If the 2010s were the era of no-makeup makeup, the 2020s have taken a sharp left and ushered in bold, unapologetic maximalism — and nowhere have we seen that more than with lip trends. And the best new lip products deliver just that: They’re a mix of high-saturation pencils, ’90s-inspired lipsticks, glittery glosses as well as conditioners and masks that keep your lips healthy too.
“Metallic finish on the lips is something that’s coming back in a big way,” says celebrity makeup artist Katie Jane Hughes, whose makeup tutorials have made her Instagram page a modern-day beauty bible. “Think: ’80s, Elizabeth Taylor, opulent, expensive vibes.”
Makeup artist Ashleigh Ciucci agrees, saying bold lips are definitely a major 2023 trend: “My favorite twist on a basic lip is a two-toned lip,” she says. “It sounds outrageous, but it’s wearable if you pair two shades of the same color. For example, a tomato red upper lip with a cherry red lower lip or a peachy pink upper lip with a rosy lower lip. It’s unique but wearable.”
Celebrity makeup artist Vincent Oquendo, who works with Jenna Ortega, Lily Collins and Rachel Zegler, also loves a good lip — but his favorite trend of the year does double duty: “Without a doubt, my favorite lip trend is gym lips, which is when you use your favorite lip liner to define your lips and put a lip mask over it to condition your lips and add shine,” says Oquendo, who recommends keeping the rest of your look simple. (He’s also a Lumify ambassador, and his favorite trick is to use redness relief drops to brighten eyes and make your makeup look that much more polished.)
We chatted with the experts to find out 17 of 2023’s best lip products, and the most exciting trends to go with them.
Lip balm
Hydrated, conditioned lips are the foundation of a stellar lip look. Whether you’re trying out gym lips or simply want to keep your lips moisturized, these are the lip balms the experts are reaching for.
“Rhode Peptide Lip Treatment is one of the best lip balms,” says Hughes. “It lasts a really long time, and I think that's really rare for lip balms.”
“My new favorite is the Ourself Lip Conditioner,” says Oquendo. “It feels so good on the lips and gives a great shine.”
Makeup artist Shayna Goldberg suggests layering a lip balm over a matte lipstick. The makeup artist loves a sheer, balmy gloss like Westman Atelier Liquid Lip Balm. "Since high shine has made its way back, this combo is my current favorite marriage between long-wear and glossy,” she adds.
“This helps soften and restore lips,” says?makeup artist Miguel Lledo.?
Lip liner
A key tool in makeup artists’ kits, lip liners can enhance the shape of your natural lips and help the longevity of lipstick. From your-lips-but-better nudes to bold reds, they easily elevate today’s lip trends.
“These are my go-to liners, as they come in so many shades,” says Hughes. “They’re extremely versatile and long-lasting.”
“This plumps lips, blurring the appearance of wrinkles and instantly reduces lines around the lips,” says Lledo.
Makeup artist Anthony Tulve also loves the '90s ombré trend for 2023, and he suggests using MAC’s Lip Pencils to get the look. “These pencils have been a staple in my kit for years and will forever be in trend,” he says. “For a great '90s ombré, pick a shade that’s slightly deeper than your natural lip color and then add depth to it with a pencil at least two shades deeper to start to build the contrast. I love to blend the shades with a pencil brush and then go back to make it crisp after.”
“I really love the concept of a soft lip line/gradient lip where the outline is not such a sharp fine line but thicker and diffused,” says Goldberg, who loves to use the Serge Lutens lip marker along with the Westman Atelier Liquid Lip Balm.
Lipstick
Across the lip trends of 2023, it’s clear that the experts are after long-wearing formulas that feel comfortable while looking fantastic. Check out their favorite lipsticks that tick all of the boxes for a perfect pout: high color payoff, smear-resistant and smooth.
“Statement red lips is a trend that stands out for its timelessness,” says Lledo. “Red is a tone that favors all skin types. Warm skins require a bluish-based tone like deep reds, while rosy skins require a medium intensity and grayer skins stand out with intense and dark tones.” He loves this one from Gucci for its high pigmentation and matte finish.
Hughes calls Stila's liquid lipstick in Beso “the perfect red — my go-to.”
The warm red shade Fighter is bright and rich, says Lledo, who loves its smooth finish.
If you’re going for two-toned lips, Ciucci says to “choose long-wearing liquid lipsticks so the colors don’t transfer onto each other.” She loves this one in the shade Gutsy for the top lip.
And this peachy pink for the bottom. “Exfoliate your lips so the liquid lipsticks ... go on smooth with something like Lanolips Lemonaid Scrubba-Balm, then dust a bit of powder around your lips before applying your lip colors so they grip better and to help with any feathering,” Ciucci says.
Makeup artist Sameerah Hoddison, who’s better known by her handle @sameetatu, recommends her own Yensa Super 8 Vibrant Silk Lipsticks this season. Go for Captivate, a warm plum that feels unexpected for summer.
Lledo loves this highly rated lipstick because it's majorly pigmented and long-lasting.?
Milani just launched its new Stay Put Liquid Longer Lipstick, and spring and summer are the perfect time to use it, says makeup artist Jaleesa Jaikaran, who works with celebs like Duckie Thot and Emma Grede. “The formula is comfortable and wears all day! I’ve used it on myself and my clients.”
“I’m a huge fan of the new shade extension of the Maybelline Lifter Glosses,” says Jaikaran. “These have gone viral for all the right reasons: The shade range is exceptional, while the price range is affordable. The formula feels comfortable on the lips, and Gummy Bear is my absolute favorite!”
