Turns out, it was the lobster! The protein was discovered by the brand’s founders, Amber Boutiette and Patrick Breeding, who are biomedical engineers. Breeding had discovered that the properties in lobster glycoproteins are naturally reparative. It’s what allows the crustaceans to heal wounds, fight off disease, and regenerate limbs. When applied to human skin issues, it can help with dry, aggravated skin. This was amazing news for Boutiette, as she suffers from eczema.
They launched the brand with sustainability in mind. The glycoproteins are a natural by-product of processing that usually ends up going right down the drain, so they partnered with local B-Corp lobster processor Luke’s Lobster to collect the fluid and purify it in-house. This process allows them to only collect the by-products of already-existing lobster processing and turn what once was wasted into a barrier-repairing skincare ingredient.
“It’s been incredible to see these glycoproteins from lobsters helping others in the same way they helped me,” Boutiette tells Who What Wear. “My eczema was really bad not only around my eyes and face but also on and around my lips, so I knew from experience that there weren’t products that addressed this painful problem. There was a serious need for lip products designed to be safe and effective for this delicate area that everyone can use. We knew we had to introduce a lip treatment.”
Aside from the Lip Treatment, the brand offers its Soothing Hydration Cream, which helps soothe dry, stressed skin (and is also good for those with eczema, psoriasis, and dermatitis) on the face, hands, and body.
What makes this satin formula different from the other lip products that you’ve launched in the past?
Mario Dedivanovic: We’ve had a nice collection of matte, liquid, and glossy formulas but didn’t have a classic creamy lipstick, which is what I’ve always used the most. This satin formula is classic yet modern in that it glides and grips the lips with super comfortable wear. The color story is also unique because the shades are inspired by and pay tribute to NYC, where I was born and raised.
What are your best practices for applying lipstick? Should you always wear a lip liner? Should you wear a lip balm underneath?
You can pair SuperSatin Lipstick with my UltraSuede Sculpting Lip Pencil, especially if you’re trying to re-create my signature Lip Lift technique, but the formula works beautifully by itself if you want to skip the pencil step. Lately, I’ve been into a blurred/stained lip, so I start by using less lipstick to get the look.
What advice would you give to someone new to wearing lipstick and trying to find the right shade for their skin tone?
Start by finding a shade that resembles your natural lip color since no color will be more flattering than the one you were born with. This will be a perfect everyday go-to shade that looks good with everything. Most important, though, is choosing a shade that makes you feel good and that you find most flattering. I say let your intuition guide the process. You’re drawn to what you like for a reason.
What’s your favorite shade in this collection?
All the shades in this collection are special to me, but my absolute favorite is Bronx Baby. I grew up in the Bronx and wanted to name my favorite shade after the neighborhood I’m from. The shade reminds me of a soft, warm rose lipstick my oldest sister Vicky used to wear and is an easy, simple way to wear nude every day.
This installment of Deep Reviews, like all others, took weeks to complete. Not only do we take our time to research the best products on the market, but we put our top contenders through rigorous testing, which is conducted by our very own editors.
Here’s the 411. We started by looking at other publications—Allure, Byrdie, Glamour, and many others. We created a master list of all the lip balms that were recommended. From there, we compared and color-coordinated the lists, looking at how often each lip balm was mentioned as well as its overall ratings and reviews on major beauty retailer sites.
After all of this, we had our list narrowed down to a mere 10 lip balms. All that was left was to do our own testing, and we did. Each editor received the lip balms and was asked to test, rate, and review them. Once we had everyone’s responses, we assembled them into a document and ranked each lip balm according to the feedback. By the end, we had crowned the best one.
Welcome to Internet Famous, a monthly series in which we ask our Instagram followers to vote on a viral beauty product that’s taken social media by storm. Then the beauty team will take the winning pick for a spin and share their reviews—pictures included.
If I ever leave the house without at least three lip products in my purse, my entire day is thrown off. It sounds excessive, but three is the bare minimum while the threat of chapped lips is running rampant this season. I need the liner, the tint, and the gloss ready to go at all times, and I’ve carefully chosen each based on my makeup look of the day. But if you did a scan of the bottom of my purse right now, you’d shockingly only find one lip product there, and that’s the E.l.f. Cosmetics Glow Reviver Lip Oil ($8).
Okay, I lied. There are definitely three products in my purse right now because I picked up two more shades of this lip oil at Ulta this weekend. When I see a viral product with a single-digit price point, I have no choice but to cave and purchase multiple shades. (Don’t blame me—blame girl math.) My co-workers never judge and are always down to join in on the fun, so they tried and reviewed this $8 gem for you below. I hate to spoil the ending, but we’ve all come to the conclusion that this ultra-glossy lip oil is hydrating, non-sticky, and pretty damn flattering on every skin tone. While the tint applies sheer, it adds a nice natural flush of color with a glistening finish. Some of the key ingredients are squalane, apricot oil, and jojoba oil, which add nourishment and remove the need for any base products before use. And don’t get me started on the plush doe-foot applicator that feels extra luxe and pillowy soft on the lips. I could go on and on about why I’m vowing to keep this in my daily rotation, but I’ll let my fellow editors do the talking.
“Ever since I first tried this lip oil, I find myself reaching for it again and again. For me, that’s a true testament to how wearable a product is, which is especially important when it comes to lip products. What I love most about the formula is that it’s not sticky in the least. No matter how many times you reapply, it wears so beautifully without feeling like you need to wipe it off and start fresh. I’ve definitely been partial to more luxurious lip oils in the past, but this drugstore option is seriously on par with the best of the best.” — Emma Hughes, social media editor
“When a new lip product hits the market at an affordable price, you better believe I’m the first in line to test it out. I can be a tough critic, but in order for me to fall in love with a lip product, I need it to meet my high standards. It must glide on comfortably, mix well with other lip products, and make my lips soft and glossy. This lip oil truly goes above and beyond. Unlike a lot of lip oils out there, this feels hydrating without being slippery or sticky. I tested the shade Coral Fixation, but I think the deeper shades are even better suited for my darker skin tone. I paired this with my everyday brown lip liner and achieved the perfect nude lip that I can’t get enough of right now.” — Aniyah Morinia, editor
“I’m notoriously picky about lip products, but this lip oil is everything. The doe-foot applicator distributes the product evenly and provides major shine without the stickiness. I’ve reached for it no fewer than 10 times a day since receiving it and don’t see myself changing that anytime soon. The shade Rose Quartz is subtle and doesn’t have much color payoff, but I’m here for the shine regardless.” — Caitie Schlisserman, group executive director, branded content and beauty
“I thought I’d already found a dupe for my all-time favorite lip oil (the Dior Addict Lip Glow Oil), but after trying this, I realized it didn’t even come close. This E.l.f. Cosmetics product is a fraction of the Dior price, yet the consistency is very similar. It’s cushiony without being heavy, and it’s glossy without being sticky. It also enhances my natural lip color so I don’t need to layer a lipstick or tint underneath. By the way, ‘enhances’ is the keyword. It doesn’t deposit much pigment, but I actually prefer it that way because it looks more natural. My favorite attribute has to be the chunky doe-foot applicator. It feels so luxe and deposits the lip oil easily and evenly. This one gets a big yes from me.” — Kaitlyn McLintock, associate beauty editor
“To be completely honest, I didn’t know what to expect from this product. I haven’t had the chance to experience many lip products from E.l.f. Cosmetics, but I do know my way around a lip oil. (My number one is Dior Addict’s Lip Glow Oil.) I absolutely loved the E.l.f. Glow Reviver Lip Oil in Rose Envy. It delivered a gorgeous wash of color, went on extremely smoothly, and didn’t leave my lips feeling sticky or dry. The doe-foot applicator was my favorite part—it felt luxurious and applied the product evenly. I’ll be adding this to my everyday makeup routine.” — Maya Thomas, assistant beauty editor
“I’m a bit of a Goldilocks when it comes to lip oils. The formula has to be just right—it can’t be too greasy or too sticky, and obviously, the packaging has to be on point. To be honest, I thought I’d be forever devoted to my favorite $40 lip oil, but yeah, this $8 one changed my mind. For starters, the packaging is nearly identical to the more luxurious lip oils I’ve tried—from the sleek tube to the plush doe-foot applicator. The Rose Envy color is so pretty and has the perfect glossy finish. This is one of those products that you’ll want in every color so you’re never without it.” — Emma Walsh, associate beauty editor
“We sought out to create a lip gloss that hydrated as well as pigmented. As part of our Light Lock collection launch, this lip gloss became the shining star. We really wanted to have a delicious after-scent but in clean formulations—nothing is added for just vanity,” she said. “The peppermint and lavender make for a light plumping effect and mood boost, eliminating any icky after-feel.” The peppermint, in particular, stood out to me, as a single swipe of the product led to a cooling and soothing effect unlike any other lip gloss I’ve gotten my hands on.
Knowing its formula is clean and completely free of harmful ingredients while it protects the surface of my lips from environmental aggressors made me that much more drawn to it. The Light Lock Lip Gloss applies similarly to what we may expect from the lip oils that have gone viral over the past couple of years, but it packs a major pigment punch and doesn’t lack in the shine department. “Most glosses focus on shine without considering wear time. We’ve all dealt with the disappearing lip,” Chavez continued. “For us, everything has to be stage-proof. We started with a nourishing formula of skin smoothers, coconut oil, and lip enrichers—so it treats your lips first and delivers non-stick shine as a brilliant second win.”
As a beauty editor, I love seeing celebrities experiment with different makeup looks and aesthetics rather than commit to just one. It’s for that reason that I consistently check in on Rosalía’s Instagram and TikTok. One minute, the singer-songwriter is wearing blue eyeliner with a slicked-back braid. The very next, she’s wearing glossy lipstick with wet-look waves. She seems to take an experimental approach to beauty, and I, for one, love it.
With all that said, there’s still a certain element of her beauty routine that she keeps coming back to, and that’s her signature red-brown, glossy lip. To me, it’s the perfect example of the “cherry cola” trend, in which a nude or brown liner is paired with a cherry-red lip color and topped with gloss. Lucky for me, Rosalía recently shared a tutorial on TikTok, so now I know the exact products she uses to create her take on the trend. Keep scrolling to see them all.
I love high-end makeup as much as the next beauty editor does, but if I can find an affordable gem that revivals my $50+ formulas, best believe I’m never letting it go. Case in point, E.l.f.’s new addition to its family of lip products, the Glow Reviver Lip Oil ($8). I don’t always love lipstick; I much prefer lip oils and lip glosses, so I knew instantly this would be right up my alley. My ride-or-die formulas in this department include the Lawless Forget the Filler Lip Plumping Gloss ($26) and Ami Colé Hydrating Lip Treatment Oil ($20), but I also love the very luxurious (and expensive) Dior Glow Lip Oil ($40).
If you’re also a fan of the viral Dior oil, you’re definitely going to want to snag one of these shades from E.l.f. What I love most about Dior’s particular lip oil is that it’s incredibly glossy, hydrating, and plumps your lips without being sticky or too much for everyday wear. It’s a formula that’s truly hard to top, but this new option from E.l.f. is giving it a run for its money.
It provides a glassy finish, contains nourishing and hydrating ingredients, and enhances your lips’ natural color. It also comes in a variety of shades that act as the perfect sheer gloss or can be a topper for a lipstick if you love a richer color on your lips. Last but *certainly* not least, it’s just $8, so you can snag at least four shades, and it will still cost less than one $40 lip oil from Dior. Honestly, I love my Dior lip oil more than anything, so I definitely won’t be throwing that formula out. But to have a variety of colors around that look just as gorgeous and cost a fraction of the price? Sign me up!
This lip oil from Gisou is a bit summery since it has such a radiant finish, but it’s perfect for trying out the honey lips trend on TikTok.
Clarins’s lip oil comes in a variety of rich shades and contains three super hydrators—jojoba, hazelnut, and sweetbriar rose oil.
Squalane, raspberry oil, and cloudberry oil in this formula keep your lips extra plump and juicy.
I love that this gloss from Kosas comes in creamy, lighter shades that are closer to champagne but also boasts a few bolder shades like magenta.
Saie can do no wrong in my eyes. The brand’s Hydrobounce Serum Foundation ($40) and Glowy Super Gel ($28) are forever favorites of mine. Next up on my list of things to try from the brand is this High-Shine Lip Gloss Oil.
If you’re a makeup minimalist, Merit has every simple staple you’d need. This tinted lip oil is perfect for everyday wear and comes in the best warm, neutral shades.
Herbal extracts, meadowfoam seed oil, and hyaluronic acid plump the lips and provide super long-lasting hydration in this formula from Ilia.
U Beauty’s lip treatment is unique in the way that it plumps and contours the lips, giving them a 3D pillow effect for natural enhancement with a pop of color and gloss.
This cushiony lip product from Haus Labs is a gloss, balm, and treatment all in one! It provides a gorgeous sheer wash of color and is never sticky or too glossy on the lips.
To learn more about the vision and development process for these lip gloss oils, I got in touch with Saie’s Vice President of Product Development Colleen Timpone. “As with every Saie product, there was a long product development process with Glossybounce to ensure that luxury, quality and clean ingredients weren’t compromised,” she began. “When we set out to develop Glossybounce, we wanted to create a clean lip gloss oil that was the perfect mix between a lip gloss, a lip oil, and a balm.” Their goal was to capture the wonderful benefits of each; capturing their cushiony feel, comfort, hydration, high-shine, slip, wear, and sheer color.
It’s no wonder lip gloss oils were the #1 most requested product from the brand. Known for their unique ability to create lightweight, skincare-infused makeup using performance formulas as well as sustainable packaging and practices, Saie has set a new standard for multitasking makeup that’s clean. It was so important to us that we did not formulate with any silicone or petroleum,” says Timpone. “You might notice that our shade Kiss (clear) has a slight pink tint. That is because when you do not use petroleum, the base of the formula is slightly milky/yellow versus crystal clear.”
There’s a school of thought that I simply can’t subscribe to: the idea that you should never wear red lipstick on a date. As a red-lipstick devotee, I will wear red lipstick for any situation, including and not limited to a date. I do see the predicament, however—red lipstick is a bold choice, and it may not be ideal to end up with it smeared all over your (or your date’s) face.
At least one person agrees with me—Taylor Swift. This weekend, Swift and rumored boyfriend Travis Kelce stepped out for date night in New York City. For their Saturday-night date, Swift went with her signature red lipstick. If you were one of the many people in various comment sections talking about how you could never wear red lipstick on a date, I get it.
We recommend choosing a lip scrub based on your goals and concerns. For example, if you have thin lips and you’d like more of a pout, look for lip scrubs that contain plumping ingredients. If your lips are extremely dry and flaky, look for lip scrubs that also contain safe-for-skin acids and enzymes for double-duty exfoliation. Finally, if your lips are lacking serious moisture, look for a lip scrub that contains moisturizing oils.
If you talk to anyone that works in the beauty industry, chances are we’ve tried every single lip product imaginable. Lipsticks, plumpers, balms, tints, stains—you name it, we’ve tried it. But there’s one product that beauty industry experts love above all else: lip gloss.
Open my purse at any given moment, and you’ll probably find at least four lip glosses. There’s something about lip gloss that makes it such a nostalgic product—nothing reminds me more of the early aughts than a glazed lip. Today’s best lip glosses are moisturizing, hyper-reflective, and never, ever sticky. I tapped a bevy of in-the-know beauty experts for their absolute favorite lip glosses of all time (plus, a few of my own mainstays).
To prep and set your lips for a look like this, Higgins has a few key hacks she swears by. “I have a whole system [for] making sure your lip look will stay in place all day,” she explains. “First of all, lip prep is essential. Scrub the lips gently with a wash cloth or cotton round to remove any flakey skin. Next, put on a lip mask while doing the rest of your makeup (I always leave the lips for last, so that they should have plenty of time to soak in the lip treatment).
“I love Catrice’s Lip Lovin’ Overnight Lip Mask. When it is time to do the lips, blot off the lip treatment with a tissue thoroughly. You want to make sure you remove it, as it will cause any products on the lips to run, since its very emollient. Afterwards take the lip liner around the border of your lips, buff the edges of the lip liner with your finger, then (this is the magic part), take a little translucent powder on a powder puff and go over the entire lip. Then follow with the gold shadow and gloss to finish your honey lips look. The powder creates a matte base for the other lip products to grasp onto, making it last!”
Raise your hand if you remember the Kylie Lip Kit craze of 2016. Everyone was trying to get their hands on the latest launch—it was a cultural phenomenon. The Kylie Lip Kit craze also jump-started something else: a major obsession with matte liquid lipsticks.
For the better part of 2016, gloss seemed practically outlawed. Liquid lipstick was the moment, and the more matte the better. The problem with the liquid lipstick formulas then mostly had to do with the formulas. Matte liquid lipsticks of yesteryear were often drying, flaky, and even chalky.
Now, matte liquid lipsticks are having something of a renaissance. Don’t worry. They’re not like the formulas we used to cake on. This year, matte liquid lipsticks are being made in ways we’ve never seen before. Think comfortable, non-drying formulas that don’t flake off or look too matte—just the perfect amount. Keep reading for our favorite launches this year.
Matte formulas are typically most helpful when you’re looking for something long-wearing, but the key is to make sure that you find a formula that’s both hydrating and matte. There are so many great formulas out there now that are designed to be comfortable and moisturizing throughout the day (almost like a chapstick) and still dry down to that matte finish so it won’t smear, smudge, or get on your teeth throughout the day.
Formulas with a high pigment payoff are also ideal for all day wear. To allow for the least amount of touch-ups, you’ll want something super saturated that can withstand eating, drinking, and other daily activities. Overall, I’ve found liquid formulas are usually best when it comes to longevity, but there are a few formulas that are the exception too. Scroll down for all our favorites!
When it comes to lipsticks, I’ve tried just about every single one. I am a lipstick person through and through, and I have upwards of 100 tubes in my personal collection.
It’s no secret that some lipstick brands are better than others. If you’re wondering what sets a lipstick brand apart from the rest, it comes down to a few different factors. A lipstick truly deserves a place in your makeup drawer if it’s long-wearing and highly pigmented and has a formula that doesn’t smear or flake. Not only that, but just like every other makeup product, the shade range is important. Lipstick brands should offer inclusive shade ranges that work across all skin tones.
Among a sea of brands that make lipsticks, these 10 stand out from the rest. Keep reading for the absolute best lipstick brands that are out there, and get ready to up your lipstick game.
There’s something truly special about swiping on a Dior lipstick. Not only does Dior have some of the best lipstick shades out there (#100 Forever Nude will always be one of the best nude shades in the game), but the brand also boasts some of the best formulas. Dior lipsticks are non-drying, high-impact, long-wearing, and perfect for any and all occasions. It’s no surprise so many of their lip formulas have gone viral in recent years—they deserve the hype they get and more.
I reached out to Dior and asked them to share their top 15 best-selling lipsticks. The results are absolutely stunning—and they’re flattering on everyone. Keep reading for the absolute best Dior lipsticks out there, plus insight from one of the brand’s top makeup artists.
As editors, we’re lucky enough to test hundreds of products, slowly separating the good from the bad and the good from the best. Whether we’re talking about hair dryers, perfumes, or something else entirely, we take testing seriously. When we find something that really rises above the rest, we introduce it into our own beauty routines. Seriously, though—the highest praise we can give a product is to say, “I use it all the time.” That means it consistently beats out newcomers and old go-tos.
That’s the case when it comes to the following 15 lipsticks. They vary by formula, finish, and shade, but they’ve secured a spot in our theoretical lipstick hall of fame. They’re the ones we wear in Instagram selfies and TikTok videos, the ones we gush about to our friends, and the ones we repurchase over and over again. Yep, they’re that good. Keep scrolling to see them all!
I’m sure you may have noticed by now, but editors don’t joke around when it comes to at least two things—lipstick and fall. We’ve shared countless favorites in every department when it comes to shopping for the season, but lipstick is an important part of any fall makeup look that just can’t be overlooked. While we obviously have our list of “all time best” lipstick formulas, consider this list a comprehensive guide to the seasonal favorite hues that we’ll be wearing on repeat. If you’re in need of a new fall lip color and want to know which ones Who What Wear editors wholeheartedly approve, keep on scrolling. All our picks are ahead.
Each installment of Deep Reviews is weeks—and sometimes months—in the making. Once we land on a subject or category to test, we’ll consult our very own staffers and editors (because we happen to think we have damn fine taste when it comes to all things beauty) to come up with our own “best” list.
The Research: For this Deep Review, we looked to other publications—Vogue, Cosmopolitan, Glamour, Allure, InStyle, Byrdie—and made a list of the products each site recommended above all others. Next, we cross-examined the results from each publication while profiling every last review and rating across major online beauty retailers to see which formulas showed up the most and seemed to be the most satisfactorily rated among beauty shoppers as well.
The Experts: Since our editors also have access to the best makeup artists in the business, we added an additional expert component to the review process and asked three artists to share the one lip plumper they’d crown the absolute best. They try hundreds of products, so this is a biggie!
In the end, we came up with 10 lip plumpers that beauty lovers, editors, and makeup artists categorize as the best. Of course, we could serve you that top 10 list and end the process there, but we know that still isn’t narrow enough. Instead, we wanted to land on three completely unbeatable formulas you can invest in and love.
The Overall Favorite: We took everything into account—plumping intensity, smell, comfort level, shine, stickiness, longevity, price point, packaging, finish… Literally anything that you can think of, we analyzed it to the nth degree. And since we looked at the full picture, that meant the lip plumper that had the most noticeable results wouldn’tnecessarilytakethe cake if it was sticky, smelled bad, or stung the hell out of our lips.
The Most Extreme Results: We solely based our decision on the noticeable plumping effects, awarding the formula that resulted in the most dramatic volume change in our lips.
The Best Budget Buy: We decided which of the more affordably priced options was a standout lip plumper that still held its own against the more expensive numbers in the bunch.
What is it about lips stains that have beauty lovers everywhere hooked? My educated guess is that it has everything to do with fuss-free application. Like all makeup products, when applied properly and with care, lip stains can completely transform your finished look. How to apply it, however, depends on the formula. For cream-based lip stains that are full coverage and highly pigmented, starting at the center of your lips and sweeping the product toward the outer corners makes for an even base to build the color. Alternatively, you might have an easier time applying water-based lip stains in a similar way to how one might apply lip gloss.
Lip stains may also differ in their finish: drying matte, shiny, pigmented, sheer, or with diffused color. It might be worth it to study a lip stain’s packaging before making the investment for transparency about everything from the ingredients that make up each product’s unique formula to tips for application and predicted drying times. My biggest piece of advice? Opt for a lip stain that’s both long-wearing and transfer-resistant for a natural-looking wash of color that lasts all day.
Below, you’ll find the 10 best lip stains on the market based on thousands of reviews and my personal product go-tos. There’s an option here for everyone, from YSL Beauty’s crowd-favorite Vinyl Cream Lip Stain to Rose Inc’s Lip Cream, the brand’s newly released long-wearing lip stain. Ready to learn more? Keep scrolling.
