I can go two ways on lip sets — I want variety (different colors/finishes) or themed, e.g. berries or reds or pinks. There should be enough product in each shade that the product remains functional (I’m thinking of how mini lipsticks can sometimes break at the base). The value should be there, too.
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First, it needs to be shades I can wear and want to wear (no nudes, no oranges, no “strange” colours). Then, both quality and value need to be there (I’m only willing to spend on a kit if there’s some saving, however insignificant, in the cost-per-gram calculation, which you are always conscientious enough to provide for us, Christine – something I really appreciate).
I have never actually bought a lip set, mostly because I don’t trust myself with minis! I almost bought one of the Huda lip tin sets, so I guess packaging can really get to me.
Variety, enough product, and the value of the set.
A good variety of colors that give the opportunity to really discover the brand.
Three key components must come into play in order for me to even remotely want it:
1.) Price per ounce. In other words, how great is its value?
2.) Definately shade selection. Are these all, or at least 4 out 5, 5 of 6, that I am going to wear?
3.) NO skinny, fragile looking tubes! My lips are fairly full, especially my bottom lip. Therefore, I need something that won’t break on me or get used up in just a few wears, because it takes a decent amount to cover my lips.
I usually don’t buy lip sets, if I do, it has to be colours that will work for my skin tone, and it needs to be pigmented enough, that it shows up on my pigmented lips. If 2 out of 5 of the lipsticks are way too pale for me, it’s an easy no. I am not a gloss lover, if the set has 2 or 3 glosses out of 5 , then too it’s an easy pass for me. So far, I have only bought one lip kit, it was last year, one of the huda beauty lipkits, with the two small liquid lipsticks and one lip liner. I really like that one. This year, I was looking into the besame lip kit, it’s a permanent one I think, the colours are nice and the pigmentation is great too. However, I saw it in store and realized, the plastic packaging with tiny lipsticks, seemed a bit too delicate for me. I would probably end up breaking them during application.
This one is hit or miss with me. The set has to include half colors that I can wear but this also depends on the sizes and prices of the set.
I also like variety in a set, I don’t want a set of REDS or PINKS, that’s stupid to me so that is an automatic “No Buy”
Other than that it boils down to if I actually like the entire set enough to want to buy
Colour range – either a good variety of wearable shades that will suit a wide range of skin tones (rosy mauve, warm terracotta nude, muted red, neutral pink and plummy brown, etc) or a matching undertone, like all cool or all warm shades. I don’t tend to go for sets that are all pinks or all nudes because there are usually a couple of shades that don’t appeal (beige! candyfloss pink!).
I think my favourite lip set to date was one form Colourpop and it was all sheer lippie stix (I think it was called Staycation or Gone Coastal? I dunno…) and even though it had a couple of shades I otherwise wouldn’t have chosen, I ended up loving every single colour.
Just like Mariella above, I want shades that I would actually wear – no nudes, pinks, purples, oranges. And that is difficult to get. Most lipstick sets sell shades that either the brand can’t get rid of or pinky shades.
My perfect lip set would be lipsticks (no glosses, stains etc.) containing bronzes, coppery shades, a good red and a berry.
That’s funny bc I think most sets tend to be red and vampy berries so most tend to be incredibly unappealing to me. Red is so atrocious imo lol
I don’t really buy lipstick sets because invariably there are colors I won’t wear, colors I can’t wear and formulas that just won’t work for me. Ideally it would be nice to be able to build your own set but I know that would be a nightmare for brands but maybe some day.
This is a pet peeve of mine – why won’t they package according to skin tone – and always have a warm and a cool option? Prescriptives used to do that back in the day, and it was incredible to get a palette w/ 10+ shades that all looked great on! I think most of us look so much better when it’s toned to our skin, and I would happily buy a lot more sets than I do, if I basically trusted they were all in my range. Only exception is lip glosses that are sheer enough to be warmed by my underlying coloring. Buxom sets have worked for that reason, and I’m now a loyal B customer.
I don’t buy sets anymore . They look so pretty but I end up liking very few , so it just adds to my clutter !
Color and finish is probably most important to me, followed by value. I tend to stay with the more conservative colors, nudes, mauve, reds. If its a group of minis, then I might be willing to be a bit flexible on value especially if I’m a bit unsure of the color or finish. I appreciate when you give the price per ounce comparison. I also love the full size lipstick and lipliner kits that MAC and Urban Decay have had this last year which have been really nice value.
I’m not really sure since I rarely buy them but Id love a set of beautiful nudes, rose and neutral pink tones with beautiful packaging
Different color selection that i would like to wear but i haven’t purchased one in a million years since my kids were young and we traveled more often. Only for traveling they are so practical but not a huge selection either then is too much i like 4-6 that’s it. I was deeply eyeing the L’oréal palette but never fell for it. Way too much and haven’t got a review to make my move. Like i need one more color in the slightest different shade possible. Not for a cat’s entire life and then some! Lol! love them!
I love lip sets. I tend to go for a nice variety of colors. I like getting a sampling of a brand without having to commit to a full size product. You do inevitably run into shades that are not your favorites, but the benefits outweigh the cons for me. I love the Anastasia Beverly Hills mini lip gloss sets and the recently released mini matte lipsticks set. I also loved the NARS mini velvet lip glide set that was release last Holiday, though it could have used a bit more of a variety. Plus, I feel pretty accomplished when I’m able to make my way through a mini as opposed to a full sized product that I may never finish.
I don’t buy many lip sets. If it’s a pricier set, then I want to be able to wear all the colors. No really light “concealer lip” nudes. If it has brights and/or alternative shades, I’m very happy. If the set has glosses, I want them to have lots of pigment and/or sparkle, and not just be clear shine. Of course, everything has to be in a formula I’d like.
If it’s a full size set, I’d like themes with wearable, everyday colours, if it’s a mini set I want a variety of unusual colours I wouldn’t usually purchase in full size.
I don’t own one but used to. I’d like at least three shades of same colors preferably reds, berry, plums, mauve, not crazy about pinks. I do like a nude to be mixed with some pink tone especially brown without pink I can’t wear. I don’t do well in nudes (to pale I look like a vampire ?♀️ with lifeless colors) anyways but like a little pink tint if I had to choose one.