Lip Cream, Gloss, Jelly or Lipstick? How to Choose Your Lip Texture

Choosing a lip product is about more than colour. The texture decides how the shade looks on your lips, how it feels and how often you will reapply. Here is a simple guide to the main lip textures and when to reach for each one.

Lip cream: soft colour with a cushiony feel

Lip creams have a light, mousse-like texture and usually dry down to a soft, blurred finish. They are great for a diffused, "your lips but better" look.

• The Bunny Garden Cloud Lip Cream ranges from soft nudes like B04 Chiffon Petal to the bold B09 Cupid Red.
• The Strawberry Cupid Cake Lip Cream comes in nine shades named after desserts and flowers, from V01 Vanitea to V09 Velvet.

How to apply: dab colour onto the centre of the lips and press them together, or blur the edges with a fingertip for a gradient lip.

Lip gloss and lip jelly: shine and a juicy finish

Glosses and jellies give a glassy, high-shine finish that makes lips look fuller. The Violet Strawberry Rococo Glowy Lip Gloss has a non-sticky formula with a clear, jelly-like shine. The The Sweetie Bear Coating Lip Jelly comes in nine bakery-inspired shades such as JE01 Fluffy Toast and JE08 Croissant.

How to apply: wear alone for a sheer wash of colour, or layer on top of a lipstick or lip cream to add shine.

Lip glaze: glossy colour with a little more depth

A glaze sits between a gloss and a lipstick: shiny, but with more colour. The Shell's Jewel Nourishing Lip Glaze includes pearly shades like P01 Champagne Pearl and warmer ones like P08 Coconut Latte.

Lipstick: from sheer shine to full matte

• Shine lipstick: the Swan Ballet Shine Lipstick has a balm-like texture that combines the feel of a sheer lipstick with satin colour and shine.
• Matte lipstick: the Little Angel Matte Lipstick has a creamy matte texture with high colour payoff, made to go on smoothly rather than feel dry.

How to apply: start in the centre of the top lip, follow the cupid's bow, then fill in the bottom lip. Blot with a tissue and apply a second layer for longer wear.

Don't forget the lip liner

A liner defines the shape and helps stop colour from bleeding. The Knight Unicorn Lip Liner comes in five natural shades, from 01 Apricot Nude to S05 Taupe Brown. Line slightly inside your natural lip line, then soften the edge with your lip colour.

Which texture is right for you?

• Dry lips: start with a balm, then choose a shine lipstick, glaze or gloss.
• Long days: a matte lipstick or a lip cream with liner.
• Quick and easy: a lip jelly or gloss you can apply without a mirror.

See every shade in our Lips collection.

FAQ

How can I make lip colour last longer?

Exfoliate gently, apply a thin layer of balm and let it sink in, line the lips, then apply colour in two thin layers with a blot in between.

Can I mix two lip textures?

Yes. A gloss or jelly over a lip cream or matte lipstick is an easy way to make a shade feel new.

What is a gradient lip?

Colour is concentrated in the centre of the lips and fades out towards the edges. Dab colour in the middle and blur it outwards with a fingertip.