STYLE

Finding a lippie that works for you shouldn't be a challenge but, tbh, it usually is. Any girl who's walked the aisles of Sephora can attest: The options are...overwhelming. So to take out all the guesswork, we've rounded up the best new glossy bullets, nourishing oils and non-drying mattes. Your pout game = powered up. 

Just a hint of balm

@_antoniagentry_

With the no-makeup makeup look still reigning supreme, barely there beauty products are the new essentials. Enter: the "lip blush," a formula with just enough color to enhance your natural lip shade in only one swipe (buh-bye dabbing with a tissue to get that just-bitten vibe). And while lip blushes might not deliver a hefty dose of pigment, they do leave lips feeling as soft and supple as a traditional balm would. 

Violette_FR Bisou Balm Amour Fou, $28, violettefr.com, Refy Lip Blush, $24, us.refybeauty.com

High shine finish

@oliviarodrigo

This one's for the girls who want to make a statement. The reflective finish is great for adding some dimension, making your lips appear bigger. And if you really want to take it to the next level, choose a bold color like a vibrant red or even black (very Wednesday Addams). Crave sheerer color with even more shine? Davy recommends adding a clear gloss over top. 

Tarte Maracuja Juicy Lip Balm, $24, tartecosmetics.com, Maybelline Superstay Vinyl Ink Liquid Lipstick, $10, target.com

Glass-like gloss

@soukeyna

Glosses are timeless (and beloved) for many reasons, one being that they make even the driest lips look hydrated and smooth. The downside? How sticky and heavy they can feel. These next-gen glosses don't have those problems—their featherweight formulas (some even come in sticks!) impart all of the glassy shine sans stickiness. 

YSL Candy Glaze Lip Gloss Stick, $39, sephora.com, Stila Plumping Lip Glaze, $24, stilacosmetics.com

Cheek + lip hybrid

@haileybieber

Who doesn't love a multi-tasker? There are so many two-in-ones available now—and with good reason. Not only will you save some dough by buying a product that does double duty on your cheeks and lips, but using the same color for both gives you a trendy monochromatic look. Psst: Europhia makeup artist and co-founder of Half Magic Beauty Doniella Davy is forecasting brown as fall's buzziest color. 

Summer Fridays Blush Balm Lip + Cheek Stick, $28, summerfridays.com, L.A. Colors Color Balm Lip & Cheek Stick, $4, lacolors.com

Matte cream

@misha212
 

Let's get real: The mattes of the past were drying and uncomfortable to wear. But trust, these new versions are somehow both comfy *and* surprisingly hydrating. "The creamy consistency allows you to customize your look from sheer to high pigment," shares Davy. And because of their smoother texture, you can easily layer on another coat later in the day instead of having to scrub off the first one. 

Half Magic Mouth Cloud, $20, halfmagicbeauty.com, Charlotte Tilbury Airbrush Flawless Lip Blur, $35, charlottetilbury.com

Tinted oil

@hallebailey

The gummy vitamins of lip looks, tinted lip oils give you something healthy disguised as a treat. These babies pack more moisturizing properties than a gloss and come in a range of pigments from sheer to high impact. That means each time you swipe to re-up your color, you're giving your lips some much-needed TLC. What's not to love?

Rare Beauty Soft pinch Tinted Lip Oil, $20, sephora.com, Burt's Bees Tinted Lip Oil, $9, burtsbees.com

Lip liner

@abelynalexa

Sure, liner is nothing new—the trick is how you use it. Line (or overline) your lips, then use the liner to completely fill in your pucker. Want to enhance your shape? Contour with your liner: Pick a shade similar to the one you'd use to chisel your cheeks. Apply it just below the center of your bottom lip and a little above your cupid's bow to fake a fuller pout. 

NYX Slim Lip Pencil, $5, nyxcosmetics.com, Dibs No Pressure Lip Definer, $16, dibsbeauty.com

Hey, girl! Just wanted to let you know that this story originally ran in our October/November 2023 issue. Want more? Read the print mag for free *today* when you click HERE.

Which lip look will you be trying? Tag us on IG, @girlslifemag

Looking for more beauty tips? Check these out:
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💄We just simplified your back-to-school skincare routine (and you're going to love it, promise)

Slider image: @sephoramx
Top image: @sabrinacarpenter

by Lisa DeSantis | 10/7/2023