Fall Lips That Keep My Lips Soft and Glowy
Fall is one of my favorite seasons for makeup. I love the warmer colors, cozy sweaters, and that slightly richer look that seems to suit the season.
There is just one problem: my lips get incredibly dry in the fall.
When the weather starts getting cooler and drier, I often find myself reaching for Vaseline. Sometimes even lipstick makes my lips look drier, especially when I use a matte formula.
For a long time, I simply accepted that this was part of wearing lipstick in the fall.
But my approach to lip color has changed quite a bit.
From Armani and YSL to Olive Young
When I lived in the U.S., I used to wear Giorgio Armani lip gloss quite often. I loved the smooth, glossy finish and the way it made my lips look polished without feeling too heavy.
And whenever I traveled internationally, I sometimes treated myself to a YSL lipstick at the airport.
It was one of those little travel luxuries.
I didn't necessarily need another lipstick, but buying one at the airport before an international trip somehow made the trip feel a little more special.
Then I started spending more time in Korea.
During one of my visits, I began browsing Olive Young and trying some of the Korean lip products there. What surprised me was how many products offered exactly what I wanted: comfortable color, a glossy finish, and a much more approachable price.
After trying them, I started wondering why I had been saving my little lip luxuries for luxury brands.
What I Want From a Fall Lip
These days, especially in the fall, I don't necessarily want a bold or perfectly matte lip.
I want something that makes my lips look soft, hydrated, and naturally polished while adding just enough color to create that cozy fall feeling.
Basically, I want my lip color to do a little bit of the work that Vaseline does—but with a beautiful tint and finish.
That is why I have been drawn to glow sticks, tinted balm sticks, and sheer-shine lipsticks.
WAKEMAKE Lasting Glow Stick
A glossy stick is exactly the kind of lip product I reach for when my lips are feeling dry.
The WAKEMAKE Lasting Glow Stick gives the lips color while maintaining a smooth, glossy-looking finish. For fall, I especially like the idea of reaching for muted rose, rosy brown, or soft nude shades.
It gives you that autumn feeling without making your lips look overly made up.
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VIDIVICI Peptide Butter Tint Balm
The name alone makes this sound perfect for fall.
A tinted balm is especially appealing when my lips are dry because I don't necessarily want the intensity of a traditional lipstick.
The VIDIVICI Peptide Butter Tint Balm gives you that comfortable, easy-to-wear feeling while adding color. I like this kind of product for everyday makeup when I want my lips to look naturally tinted rather than heavily painted.
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WAKEMAKE Healthy Glow Balm Stick
On days when my lips are particularly dry, I tend to prefer a balm-style product.
The WAKEMAKE Healthy Glow Balm Stick is easy to swipe on without worrying too much about getting the edges perfect. You can keep the color sheer or build it up with another layer.
That effortless quality is part of what I like about Korean lip makeup. It doesn't always have to look perfectly precise to look polished.
HERA Sensual Nude Balm
Not every fall lip needs to be deep burgundy or brown.
Sometimes a soft nude shade with a healthy-looking glow feels much more sophisticated.
HERA Sensual Nude Balm is the kind of product I would pair with simple eye makeup and warm neutral tones. It gives the face a little more polish without making the lips the entire focus.
MAC Lustreglass Sheer-Shine Lipstick
And then there are days when I still want an actual lipstick.
For those days, I prefer a sheer or shiny formula over an ultra-matte one, especially during the colder months.
A sheer-shine lipstick can give you a little color with a comfortable-looking finish. One layer keeps things soft and natural, while additional layers can create a richer fall lip.
My Little Luxury Has Changed
I still like beautiful luxury makeup. I still understand the pleasure of buying a YSL lipstick before a trip or reaching for a favorite Armani gloss.
But after discovering so many affordable Korean lip products at Olive Young, my idea of a little luxury has changed.
I don't feel like I need a famous logo to make a lip product feel special anymore.
Sometimes, my favorite little luxury is simply finding a Korean lip product that costs much less, feels comfortable on my dry lips, and gives me exactly the soft, glowy fall look I want.
And then I can put it in my purse and reapply it whenever I need it.
Maybe that is my kind of fall luxury now: less about the brand, and more about how good my lips feel.
