Some days, it’s just a few dots of concealer, a coat of mascara and a hint of blush. Other days, I have more time to spend buffing eyeshadows into place or getting my base just right. But no matter how my face ends up looking, lip gloss is one of the easiest products to add without having to start my makeup routine all over again.
It turns out that there’s a lot more to think about when choosing one than I realised, though. Some glosses offer a sheer tint of colour, whereas others have more pigment or a super glossy finish. Plus, there’s texture, comfort and longevity to take into consideration, too. I’ve had to figure out how you actually like to wear makeup in order to work out the lip gloss formula or shade I want in my kit.
Match the Finish to Your Makeup Style
I usually think about the finish first. A glossy lip goes well with most makeup, but it looks different depending on the whole face.
For a natural look during the day, I’d go with a medium-consistency gloss with not much reflection. When worn with seemingly no makeup at all, like just a bit of concealer, brushed-up brows, and mascara, a gloss of a clear hue gives a polished feel to the existing face without making it feel extra. I especially like the gloss when I want to give my lips that healthy appearance while focusing on other parts of my face.
I match my lip colour to my eye makeup by default. A smoky eye and dark, vampy lipstick will always feel right to me. I turn to neutral glosses or sheer peachy-pink colours with my bronzer and a flick of black eyeliner. When I wear more colour on my lips, I like my eyes a little less defined. Red or coral lips with a soft black-brown eyeliner and mascara, and nude gloss with a little grey or taupe shadow.
I look at colour harmony in general terms, but for the practical side of it, a golden bronze eye can look good with a warm peach or coral blush, while taupes and greys pair well with cool pinks. I just think of it as guidelines for achieving balance and comfort, but I’m unlikely to reach for a cloud-blue eyeshadow just to harmonise with something I’m wearing.
Understand Texture and Colour Payoff
Not all lip glosses are created equal, and how a product feels on your lips can greatly affect the odds that you’ll reach for it again and again. I love a lightweight gloss for easy, everyday wear, as it can be comfortable and unobtrusive on the lips without feeling like a mask. If you’re after a more obvious, high-shine finish, a thicker gloss is more your speed, although how it feels to wear is definitely a matter of personal preference.
I also gauge a gloss based on how well it spreads, whether it moves around, if it’s sticky, and how well it wears. It’s one thing for a product to look great in the tube, but if I’m continually aware of how it’s sitting on my lips, I’m likely to pass it up in the future. If possible, I’ll also look at product descriptions and reviews for helpful tips on how to wear and apply a gloss.
Colour is important, too. Tinted glosses just boost my natural lip colour, so I can easily throw one on without giving much thought to the rest of my face. Heavily pigmented glosses can function as my makeup’s pièce de résistance.
If I were to look at Kiko Milano lip gloss options on Allegro, I’d probably sift through to look for finish and shade. From there, comparing the product information side-by-side makes it easier to decide how a product that I’d already like to wear fits into my collection, and I can try not to use shiny packaging as the deciding factor.
Find a Shade for Everyday Wear
If I were looking for an everyday lip gloss, then I would be looking out for colours with nude hues, pinks and soft roses. They can work with so many different outfit variations and makeup looks. Whether you are feeling au naturel and going for that muted nude lip, or feeling sassy and going out for lunch with your girlfriends wearing that cute rose pink dress or even a nice glam moment at night, you really can’t go wrong.
If there is a particular reason I am in need of a good glossy lip and I don’t want to take away focus from the lips, then I would be going for a good nude. It is an easy way for your lips to look good whilst you are able to still look pimped. Everyone’s nude shade can look different to someone else based on your own skin colour and lip colour, so it’s important to do a good search around and look at swatches and product looks in order to try and get a sense of what it could look like.
Pink glosses offer a little more colour while remaining easy to wear. Pale pink can create a delicate finish, while deeper rose shades give the lips more definition. Peach and coral are worth considering when I want a warmer effect, especially with bronzer or warm-toned blush.
For occasions when I want something more expressive, berry or red gloss can add colour without the more precise application often associated with a bold lipstick. I still consider the rest of my makeup, though. When the lips carry more colour, I tend to keep the eyes simpler.
Consider Comfort and Staying Power
I’m pretty picky with glosses. At the base, it has to feel good when I’m wearing it. I consider the texture of the formula as well as any moisturising benefits touted, but I know that products don’t always wear and feel the same on everyone. I’ll opt to prep my lips when they’re dry, but with something gentle. If time permits, I like to let it sit before applying any colour so I can get some hydration going.
I’ll start with clean lips, and I’ll use a gentle, hydrating balm as needed. I try to work with minimal products on my lips, whether it’s gloss or lipstick. I also like to let it sit for a few seconds before applying gloss. If I have some areas that are flaky, I’ll very gently exfoliate, which helps improve the product’s application in my experience, but I wouldn’t buff heavily on sensitive or irritated skin.
Furthermore, I also try not to get too hopeful about wear time. Eating, drinking, talking and even just existing can wear down a gloss’s shine, so chances are, even if it’s super comfy, you’ll need to give your fis’ a swipe to bring the gloss back to life. If I have a cheeky trick up my sleeve and I know I’ll have the time to touch up a colour, I’ll be a little less fussy. Sometimes I opt for a matching lip liner underneath because it just gives a bit of framework, and the gloss has something to stick to.
Most of the time it just takes a mirror and a swipe to refresh my look. I’d prefer to wear a comfortable gloss that I can easily reapply, rather than reapply something that promises all-day wear.
Make Lip Gloss Part of Your Routine
My personal favourite lip glosses for daily use are the sort of thing that falls in line with my routine. A sheer pink looks pretty most mornings, a nude can go with almost anything I’m wearing, and a deeper colour offers me a choice for more intentional makeup.
I try to consider all the qualities of a lip gloss when choosing what will work best for my daily life: glossiness, thickness and texture, colour, wear time, and how it will pair with what I’m already wearing. By comparing and contrasting the key features of different products, it is easier to make choices that reflect what I want and choose products that won’t just sit in my drawer.
Finally, an everyday gloss certainly doesn’t have to overhaul an entire makeup routine. Sometimes, a pretty sheen across the lips and some colour that goes right with clothes is all the pick-me-up I need at once.
RELATED: KIKO Milano and STABILO Bring Highlighters to Your Makeup Bag
