Bullet lipstick
Bullet lipstick is lipstick sold as a solid, rounded or angled stick that twists up from a tube and is applied directly to the lips.
The name comes from the shape of the stick, which resembles a bullet. It is the traditional lipstick format and comes in every finish: matte, satin (often labelled cream), sheer and glossy formulas, and shimmer.
Bullets are usually made from waxes, oils and pigments. The wax gives the stick its structure, and the balance of oil and wax sets how creamy, opaque and long-lasting the formula is. A bullet can be applied straight from the tube for full colour, dabbed on with a fingertip for a softer, stain-like effect, or applied with a lip brush for a precise edge.
Compared with a liquid lipstick, a bullet usually feels more cushioned and is easier to reapply, but it is less transfer-proof and tends to move more over the day. A lip liner underneath and blotting between layers help a bullet formula last longer.
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