Every few seasons a new type of lip product comes out and earns ‘it’ status, making you push your regular run-of-the-mill lipstick and lip gloss to the back of the drawer. And right now the focus is on lip paints: a thicker-than-normal lip color (it comes in a tube instead of a bullet) for serious color, staying power and texture.
More of a thick liquid lip color that’s loaded with pigment than a traditional matte lipstick or gloss, Lijha Stewart, MAKE UP FOR EVER director of education and artistry says that lip paints, which offer more coverage and texture, are great for creating different effects. “For crisp edges, use a lip brush to apply lip paint. For more of a full coverage look, use a pea-sized amount of product and apply it to the lips starting at the center of the lips and working out to the outer edges.”
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You can swap out your favorite matte lipstick or gloss as well as stains and sheerer formulas for a lip paint, which is wearable for both day and night. To apply one, Stewart says to use a product that has a sponge tip applicator, like MAKE UP FOR EVER’s Arcylip ($18), which gives a soft edge.
When wearing lip paint, Jack Hargreaves, art director for Obsessive Compulsive Cosmetics, says it’s all about balance. “If you want to paint your lips in bolder, vivid shades to make them the focus, consider a more minimal approach to the rest of the makeup to keep the lips the focal point.” And, you always want to make sure that your lips are properly hydrated so that the color has lasting power. “Additionally, for even more longevity, pair your lip color with a coordinating lip pencil to define your lip look,” says Hargreaves.
Here are some of our favorite lip paints, which also happen to look stunning on. They’re full of color and texture and make for a great spring makeup pick-me-up.
