Lipstick and Lip Gloss Reviews: Gel vs Cream vs Sticks
It is important to know the difference and varieties of products that are available when shopping for lip make-up.
When it comes to making a choice in beautifying one’s face, the options can be limitless. Such is the case with lip make-up. When choosing between lipstick and lip gloss, there are a few key things to take into account.
If deep, rich and long-lasting color is what you are after, than lipstick is the choice for you. Sold in a variety of forms, lipstick is a combination of emollients, such as oil or Vaseline, waxes and pigment. It often includes additional things like aloe vera or vitamins for moisture, sunscreen and an array of chemicals that are for increasing the staying power, enriching the color or just making that particular brand a more marketable product. More than half of the lipstick in the United States contains castor oil, which forms a shiny film when dry. Castor oil, when consumed in large quantities, can produce illness, but is safe in lipstick.
You can find lipstick in several forms, including stick, cream and gel. Stick, the most well-known, is long-lasting both in the tube and after application. Modern lipsticks are made with ingredients that make them stay put on lips for long periods of time. These lipsticks may now also include added vitamins and moisturizing ingredients to counteract the drying effects of some of the chemicals. Many of the newer products also include sun block for protection against harmful rays on your lips.
Cream lipsticks have the benefit of being ultra-moisturizing, but can be messy to apply. Using a small lip brush cuts down on mess, but can be tedious and difficult to do on the move. Sometimes it is best to apply a shade in cream form at home and touch up through the day with the stick, which is easy to carry in your purse or pocket.
A reasonable alternative to traditional lipstick, is lip gloss. Often, gloss contains less chemicals, and is not as bold on the face as heavily pigmented lipstick. Lip gloss contains three main ingredients: petroleum jelly, wax and flavor. Some newer glosses do contain small traces of pigment, if you are looking for just a hint of color.
Gloss comes in three forms, starting with gel. Often, this is sold in cute little pots that allow you to see special features such as sparkles and brilliant color. Pots are convenient for carrying with you because they will not leak if the lid happens to come off. However, it is messy to apply gel, because you use the tip of your finger. Some companies have begun selling gel in squeeze tubes, which cut down on the mess. Gel is good for moisturizing and providing a sheer dewiness to the lips with very little, if any, color.
Next is the cream gloss. This is usually thicker than gel and almost always comes in a squeeze tube. Cream often contains a hint of color and is less transparent than gel. It can contain vitamins like E, for extra moisture and many of the medicated glosses and balms come in cream form.
Last is the stick form of gloss. This is the least messy and can contain pigment for slight color. Because the gloss must be thick enough to form the stick, it is usually not as moisturizing as creams and gels. It can contain some medicated ingredients to help protect lips from chapping but, in general does not moisturize as much as the other forms.
Lipstick choices can be overwhelming, but if you know what look and feel you are going for, making the right choice can be a lot of fun.
Written by Kelly Brown – 2002 Pagewise
