These lip products won't smudge under your face mask (we know because we've tested them)
When the new normal requires us to wear masks when we step out into a public place, the beauty fanatic in me is completely understanding of the current climate, while simultaneously saddened by the lack of red lipstick I will be able to wear.
Between the smudging, stickiness and tacky sensations, is it even worth putting anything on your lips, especially when no one will even see it? The answer is yes, always yes. In fact, did you know that during WWII, while all other cosmetics were rationed in Great Britain, lipstick was kept in production because Winston Churchill felt it boosted morale? Keeping our lips looking glam has served as therapy for centuries so actually this is the perfect time to update your lip collection and get back in touch with your best glamorous self.
As much as we love a product that works hard, it’s also important to do your part and there are a couple of things you can do to aid your lip products’ endurance. You must have the ideal canvas to apply the product, before you start expecting miracles. Bridal MUA, Joy Adenuga who knows all about keeping your lippy on, tells Glamour: “Before bedtime use a little sugar scrub like the Fresh Lip Sugar Polish, £19.50 from Space NK, to exfoliate and condition the lips. Clean off and follow with my current obsessions - Marc Jacobs Beauty Re-Hydrating Coconut Lip Oil, £25, Harvey Nichols for well conditioned and non-sticky pillow soft lips in the morning”.
Adenuga suggests actually taking one of your favourite lipsticks and turning them into stains, “I love using Lisa Eldridge’s lipsticks to create stain on the lips. Because they are well pigmented.” As for a top expert tip on elongating the durability of your favourite lip products: “Dust a little loose powder over the lips. This gives it more longevity.”
Fenty Beauty Stunna Lip Paint in Uncensored, £20, Boots
These liquid lipsticks from Fenty Beauty offer knockout pigments that last and last. The real beauty of these, though, are that they are super versatile, were designed to suit all skin tones, including this classic sultry red shade.
Charlotte Tilbury Lip Cheat, £17, Cult Beauty
For total precision and endless staying power, opt for a lip liner and apply all over lips. We love Charlotte Tilbury's Lip Cheat for its super smooth but budge-proof formula that alongside beautiful colour, also enables a little over-lining enhancement.
The Gloss
By Beauty Bay Lip Gloss, £8, Beauty Bay
Scented glosses are a blessing when wearing masks. It just makes the whole experience much more pleasant, and this one comes with a hint of vanilla. This advanced formula glides onto your lips and eliminates that sticky feeling. It comes in a mix of 100% vegan, 100% cruelty free pigments of nudes and berries to choose from.
The Matte Liquid Lip
Huda Beauty Liquid Matte, £18, Cult Beauty
A true cult product, for its diverse colour range but also for its durability. Allow the liquid lipstick to set for 30 seconds, and even kissing through the mask will keep you smudge free. The secret to avoiding transfer is to not create too many layers, the colour is so rich, you won’t need to build on it too much, otherwise it starts giving that sticky sensation.
The Crayon
Maybelline Superstay Matte Ink Crayon Lipstick, £9.99, Look Fantastic
The proof is in the puddin (but also in the name). This crayon does what it says on the tin, it ‘super-stays’. Giving you up to 8hours of vibrant and intense colour with 12 shades to choose from. It comes with a built-in sharpener that helps maximise precision and make for easier application, but it’s also a buildable colour pigment, so the level of sheerness is adjustable. The important part to remember here is that the colour just does not budge.
The Satin Liquid Lip
Stila Stay All Day Liquid Lipstick, £16, Look Fantastic
This one is a popular choice amongst my friends. If we’re talking long lasting, then Stila’s liquid lipstick is a great choice. This is a creamy- solution for parched lips that want a bit of revival. It comes in a selection from bright and bold hues to subtle nudes, yet still delivering intense moisture. This stuff does not budge, so as you enjoy the last few weeks of Eat Out To Help Out, you are leaving your dinner how you came, looking flawless.
The Balm
Glossier Birthday Balm Dotcom, £10, Glossier
A true Glamour approved balm. This is the type of balm that even a serial self-lip licker will find difficult to budge. It’s super hydrating, and being under that mask won’t feel as painful. This one is untinted but subtly shimmery, but it also comes in seven other shades. In fact it’s so good you can pop it on your dry or scaly tip-of-the-nose for further moisture and then you can always skip-out on the highlighter.
The Tint
Benefit BeneTint Rose Tinted Lip & Cheek Stain, £25.50, Look Fantastic
If you’re more of a lip stain type, and matte or heavy colour doesn’t excite you, then this is for you. This tint is long lasting enough to stain a soul. I mean, what is more long-lasting than a sheer kiss-proof tint? Caution it does dry relatively quickly, so for a streak free finish, make sure you do two or three quick swipes across the lips and blot them together for evenness. You can even finish it off by applying on cheeks for an extra rosy finish.
The Oil
Clarins Instant Light Lip Comfort Oil, £19, John Lewis
This lip oil has the wand of dreams. It’s like a soft cushion gliding across your lips making the application is a big part of the experience. I know what you’re thinking, how can a lip oil be transfer-free? Well, this super hydrating formula will have the opportunity to work extra hard under the mask as there will be less interfering environmental factors. It’s not gloopy enough to provoke constant contact with the mask itself, so you can look at it as an overnight lip mask.
The Pen
Dolce & Gabbana Passion Lips Cream-To-Powder Lip Pen, £36, Harrods
The texture on this innovative matte formula is second to none. The colour payoff is strong, non-drying and long lasting. You can choose between a sleek ultra-matte finish or a more sultry sparkling matte. We love a multi-tasking product and this make-up/skincare hybrid of lip pens is produced with a blend of natural extracts including fig, olive oil and hyaluronic acid. So, while you have your mask on, the product can deliver its skincare benefits and do all the work.
The Velvet Liquid Lip
Winnie Beau London COCO Liquid Lipstick, £14, Winnie Beau
This new kid on the block comes from a British and BAME-run vegan, cruelty-free cosmetics brand, Winnie Beau London. The Liquid lipsticks in particular come in great selection of nude for all complexions. The wand is so gentle on the lips and lets the product slip across smoothly, but once dry it proves to have true durability.
The glaze
MY by Mahinamakeup Diamond High Shine Gloss, £8, MY By Mahinamakeup
If you’re looking for sheerness without the stickiness this is for you. MY by Celebrity MUA MahinaMakeup has created a true sultry and silky smooth formulation on this glaze. It’s high in comfortability and high shine packed with Vitamin E & Shea butter, which makes it a super hydrating formula to have under the mask. If you fear the stickiness, there is barely any, it has a balmy texture that keeps it from sticking as much, and it will still be there when you take your mask off.
The Dynamic Duo
Tasneem Cosmetics 2-In-1 Matte & Liquid Lipstick Set, £17.15, Tasneem Cosmetics
This one can work three ways, you can follow Joy Adenuga’s advice as seen above and blot the colour on your lips as they are so pigmented. You can also just pop the matte stick side for an intense dose of colour and a sultry surprise when you rip your mask off. You can alternatively use both ends of this 2-in-1, for extra durability. Any left over you can pat over the cheeks for a healthy flush of colour and you will be able to keep it all intact.
