Picking your stick: The Facts About Lip Color Products

By Nicole Lundy - Glamorous Chicks Cosmetics Feature Writer & CEO of NeLani Cosmetics

A person’s gaze is drawn to your mouth as you speak, eat, smile or kiss. If your lips are a mess, it says something negative about you. A smooth coat of flattering color will emphasize this mobile and beautiful feature of your face. There are so many options for lip cosmetics that it really can be confusing trying to figure out what is best for you. You have numerous choices in terms of color, wearability, moisturizing and sun-protection capabilities, and every brand gives you a variety of products among which to choose. There are four main categories of lip cosmetics: lipstick, lip stain, lip gloss and lip balm. Here are some facts and suggestions to help clear up your confusion.

What is Lipstick? 


 Lipstick has been around for a long time: it is speculated that the Egyptians are the earliest known people to use it. Lipsticks contain waxes, oils, pigments and emollients. There are many lipsticks on the market that contain collagen, sunscreen, moisturizer, and vitamin E which provides lips an extra bonus by moisturizing and protecting them from the environment. There is a variety lipstick finishes on the market including frosted, matte, cream and shimmer.

What is Lip Stain?

Lip stain is designed to saturate the lip with long-lasting color. Once it dries on the lip, it won’t smear, stain, transfer, or wear unevenly. Lip stain is a great way to keep lips pretty for hours without the upkeep of reapplications. Lip stains come in a variety of shades. It is always wise to test the color before buying. Lip stains come in a variety of application formulas, including brush-on, marker tip, gel pump, cream or pot. Lip stain works with any make-up style as it can be used with either a natural and dramatic makeup application.

                                                       What is Lip Gloss?

Lip gloss is mainly used to give lips a shiny brilliance and sometimes a hint of color. You can wear it by itself or as a top layer over lip balm, lipstick or lip stain. Lip gloss can be clear, translucent or come in a range of colors. Also, there are many options to have a lip gloss with a special finish, such as glitter, frosty, metallic and more. Some lip gloss contains sun protection and moisturizer. You can even have flavored lip gloss!

What is Lip Balm?

Lip balm is medicine for your lips. It softens and smoothes dry, even cracked lips. It may contain medication to heal sore lips. Some lip balm comes with a hint of color. Some lip balm is flavored. You can buy it in tube, stick or jar form.

Choosing a lipstick color does not have to be a daunting chore. The most flattering lip tones will be one or two shades darker than your natural lip color, according to makeup artist Bobbi Brown. To make this easier, visit cosmetic counters where you are allowed to try lip colors on before you buy them. Use your fingertip to test the lip color on your bottom lip and compare the shade to the upper lip.

-Light skin tones are complemented with light beige and brown with pink and orange undertones.

-Medium skin tones look good with light browns and plum .
-Dark skin tones are awesome with wines, plums, browns and deep reds.

Bonus Tips for Lips:

Exfoliate – Exfoliate your lips daily to get rid of dead skin that hinders a smooth lip color product application. You can buy are lip exfoliators in some stores, but a simple method is to brush your lips gently with your toothbrush every time you brush your teeth.
Hydrate – Lip products are best applied when the lips are soft and moist. It is best to use a lip balm about five minutes before you apply a lip color product. The lip color product will go on smoothly and evenly in this way.

2009-2010 Nelani Skincare & Cosmetics LLC. Want to use this article in your E-zine or website? You can as long as you include this complete statement: Makeup Artist and Beauty entrepreneur Nicole Lundy publishes the 'Flawless Beauty' bi-weekly e-zine. Visit www.NeLaniCosmetics.com to learn more about Nicole and sign up for the e-zine.

About Glamorous Chicks Cosmetics:

Glamorous Chicks Cosmetics was created in 2009 to provide independent and classy women with the beauty and fashion tools they need to live a glamorous lifestyle. Our mission is to brand the concept of that every woman can live this marvelous lifestyle. The brand specializes in a mineral cosmetics line and beauty products, for the independent, classy, and trendy woman on the go.

We are committed to providing our consumers with high quality products, so that they will use Glamorous Chicks Cosmetics as their cosmetic product of choice. Our products are mineral and 100% natural so they are perfect for all skin types and very gentle on your skin. They are great additions to the makeup bags of women who love to look fantastic and take excellent care of their face. Glamorous Chicks 
Cosmetics can be purchased from our website Glamorous Chicks Cosmetics.