Gloss & Shine
Pucker up with glazed, glossed, lacquered lips in three ways, with tips from Singapore’s top makeup artists.
Matte lips, step aside – the latest beauty wave is all about glossy, luscious pouts. The Spring/ Summer 2024 runways have spoken, announcing the triumphant return of high-shine lips that are injecting a refreshing touch of youthfulness into our makeup routines.
THE ESSENTIAL PREP
Before trying any glossy lip look, prepping your lips is crucial. “Ensuring that your lips are smooth without any peeling or dead skin is key. Prior to applying lip colour or gloss, prep with a lip scrub,” advises makeup artist Kat Zhang, who recommends Fresh Sugar Lip Polish.
Don’t forget to slick on some nourishing Rouge Dior Balm too, for some softening, hydrating and smoothing action.
NUDE GLAZE
The MLBB (my lips but better) phenomenon takes a shine-infused twist during the S/S ’24 fashion showcases, most notably at Eudon Choi and Prabal Gurung. Imagine your lips, but amplified with a natural, glossy sheen. It’s a subtle enhancement, akin to a clear glaze, giving an effortless yet radiant vibe to your overall look. PRO TIP
For this natural hue with eye-catching shine, makeup artist Lasalle Lee suggests Dior Addict Lip Glow Oil. “Infused with cherry oil, it offers fantastic lip care benefits,” says Lasalle. “It softens chapped lips, and provides instant nourishment, protection and revitalisation. Shades like #001 Pink or #007 Raspberry work perfectly for the Nude Gloss look.”
BLUSH SHEEN
A delightful progression from the nude glaze lip look is blush pink lips with a dollop of gloss, as seen on the runways at Aaron Esh’s S/S ’24. With heightened pinks that are a shade or two rosier than nude lips, this look effortlessly complemented soft, shimmering eyes and flushed cheeks, and turned out sweet and ethereal.
PRO TIP
Simply select your preferred blush pink shade of gloss and paint a light layer on your lips. Lasalle recommends Anastasia Beverly Hills Lip Gloss in Guava: “It effortlessly crafts that pretty pink gloss look.”
FIERY LACQUER
Upping the ante on a glossy pout are bold red lacquered lips, as seen at Gucci’s S/S ’24 showcase. This wasn’t just about shine; it was about making a statement. Imperfectly perfect outlines, and radiant – but not flawless – skin made this look powerfully relatable.
PRO TIP
To recreate this stunning red lacquer lip, Kat suggests using your favourite lipstick as a base, then layering it with M.A.C Clear Lipglass. “It truly gives your lips that glass-like finish! Perfect to layer over any lipstick,” she says.
If you prefer a more straightforward, oneproduct application, try Lasalle’s suggestion – Cle de Peau Cream Rouge Shine in #103 Legend of Rouge. Just paint it on with a light hand and you’re good to go.
MAINTAINING THE SHINE
When it comes to gloss, less is more. “A little goes a long way,” advises Kat. “Steer clear of overapplying gloss, as it can become messy. Apply it delicately, within the lip line.” To sustain that flawless glossy look, she suggests a clever trick: Lightly dust the edges of your lips with translucent loose powder using a small brush. Finally, Lasalle emphasises the need for frequent touch-ups, so do ensure that you carry your lip gloss for touch-ups after drinks and meals.