Lipstick used to be the one make-up product I couldn’t leave the house without. However, due to the rules around face coverings during the height of the pandemic, my lip collection was left gathering dust. I’d simply got out of the habit of wearing it, and found it freeing that I didn’t have to check a mirror every time I took a sip of coffee.

Beauty trends also changed, and a perfectly sculpted bold pout was no longer in. We were craving effortless minimalism, something my lipstick collection was seriously lacking. The thing is, I have small lips, which means I do need to give them a bit of depth to avoid them totally disappearing into my face. That’s where barely-there lip products came in and changed my make-up game.

I know what you’re thinking: “What’s the point of a lip product you can hardly see?” But they provide the definition and subtle flush of colour to make my lips more pronounced, without being fiddly to apply or high-maintenance when it comes to touch-ups.

These understated lip balms and sticks have become a handbag staple for me. If you’re looking to add a ‘just bitten’ look to lips, these are the formulas to add to your stash.

Images: courtesy of brands