I own the ETUDE blur lip color in three colors, and RMS Straight Up is the mascara I buy two at a time so I do not run out. Those are the two personal picks in this edit. The contour sticks, glosses and glow products below are comparisons for a different effect, not a claim that I use every one.
Start with a softer matte lip or my everyday mascara. If you want to change the cheek finish instead, compare shadow and warmth with balm and powder glow. Choose one effect; you do not need a full new makeup bag.
This edit includes affiliate links. I may earn a commission if you shop through them, at no extra cost to you. Check the selected shade, size and current listing before ordering.
Cream contour sticks for quiet definition
Contour is a shadow effect, so the right shade matters as much as the format. Westman Atelier suggests placing cream contour stick beneath the cheekbones, with optional definition along the jaw or sides of the nose. Start lightly and follow the exact product directions; a warmer bronze shade may read differently from a cool contour on your skin.
Westman Atelier Face Trace contour stick in Coco
brown contour stick is the cream contour stick anchor of this contour comparison. Blend a small amount for definition rather than leaving a stripe. The catch is shade: Coco is not a universal match, so compare its depth and undertone before ordering.
Shop Westman Atelier Face Trace contour stick in Coco
Milk Makeup Quick Sculpt creamy matte contour stick in Toasted
Choose this creamy matte contour stick stick if you want definition without a powder palette. The linked shade is Toasted. Match the tone to your skin, not to the brown in the product photo.
Shop Milk Makeup Quick Sculpt creamy matte contour stick in Toasted
19/99 Beauty cream contour stick in Tea
tea contour stick takes the warmer bronze route. Compare it with the cooler shadow shades if you want warmth rather than sculpting; the two effects are different.
Shop 19/99 Beauty cream contour stick in Tea
Fenty Beauty Match Stix matte contour skinstick in Amber
amber contour stick is the selected matte contour shade. Check whether its depth and undertone give the shadow you want. A light first application leaves room to build.
Shop Fenty Beauty Match Stix matte contour skinstick in Amber
Clinique Chubby Stick sculpting contour in Curvy Contour
The twist-up stick is the straightforward cream option. Check curvy contour stick against your complexion and follow its directions for placement.
Shop Clinique Chubby Stick sculpting contour in Curvy Contour
Ogee Crystal Contour Collection certified organic contour stick trio
This certified organic trio bundles a bronzer, blush and highlighter in the same cream-stick format, so the contour, color and glow steps all blend with fingers. The linked set is the Crystal Contour Collection. Cream sticks warm up on skin, so dab and blend rather than drawing lines.
Shop the Ogee Crystal Contour Collection trio
Photo credit: Westman Atelier
Photo credit: Milk Makeup
Photo credit: 19/99 Beauty
Photo credit: Fenty Beauty
Photo credit: Clinique
Photo credit: Ogee
Matte and blur-finish lips that do not need a hard outline
A soft lip edge and a matte finish are separate choices. You can keep a red lip deliberate without making the outline graphic, or choose a blur-style formula for a less formal effect. Check the finish and shade on the linked page, because a soft-focus photograph cannot tell you how a color will look on your lips.
Dusty Beige matte lip tint by ETUDE
I like this blur lipstick so much I bought it in three colors. The linked ETUDE Fixing Tint is #08 Dusty Beige, a pink-beige matte liquid lip color.
Shop ETUDE Fixing Tint in Dusty Beige
Lisa Eldridge True Velvet lip color in Velvet Duchess
Velvet Duchess is the blue-red matte lipstick choice. Keep the eyes quiet if you want the velvet-matte lip to be the focus.
Shop Lisa Eldridge True Velvet lip color in Velvet Duchess
Simihaze Velvet Blur matte lipstick balm in Sahara
sahara matte lipstick is the matte-balm option for a softer-looking lip. Check the actual shade: a blur finish does not make every color subtle.
Shop Simihaze Velvet Blur matte lipstick balm in Sahara
Charlotte Tilbury Matte Revolution in Hollywood Vixen
Hollywood Vixen is the brighter matte direction. Choose it for the shade, not only for the familiar formula name, and leave the rest of the face quieter.
Shop Charlotte Tilbury Matte Revolution in Hollywood Vixen
Dior Rouge Dior On Stage Ink Blur Matte in 122 Captivating Rose
Captivating Rose is the softer rose option for daytime tailoring or a simple dinner look.
Shop Dior Rouge Dior On Stage Ink Blur Matte in 122 Captivating Rose
Photo credit: Lisa Eldridge
Photo credit: Simihaze
Photo credit: Charlotte Tilbury
Photo credit: Dior
Plumping glosses for shine and the look of fuller lips
These are cosmetics for the appearance of the lips. Choose the shade and finish first, then read the product directions and ingredient list. Individual tolerance varies; stop using a product if it causes irritation rather than treating discomfort as proof that it is working.
Patrick Ta Major Volume plumping gloss in Superficial
clear plumping gloss is the high-shine choice for the appearance of fuller lips. Check the shade and ingredients before layering. Do not keep applying through irritation.
Shop Patrick Ta Major Volume plumping gloss in Superficial
Charlotte Tilbury Collagen Lip Bath in Pillow Talk Deep
Pillow Talk Deep gives the gloss edit a deep berry lip gloss. Choose it over the matte red if you want shine and a softer edge.
Shop Charlotte Tilbury Collagen Lip Bath in Pillow Talk Deep
r.e.m. beauty On Your Collar plumping gloss in Fembot
pink plumping gloss adds shimmering rose. A quiet eye lets that shine show; read the ingredients if plumping formulas tend to bother your lips.
Shop r.e.m. beauty On Your Collar plumping gloss in Fembot
Highlighters, glow balms and finishing powders
A balm and a finishing powder do different jobs. Decide whether you want a small dewy point of light or a softer overall finish. Add product gradually and follow the directions for the format you choose; a full-face powder palette is not the same thing as a concentrated cream highlighter.
Chanel Baume Essentiel glow stick in Scintillement
Scintillement is the dewy highlighter balm direction. Use a small highlight and check how the texture sits over the base makeup you already wear.
Shop Chanel Baume Essentiel glow stick in Scintillement
Photo credit: Patrick Ta
Photo credit: Charlotte Tilbury
Photo credit: r.e.m. beauty
Photo credit: Chanel
Merit Day Glow highlighting balm in Solstice
champagne highlighter balm gives a neutral-bronze glow in a balm. Compare it with a powder finish before adding another format to your makeup bag.
Shop Merit Day Glow highlighting balm in Solstice
RMS Beauty Living Luminizer
Choose the cream luminizer if you prefer picking up a small amount instead of drawing with a stick. It gives a pearlescent highlight; check the ingredients if your skin has known sensitivities.
Shop RMS Beauty Living Luminizer
Hourglass Ambient Lighting Palette
This is a finishing-powder trio, not three cream highlighters. Choose it for a softer powder finish rather than the wet-looking effect of a balm.
Shop Hourglass Ambient Lighting Palette
The mascara I keep on hand
RMS Beauty Straight Up Volumizing Peptide Mascara
RMS peptide mascara is the mascara I love and use. I buy two at a time so I never run out. It is my pick for that lash-extensions-without-lash-extensions look: longer-looking lashes and volume, with no extension appointment.
The full-size tube is the pick here. Build with light coats, wiping excess off the wand first. This is not a waterproof formula, so choose something else when waterproof wear is the priority.
Shop RMS Beauty Straight Up Volumizing Peptide Mascara
Photo credit: Merit
Photo credit: RMS Beauty
Photo credit: Hourglass
Photo credit: RMS Beauty
Two checks before you buy
Which finish are you missing?
Contour adds shadow, bronze adds warmth, and highlighter adds light. A balm gives a different effect from finishing powder. Start with the effect your current products do not give you, rather than buying every category.
What if plumping gloss irritates my lips?
Read the ingredients before buying and stop if it irritates. Discomfort is not proof that a formula is working. If you are unsure about a reaction, ask a qualified health professional.
A Lip Gloss Worth Trying
For a blurred, glossy lip, the Fenty Beauty Gloss Bomb Universal Lip Luminizer is a simple finish over lipstick or on its own. Check the shade, size and ingredient list on the listing.
Choose the outfit around the makeup
For an evening lip, compare the fabrics and necklines in holiday party dresses. Then use the clutch and evening-bag guide to decide what you need to carry.
Shop the full collection: buy it here.
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Shop the Post
- Westman Atelier Face Trace contour stick in Coco
- Milk Makeup Quick Sculpt creamy matte contour stick in Toasted
- 19/99 Beauty cream contour stick in Tea
- Fenty Beauty Match Stix matte contour skinstick in Amber
- Clinique Chubby Stick sculpting contour in Curvy Contour
- Ogee Crystal Contour Collection certified organic contour stick trio
- Dusty Beige matte lip tint by ETUDE
- Lisa Eldridge True Velvet lip color in Velvet Duchess
- Simihaze Velvet Blur matte lipstick balm in Sahara
- Charlotte Tilbury Matte Revolution in Hollywood Vixen
- Dior Rouge Dior On Stage Ink Blur Matte in 122 Captivating Rose
- Patrick Ta Major Volume plumping gloss in Superficial
- Charlotte Tilbury Collagen Lip Bath in Pillow Talk Deep
- r.e.m. beauty On Your Collar plumping gloss in Fembot
- Fenty Beauty Gloss Bomb Universal Lip Luminizer
- Chanel Baume Essentiel glow stick in Scintillement
- Merit Day Glow highlighting balm in Solstice
- RMS Beauty Living Luminizer
- Hourglass Ambient Lighting Palette
- RMS Beauty Straight Up Volumizing Peptide Mascara
