Lips 101

BeautySA brings you the hottest lip products and the differences between all the fancy shmancy products that grace our lips.

Lip ice and lip balm

A lip ice or balm is applied to the lips to seal in moisture and protect them from external exposure – dry air and cold temperatures usually cause our lips to become dry and cracked. Our lips are particularly vulnerable, as the skin is so thin. Most lip ice and lip balms contain nourishing ingredients like bees wax, rose wax, vitamin E and Shea butter, and are sometimes even medicated.
TRY: Clarins Moisture Replenishing Lip Balm, R155, Yardley Rollo’ Gloss Moisturising Balm, R32.95, Dermalogica Renewal Lip Complex, R360, Clinique Chubby Sticks lip balm, R205, and Elizabeth Arden Eight Hour Cream Lip Protectant Stick SPF 15, R135.

Lip gloss

Created in 1930 by Max Factor, who wanted lips to appear shiny on film, the lips gloss today is a make-up staple in every woman’s make-up bag. Used to give lips a glossy shine and even some subtle colour, adding a hint of gloss to your lips can dress up any occasion and outfit. Usually ones with a thicker consistency tend to be rather sticky, but a clear lip gloss can also be applied over your other lip products to add shine.
TRY: Rimmel Vinyl Max Lip Gloss, R69.95, Revlon Colorburst Lipgloss, R99.95 or MAC Clear Lipglass, R150.

Lipstick

Lipstick dates back to the ancient times and is essentially a product that contains colour pigments, oils and emollients that distribute colour over our lips. There are so many types of lipsticks available today, each offering different effects. Some are shiny, some are matt and some are designed to be long lasting.
TRY: Clarins Rouge Prodige True-Hold Colour & Shine Lipstick, R210, Yardley Longwear Lips, R99.95.

Lip liner and lip pencil

Often an under-rated product, a lip liner can help define your lips and give them the extra shape they might need. It helps fill uneven areas on the outer edges of one’s lips and also helps to prevent the lip colour from ‘bleeding’. Available in many colours, there is a shade to match most lipsticks.
TRY: Revlon Colorstay Lipliner, R120 or Clarins LipLiner Pencil, R170.

Lip stain and tint

Not the most popular or widely known lip product (give it time), lip stains and lip tints provide the effect of a stain. You won’t need to worry about running to the bathroom as often as you used to for touch ups.
TRY: Yves Saint Laurent Rouge Pur Couture Vernis A Levres, R365 or 2True Lip ‘n Cheek Tint, R34.99

Image: Shutterstock 

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