My recent post on "No Blush" Blush ended up being one of my favorite posts to write in awhile, so I thought I'd continue the trend, taking inspiration from an Into The Gloss article I saw a couple months ago, and throw together my "No Lipstick" lipstick edit. My favorite kind of makeup products are the ones that make it look like you're not wearing anything, but in a good way. I love the process of putting makeup on in the morning, but when I'm in the lab getting covered in cement dust I don't want to look like I'm wearing makeup, you know? (In my first interview they asked me if I was *sure* I wouldn't mind getting a little messy while working like six times - maybe I looked too put together?) Anyway, on with the lip picks.
Glossier Generation G, 'Like' & 'Cake' | I'm sure you're not surprised these made the list. These sheer matte lipsticks are so unique - usually matte lip products come with a load of pigment, but these give the lips a soft blotted look. The two palest shades, Like (a soft pink) and Cake (a peachy nude), end up looking just like a subtly enhanced version of your lips. These live in my work bag for touchups throughout the day and are my most-worn of the bunch I'm going to mention here.
Like, Cake, Pillow Talk, Strip, Honey, Nu de Soleil, Boy, Twisted Beige
Charlotte Tilbury Lip Cheat, 'Pillow Talk' | My favorite way to wear lip liner, and the way that it makes it fit into this "no lipstick" category, is smudged into a balm. It makes the color apply a little more sheerly and keeps the lines from being too harsh. The color of this liner is perfect as well - when worked into the lips, it looks just like my natural lip color, just slightly enhanced.
BareMinerals Gen Nude Radiant Lipstick, 'Strip' | I've mentioned this one quite a few times lately, but it really is an underrated gem - everyone talks about the liquid lipsticks from the Gen Nude collection, but definitely check out these lipsticks. When dabbed into the lips, Strip makes the perfect rosy flush with just enough of a brown tone to keep things neutral.
Revlon Balm Stain, 'Honey' | An oldie but a goodie, the Revlon Balm Stains are still some of my favorite lip products. They're sheer and lightweight like the Generation G's, but still with a bit of a glossy finish. It eventually wears away though, leaving a subtle stain. The shade Honey is yet another lovely "MLBB" shade, adding the subtlest hint of mauve/berry.
Surratt Lipslique Lipstick, 'Nu de Soleil' | I raved about this beautiful lipstick in my Sephora VIB Sale Haul, and it's still one of my everyday picks. The finish is sheer and glossy, and the warm nude shade really brightens the face without actually looking like you've done anything different with your makeup - it's a bit magical, really.
Chanel Rouge Coco Shine Lipstick, 'Boy' | Another classic - this one adds the most chic hint of nude pink to the lips. You really can't tell if you've added a discernible color, but you can just tell something is there by how instantly put-together it makes you look. It's really quite beautiful, and if I don't make a custom Bite lipstick for my wedding I think I'll be going for this (over the aforementioned CT Lip Cheat of course).
Lancome Shine Lover Lipstick, 'Twisted Beige' | This has been a firm favorite in my lip product rotation for awhile, but I just haven't gotten around to mentioning it on the blog for some reason. It's a lovely, balmy formula that feels super comfortable on the lips, and Twisted Beige is the perfect shade for adding a bit of "somethin' somethin'" to the lips without being over-the-top or even that noticeable, really. It's just a good basic that should have more people talking about it.
What are your favorite products for a low-key lip look?