toned lipstick paired with a sheer gloss. Follow these three steps for your perfect glossy pout.
Step 1: Start by prepping your lips, my favourite product for this is Fresh “Sugar Lip Polish”. After your lips are prepped, line them and lightly fill them in with a neutral toned lip liner.
Step 2: Apply your lipstick. Use a lip brush for a more precise application. I recommend using a matte long-lasting lipstick or blotting off any shine from your lipstick after application. Here I used Charlotte Tilbury’s Matte Revolution lipstick which is very hydrating so my lips didn’t feel dry.
Step 3: Use a high-gloss lacquer and apply it all over the lips. My current go-to is Charlotte Tilbury’s Lip Lustre Glosses, they give the perfect amount of shine. Lastly take a little extra gloss on your finger tip and dab it in the centre of the lips.
Products Used: Garnier Skin Renew Perfector “Light/Medium”, Make Up For Ever Ultra HD Invisible Cover Concealer “Y23”, Giorgio Armani Luminous Silk Powder “Shade 5.5”, Benefit Bronzer “Hoola”, NARS Blush “Deep Throat”, Laura Mercier Baked Powder “Highlight 01”, MAC Eyeshadow “Bronze”, Shu Uemura Lash Curler, Rodial Glamolash Mascara, Smashbox Brow Tech Matte Pencil “Taupe”, Charlotte Tilbury Lip Cheat “Pillow Talk”, Charlotte Tilbury Matte Revolution Lipstick “Sexy Sienna”, Charlotte Tilbury Lip Lustre “Portobello Girl”
Marilou Moles
Ottawa | Twenty York Street
Matte, matte and some more matte! It seems that when it comes to lipstick, that`s all that MATTE-rs!
I do love that look as it tends to stay a little longer but we can`t forget the high finish of gloss to up the shine and sparkle this winter!
To keep things fresh and exciting, I actually did a hybrid of both matte and glossy! Why choose one when you can have both! Exfoliating your lips is a must as anything less than smooth will result to uneven finish.
I exfoliated my lips with Dr Roebuck’s Polish, a 2-in-1 facial scrub and mask (go easy on the lips!), applied a thin line of Reversa Booster serum and a heavy goop of THANN lip balm to moisturize and protect the lips! Next, I line it up with SST Powerstay Highlighting Stick, apply a thin base of Arbonne Smoothed Over Lipstick in Guava followed by the star of the show: the L`Oreal Infallible Pro Matte Gloss! See, even the name says it all: matte + gloss = happy together!
Products used: THANN Lipbalm, Dr Roebuck`s POLISH, a 2-in-1 facial scrub and mask, Reversa Booster serum, SST Powerstay Highlighting Stick in Euphoric, Arbonne Smoothed Over Lipstick in Guava and L`Oreal Infallible Pro Matte Gloss in Fuchsia Amnesia.
