There’s a time and a place for all the fun things in life. And that includes lip gloss. It’s that certain sweet spot where the right event, circumstances and, well, weather come together to bring the perfect opportunity for you to sport a glossy pout. But when the timing’s wrong? It’s seriously wrong. Ever applied lip gloss prior to a windy commute? We bet you either wiped it off before making it to the office, or spent the day with sticky, pink-streaked strands. Or what about wearing it on a dinner date? Not only can it diminish the whole effortless shtick you’re trying to pull off, but what happens if your date insists you try his crumbly app? Then what, flaky lips?
So fine, your aversion to lip gloss is justified (sort of). But what a shame to deprive your lips of their time to shine, due to a few slightly awkward scenarios that can easily be controlled. In fact, there are all sorts of glosses currently on the market that have been designed to address all of the annoying problems you face when wearing the stuff. Whether you find lip gloss to be too drying, high-maintenance, whatever, we’re here to solve all of your frustrations, thanks to a few standout options that make lip gloss a total pièce de résistance.
Browse the gallery below for 5 easy fixes for your lip gloss woes.
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lip gloss fix
Problem #1: It dries out your lips
Some lip glosses can leave your lips feeling dry and looking flaky. You can keep them hydrated by applying a moisturizing balm underneath the gloss of your choice. But an even simpler option? Go for a lip balm with a high gloss finish that contains antioxidants to protect your lips, while relieving dryness and providing a soothing, standout shine.
A common reason for hating on gloss is some of us prefer a more intense colour, instead of the wishy-washy shades most brands tend to offer. If a bright red, orange, pink, or purple pout is what you’re after, look for a formula with the vibrant benefits of a stain. YSL’s Rouge Pur Couture Vernis À Lèvres Gloss Stain is an ideal blend of the shine of a high-voltage gloss, with the endurance of a stain. It’s lightweight texture delivers vivid colour that melts into your lips and stays put. Coming in the traditional lip gloss tube, the wand features a slanted tip and short bristles to warrant a precise application.
Is your main concern that typical lip gloss pulls the vanishing act all too quickly? You’ll need one with serious staying power, like M.A.C’s Pro Longwear Lipglass. It’s a super glossy formula that envelops lips with both colour and shine that won’t budge for up to six hours.
Perhaps you’re slightly scarred from a sticky situation in your Lip Smackers-lovin’ days, and have sworn off gloss for good. And hey, we understand, but you may want to check out Lise Watier’s Baiser Velours. It comes in the typical liquid formula with a wand applicator, but has a velvety look. It’s richly pigmented, long-lasting and has a matte finish, making it the most fuss-free lip “gloss” available.
It’s easy for lip gloss to make you feel like you’re too done up, but it doesn’t have to. Go for an effortlessly polished look (think Blake Lively), and try cult favourite, Charlotte Tilbury’s Lip Lustre Luxe Color-Lasting Lip Lacquer.
It’s a total all-in-one. This high-shine formula will last for hours, contains lip-plumping benefits and can soothe a chapped pout as it includes Lotus Flower extract to hydrate skin. The best part? All of the Lip Lustre shades are quite natural looking therefore easy to wear no matter your skin tone. As for our favourite shade, we’d have to say the classic pale pink, Portobello Girl.