If you broke up with lipstick during the pandemic, it’s time to kiss and make up.
After over a year of only dramatic eye looks with masks on, this summer is slowly bringing back lipstick as mask mandates are lifted and people are vaccinated.
Since there is nothing worse than ruining a mask with a blotch of red lipstick, many turned away from doing the lower half of their faces at all. Now, a pop of color is needed more than ever — and makeup experts agree.
“This summer, I am excited to see any lip at all. After over a year of wearing masks, I am thrilled at the idea of wearing color, and showing off our gorgeous lips,” Nick Lujan, Kevyn Aucoin’s director of artistry and education, told The Post. “My eye is drawn to bold bright and fearless colors. If there has ever been a time for bold lips, it is now.”
If you aren’t quite ready to go bold or haven’t yet been maskless, a nude lip is a great option, too. Sophie Shab, the founder of the viral Instagram beauty account Trendmood, predicts that nude colors will still be in for summer as masks are still being worn, but to expect a change for the fall.
“I personally think that this summer we are still in the transition of getting out of the pandemic and some of us still wear masks, so I think nudes and natural lips are still going to be the trend but I’m looking forward to fall,” Shab told The Post. “I love fall makeup looks. I’m hoping to see more bold dark lips, like dark burgundy, plum, brown, red and terracotta.”
Be it bright or more subdued, lip sticks, stains and glosses are for everyone, and half the fun is collecting a bunch of brands and experimenting.
“I would say, don’t be afraid to experiment with lip colors that are outside of your comfort zone,” advised Tiffany Thurston Scott, CEO and co-founder of RÓEN Beauty. “Sometimes the shades can look intimidating when they are in the vial but will end up looking stunning on. Plus, it‘s always fun to play.”
“You just have to go for it and commit to the look,” echoed Kate Synnott, who is RÓEN Beauty’s creative director. “We’ve kept our lips hidden for long enough and it’s exciting to be mask-free in California and incorporate your lip into your look.”
If you’re ready to rock a lip, we’ve rounded up the best lipstick brands and shades for summer. Recommended by the experts, kiss boring makeup looks goodbye as we enter into the rest of summer and the start of fall 2021.
Best red lipstick for a bright lip:
Kjaer Weis Lipstick in Sucre, $48
“For a lipstick, I love Kjaer Weis’s lipstick formula, they have a fabulous red shade for evening called sucre,” said Thurston Scott.
The Sucre shade is vivid and super pigmented, for full coverage and a bold statement. The Kjaer Weis site also offers other reds and berry colors as well to start your collection of the must-have shade for summer.
Fenty Beauty Lip Paint in Stunna, $25
Leave it to Rhianna to start summer off on the right foot (and lip.)
“One of my favorite go-to red lipstick is Uncensored Stunna Lip Paint by Fenty Beauty,” recommends Shab. “It’s a beautiful sexy red. When is comes to a red color, I like to use formulas that are pigmented, easy to retouch and of course long-wear.”
Unforgettable Lipstick in Fatal, $30
“Red lips are a staple! Red is a classic, timeless and room-commanding color. It is a power color and works effectively to get your peers to listen to you,” said Lujan.
Sold at Dermstore, the Kevyn Aucoin brand lippie is a smooth red that glides over lips for a full-coverage look. Plus the skinny tube is super easy to bring along on all your summer adventures so you can re-apply on the go.
Victoria Beckham Beauty POSH lipstick in Pop, $38
Did someone say Spice Girls?
We all know the ’90s are back and better than ever, so trust a Spice Girl and fashion icon Victoria Beckham to make sure your red lip is the best of the best.
“My favorite bright lippy at the moment is by Victoria Beckham beauty,” said Synnott. “It’s called POSH lipstick in shade pop! It’s really flattering for most skin tones.”
The “pop!” shade is pictured above and recommended by our experts, but make sure to also check out the nudes and pinks as well.
Best nude lipsticks for a subtle everyday look:
ROEN Beauty Kiss My Liquid Lip Balm in Remi, $26
Subtle and oh-so-kissable.
“Remi is the ultimate ‘your lips but better’ glossy nude shade that gives you an understated and chic effect,” said Thurston Scott. “The Kiss My formula is infused with deeply nourishing ingredients like mango and grapeseed oils that leave your lips feeling smooth and protected all day long.”
Kevyn Aucoin Unforgettable Lipstick in Suspicious, $30
We have a suspicion you’ll love this color. Sold at Dermstore in a variety of shades, our experts chose the peachy color as a must-have for all skin tones, as it truly brings the best out of everyone.
“I love lipsticks that have a touch of peach because they look great on everyone,” said Lujan.
KKW Beauty Nude Crème Lipstick, $9 (originally $18)
You’d better keep up with this Kardashian product before it’s too late.
“I love KKW Beauty lipsticks and in general the brand’s lip line,” said Shab. ” I think the reason I love the line so much is first of all I love nudes and they have a lot of beautiful nude shades and also their lip products are creamy, pigmented and hydrating.”
But Shab said you better act fast.
“The brand also just announced that they are rebranding, new formulas and new packaging,” she added. “That makes me sad but I’m crossing fingers that the formulas won’t change much since I love them as they are. So this is the time to shop it before they are gone by August 1.”
Jones Road Cool Gloss in Nude Beige, $22
Every cool girl needs some cool gloss.
“I’ve always been a fan of Bobbi Brown’s lip products, she really makes them long-lasting and hydrating,” said Thurston Scott. “I love her new Jones Road Cool glosses, my favorite shades are pink gold shimmer and nude beige.”
Best long-lasting lipsticks:
Sephora Collection Cream Lip Stain Liquid Lipsticks, $15
“If I want to wear a long-lasting lipstick I will usually reach for a liquid lipstick or a very pigmented lipstick. Both also must be formulas that are easy to retouch,” suggests Shab.
She recommended a bunch of brands, including the Sephora Collection liquid lippies. Not only do they have a ton of colors to choose from, but they will last all day and into the night for a bold look with little upkeep.
Tom Ford Lip Color Lipstick, $55
“My best tip for making your lipstick stay in put is lots and lots of lip liner,” advises Synnott. “I like to fill in my lips with liner before I apply lipstick or gloss. It creates a canvas that the other lip products stick to.”
She recommended Tom Ford as one of her faves, and we see why. The Lip Color Lipstick is sold at Sephora in an array of fun shades, each priced at $55.