Lipsticks have been an integral part of a woman’s makeup routine since ancient civilizations. In fact, these civilizations developed intriguing ways of making colors, right from crushing gemstones to extracting colors from various flowers and vegetables. It was not just women but men who indulged in decorating their lips. Over the last 2-3 decades, lipsticks have evolved significantly to the point where we have thousands of lip shades and textures to choose from.

Listed below are some of the most popular types of lipstick finishes:

1. Sheer
Also known as a satin finish, this gives the lips a soft and hydrated appearance, making them look perfectly moisturized. They add a thin and light wash of color to the lips, and one can also build up further on this layer if need be. It is perfect for those who want to keep their makeup minimal and prefer to stay as natural as possible. The only flipside of this finish is that it does not stay longer and needs a touch-up all through the day.

2. Creamy
A creamy lipstick finish can be placed somewhere between the matte and satin finish. It gives the hydrated feeling of a satin/sheer lipstick and the look of a matte lipstick, making it easier for full coverage for your lips. In addition, this also adds a lot of colors and stays longer. The best part is that there are multiple formulae, from sheer-butter-infused creamy lipsticks to essential oil-infused creamy lipstick based on what you prefer.

3. Matte
When we say matte, it means that the lipstick has very little oil and carries intense pigmentation. While there are many options for color options, this finish is more suitable for experienced hands as if you are not prepping your lips properly; the chances are that it may get dried, leaving you with chapped lips. The advantage is that they are long-lasting and are also lightweight.

4. Lip stains
If you prefer to have a near ‘no lipstick” look, you should opt for the lip stain or tint finish. They are long-wearing and come with a wide variety of pigmentation, from natural to sheer and vibrant to bold. They do not require frequent touch-ups, and they are also used as cheek tints.

5. Glossy
A look that has stayed popular ever since the retro era, this look ensures to give your lips a wet or glass-like finish and ranges anywhere between light and medium opacity. This also has the potential to stay longer and keep your lips hydrated enough. Usually, many women prefer to add lip glosses to lipstick to give an additional dimension/layer and shine to the overall look.

6. Metallic
This type reflects light and allows your lips to sparkle, thereby making them look fuller in the process. Perfect for parties and get-together, they are indeed quite common in red carpets where one can notice shimmers and glitters coming in all color and finish. However, one should moisturize their lips before using a metallic finish lipstick as this type could crack your lips.

7. Tinted lip balms
For those who have dry lips and allergies, it is best to use lip balms that come in various colors and add a lot of hydration to the lips.