I Hate Wearing Lipstick—5 Alternative Formulas I Swear by for a Softer Finish

I've made peace with the fact that I'm not a lipstick person. In fact, as a beauty editor who tests makeup for a living, I couldn't help but notice that my lipsticks have taken a backseat, making way for hybrid formulas that combine pigment with comfort for a softer, more natural touch.

Instead of bolder, more saturated pigment, they offer a subtle wash of colour and a featherlight feel—the kind that lets you forget you're wearing anything on your lips in the first place.

Be it a lip balm that blurs the line between skincare and makeup, a chic lip stain to help create that romcom-esque "just bitten" look, a good ol' tinted lip gloss for a juicy pout or even a few dabs of your favourite cream blusher, lipstick alternatives make great everyday staples—striking that perfect balance between polished and effortless.

After years of trial and error, I'm proud to say that I've got my lip products down to a T. And in the spirit of putting a stop to gatekeeping our lip combos, I'm here to share my ride-or-die formulas—the ones that never fail to earn me the biggest compliments. So, lipstick loyalists, look away… because these formulas might just convince you to bite the bullet (excuse the pun) and go for something else entirely.

1. Tinted Lip Balms

There's no denying that lip balms are a category that keeps on giving. Nourishing and cocooning, they pack just the right amount of pigment to instantly revive your lips with a subtle wash of colour. Whether they're ultra glossy or blurring, they're a great lipstick alternative if your goal is to achieve the ultimate "your lips but better" look.

The blurred French lip never ceases to impress, and this tinted lip balm is the quickest shortcut to nailing the look. Don't let its appearance fool you, it's far from a traditional lipstick. First of all, the pigment is much less saturated, which is exactly what helps create that coveted romcom look—almost as though you've been busy sipping a glass of red.

Now, if you're after that high-shine finish, you can't go wrong with Rhode Peptide Lip Tints. Whether you're looking for a pop of pink, a wash of mauve or a swipe of a berry red, this peptide-rich formula helps ensure lasting hydration, leaving your lips pillowy soft. A favourite shade of mine is PBJ, which is a stunning brown-red that's bound to complement virtually any lip combo.

Laneige

Glaze Craze Tinted Lip Serum

Featuring a unique silicone applicator in the shape of a doughnut (yes, you read that right), this tinted lip serum packs the nourishing benefits of a traditional lip balm and the ultra-glossy finish of a lip gloss. More importantly, it also packs some serious pigment, and you can easily get an impressive level of coverage out of it with just one swipe.

Clinique

Almost Lipstick Black Honey

Let's be real, it wouldn't really be an edit of lipstick alternatives without Clinique's iconic Black Honey lip balm. Offering a sheer slip of transparent berry-ish pigment, this formula has been designed to complement your exact skin tone and undertones. As far as the formula goes, the balm-like texture glides on like butter, revealing an effortlessly chic and natural-looking glossy finish.

2. Cream Blushers

Sure, a blusher may not be your first choice to slather on the lips. After all, it's a less conventional product that's designed for the cheeks. However, there's a reason why most formulas we know and love also double as a lip product.

If you think about it, most cream blushers are incredibly dewy, blurring and hydrating, all of which make naturally welcome traits in a lip-oriented product. Not to mention, using the same blush on the lips will also make the look appear more cohesive, and by extension, more intentional, making it a great finishing touch to tie everything together.