Good liquid lipstick is one that you can use reliably, consistently, and easily. Here’s all you need to know about liquid lipsticks and their matte versions.
The Iconic Nature of Lipsticks
Lipsticks are, by far, the most well-known lip product on the market. There are other ways to apply color to your lips - you have lip tints, lip whips, and even lip balms. However, none of them come close to the iconic status of lipsticks. One could even argue that lipsticks are the face of makeup as a whole. The question is, why are they so popular?
It has to do with the nature of lip products and their purpose as a whole. They help elevate your entire look while also sometimes helping nourish your lips. Moisturized, healthy lips make you appear youthful and lively, whereas dull and dry lips make you look aged and sickly.
The lipstick works the way it does because it makes your lips look a certain way - traditionally, this meant red colors akin to that of healthy lips. Over time, trends change, and so did lipstick colors - and that’s where the matte finish comes in.
Matte is a type of finish that has no shine or luster. If you imagine any color you’d like, but in play dough form, that’s what matte usually looks like. The lack of any sort of shine or sparkle may seem like a bad thing, but it actually makes your lips stand out even more.
Our brain draws our attention to things that don’t look “normal”. Someone with blue hair will stand out among a crowd of brown, black, and blonde hair simply because blue is not a natural hair color. This concept works with lipsticks too - matte colors aren’t natural for lips, so they easily draw the attention of others.
When Should I Use a Matte Lipstick?
Matte lipsticks can be used in all sorts of situations, but there are specific scenarios where it is best to use them.
When you want to wear lipstick all-day
One inherent advantage of matte over other types of lipstick is that they don’t fade away as noticeably as other lipstick types. Glossy lipstick can be somewhat noticeable as it fades after a long day of work since it loses its shine. However, matte lipsticks will be far more subtle, and while the matte color may fade and give way to your natural lip color, it’s not nearly as noticeable.
When you’re attending formal occasions
You can technically use all sorts of lipsticks for whatever party, meeting, or other events you need to attend. However, matte has this quality to it that makes it especially fitting for formal events. Think about it - when you think of formal attire, you think of business dresses and suits, plain colors, and so on.
With matte lipstick, you can garner a bit of attention while also sticking to the overall theme of the attire. Its presence is subtle but visible. Matte lipstick is also great during the evenings when glossy lipstick won’t be nearly as visible.
Things to Remember When Choosing Matte Liquid Lipsticks
Tone
One important factor in choosing matte liquid lipsticks is the tone of the lipstick itself. After all, that’ll be the color on your lips for the rest of the day or night, so you’ll want to choose something that you can comfortably wear the whole time.
If you want to play it safe, then picking a matte color or tone that’s similar to your natural lip color will do just fine.
Volume
Lipstick doesn’t last forever. At some point, you’re going to run out of lipstick and be forced to buy some more. So, why not plan ahead? Picking the right size for your lipstick is crucial, especially if you’re planning on trying out various types of lipstick.
If you’re in the process of picking the right lipstick for you, we recommend choosing smaller sizes first to test the colors out without spending too much. You can then narrow down your selection after careful consideration and buy larger sticks for the ones that you intend on trying out for a bit longer.
How We Choose the Top Matte Liquid Lipsticks
Our matte liquid lipstick recommendations are based on a few factors. For one, we decide based on the quality of the ingredients and the materials used for both the lipstick formula as well as the tube. We also consider the brand’s history, and so on. Finally, we check the product reviews on sites like Amazon to see if they’re well-received by multiple people.