As the adage goes, everything old is new again. The relatively recent development of the lipstick tube (it arrived early in the 20th century) made it easier than ever to add a swipe of classic red, dark purple, or virtually any other color to the lips. But lip color wasn’t always applied this way. As far back as ancient Mesopotamian times, lip tint was made from crushed gems and pigments, and patted onto the lips. Now that lip powder is slowly making its way into the cosmetics aisle, we seem to be going back to our cosmetic roots.

“Ultra Summer” or “Barbie Pink”?

Lip powder has become one of the biggest cosmetic hits in Korea, with brands like RiRe and even the Korean division of L’Oréal offering tinted powders in applicators that make it easy to perfect your pout. Now, CLE Cosmetics is offering the latest in K-beauty to an American market, with its own melting lip powders, available in four colors: “Barbie Pink,” “Milk Choco,” “Red Cherry,” and “Ultra Summer.”

“Red Cherry” + “Barbie Pink” = the perfect bright pink.

To apply, simply use the applicator wand to swipe on the color. The lip powder gives a cooling sensation and feels unexpectedly hydrating. The matte finish is less opaque than what you might get from a traditional lipstick, and it has a softer, more natural look than a liquid lipstick. The melting powder also has serious staying powder, hardly requiring a touch-up after eating lunch.
When Team Sweet tried out the lip powders, we were initially overwhelmed by the sheer novelty of the powder’s melting effect but then sold on the vividness of CLE’s colors.

With four wearable colors, Melting Lip Powder is easy to incorporate into your beauty routine — don’t be surprised if it becomes your new go-to.

Melting Lip Powders, $20 (Dhs 73.5), available at clecosmetics.com.

From: Sweet

Originally appeared on Cosmopolitan.com