Liquid Lipstick 101: Everything You Need to Know About Lipstick’s Cooler Cousin

There’s no denying that liquid lipstick has taken over the beauty industry. Nearly every brand that has signature lip colors has put out their own liquid versions in the last year, and it’s already made its debut on the runway more than a few times. These highly-pigmented lip colors combine the easy application of a gloss with the saturated color a lipstick, with the no-budge attitude of a lip stain. In other words, this is lipstick’s cooler, more useful cousin, and we love the way ours looks.

But there are a few things that you may not know about this makeup must-have, so we’ve put together the ultimate guide to liquid lipstick.

Why Use Liquid Lipstick?

If the idea of a lipstick that stays put like a stain and goes on like a gloss doesn’t convince you, we can name a few other reasons why you should use this product. First, it’ll save you money. The extreme pigmentation of liquid lipsticks mean you need only one coat to get a great look. Second, they are easier to customize without other products. Swipe and go for a glossy look, or swipe, blot your lips, and then go for a matte look. They also tend to have more hydration than a lipstick, so your lips get a little extra boost as well. Finally, we think they are much quicker and easier to apply than a lipstick or a stain.

What to Look for When Buying a Liquid Lipstick

When buying a liquid lipstick, be sure you look for a formula that isn’t too drying. Because these are meant to stay on for hours and hours, anything with some moisture to it will be much kinder to your lips.

Beyond that, the main thing you’ll want to consider about liquid lipsticks is color. Choosing the right color for your skin tone will make or break your experience with liquid lip color. Start off by determining your skin tone. The age-old trick of holding up a gold piece of jewelry and a silver piece of jewelry to your skin works like a charm – which one makes your skin glow? If both look great on you, you’re likely a neutral. If it’s gold, your skin is warm, and if it’s silver, your skin is cool.

For warm skin tones, aim for a rich color like berry and plum. Anything that leans towards the yellow and orange end of the spectrum will look great on you. For cool skin tones, aim for cooler colors with lots of blue. You can definitely pull off red, just go for a cool shade of red – nothing too orangey! For neutral shades, you can experiment with any color you like! A good rule of thumb for you is to stick to the tone of your clothing. Pair warmer clothing with warmer lip color, and cool with cool.

Related: Makeup for Your Skin Tone

How to Prepare Your Lips for Liquid Lipstick

One of the key points to getting the perfect wear on your liquid lipstick is to prep your lips first. If your lips are not smooth and flake-free, liquid lip color will go on streaky and settle in the lines. Here’s how you do it:

1. Start by exfoliating the lips to get rid of rough patches or flakes.
2. Next, apply a wax-based lip balm to moisturize the lips and get a smooth surface. Don’t over-apply this product. If your lips are too slick, the liquid color will slide right off.
3. If you want to accentuate your cupid’s bow, apply just a hint of highlighter just above your lip before you put on the color.
4. You may also want to add some concealer around your lips to prevent bleeding if it is hot or humid out. Use a makeup sponge for effortless blending.
5. If desired, line your lips. You don’t necessarily have to do it with liquid liner, but it can help you define the shape of your lips. Be sure you are blending the liner into your lips and then adding color – don’t just draw a harsh line.

And that’s it! Next it’s time to apply.

Related: Want Kissable Lips? Use Our Lip Treatment Kit

How to Apply

Applying liquid lip color takes just a few seconds. Start by filling in your lower lip from corner to corner. One tip is to not apply too much color to your lips. You can always build this product up if you want more coverage. Clean the applicator off on the tube if it comes up saturated.

Next, quickly press your lips together to get some color on your top lip, and then fill in the upper lip as needed. Add extra coats if you want more coverage or color, and then blot your lips on a tissue to get a more matte look if desired. You may also want to put on some lip balm after the liquid lip color dries if it looks a bit too dry for your tastes.

That’s it!

How to Remove

Removing liquid lipstick is fairly simple. The best tool is a textured makeup wipe, followed by a quick rinse of the lips. Apply something moisturizing to your lips after to keep them silky smooth for the next time. If you don’t’ have a makeup remover wipe on hand, Vaseline, coconut oil, or olive oil all work. Apply a small amount to a spare toothbrush and gently scrub the color off your lips.

Worth the Trendy Hype

These pro tips for choosing and wearing liquid lipstick should help you feel confident embracing this makeup accessory. You may even find that you’re ready to lose all your other lip colors combined! Give a few different formulas a try to ensure that you find a liquid lipstick that works for your skin, and we’re positive that you’ll fall in love with liquid lipstick. This is an easy way to try out new colors without having to reapply your lipstick all day long. And at the end of the day, what’s better than that?