What Is a Lip Set? What Products Does It Include?
A lip set is a product group that brings the lining, coloring and gloss steps of lip makeup together in one combination. This set includes a pencil for the lip line, color in two different finishes — matte and satin — a moisturizing gloss, a waterproof tint and two application brushes; 7 pieces in total.
The purpose of the set isn't to sell a single shade but to let you carry a lip look through from start to finish. The same color looks everyday in a matte finish, soft in a satin finish and full when gloss is added. Because all three finishes come out of the same box, the risk of mismatched shades disappears.
Who Is a Lip Set For?
A lip set is for people who need more than one product and switch between different finishes during the day. In a routine that calls for a matte look in the morning and a glossy one in the evening, the set replaces three separate purchases. For someone who only wears one finish, a single product is enough.
- Thin lips: defining the lip line with liner and adding gloss to the center gives a feeling of fullness.
- Full lips: a matte finish balances volume, and gloss goes only on the center of the lower lip.
- Dry lips: moisturizing satin and gloss formats are more comfortable to wear than a matte finish.
- Long day: waterproof tint keeps color underneath even when gloss is added on top.
How to Use a Lip Set: What Should the Application Order Be?
A lip set is used in four steps: first the lip line is drawn with the pencil, then color is spread with a brush from the center to the corners, next it's blotted with a tissue and a second thin layer is added, and finally gloss goes on the center of the lower lip. This order noticeably reduces color bleeding outside the lips.
If you're using tint, it goes at the very bottom; a matte or satin finish is added on top. Applying the layers in reverse order keeps the tint from gripping the skin. You can find a step-by-step explanation of the application on the lip makeup routine page.
When drawing the lip line, the pencil is kept just above the natural edge of the lips. A line that goes noticeably outside the edge becomes even more visible as the day goes on. After drawing the line, softening the pencil a few millimeters inward prevents the framed look that shows up when color fades.
Should You Buy a Lip Set or Products One by One?
A lip set is more advantageous for someone who has only one or two products and wants to build a combination from scratch, because the lining, color and gloss steps all come in coordinated shades. For someone looking for a specific shade or who goes through one format, buying individually is more economical.
If you'd like to compare single options, you can look at the lipstick, lip liner and lip gloss collections separately.
What Finishes Does a Lip Set Bring Together?
This lip set brings together three finishes: matte, satin and glossy. A matte finish is the format that shows color most intensely and reflects the least. A satin finish sits between the two and makes lip lines less noticeable. A glossy finish reflects light and optically makes the lips look fuller.
It's also possible to layer all three finishes in one day. When a thin layer of gloss is added over a matte color, the color is kept and the surface softens. There's no need to buy a separate product for this switch. When gloss goes only on the center rather than the whole lip, light collects in a single spot and the volume effect is more noticeable.
Why Are Liner and Brush Necessary in a Lip Set?
Liner and brush are necessary in a lip set, because a set without a liner doesn't give a crisp line. In a set without a brush, color is carried only by the tip of the bullet, and the finish blurs at the corners. Shades that work together matter just as much, because three products work on top of each other on the same lips.
Daylight is the most reliable measure when choosing a shade. A color that leans pink under store lighting can look different in daylight. Because the set offers more than one finish, this risk is reduced, since the same shade can be tried at three different intensities. If you're looking for different tip shapes beyond the heads included in the set, see the lip brushes collection, and for all category options, the lip makeup collection.