Hi friends!
It’s Friday so that means we’re back to my January series on the gorgeousness that is fresh, barely-there makeup! All throughout the month I’m talking about my go-to products and techniques that help me achieve natural-looking makeup and skin. If you’d like to know more about this series, make sure to check out the intro post here. So far I’ve shared my favorite no-eyeshadow eyeshadows, my tips for barely-there blushed cheeks, and what I do to achieve a barely-there base.
In today’s post I’m talking about those beautiful barely-there lip colors that I’m currently obsessed with! The ones that give me just a hint of color and definition while also imparting some moisture and comfiness to my lips. The perfect combination when you’re in the mood for light and natural makeup.
Let me take you through a few of my faves from my collection, in both matte and glossy textures. Plus I have a handy little tip on how to transform a bolder or matte-textured lip color using lip gloss!
Read this: You need these affordable moisturizing lipsticks!

From left to right: Glossier Generation G Lipstick in Cake, CoverGirl Exhibitionist Lipstick in Sultry Sienna, Clinique Chubby Stick Moisturizing Lip Colour Balm in Woppin’ Watermelon, and The Sexiest Beauty DSL Gloss.
ULTIMATE COMFORT – USING A TINTED LIP BALM LIKE THE CLINIQUE CHUBBY STICK MOISTURIZING LIP COLOUR BALM
It’s no secret that I dearly love the Clinique Chubby Stick Moisturizing Lip Colour Balms. They are so incredibly easy to use, low-maintenance and comfortable to wear. They also give a soft sheen to the lips that’s quite stereotypical of many lip balms. But don’t misunderstand – some of the darker or more vibrant tones are more pigmented than you’d think; plus they have a smaller line of more opaque Intense Moisturizing Lip Colour Balms. However, when I want something really, really sheer I just reach for the shade Woppin’ Watermelon which is a really soft pink tone. It just slightly amplifies my natural lip color, and keeps my lips hydrated for at least 3-4 hours.
Read this: Clinique Chubby Stick Cheek Balm in Amp’d Up Apple

Wearing the Clinique Chubby Stick Moisturizing Lip Colour Balm in Woppin’ Watermelon
QUASI EDITORIAL – USING A SHEER MATTE LIKE GLOSSIER GENERATION G LIPSTICK
When I’m not in the mood for something with a sheen or if I want a touch more color, I usually reach for the Glossier Generation G Lipstick in the shade Cake. This is like your one-and-done barely-there lip color. The whole effect with this particular formula is a velvety, blotted finish on the lips. No matter how much you build up the pigment, it will not get any bolder than what you see in the photo below. Think lip stain but in a lipstick format. It’s gorgeous! All I would caution against are the darker colors in this range, particularly the shade Jam; it’s awful, dry and patchy. But Cake – a muted peachy nude – is perfect and moisturizing.
Watch this: Video: Mini review of the new Glossier Generation G Lipsticks

Wearing Glossier Generation G Lipstick in Cake
GLOSSY GOODNESS – MIXING TEXTURES TO MAKE YOUR PRODUCTS GO FARTHER
You know I can’t resist mixing my products together and creating my own concoction! I create this particular mixture when I want something glossy and shiny, or when I want to dull down a more vibrant lip color or transform a drier texture. I apply a clear gloss all over my lips, and then I lightly dab a lip color over top making sure to really push the color into my lips. The result is a glossy lip with a hint of blotted color. In the photo below I used the DSL Gloss from The Sexiest Beauty (FYI – this was gifted to me by the brand) as my glossy base, and then the CoverGirl Exhibitionist Lipstick in the shade Sultry Sienna, a highly-pigmented pinky-brown tone. Both formulas are incredibly moisturizing so this is a great option for wintertime, and a savior for dry, patched lips.
Read this: Tour The Sexiest Beauty’s lip wardrobe
Read this: I customized my own CoverGirl lipstick!

Wearing a mixture of The Sexiest Beauty DSL Gloss and CovedGirl Exhibitionist Lipstick in Sultry Sienna
What barely-there lip colors are YOU obsessed with?? I’d love to know!
xo, Erica
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They all look really good on you!! I love barely there and your lips but better shades.
Thanks girl! Me too, they’re kinda all I wear 😁.
Out of all “barely there” makeup looks, I like it on the lips best! Nothing better than a subtle shine & a tiny bit of color. Love that you are always coming up with your own mixes/concoctions, too. Def gonna give that last trick a try! Also, laughing at the name of the gloss you used… (DSL, lol).
Yea I totally agree! I like to eat way too much so a high-maintenance lip just isn’t for me! 😆
Lol same!
Love this article always looking for the barely there lipstick!!!
Thanks so much for reading & commenting!