Matte vs Glossy Lipstick

By The FabFitFun Team | June 15, 2022

A Girl Wearing Hair Curlers and lipgloss

To gloss, or not to gloss? That truly is the question. Matte and glossy lipstick both offer such tantalizing traits, and pitting such lip luminaries against each other can have you doing double takes.

Luckily, with a cheat sheet to help you discern what makes a matte vs glossy lipstick the perfect finishing touch, you can choose the right product for your perfect pout confidently and head out the door.

So pucker up, buttercup. Kiss those frantic last-minute touch-ups goodbye.

Glossy Lipstick

Glossy lipstick speaks to the glitz and glam of the makeup world. According to makeup artist Lisa Eldridge, a glossy finish can also have a more practical goal—that is, adding depth and dimension to your lip.¹

Adding a bold glossy lip to your soft glam makeup look can elevate it to the extreme. However, this look is just as easily dressed-down: you can also opt for a more understated, shiny look that may provide an irresistible natural finish.

When to Wear Glossy Lipstick

Glossy lipstick can work well in many circumstances. Of course, your makeup look as a whole might call for a bit of shine—but certain situations also beckon the glam appeal of a glossy lip.

Glossy lipstick can work exceptionally well for events like:

A night out – Get caught up in the city lights with a dazzling glossy lipstick. Complement your glammed-up night-out look with a lipstick type that draws attention like a disco ball.
A romantic date – Give your thin lips a suggestive sheen with a glossy lipstick. Keep your lips looking kissable. If heading to a romantic dinner, it may be wise to bring along some extra gloss to reapply in case it starts to fade during your meal.
A beach day – If you’re going for that, “Oh, I just rolled out of bed and threw my hair up, but I’m down to go to the beach,” look—yep, glossy lipstick’s your best friend. Throw some in your beach bag and apply on the way to the shore for a natural, youthful look essential to completing your beach day bliss.

What Glossy Lipstick Shades Are Best?

Though glossy lipsticks can work well in basically every shade, the polished shine and lacquer does work exceptionally well with lip product colors like:

Pink
Berry
Red

If opting for a more natural look, however, you can also find plenty of attractive shades of nude, such as the Anastasia Beverly Hills Satin Lipstick in Butterscotch.

Ultimately, it’s wise to factor in your outfit and color scheme before applying lipstick to ensure your look will go that extra mile.

How to Apply Glossy Lipstick

The application of glossy lipstick usually happens with ease, thanks to its forgiving nature and shine. You can put on glossy lipstick right before heading out the door or even in the car’s passenger seat.

To make the most out of your glamorous gloss, try:

Line your lips with a matching lip liner before applying.
Smooth the gloss over your entire pout, and smack your lips to even it out.
Gently blot your lipstick on a tissue to reduce smudging.
Mist with setting spray to help keep it in place.
Bring some extra gloss with you for reapplication, if needed.

Matte Lipstick

It’s time to introduce our next opponent in the matte lipstick vs. lip gloss debate.

Matte lipstick speaks to the chic style and sophistication of the makeup world. With its minimal shine, matte lipstick puts all the emphasis on color—and can add some serious class to your look.

When to Wear Matte Lipstick

Matte lipsticks can provide your sweat proof makeup look with a stylish subtlety that can draw attention from any angle. Use it as a confidence booster and launch into your life feeling pulled together. In matte lipstick, you run this town.

Consider wearing a matte lipstick if looking for:

A chic office look – Walk into the office with flair. Turn your walk to the water cooler into a fierce fashion show with lipstick that keeps you feeling like the boss of your own life.
A pop of color – Due to its stark, flat, pigmented look, matte lipstick brings any outfit to life with a bright pop of color. Go for a bold red, a hot pink, or a summery orange. Unleash a rainbow of luscious lips.
A cohesive look – Matte lipstick can provide an elevated yet understated level of elegance. Wearing a more understated lip can help dramatize other aspects of your makeup, such as a bold eye look or a not-so-subtle rouge.

What Matte Lipstick Shades Are Best?

Add a pop of color or a more natural glam feel to your day. Some matte shades that can do so with finesse include:

Red
Plum
Nude/Neutral

The best part of matte lipstick is that it can make even the less keyed-up colors a showstopper. Take, for example, the Anastasia Beverly Hills Matte Lipstick in Velvet. The matte finish leaves all the natural boldness of this nude taupe to stand on its own.

Thanks to the highly pigmented but flat finish, matte lipstick blends exceptionally well. Try lining your outer lips with a darker neutral and a pop of pink in the middle for a glammed-up natural look.

How to Apply Matte Lipstick

Due to its low oil content, matte lipstick can maintain pigmentation for hours.² Because of its long-lasting wear and setting power, however, you’ll want to nail the application on the first attempt.

For easier application when learning how to apply lipstick, try the following steps:

Gently exfoliate your lips before applying the lipstick.
Line your lips with a lip liner in a matching or contrasting tone.
Apply the matte lipstick slowly, making sure not to overlap your liner.
Use a tissue to quickly clean up any mishaps before the lipstick sets.

Lip Your Best Life with FabFitFun

Whatever the occasion, a fun and flirty lipstick can add a lovely finish to your final look. Trying out different types of makeup can help you discover a little more about yourself and how you like to feel when getting ready in the morning. But how can you find your new lip faves?

Discover quality lipsticks, skincare brands, and other beauty products with FabFitFun.

Become a member and reap the benefits of seasonal gift boxes full of fun finds to promote your self-care and well-being. You can even stock up on glossy and matte lipsticks by customizing your box.

Join the fun today with FabFitFun.

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