A Quick Guide to Lip Applicators and How They Work Differently

Choosing a lipstick isn’t limited to just the colors anymore. We now also consider the applicators and how they work with the product’s formula.

We already know about the traditional bullet, but how do you differentiate liquid lipstick applicators? Do sponge applicators make a difference? Before you ask more questions, we’ve got a little guide here.

Doe foot

A doe-foot applicator is common among liquid lipsticks and glosses. It can come in long and short variations, but have the same slanted angle which fits nicely with your lips’ natural contours. This can be tricky for those with shaky hands so it might be best to use a liner first.

Shop: Kat Von D Beauty Everlasting Liquid Lipstick. Available on Sephora PH.

Flat doe foot

Unlike the traditional doe foot, this one has a flatter tip which makes it easier to swipe the lipstick on your lips. The Packaging Company also noted that this avoids messy application as it only grabs a small amount of product.

Shop: L.A. Colors Pout Matte Lip Gloss. Available on Beauty MNL.

Marker

This will remind anyone of the Stabilo highlighters they used in school. The pointed tip may seem weird, but Refinery29 noted that marker lipsticks dispense lightweight pigments to give you a stained effect.

Shop: Hello Gorgeous Lip Markers. Available online.

Squeeze tube

Think of this like it’s a paint tube for the lips—you squeeze it until product comes out and evenly distribute it on your lips. Most of them have sponge-tip applicators which makes it somewhat easier. Nylon Singapore also suggests that they’re great for creating gradient lips too.

Shop: Bobbi Brown Art Stick Liquid Lipstick. Available at Rustan’s The Beauty Source.

Sponge

Other sponge-tip lip products give you the appearance of powder soft lips. Instead of a heavy matte coating, the applicator will give you a light layer of tint. You can easily build this up if you want to intensify the color.

Shop: L’Oréal Paris Tint Caresse. Available at select Watsons branches.

Reservoir tip

This is another type of doe-foot applicator, only this one has a divot in the middle. What does it do exactly? It actually helps to collect more product so you’ll be able to apply your lipstick in one go. Plus, this has a pointed tip which you can use as a lip liner.

Shop: Maybelline Super Stay Matte Ink. Available at SM Makati.

Stick

If you want fuss-free application, you can’t go wrong with a crayon-type lipstick. It’s as simple as drawing the color onto your lips. Most of them are also more balmy than matte, but they still give good coverage.

Shop: Clinique Chubby Stick Moisturizing Lip Colour Balm. Available at Shangri-La Plaza.

 

Art by Lara Intong

Follow Preen on Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, Snapchat, and Viber

Related stories:
Bullet Lipsticks Are Coming Back and We’re Not Complaining
Preen Picks: Our Holy Grail Lip Products
High Shine Gloss Is the Beauty Trend We’re Bringing With Us to 2018
8 Designer Liquid Lipsticks We Won’t Mind Spending Big On
The Non-Matte Lipsticks that Last All Day

Jacqueline Arias: