A woman applying her favorite lipstick to create a highlighted lip.
Photo by Polina Tankilevitch from Pexels
With the pandemic taking its course, the makeup industry was at an all time low for lipstick sales since mask wearing became the new norm for society. With everyone’s face being covered, eyes took over as the feature highlight, but not for long. With mask mandates lifting throughout the nation, lipstick is on the rise again for those who choose not to wear a mask amidst the pandemic. People took lipstick for granted before, but now more than ever people are starting to experiment with bright colors to show off their pout.
To make the lips a highlighted feature on the face, it is best to do subtle makeup everywhere else to ensure the lip is the star of the show. For example, using muted colors for eyes, blush, bronzer, and highlight can make a difference in what feature people see first on the face. By using these types of colors everywhere else and then using a bright or bold color to accent the lips can be intriguing to look at since there is a high contrast with the other aspects of the makeup look.
Now that color has been discussed, it’s time to find a finish you like. This can be a pigmented matte, cream, or satin finish in lipstick. Matte finishes will look flat and dry down to last longer, whereas cream and satin are more hydrating on the lip and look more creamy when applied. On the other hand, if you want a lightweight look that is hydrating, gloss may be the product you need. Gloss can be clear or come in various colors and glitter or sparkle can also be added.
Once you pick out the color and finish you desire, it is time to apply it. First, I like to line the lip first with a lipliner. You can choose a similar color to the overall lip color, or you could go darker to create an ombré lip. This is when the darker lipliner is blended into the lip color all over to create the effect. Whatever you decide, the lipliner will help the product from smearing and last longer throughout the day. Once the liner has been applied, you are free to put the all over color on the rest of the lips then blend it together. Now you’re ready to go out into the world with your lips on display once again.
I never thought about how masks could effect lip stick sales until I read this! It makes so much sense, just like I’m sure other makeup sales plummeted because no one felt like doing makeup. I have always wanted to try unique lip stick colors but it just isn’t for me. I am not the kind to draw attention to myself. However, I always love to watch other makeup artists experiment with it and see how the colors look on their lips. I also find lip liner to be a life saver when applying the lipstick as sort of the lines in a coloring book.
I have never been into lips when it comes to make-up but recently have become more in love with the way a good lip product can make my look come together. It is crazy to think about how the sales of lip products were impacted during covid but it makes total sense. Great job!
Lips have always been my least favorite when it comes to a full face of makeup. Not because they don’t look good but because of my own lack of skill. I’ve recently been trying more with lip liners. It’s amazing how much of a difference it can make to a full face. Really helps put the look together. Now I just have to find a way to make it stay all night!
I think lipstick looks great on everyone else but me. I am not sure if it is my lips, but I don’t think it looks the greatest on me. The only time I ever wear lipstick is if it is red and for a costume or a fancy occasion. Otherwise, I really like lipgloss. Lipgloss is what I feel comfortable in. I did not know that lipstick sales went down once Covid hit, that’s interesting!
I loved how you tied in the pandemic and how it has effected the makeup industry. I never thought about how covid had declined the sale in lipstick so this post was super interesting! Great job!