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Lip gloss

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Lipstick and lipgloss were a huge part of my formative years. It was around the time that many cosmetic companies realised the huge potential of the younger market and their disposable income, and they re branded themselves to appeal to a younger audience. It worked, especially with more affordable brands such as Rimmel and Collection 2000.

Like most teenagers at the time, I spent a great deal of my time and money experimenting with make up looks, different styles and techniques.

After time spent preening, lining, concealing and highlighting, I learned one major thing, I can't do lipstick.

I know what you're thinking, what is there to do? What is so difficult? It's not hard to apply. You're right, it's not hard to apply, not if you have nice even, full lips. But if you are like me and have one lip smaller than the other then you need to apply very precisely and carefully. And for some reason I just can't seem to get it right, drawing even slightly outside of my lip line seems to make me look like Ronald McDonald and any colour I pick is either too bright or not bright enough. You have to choose the colour of a lipstick very carefully, too bright, it looks cheap, too dark and you look washed out and unwell. You have to take into account your skin tone, hair colour and according to the woman behind the make up counter in Debenhams even your eye colour.

I know gloss doesn't last very long, but it doesn't claim to, and the lipsticks that claim to last for 12 hours, well, they don't last that long on me! And the ones that can last even 2 hours dry my lips out so badly. They are also ridiculously expensive, so if you want to have a good selection, at around 12.99 each, it's going to cost you.

So I stick with gloss, you still get a beautiful choice of colours, but the effect is not so noticeable, not so severe. You can apply it quickly, you don't need to prepare your lips and you don't need to practise the art of applying like you do with lipstick. If you go wrong, you can quickly wipe it off and you won't be left with a bizarre smudge of colour down your face.

Because the gloss reflects the light, your lips automatically look fuller and plumper, even when you choose a dark colour. It gives your lips an even appearance and it adds a touch of glamour.

Gloss is also moisturising, so it will take care of your lips whilst you are wearing it.

Gloss also comes in different styles, you can get coloured, clear, sparkly and opaque.

You can get a huge selection of glosses for a fraction of the price of a lipstick, so you can have one to match your outfit, your handbag or even your mood!

You can also get glosses that plump your lips whilst you are wearing them. They work by causing a mild allergic reaction (nothing painful) to your lips; this causes the blood vessels to rush to the surface and gives your lips a full appearance and a nice rosy colour.

In short, glosses are easier to apply, better for my lips and cheaper than lipsticks.

Learn more about this author, claire coshan.
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