How to choose lipgloss, matte liquid lip colour or compact lipstick
Choose the finish and application format before narrowing down a lip shade. Explore gloss for a shiny surface, or liquid and compact options for matte colour. Then compare brown, pink, nude and red tones alongside the makeup you already enjoy wearing.
Glossy and matte describe the finish; liquid and compact describe the format. If you prefer a matte look, both Matte Lipgloss and Easy Lipstick are options to compare. Their packaging and application methods can help you choose between them.
Start with the finish
Lipgloss is the family to explore for a glossy surface. Apply it on its own or over lipstick. On bare lips, consider the shade alongside your natural lip colour. Over lipstick, the two products create a combined colour that may look different from the gloss alone.
Matte Lipgloss offers a matte finish in a liquid format. It has its own shade range. Compare those colours individually rather than treating them as direct matte equivalents of the glossy series.
Consider the application movement
| Product | Finish and format | A useful question |
|---|---|---|
| Lipgloss | Glossy, with an applicator | Will I wear it alone or over a favourite lipstick? |
| Matte Lipgloss | Matte liquid colour, with an applicator | Do I like placing colour along my lip shape with an applicator? |
| Easy Lipstick | Matte, lip-shaped compact | Do I prefer working with this compact format? |
Easy Lipstick comes in Rose and Nude in a flat, lip-shaped compact. The black body and clear lid make the format visible in the product photographs. If you want a matte finish, consider the case and your usual application habits as well as the colour.
One makeup look, three possible finishes
Imagine a little cheek colour and a simple eye look. For a reflection of light on the lips, explore Lipgloss alone. For a more defined area of matte colour, consider Matte Lipgloss. When choosing what to carry in your bag, Easy Lipstick’s compact format may be part of your decision. These are different ways to complete the same look.
If you already have a matte lipstick you enjoy, adding a little gloss can be a way to change its appearance. Start with a small amount, check it in the mirror and stop when you like the level of shine. Treat the shade you create as the combined appearance of both products.
Use shade names as a starting point
In the glossy family, Brownie Bite and Spiced Cookie lean towards brown and caramel, Pink Donut towards pink, and Cherry Pie and Candy Apple towards red. The matte series includes Vampire Kiss, Dusty Rose, Cherry Bite, Hot Biscuit and Honey Beige. Similar names, such as Cherry Pie and Cherry Bite, do not indicate identical colours.
Compare photographs on the same screen where possible. Lighting, your natural lip colour, a product underneath and the amount you apply can all change the appearance. Product images are useful visual references when choosing a shade.
Change one detail at a time
Try a new lip product with a simple makeup look you already know. Keep the rest familiar while you explore the colour and finish. Check the first layer, then add a small amount if you want to. Your own application habits are a useful guide to the choice you will enjoy using.