Lipstick - is it better not to bother?

[Stuffedcat]

Having spent ages searching for the perfect colour (I prefer 'nudes' but they seem to make me washed out, if my latest holiday pictures are anything to go by, I always thought I looked ok, but I just looked sallow!). Pinks, red's make my mouth huge, oranges I look v. odd etc...

I think it may be dawning on me it may be better to wear balm/gloss instead. Wondering what other people do, is it a bit odd to have eyeshadow, mascara, blush etc and 'not bother' with lips, is it a bit unfinished?

[CristinaTheAstonishing]

You'd still look groomed.

[Lipstickgal]

Try berry tones. What is your colouring like?

[Lipstickgal]

Rose tones may work for you.

[madmomma]

I have this problem, and I've found the best solution to be vaseline (blot), nude pinkybrown liner all over, then a light dab of pink gloss over the top to make it look a bit less flat.

[jewelsandgems]

I'm just the same! I look better with just a swipe of vaseline, think it's because I have big eyes and with them and a lipsticked mouth, my face just looks too much!

Also not wearing lipstick or gloss is great for kissing

[groak]

I never wear lipstick, it doesn't look right on me, I feel a bit like a clown, and it never stays put right and I can't be arsed with the maintanence... I use ruby and millie lipglosses... if you have detailed / dark eyeshadow for eve out I can't see why a lipgloss would look unfinished

have you tried nicola roberts dainty doll range, think it's more for pale skins?

[otchayaniye]

Bobbi Brown Lip and Cheek pot in a colour such as Truffle Rose? Gives a non sparkle, non greasy flush to lips and cheeks, evening out tone and just brightening the face really. Can wear lip balm over the top. Chocolate Cherry is also nice on celtic colourings.

I don't much like BB lipsticks, but have a few of these and use them regularly (can be drying so wear lansinoh on top!)

[LuckyMrsT]

I never wear lipstick as I feel silly in it. I can't explain why this is, I just feel self conscious about it - like I'm not old enough to be wearing it (34) and people will stare... I can manage gloss and can recommend:

Lancome Juicy Tubes in Disco Melon and Cerise
Clinique superbalm moisturising gloss in Grapefruit
Rimmel gloss in Yummy (also nice and cheap)

All are lovely and sheer without too much colour or glitter. It does finish your face off IMO.

[TapselteerieO]

I think it is either eyes or mouth you emphasise, keep one subtle, so emphasise your best feature - I cannot wear mascara, never get on with eye make up, so just use very subtle shades and I usually use a stronger colour on my lips.

[wasabipeanut]

I use the BB Truffle Rose lip & cheek colour - tis lovely and I then whack Vaseline over the top as and when during the day.

I never wear proper lipstick - makes me feel odd and a bit overdone. I don't think I ever really got the hang of putting it on properly.

[cybboid]

Get a decent rose/light browny coloured lip pencil and use that all over lips

bung a bit of gloss o'er the top if you wish it lasts ages and looks like a darker version of your natural lip colour. I use Rimmel 'nude' I think but its not sallow making

[pinkhebe]

i have this problem, I use the little tubs by vasaline, the blush one.

[Havingkittens]

Tinted lipbalm is nice. Burt's Bees do a couple of nice natural shades. Watermelon is pale pinkish nude and Rhubarb is a deeper lip toned pink. Only about £8 and stay on longer than most sheer lipsticks. Also, not sticky like lipgloss. Bobbi Brown and Laura Mercier also do nice tinted lipbalms.

[omydarlin]

yeah i have this problem - i started to use juicy tubes etc about three years ago and havent looked back - also lip tip ala benefit.

[HerRoyalNotness]

I don't really do lipstick (have full lips, makes me feel self-conscious), however I bought a set from Anthropologie which are more opaque, which I really, really like. They are by poppy king. Gives you a bit of colour, bit more grown up than a lipgloss.

www.lipstickqueen.com/product_frame.htm

[HerRoyalNotness]

...seems like there are a few of us with the same problem!

[muddlinleigh]

I'm the opposite, i'm wedded to my red and have been since i was old enough to wear it. Lipstains are good if you don't like lipstick but want a more intense colour than lipgloss can give. You can get the same effect from a lipstick, blotted down to leave a stain.

[Alibabaandthe80nappies]

I have really full lips and lipstick just makes me look bizarre and over made-up, so I emphasise my eyes when I do my makeup and just use a tinted gloss.

[Stuffedcat]

Great to hear I'm not alone!
I will try some of the tinted lipbalms me thinks and investigate some of the other products mentioned.
madmomma what nude pinky brown liner do you use? my boots No7 nude seems a bit orange for me.

[Lipstickgal]

But do you look washed out when wearing nothing? Some people look wonderful without it and others need a bit of colour. I'm in the latter. I can't wear any nudes without looking corpse-like. Pinks and browns look hideous, whether they be dark or light, semi sheer or matt. The colours that seem to suit are brick reds, berry tones, clear red and if I'm trying to do natural a rose toned lipstick which is a mix of pink and brown. I think if you work out your season it makes it easier. I'm a clear spring.I'm naturally dark- haired ( after a recent red failure) with pale neutral skin with green/blue eyes. So what is your colouring? If you like lipstick but it's just a colour issue I may be able to help.........

[JeremyVile]

Lipstick is so overrated.

If you suit really bold colours, post box red, hot pink etc, then with minimal eye make up it can look great, but other than that, I rarely see anyone (over the age of 30) who wouldn't look better with just a bit of gloss or Vaseline.

Also, these pale pinky-beiges are so not flattering. Very ageing IMO, style-wise as well as visually.

[Stuffedcat]

Lipstickgal - I am pale skinned with blonde hair, brick reds / bright colours look dreadful on me I'm afraid.
I do like the sound of the natural a rose toned lipstick which is a mix of pink and brown what ones do you recommend ?

[otchayaniye]

Lipstick overrated?

[HadAThreesomeWithFredAndGeorge]

Lipstick never works on me. I end up looking like a clown.

I have given up. Woe is me

[Lipstickgal]

Well, Revlon Colorstay in ravishing rose is an excellent colour. You can buy it on ebay for not more than a couple of pounds so if it's not for you.... The formulation is great too in that it stays on for ages, doesn't bleed and doesn't flake off. You can just wipe it off too without the need for an oil based cleanser unlike other ones I have tried.
Avon did one where you could adjust the tone. I think it was called spectracolour the roses. That way you could get it just so. I haven't tried it but have heard its pretty good.
Have a trawl of ebay and type in rose. I find Revlon to be a really great brand. If you like matt lipsticks Revlon do one that is called smoked peach.I can imagine this looking great on a blonde. Is it possible that you are a warm toned blonde or do you go towards being cooler? It does make a massive difference. What colours suit you the most?