I’ve always been a summer enthusiast. Swimming in my grandma’s pool from morning till evening. Unlimited popsicles. Allowing my kids to stay up past bedtime to enjoy the sunset. And experimenting with vivid lip shades. Here are five fun lipstick trends I explored…
1. POPSICLE POUT, intense color in the center, with a gentle, gradient-like fade.
The Product: I opted for Tower28’s BeachPlease Cream Blush — meant for cheeks and lips — in the Finest Hour shade. Initially, I feared the pigment might be too light. But OH MY GOSH you guys. The color pops in the most stunning way; and the texture is moisturizing, almost slick, so it blended easily on my lips.
How to Apply: To achieve the ombré effect, I first applied a concentrated amount of the formula onto the center of my lips using my fingertips. Then I put a light layer on the outer edges of my lips. Finally, I dabbed a damp beauty blender over the outer edges of my lips to blend.
The Verdict: I ADORED this lovely lip look. It’d be fun to wear anywhere, from a family pool day to evening drinks with friends. The only catch? You’d need frequent touch-ups if you wanted the popsicle look to last all day.
2. COOL-TONED ’90S BROWN, a greige lip, highlighted with a brown liner.
The Products: For this look, I required both lipliner and lipstick. I chose Tower28’s OneLiner, a creamy matte liner, in Color Me Fine. The color was gentle but easy to layer for a deeper tone. Next, I chose Rare Beauty’s Kind Words lipstick in Creative. Since the formula is labeled ‘matte,’ I expected it to feel dry. But the lipstick felt so velvety — I actually said ‘wow’ aloud while applying, because I was surprised by its amazingly creamy texture.
How to Apply: Confession: I’ve never used lipliner. For guidance, I turned to my makeup guru — Desi Perkins — on YouTube, and serendipitously, her latest makeup tutorial was a Maddy Perez makeup tutorial! Her video gave me the confidence and direction I needed. As she suggested, I began lining my lips at the cupid’s bow, working my way down with soft, feather-like strokes. Then I applied the lipstick. Finally, I used a dry beauty blender to unify everything.
The Verdict: Initially, the brown trend intimidated me. What if the color washed me out? What if it seemed costume-like? But, ultimately, I REALLY enjoyed it. It made my lips look full and alluring. I’d love to wear this on a date night, paired with a black dress, strappy heels, and a chilled martini.
3. SHELLAC LIPS, high shine with neutral undertones.
The Product: I picked Mutha’s Pucker Up Lip Plump in Almond Mom — a super shiny nude with just a hint of brown. It also has a subtle almond extract scent, which I adore.
How to Apply: Two layers of gloss provided my lips with ample pigment and shine. The final look was extra glossy, but that was exactly what I aimed for.
The Verdict: A minute after snapping this photo, above, I walked into the kitchen to grab a glass of water, and my cousin, who was babysitting my kids, said, ‘Your lips look SO good.’ The gloss enhances your lips, and the hint of color adds warmth to your face. To amplify that fresh-from-vacation look, swipe this radiant bronzer cream on your cheekbones, the bridge of your nose, and your eyelids.
4. SOFT PEACH, a shimmering lip with pink undertones.
The Product: Rare Beauty’s Positive Light Luminizing Lip Gloss in Beam, a soft coral with tiny specks that resemble what I imagine fairy dust would look like.
How to Apply: Couldn’t have been simpler — I just swiped on one layer of gloss!
The Verdict: This lip trend is suitable year-round. Just one layer creates a romantic everyday glow, and I could see myself wearing this constantly.
5. BRIGHT CORAL, a matte, orange-y, red lip.
The Product: While searching, I couldn’t find the exact coral lip color I desired. So, I decided to use a mix of Rare Beauty Lip Soufflé’s Matte Lip Cream in Inspire (a bright red) and Rare Beauty’s Soft Pinch Tinted Lip Oil in Joy (a muted peach).
How to Apply: I love a vibrant coral, but lip prep and precise application are crucial because the color is SO vivid. To exfoliate my lips, I rubbed a wet washcloth in a circular motion on my lips for 20 seconds. Next, I applied just a small dab of red lip cream, as the color red goes a long way. Finally, I dabbed the peach lip oil on my fingertips and blended it into my lips.
The Verdict: This vivid lip shade is perfect for summer! Wouldn’t it look stunning with a white dress? But you know what impressed me the most? The long-lasting wear of the lip cream and lip oil. OMG! These lip colors won’t budge. Here is a picture of the products on my fingertips right after I blended the peach lip oil over the red lip cream:
And here’s a photo of my fingers after I wiped the product off with a baby wipe, washed my hands with soap and micellar water, and then dried them with a paper towel!
I was amazed. If you’re seeking a lip color that will last through breakfast, lunch, dinner, and a late-night walk to get ice cream, Rare Beauty’s lip cream and lip oil are IT.
What lip colors are you sporting this summer? Would you try one of these? Also, are there any other makeup trends you’d like to see tried?
P.S. Five more summer beauty trends and four drugstore lipsticks with cult followings.
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