We all have a make up must-have we swear by, and none are more deserving than the pout perfector we’ve formed an emotional attachment to over the years. Even if you’re not a big make up wearer, adding a little something-something to your lips is a must for many. Whether it’s the balms that have joined you on cold morning commutes or the lipsticks that saw you through date nights, it’s safe to say that lip products have quickly become guaranteed staples in everyone's bags.
It’s no surprise then that lip make up is having a moment. From the no-make up make up lover who loves a glossy hue to the beauty obsessive partaking in a full-glam finish, lip trends are one that everyone can get involved in. Plus, we can’t forget the surge in the skinification of make up. Not only do we care for pigment, formula and payoff, but we also want to know the skin care benefits involved – think intense nourishment, sun protection, defence against daily aggressors, the list goes on…
So, whether you’re in the mood for a bold, matte lip or an oh-so-juicy plumped pout, pucker up with the lip essentials that have caught our eye (read: lips)…
DIAL UP THE DRAMA
A classic for a reason, lipsticks suit every mood and moment. Whether you lean towards a nearly-bare 90s nude or a roaring red, a lipstick can do no wrong in your make up menu.
So, fall in love at first swipe with the heart-embossed Westman Atelier Lip Suede Matte Lipstick. This luxurious bullet boasts a weightless formula that glides like velvet across your pout, delivering maximum pigment payoff with minimal effort thanks to an infusion of nourishing hyaluronic acid, moisturising meadowfoam and kaolin clay.
SHOP ALL WESTMAN ATELIER >>>Not in the mood for matte? Get to know the NARS Afterglow Sensual Shine Lipstick – a colour-meets-care hybrid formula that delivers dimensional shine and nourishment thanks to soothing shea butter and plumping mango butter. Oh, and did we mention it also helps to improve the appearance of fine lines? There’s really nothing to pout about here…
SHOP ALL NARS >>>YOU’RE THE BALM…
Is it just us, or are we all obsessed with lip balms right now? If you’re yet to jump on the hype, you will when you get to know these high-performance heroes.
Perfect for topping up hydration on the go or pampering your pout overnight, the Summer Fridays Lip Butter Balm is soon to be your new go-to. Brimming with seed butters and botanical extracts, it naturally nourishes and conditions your kisses by cloaking your lips in veil of rich moisture. Plus, to celebrate the brand turning five, this fan-favourite formula is now available in a limited edition ‘Birthday Cake’ shade – think iridescent pink with a buttercream icing (read: flavour).
SHOP ALL SUMMER FRIDAYS >>>Want to give your pout the ultimate TLC? Why not reach for the Farmacy Lip Smoothie Vitamin C + Peptide Lip Balm in 'Honey Vanilla'? A multitasking treatment, this formula is bursting with farm-sourced ingredients such as antioxidant-rich vanilla that protects the skin from environmental aggressors. While a buckwheat honey blend moisturises, smooths and reduces the appearance of fine lip lines over time. Get ready to kiss chapped lips goodbye...
SHOP ALL FARMACY >>>GLOSS IS BOSS
Everyone… we have gloss. We’re witnessing a (long overdue) vinyl revival, with luminous lacquered finishes back on the beauty radar. But far from its sticky iteration of the 90s and noughties, this new generation of glosses have been rebranded as ‘lip care’, as they offer high-shine, luxe finishes and hydrating ingredients. Want to know more? Explore our Trend Forecast For 2024.
Meet the Huda Beauty Faux Filler Extra Shine Lip Gloss which does exactly what it says: deliver juicy, fuller-looking lips without the tingling sensation. Packed with pout-protecting ingredients, this gloss is infused with moisturising plant-based collagen while vitamin E nourishes. Plus, this non-stick formula glides effortlessly across your lips courtesy of its large yet precise doe-foot applicator which deposits the multi-dimensional, reflective shine. Sign. Us. Up.
SHOP ALL HUDA BEAUTY >>>OIL YOU NEED
From winter’s cold dry air to summer’s sun and wind, harsh elements can leave your lips parched and sometimes a balm doesn’t always do the trick – so why not reach for a lip oil? Not only does it deliver a beautiful glossy shine, but it nourishes, softens and protects your lips from dryness and cracking.
So, pamper your pout in the deliciousness that is Gisou’s Honey Infused Lip Oil, a luscious lacquer that smooths, plumps and defines while highlighting lips in a golden hue. What makes it so unique is that it’s enriched with the brand’s powerful Mirsalehi Honey (that’s rich in vitamins, minerals, amino acids and antioxidants) plus hyaluronic acid so you’re left with a non-sticky, nourished finish.
SHOP ALL GISOU >>>Adding to Summer Friday’s bestselling pout line up is the Summer Fridays Dream Lip Oil, a hydrating, high shine lip enhancer that delivers a mirror-like finish. Plus, it comes in an array of shades; we're talking sultry mauves to pretty pinks that deliver a subtle flush to your pout. Mwah!
SHOP ALL SUMMER FRIDAYS >>>PROTECT YOUR POUT
Guess what? The days of leaving your lips to fend for themselves while your skin is smugly protected with SPF is over. Bursting with skin-loving ingredients and here to defend you against sunny rays, these hybrid heroes are perfect for slotting into your existing routine or popping in your bag for trips away…
A luxurious balm which leaves your pout soft and smooth with a subtle shine, Ultra Violette’s Sheen Screen Hydrating Lip Balm SPF50 also provides long-lasting protection against UVA and UVB rays. Plus, it’s packed with lanolin to deeply hydrate, shea butter to soothe and sweet-smelling cacao seed butter to seal in moisture. And, not to mention, it also has a revitalising peppermint scent…
SHOP ALL ULTRA VIOLETTE >>>Part lip balm, part lip gloss, Lanolips’ Tinted Balm SPF30 is a 3-in-1 multitasking treatment that works to deeply hydrate and nourish parched lips thanks to an infusion of… you guessed it, lanolin. Available in a range of universally flattering shades, it boasts broad-spectrum SPF 30 to protect lips from damaging rays, while also leaving your pout cloaked in a glossy, tinted hue. We’re obsessed!
SHOP ALL LANOLIPS >>>So, there you have it; if you weren’t sure which pout perfector to choose for this season, you sure do now. It’s time to make space for your new everyday essential…
SHOP ALL LIP MAKE UP >>>
