Natural Lip Products in Shades Perfect for Summer
Six lip products to help you find your new signature shade.
Six lip products to help you find your new signature shade.
Text: Carolyn Hanson
Let's all just admit that it's kind of nice to have the freedom to not wear tons of makeup in the summer. There's no point doing a full face when everything is going to melt off by the end of the day, and it's not worth buying a foundation shade that matches the tan you'll only have three months out of the year. Rolling out of bed and not having to worry about putting a full face on is nice — but for most, going without anything on isn't quite an option. So you narrow it down to the essentials: eyebrow gel, concealer, mascara, and something to give your lips a flush of color. Because there are infinite lip products to choose from, though, that last one can be a big decision in and of itself, so we've narrowed down some of our personal favorite naturals in summer shades, in the hopes that you'll find the ideal pout for your summer style.
Kjaer Weis Lipstick in "Affection"
Kirsten Kjaer Weis spent years developing the perfect formula for her lipstick line, so if you're willing to wear a heavier, fully opaque shade, her line is the ideal place to start. We asked Kirsten what her favorite summer color was, and she directed us towards her newest release, "Affection": a pale red (borderline coral) that although opaque, is supposed to mimic the beauty of your natural lips, which means it's great to wear just on its own for a pop of color. A lot of makeup artists will tell you that your signature color should look like "your lips, but better," and for most, this should be perfect.
Rodin Luxury Lipstick in "Billie on the Bike"
According to Linda Rodin, "Glowing skin and the right lipstick negate the need for other types of makeup." This is certainly the case for her own lipstick line, which only features 5 shades, but every single one of which is gorgeous and on-trend. Billie on the Bike is a standout shade in the line, though, as a berry just light enough to be a unique and beautiful summer color. It's eye-catching, but not so eye-catching that it will overpower your features, and the formula is light and hydrating so the product feels more like a balm when worn than a full-on lipstick, even though it delivers a lot of color.
ILIA Beauty Tinted Lip Conditioner in "Kokomo", with SPF 15
For another "your lips, but better" variation, Kokomo provides all the nourishment and sun protection of a SPF balm with the added benefit of a dark mauve tint. The lipstick is buildable, so you can apply it sheer to enhance your natural color, or apply in thick layers to get the true shade in all its glory. Mauve is one of the trendiest colors right now in fashion, so having this in your bag — which can easily go from lazy day to wild night out in the summer heat — is truly invaluable.
Kari Gran Lip Whip in "Jolene"
Don't let the strong fuchsia of this potted balm scare you away–when applied, the Kari Gran Lip Whip formula thins out to enhance your lips with its pink tone rather than being too much of a good thing. As Kari Gran is primarily a skincare line, you can be sure that the product isn't just a lip color, either; the Lip Whip line was actually formulated to be "Skin Care for Your Lips," which makes it perfect for dry, chapped lips, or just a day on which you've worn lipstick way too many times in a row but still want to bring some color to your face.
Balmyard Beauty Baby Love Balm – Lip & Cheek Tint
Another skincare brand, Balmyard Beauty, dipped their toes into lip products with this tint. It's another berry (although technically, the coloring is due to the inclusion of Caribbean Hibiscus) and a perfect slight stain that can be applied to lips and cheeks. That makes it a great multitasker to throw into your purse when you're not sure what the day will hold for you. Wherever you decide to apply it, it serves as a light tint more than a loud shade, and is great for a truly no-makeup look.
Grown Alchemist Lip Balm Antioxidant + 3 Complex
Some people just have a naturally beautiful lip color, and that's great. That's where this balm from Grown Alchemist comes in handy. Whether you want to let your natural color through and just give it a hint of shine, or need some intense repair of damaged, chapped lips, it has your back. Wear it out during the day or overnight for a full lip conditioning treatment — the thick formula will sit on your lips to hydrate and leave them looking more beautiful than they already do in no time.