2020 – the year that loungewear became a necessity, and working from home became the new normal. Now, whilst I’m secretly enjoying the fact it’s now acceptable to leave the house dressed in head-to-toe comfiness (anyone else?), I am a little sad about my makeup not getting the attention or love it deserved this year.
With the introduction of regular mask-wearing, socialising kept to a minimum and party plans cancelled; makeup trends naturally shifted. Some of us ditched makeup altogether in favour of upping our skincare ante, some of us decided to go down a much more pared-down and natural look while some of us opted for mask-friendly products.
Lipsticks, unfortunately, were one of the products that we struggled with the most. Rendered pointless for a large proportion of the time (donning your confidence-boosting favourite DIOR lip shade loses its impact when covered with a mask!) we either opted for balms or smudge-proof lip options that could survive a few hours under a mask. Many of our favourite lipsticks didn’t get a look-in during 2020.
But as I looked into my makeup drawer and the lipsticks that had been ‘furloughed’ throughout most of 2020, it got me thinking about 2021 and the fun (and normality!) that hopefully lies ahead of us.
Here are the lip products we’ve been missing this year and how we’re planning to wear them next year…
Return of the Gloss
What do you miss most about wearing this lipstick?
What can I say? I am a lip liner and gloss kind of gal, so 2020 and the introduction of mandatory mask-wearing in public was definitely not a good accessory for my love of lipgloss! The risk of smearing this uber-glossy shade of nude under a mask meant my beloved Dior Stellar Gloss in 640 J’Adior has been put on hold in favour of something more smudge-proof; I miss the full effect it gives my lips!
Where are you looking forward to wearing this lipstick in 2021?
Everywhere! This used to be my everyday go-to, and I’m looking forward to reinstating it sometime next year when masks are not compulsory, and of course, taking it away on holiday wouldn’t go a miss, too!
The Big Debut
What do you miss most about wearing this lipstick?
For me, the BAREPRO lipstick in ‘Bloom’ isn’t an old favourite that’s been put aside this year; it’s actually a fairly new purchase that hasn’t yet made its debut to the outside world as I bought it in the middle of lockdown!
Although I’ve enjoyed being able to wear this lipstick for the odd Zoom call (and selfie!), I’ll be excited for when a sense of normality returns, so it can become a part of my getting-ready routine. I have missed the fun and excitement of getting dressed up for a meal and drinks with friends!
Where are you looking forward to wearing this lipstick in 2021?
I don’t often wear lipsticks (I tend to opt for lip balms on a day-to-day basis), so for me, this lipstick is waiting patiently for that first meal out or girl’s night out when it’s safe to do so in the future.
I have a few friends who live in different parts of the UK, so I haven’t seen them in over a year. Although I know it’s been a tough year for most, I know I’ll be so much more grateful for the simple things – like catching up with friends or enjoying a meal out – once things return to normal. So, when I apply this lipstick for that first night out with my friends, it will feel so much more poignant to me than it would have before.
The Delayed Celebration
What do you miss most about wearing this lipstick?
The high-gloss, the ultra-shine, the sultry burnt-red shade… I had big dreams for this YSL lipstick in the shade 2-Cacao Bounce when I bought it at the start of the year to celebrate getting my new job at Escentual, and the most exciting thing it’s seen is the inside of my beauty drawer.
As with the rest of my makeup bag, I miss what applying this lipstick represents. Not only does putting on full-glam makeup boost my own confidence in myself, but it often means there’s a special event, night out or get together at the end of it. Getting glammed up for a girls night out or a date night with my fiancé used to be some of my favourite things to do pre-lockdown, and I miss the excitement of getting ready to spend time with loved ones.
Where are you looking forward to wearing this lipstick in 2021?
This luxurious lipstick is one that I definitely would have saved for best – it would probably make an appearance at special occasions, such as weddings and holidays, but then kept safe and pristine until its next outing. However, once things become a little more normal, I foresee me taking any chance I can to get glammed up. This year has shown me that we should never wait till tomorrow or take anything for granted, and if that means wearing your favourite and most special lipstick to Tesco then go for it!
The Confidence Boost
What do you miss most about wearing this lipstick?
In short, everything… The reason to wear it, but most of all the confidence boost I get just after applying the first coat of this YSL Water Lip Stain in 605 – Bain De Corail and the way it transforms what was a neutral outfit into something sensational!
Where are you looking forward to wearing this lipstick in 2021?
Going for cocktails with my friends and carrying it in my clutch, so I’m ready to top my bold lip colour at every possible moment through the evening!
Discover More:
How to Glow Through The Festive Season, Even If You’re Staying In
