For your Lips - YouLookFab Forum

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For your Lips

christie

This isn't a fashion question, but a make-up question. I am wondering what the forum gals like to wear on their lips and why: lipsticks, gloss, stains, etc...

What are your favorite brands and colors?

I love Nars lipsticks for their range of colors. My go-to lipstick is Nars dolce vita, but this past fall I bought Nars Flamenco. This color is so radical, I love it, but I'm not sure others appreciate it. I am pale-pale, and I love the contrast; but the disapproving looks of my husband have made me relinquish the lipstick to going-out only (worn only with mascara and a very slight touch of blush).

As a general rule, I dislike gloss. I find it too sticky and perhaps too infantile. But this winter my lips have been so chapped that my lipsticks have started to look terrible (in spite of exfoliating and moisturizing). Plus, I eat my lipsticks, so they always disappear within an hour of putting them on. I've recently turned to gloss--Stila's mandarin mist that I bought on a whim last fall. It is so goopy and gross, but it sticks to my lips, so you can't tell they're chapped, and it lasts. The color is too summery for me, but it's all I have.

So, that's me. What about the rest of you? Anyone else very blonde and pale? What colors do you like for lipsticks?

General

26 replies

Latest reply was from Eva

Nicole

Veteran

I don't wear lipstick. I don't like the way it feels on my lips. And the few times I have tried wearin it, I think I look silly. I don't know why...I love lipstick on other people. But I just can't figure it out.

Once in a while I wear a tinted gloss, but it stays on for about 2 seconds, so I don't usually bother wasting my time. I do apply lip balm regularly, especially when its cold and dry (like right now). I'm actually trying to get over a cold sore that is ginormous--on the corner of my mouth. It's painful, ugly and all the crap I've been putting on it is making the rest of my skin around my mouth breakout. Grrrrrr. They usually last 2 weeks...which would mean I have about 5 days to go.

Sarah

I'm not a blond but I have very pale skin. I actually buy cheep Wal-Mart lip gloss, but I like it. The kind I'm using now is a tinted gloss by Max Factor called "just a crush." The color looks natural, but gives my lips some color and helps them not to feel so dry.

Angie

(website)

Fashion Stylist

Sorry to hear about your cold sore Nicole. Hope that it is indeed gone in 5 days. Now...why is it that you feel silly in lipstick?

There are a billion and one lipstick and gloss options to choose from Sarah – its actually insane. I do not wear gloss (can’t bear the goo), but I wear lipstick everyday and only one colour. It matches everything that I wear and it’s never over powering (you might have gathered from this site that I am against the look of too much make-up in any shape or form). I wear Mac’s “spice it up”. It stays on well enough and I reapply after I’ve eaten . I too am pale skinned and blonde and it works. I wear Chanels “fire” for swanky evening events and I apply lip balm all the time. Voila!

Nicole

Veteran

I feel silly in lipstick because I feel like it overpowers my face. It has been years since I've tried wearing it though. I wouldn't even know at color to consider.

pinkcobra

I'm asian and very fair. I love gloss and lipstick...moderation is key. Most reds look horribly pink one me. I prefer neutral colors, but a splash of something rich is nice for an evening out. My favorites are Clinique's Tender Heart- which blends perfectly with my own lip color- and Berry Wine by Awake. I can't go anywhere without lip balm either...I make my own with skin loving oils and butters like, avocado, cocoa, kuiki nut, jojoba, etc.

Angie

(website)

Fashion Stylist

Lovely pink cobra!

Nicole, I might have a solution for you. The next time you’re at a Clinique counter, try a colour called "Black Honey". It's sounds absurd I know but it's wicked. It looks extremely dark, but it’s not once you’ve applied. It takes on a darker shade of your natural lip colour and that’s all. The effect is mind blowing. I’ve tried this on all skin tones and it’s quite impressive. I use it myself when I’m having a very au natural day. This might be what you’re after.

Nicole

Veteran

Ok thanks for the tip Angie. Since my lips are thin, and my bottom lip is uneven, can I apply the lipstick without penciling an outline to even out my bottom lip and make them fuller?

christie

Great tips everyone. Yesterday, I tried putting my Nars Flamenco over Chapstick Cherry. The chapstick muted the color, and I didn't have the problem of showing the cracks in my lips. I also will check out Mac's color, Angie. A couple of years ago, I bought one of their cream lipsticks, I forget the name now, but it was a brownie-orange color. Not what you would expect to look good on my blue-red, pale skin, but it worked. Plus, I tend to love wearing clothes in dark greens and browns, and the lipstick went with that. I liked Mac, so maybe I'll try it again.

Nicole, I have also heard wondrous things about Black Honey, you should give it a try. In fact, I might do so as well!

xtremity

Member

I also have fair skin, and I am a fan of gloss, but MAC, as well as Lancome have great lipsticks.

Angie

(website)

Fashion Stylist

You can avoid using lip liner completely Nicole. Also, come to think of it, give Mac’s “Spice it Up” a bash too. You might like that as well. Christie’s suggestion of using lip balm before applying lipstick is a great one and I do this all the time. You might remember this blog entry:

http://youlookfab.com/2006/10/.....-lipstick/

shannon

Does anybody else have a problem with peeling when wearing lipstick? I like to wear it but I am always concerned about the way it looks because it peels so bad on me towards the back. I try not to lick my lips a lot but that does not seem to stop it. My Mom once told me to stick my finger in my mouth after applying lipstick, wrap my lips around it and pull it out like I am sucking on a popsicle and that should take off the excess back there, but nope, no such luck. I wear MAC and Laura Mercier because I thought only the cheaper brands did this, but these do it too. Please help! I want to wear lipstick without worrying about this all the time.

Angie

(website)

Fashion Stylist

What do you mean by "peeling"? Does the lipstick end up on your teeth? I have never heard of this term, but I do know of the finger trick and this works well for me. Have you tried applying lip balm first?

HannahMichelle

I'm not exactly sure what Shannon means by "peeling" either, but sometimes I end up with a disgusting line of gunk around my mouth after an hour or so. But then that also happens without lipstick, so it must just be me and whatever the weather is doing...lip balm doesn't seem to help as it almost seems to be an over-moisture problem.

Anyways, I wear lipstick - did the colored gloss thing for awhile and decided lipstick worked better after I was brave enough to try it. I have pale skin, yet rather pigmented lips that turn most every neutral or pink into something terribly orange-y or fushia. I finally found my match with Mary Kay "Frosted Rose" for everyday and "Raisinberry" for something darker, although I'm still in search of a color that's a bit more red.

shannon

Oh my gosh! Everything that HannahMichelle said, ditto for me. "Line of gunk" is a better way of describing it. It does happen with or without lipstick, it's just not as noticeable when not wearing any. So sounds like I have to live with this and just scrape the gunk off with my nail when nobody is looking. Yuck! It's so embarrassing! Thanks HannahMichelle for finding a better way of describing it.

My color also changes color on me and I have also have the "Raisinberry" shade from MK which seems to be an OK shade on me but I find it dry. Maybe that is what I need though, a drier lipstick so I don't have the over moisture problem. In fact, I just dug it out and applied a little, we'll see how it looks in a while.

Angie, does it sound like I should be using a lipbalm? I haven't tried that. Does it sound like it would add to my problem? Anybody else found a way of controlling this messy, unsightly issue?

Angie

(website)

Fashion Stylist

Hmm. I'm unsure as to whether lipbalm will work Shannon, but it's worth a bash. I now know of what you are speaking. That awful line of gunk. I get this occasionally, but not often and I can’t think what causes it other than the saliva in your mouth mixing in with the lipstick. I tend to reapply a lot during the day which I think helps.

mayapple

I don't like how lipstick feels or looks. The color is too dramatic for everyday use, I think. I also really dislike the waxy feeling.

I use Burt's Bees lip shimmer in Nutmeg. It's basically just BB lip balm with a bit of color and shimmer added to it. It's perfect for everyday use.

For more spiffy occasions, I break out my MAC Lip Glass in Optical, but I rarely have spiffy occasions to attend so it's buried somewhere in the bottom of my bag...

Nicole

Veteran

I picked up the Clinique Black Honey today....and you are absolutely right, it is exactly the kind of lipstick I am comfortable wearing. The lady at the counter said they didn't have it, and I was walking away to the shoe department when she tracked me down to say she found it! Thanks for the suggestion and I'm glad I tried it out. It's amazing how a little $14 item can make me feel so fab!

Angie

(website)

Fashion Stylist

I'm glad that the Black Honey worked out for you Nicole! Mayapple, you might like to give it a bash too. I know that you don’t like the texture of lipstick, but you might feel differently after trying this. Otherwise what you’re currently using is also great.

mayapple

I know there's probably no reason for this that is based on reality, but I feel really silly putting on lipstick to go to class and my ultra casual part time job (where a denim skirt is considered dressing up). I also have extremely dry lips so it would likely look pretty gross on my lips. That's why I like my Burt's Bees--it has the same moisturizing and healing effects of the lip balm, but with just enough color and shimmer to add some polish.

To be honest, I don't know the first thing about makeup and never wear any, so I probably have no idea what I'm talking about.

Nicole

Veteran

Mayapple, I didn't start wearing makeup until my 30's. When I first started wearing makeup, it was just a little eyeliner and mascara, and it was only if I was going out. Even now at 39, my daily makeup routine consists of a liberal application of spf moisturizer, a quick slash of eye liner and mascara, and a sweep of bronzer over my cheeks. Now that I've tried the Black Honey lipstick, I'll add that to my routine. I think I'm going to buy a second tube of the same lipstick to keep in my purse to reapply thruout the day.

Angie

(website)

Fashion Stylist

Your reasons are absolutely sound Mayapple. I didn't wear make-up when I was at University and Tech either. Just lip balm and I don’t have your strong exotic features so I just looked pale and pasty in my early 20’s. I wore a school uniform all through school and any trace of make-up was forbidden. I wore a bit of make-up when I went out, but that was it. Then I started to work and things were different. Especially in the fashion industry. But even as a fashion stylist I am personally extremely light on the make-up and am a strong advocate of it. There is nothing worse than an over made up face at any time of the day or night. This is bad style. I’m a strong believer in looking after your skin though, and as you get older, that’s even more important. With your strong features, you absolutely don’t need anything else but lip balm when you go to school!

mayapple

Sounds good, Angie. I guess I should enjoy my bare skin while I can.

I should really start using an SPF moisturizer, but I'm not sure what to use on my oily skin. I'm afraid it's going to make me look shinier or make my skin feel sticky.

pmhenson

It's funny-- I don't wear make up either, except when I go out and only then if I have time. But as I get older (and being inspired by youlookfab) I've been thinking I should go with a bit of eyeliner and mascara and something on the lips. I also need to do the SPF thing too. I keep meaning to go to Sephora and get some help, and I definitely am going to try the Black Honey as well because it sounds right up my alley. At this point I'm terrible with remembering to reapply even with lip balm.

manivilla

It's been very common on a lot of girls not to use any make up, unless they are going to a party or an important meeting

Nicole

Veteran

While waiting for a prescription to be filled today, I was looking at the Burt's Bees display. I bought a Toffee Lip Shimmer and I'm very pleased with the product. It has that same tingly sensation as regular Burt's lip balm, but it has a nice infusion of color with just a touch of shimmer. I wasn't expecting much since it was under $5....but this is definately a keeper!

Eva

This is a wonderful thread. I was about to promote Bert's Bees Shimmers, but saw that Mayapple aleady mentioned them. Bert's Bees is very nice on the lips and feels more like lip balm with a touch of mint. I am glad it worked for you Nicole.

I use Bert's Bees shimmers (Raisen or Rhubarb) or if I want the lipstick to last forever and not rub off, then I wear a long lasting lipstick. Now that is where I get the lip peeling. The long lasting lipsticks are very drying.

Mayapple, I have more oily skin as well (the T zone). I use oil free moisturizer with SPF (Oil of Olay) in the day and a night moisturizer in the evenings. If you use one with oil in it, then you will feel oily. The oil free ones will feel much better.