Call me old-school, but lipstick continues to be my most beloved tool to express, make my mood, add colour to my life or simply break away from the mundane. It gives us formulas, textures and finishes to play with. You can pick from ultra-mattes, ultra-hydrating mattes, hyper-glossy, sheer balms, pigmented balms, liquid mattes, liquid gloss and more. You could do a defined, sculpted lip one day, a soft and blurred stain another or spend the entire day swiping on a balmy, sheer tint to keep your lips supple. You can reach for a cheerful cherry red on days that really need a boost of brightness or depend on your trustworthy muted taupe on days you need some familiarity and comfort. That’s why the lipstick, in all its glorious forms, continues to be my respite.. But for those who may find the diverse world of lip colours overwhelming, we suggest trying your hand at lip stains, the do-it-all hero of the beauty world. It has the power to pull off all the aforementioned tricks. The water-based formula allows the colour to be absorbed by the lips rather than forming a layer of them like lipsticks do, which allows the colour to last longer.. The versatile formula is mostly always lightweight, yet gives you the freedom to get your desired finish, whether you’re looking for a soft stain or a super-pigmented effect by simply changing your application method. Not in the mood to wear lipstick but still want a hint of colour? Dot the liquid formula right in the centre of your lower lip, then use the warmth of your finger to blend it out onto the whole surface of your lip. Repeat on the upper lip. You won’t get a clear, defined line (unless you want it, in which case, you’ll swipe on the product directly from brush to lip, easily gliding it over until the colour is as intense as you desire). Liquid lipsticks also make application seamless due to their formula and can last through a whole day of work and play. And sometimes, I make my own rules and dab-dab-dab my cheek with it too when I’m feeling a monochromatic look. Get yourself lip stains and have some fun with it.. Whether you are new to makeup or a seasoned enthusiast, lip stains invite experimentation without commitment. They fade gracefully, feel barely-there and multitask effortlessly across lips and cheeks. Keep one in your bag for quick touch-ups, layer it for intensity or sheer it out for everyday ease, making beauty playful, personal and endlessly adaptable for mood and moment you choose. Scroll through to pick from our current lip stain obsessions of the season.
