Posted by Tiffany Overby on May 13, 2010 03:20 p.m.
Every once in a while, I end up hitting the snooze button one too many times in the morning, leaving myself with only a few minutes to get ready. Whenever I’m short on time I have to make a few adjustments to my normal beauty routine. I still want to look nice and dolled up; I just have to stick to makeup that requires minimal time and effort.
Sheer products like lip stains or tinted lip balms come to the rescue in times like these. They add only a touch of color to your lips, so they don’t require the precise application that a full-color lipstick would. Not only are sheer lip products great for quick on-the-go looks, they’re also a perfect choice for days you prefer an understated, fresh-faced look.
Tinted lip balms keep your lips moisturized while adding a sheer wash of color. Light pink and nude shades will soften your natural lip color while still allowing it to show through. Brighter shades of lip balm are a great way to wear color while keeping it subtle. Although I will wear any color out there when it comes to eye makeup, I am much more timid when it comes to my lips. I love the look of red lips, but nearly every encounter with my red lipsticks end in me wiping them off and stashing them away. I now stick to tinted balms when I feel the urge to wear red. I get the perfect dose of that just-bitten redness while remaining in my lip color comfort zone.
Lip stains are a longer lasting alternative if you’d rather skip the multiple touch-ups throughout the day. Their staying power makes stains a great low-maintenance product; this is perfect for coffee addicts like me, since the constant sipping will not cause the color to come off. They are typically water or gel based, which means they won’t have a heavy or sticky feeling on your lips. Many stains double task as both lip and cheek color, so they’re great when you’re in a hurry and don’t have the time to dig for multiple products. Make sure you apply stains quickly since they tend to dry fast. Rosy hues like Benefit’s Benetint flatter a range of skin tones from fair to deep, while soft pinks like Tarte’s Natural Lip Stain in Charmed will give you the slightest wash of barely there color.
Whether you’re short on time or just want something natural and low maintenance give sheer lip colors a try. Sometimes it’s fun to look pretty without all the effort!