Whether it be a rich red or a near-naked nude, there’s no arguing that lips are experiencing an impressive revival. Late last year, Priceline revealed lips were the “new nails” - delivering innovation and driving sales to the cosmetics industry.
Sales of lip colour rose by 13 per cent in the US to $US417 million in 2014, according to research by NPD Group. The research group’s 2014 Makeup In-Depth Consumer Report found 33 per cent of women in the US are using lip colour more than once a day.
“The trend of women seeking to make a bold make-up statement continues as marketers showcase lips more prominently than seen in prior years,” says NPD Group vice president and global beauty industry analyst Karen Grant.
To find out the latest on lips, BD got the inside word from beauty experts on the trends and developments we’re set to see in 2015.
Colour my world
When it comes to the major lip colour trend for the season, it seems Pantone was right on the money when it named marsala as the winner of its 2015 Pantone Colour of the Year. “An indisputable leader when it comes to colour, Pantone is a great source of inspiration in the beauty industry,” says Biccari Holdings managing director Amanda Miller, distributor of Carmex. “The biggest lip trend of 2015 will no doubt be marsala. Since winning the Pantone Colour of the Year 2015, marsala has been taking over the beauty industry. A perfect shade for winter lips, with robust full-bodied qualities, marsala’s warmth and depth creates an elegant yet slightly seductive beauty look.”
director Eta Thia says that as well as marsala, we will be seeing lots of berry, plum and purple hues, and Australia spokesperson Janet Southern agrees. “Rich reds, feminine berries, and neutrals dominated lips on autumn runways,” reveals Southern. At Burt's Bees, they believe the statement lip is back with a vengeance. “From deep scarlets, burnt corals and berry hues, we are seeing bright lips rule the runways this season. Barely-there nudes continue to dominate,” says Burt’s Bees marketing manager Vanessa Farrugia.
What’s trending
Just like foundation is going for more of a “raw” feel in 2015, lips are also subverting the idea of perfection. Dr. Hauschka international make-up artist Karim Sattar describes the latest trend in lips as “boyfriend lips”. “You've heard of ‘boyfriend jeans’, now we have ‘boyfriend lips’. The technique is not trying to be perfect; it's to give a 'kissed-off' look,” explains Southern. Thia describes the trend for 2015 as a “very stained, smudged, just-been-kissed look”.
The interest in natural offerings is also set to rise in 2015. “People are becoming increasingly savvy when it comes to beauty, and particularly when it comes to natural beauty and care. The industry is taking on much more of a holistic approach to beauty, focusing on moisturising, natural ingredients and nurturing the skin and lips before applying cosmetics. This movement has provided a lot of opportunity within the lip care industry, as consumers are becoming smarter and actively seeking out products that preserve their lips and act as primers,” says Miller.
It is a similar story at MOMMA and Burt’s Bees. “100 per cent vegan, gluten-free, chemical-free, cruelty-free lipsticks are definitely trending, with more and more customers requesting our lipsticks to be 100 per cent vegan as opposed to using beeswax,” says Thia. Farrugia adds, “Tinted lip balms for just a hint of natural colour are always in trend - colour your lips the way nature intended.”
New developments
Lip products are continually undergoing new developments - from formulations and packaging to flavours and colours - whether it be a balm, gloss, lipstick or chubby stick. “At Carmex, we have been busy finalising our newest addition to the Carmex banner, Carmex Jasmine Green Tea lip balm, with some other exciting developments set to launch later in the year. The product uses the same formula as the traditional Carmex range but features a really unique flavour combination,” says Miller.
At Burt’s Bees, the company have recently launched their lip crayons, a collection made up of six creamy matte colour and moisture-rich shades. The brand is also working on new packaging - with April seeing the Burt’s Bees best-selling classic Beeswax Lip Balm become available in a convenient squeezable tube with a slanted tip for precise application. The 100 per cent natural lip balm range will also welcome Vanilla Bean to the family, and the brand is releasing even more lip colours throughout the year.
2015 is also set to be a busy year for MOMMA, with the brand adding more bold colours to its 100 per cent vegan, chemical-free lipstick collection. MOMMA will also be using more natural ingredients such as jojoba oil and shea butter in its products.
Recommended lip products:
Lip Plumper
Lip Lush - No Strings
Hydrating Moisturising Lip Balm
Advanced Lip Base
Electric Lip Slide
Burt's Bees 100% Natural Lip Crayon
SPF 30 Lipstick
Carmex Jasmine Green Tea Lip Balm
Lip Polish
Anti-Wrinkle Booster for Lips
Novum Lipstick
Pro-Intense Eye and Lip Contour Cream
Beautiful Color Moisturizing Matte Lipstick
Lip Trio
Environ Skincare RAD Lips
Vitamin E Lip Therapy
Just Kissed Lip & Cheek Stain in Forever Peach
Lipstick
Models Prefer Infinite Colour Lip Liner
Mineral Lipstick
Lip Complex
NYX Professional Makeup Butter Gloss
Lips & Lashes
Lip Exfoliant
pH Powered Lip Gloss
Royal Lips Lip Balm
Sisley Paris Phyto-Lip Shine Balm
SkinCeuticals Antioxidant Lip Repair
Rose Garden Lip Balm
LipService
Lip Volume
Beachcomber Lip Balm in Coconut & Honey
Carrots Colour Balms
Yves Saint Laurent Volupté Tint-In-Oil