I didn’t want to hijack Dusty Rose’s thread, so I’m making my own.
I hate wearing anything on my lips. Even when I put on Chapstick or Vaseline, I find myself wiping it off on a napkin at the next opportunity. I’ve consented to wear a small amount of lipstick for theatre productions, but I would really prefer to never wear lip makeup in a non-theatre situation.
I have no problems with wearing foundation, concealer, eyeshadow, a small amount of eyeliner and mascara, blush, and powder. I just really hate lip makeup.
How much do you think this affects the way I am perceived? I don’t mind looking a bit ‘un-feminine’ because I have a pretty androgynous face as it is, so I don’t really have a choice. But if this makes it look like I have a somewhat unkempt appearance or don’t pay attention to hygiene, I probably ought to know.
I prefer wearing lip color over any other makeup, but that’s because my lips aren’t very dark naturally, and the top lip is lighter than the lower. I have a pretty fair skin tone, so they aren’t very distinct from my face at all. I don’t go for a dramatic difference, just a rosy tone typically, and think that really helps a lot in making me look more lively, rather than a more “bloodless” look.
If you have lips that are nicely distinct from your skin tone, then I don’t see a need for you.
If you want color but are concerned about color wiping off, try a lip stain instead of a lipstick. It’s more like a marker being applied, but trust me, it’s not nasty-smelling or anywhere near that permanent. You may have to put a few layers on to build the color to what you want, but it’s pretty subtle overall. On the pricier end of things, I like Vincent Longo’s Lip/Cheek Gel Stain (try Sephora); it’s applied as a thin gel with a fuzzy applicator wand. Somewhat cheaper, I got Pixi’s Lip Blush at Target; this has a “marker” tip for application. The “marker” styles seem to have color that disappears into your skin faster, versus other types. They’re fairly resistant to wear - much moreso than lipstick - and being more subtle it’s harder to tell when the wear does start happening.
I personally think that if you are wearing other makeup (foundation, blush, whatnot) and nothing on your lips, it looks a little odd. If you’re not wearing anything, or maybe just a little mascara, and nothing on your lips, that’s fine.
I second trying the lip stains. Also, one problem I have with most glosses/lipsticks is that they are just too thick. I don’t mind things on my lips but I don’t like a whole lot. I hate Chapstick, etc. and I would never use Vaseline. In the winter when I have a bad chapped lip problem I sleep with something goopy (H2O Plus Lip Therapy) but don’t wear it in the day. So … for daily use year 'round I use CoverGirl Lipslicks. They are in a tube like lipstick and are tinted gloss. A quick swipe is very light-feeling, just enough to be moist, and gives a hint of color. If it’s a fancier occasion and I need real color, I put on a regular lipstick and blotblotblot so that my lips are essentially just stained and I don’t “feel” it. Then, a light topcoat of a coordinating or clear Lipslicks and I’m done.
I vote for not important. This is because I feel the same way as the OP - I dislike the way lipstick feels and I think it looks ridiculous on me. Of course, when I do wear makeup, I go for a pretty light touch, so I hope that my lack of lip makeup doesn’t really stand out. If I do wear lipstick, I wear one coat of Black Honey, which is really, really, really subtle.
Not that important, at least to the younger set. You see a lot of 20-something girls with nothing on their lips, but a heavy eye and a done up face otherwise.
I think so long as your lips look nice- soft and not flakey or gross- you’re good to go, If you don’t wear anything on your lips, I’d suggest “brushing” your lips with your tooth brush when you brush your teeth in the morning. It’ll take the flakey skin off and make everything look really nice. If you’re feeling crazy, throw on some Carmex or something right then, but otherwise you’re good.
Try putting on some Vaseline or Chapstick before you go to sleep, if you can’t stand to wear it any other time. It’s good to keep your lips hydrated–more comfortable and healthy-looking lips with no lip stuff look much better than flaky, dry lips with the stuff slicked on.
Oh, Electric Warrior, I would have, and COULD have shared my thread with you. It’s funny, but I just asked a question about lipstick on that thread!
My most loyal to wearing make-up friend says that you must wear lipstick if you’re wearing the rest, otherwise your color just fades at the bottom of your face. Back when I wore make-up, I paid more attention to that, and she was right!
Probably just one more reason why I don’t bother at all.
Another lipstick/chapstick/vaseline hater, but I wear it when I leave the house because my skin is so fair and my lips are pale. Thanks for the info on lip stains.
When I wear lipstick, within half an hour, I’ve eaten the whole thing off, it just bugs me so much.
I’m going to find me some lip stain.
For dry lips, I occasionally use Philosophy’s Kiss Me lip scrub - sugar grains and lots of lovely moisturizing oils. Dab on, rub around to exfoliate, then wipe or wash off.
Ok, I don’t wear make up at all, but I love my clear lip gloss. It is thick and sticky like honey! That said, the quoted part of your post shocks me. Is it possible that people may judge a woman’s hygiene by her lack of lip gloss???
If I didn’t have lip balm of some kind I wouldn’t have lips left here, they’d flake away. It’s very dry here. The last time I wore makeup of any kind was a year and a half ago at the interview that landed me my current job, but I have lotion and lip stuff everywhere I go.
I generally don’t wear any makeup, but I do love that BB lip balm. It doesn’t feel heavy, it gets the job done, and my lips are in much better condition if I’ll only bother to use it regularly.
I second the love for their cuticle cream as well. All of my fingernails tend to crack and peel, and using the cuticle cream is the best solution I’ve found. Plus, it smells absolutely delicious.
What’s key is to make sure you don’t have to search for it. I have a tube in my nightstand, in the silverware drawer in the kitchen, in my purse, in my makeup basket in the bathroom, and in my desk drawer at work, at minimum. That way, when you realize your lips feel dry, you are never more than a grab from a tube.
