By Paulina Singh, News Correspondent
Though many find cosmetics to be a superficial form of self-expression, they can often be an example of art imitating life. With the first few glimpses of green peeking through what remains of the slushy winter snow, spring promises to bring a slew of new beauty inspirations. And this year, as it were, the bold lip is where it’s at, and lipstick is the medium of choice.
The primary reason to bring the focus to the lips is easy impact. For those in a hurry, a bright lip offers a simple, efficient way to look polished. It is no surprise, then, as to why women seem to be choosing lips over the meticulousness of eye makeup. “Playing up the lips is a simple way to look put together fast,” said sophomore marketing major Cynthia Briceno, “especially when I only have a few minutes to do my makeup before work.”
Once plagued by a rather stodgy connotation, lipstick more often conjured an image of being settled into grandma’s fine lines than it did on the fresh faces of twenty-somethings. There has always been something aging about it. But it seems cosmetic chemists have gotten the hint, as a slew of new formulas have flooded the market as of late, resulting in some new products perfect for young students and professionals on the move.
From among these new formulations, balm-like, moisturizing lipsticks have rapidly captured the attention of beauty consumers. These lipsticks feel light on the lips, but offer a pop of color in addition to moisture, and are often accompanied by some amount of SPF, making them perfect for the springtime. In terms of a quick way to add some color to the face, you cannot go wrong with these balms, and there are options for every budget.
At the drugstore, consider grabbing Maybelline’s new Color Whisper lipcolor ($7.49, drugstore.com) to achieve a lovely, sheer tint. For a splurge (and mainly the lux packaging), try Yves Saint Laurent’s Rouge Volupte Shine ($34, Sephora.com).
Another such trend, for those more inclined to bold lipstick choices, is high-impact pigments held in a weightless, long-lasting base. These formulas replace the flat, heaviness of grandma’s lipstick, and instead provide high definition color that sets quickly, without looking cakey and feathering into creases.
For ladies looking to pack some punch with their lips’ looks, there are many options to choose from. Revlon’s Colorstay Ultimate Suede lipstick ($9.99, drugstore.com) promises the longevity of the entire Colorstay line in 20 eye-catching shades. In addition, Make Up For Ever’s Rouge Artist Intense ($19, Sephora.com) is feather-light, but has superb pigmentation in shades ranging from nudes to deep plums.
No matter how much of a pinch you’re in, you can always take a minute to freshen up your look and put your best face forward. Pair any of these suggestions with soft eyes and dewy skin to get springtime ready. For a little extra pop, consider blending a few light dabs of your lipstick on the cheekbones for an all over monochromatic glow.
Though this may not be the look for everyone, ‘tis the season to try something new. Here’s to a new season, a new beginning and a new look, from my lips to yours.
