While classic matte lipstick was once the only option for creating long-lasting, highly pigmented lips, the world of lip products today has widely expanded to allow for a seemingly endless supply of lip products. From liners and glosses to balms, stains and sticks, the era of the “lip combo” that combines multiple of these aspects for the ultimate balance of color and shine is seemingly here to stay. But have you ever wished you could get the lasting power of a lip stain, the sheen of a gloss and the control of a liner in one step? I have, and I thought my wishes would go unanswered and I’d be subject to a life of layering lippies, until I discovered NYX Professional’s Lip IV Gloss Stain ($12).
What it is:
Ever since I was a wee tween experimenting with lip products for the first time, I’ve never been a matte girl, and as the age of all things dewy, glowy and glossy comes to final fruition, I’ve felt really in my element in the world of ultra glossy, hydrated lips. But I’ve often struggled to find a singular product that gives me supermodel shine and pigment that lasts more than five minutes, and I’ve tried my fair share of lip products to say the least. So, when I first tried NYX’s Lip IV Gloss Stain for the first time, I was skeptical—could it really provide stain-level pigment but still give me a glossy finish? The answer, surprisingly and immediately, was yes.
Usually, when I apply a pigmented gloss, it takes about the length of my subway commute before I’m in need of a re-up, so you can imagine my genuine surprise when I checked my lips after two hours of running errands and traversing subways to find that my lips were still a juicy, cherry red. While the gloss had dissipated just slightly, the color was even and fresh, making just a tiny touch-up more than enough.
How to use:
The pointed, doe foot-like applicator makes applying this ultra-juicy gloss stain a breeze. I like to use the finest point to line my lips then fill in the rest. The water-breaking technology in this innovative lippie allows for lightweight yet intense pigments and a uniquely refreshing feel whenever you apply, and the result is instantly-kissable lips everytime.
