Which One Should You Choose: Bullet Lipstick vs. Lip Crayon?

When choosing a lipstick, the shade and finish get all the attention, but format is often ignored. A lipstick can be a bullet, liquid, crayon, etc. and every format offers a different finish and color payoff. Bullet lipsticks are classic single-swipe lipsticks, which are easy to apply and the crayon lipstick offers the format of coloring your lips with a lip pencil crayon. They both offer a slightly different application process. In this blog, we will discuss the major differences between a bullet and crayon lipstick matte and what exactly separates them. 

What is a Bullet Lipstick?

Bullet lipstick is a traditional lipstick that you can find in your mom’s vanity. This comes in a twist-up design with a pointed tip, when you rotate the bottom, the lipstick comes out looking like a bullet. The pointed tip helps in precise application around the corners and the wide base covers your whole lip. The color payoff is intense and you can always build the color as per your makeup needs.

What is a Crayon lipstick?

Crayon lipstick gives you a precision that’s different from bullet lipsticks. It has a very precise pointed tip and comes with a sharpener too, just like a pencil. The pointed tip helps in outlining the lips for sharp, defined lips. Along with it, you can slowly build the color as per your desired makeup look. The sharpener lets you sharpen the tip every time for easy use. 

Key Differences: Bullet vs. Crayon Lipstick

Feature	Bullet Lipstick	Crayon Lipstick
Shape	Bullet-like in a twist-up design	Pencil-like, comes with a sharpener
Application	Quick and familiar	More controlled
Application Style	Swipe directly across your lips	Draw and fill
Lip Outlining	May need a lip liner to create a lip look	Easier to define, does not always require a lip liner
Color Payoff	Moderate; have to build color	Intense Pigment
Best for	Quick, everyday application	Defined and precise looks

Bullet vs. Crayon Lipstick: Application

Prep Your Lips First

1. Exfoliate the lips once a week with a homemade scrub or a premade light scrub. 
2. Wash your lips or wipe them gently with a damp cloth.
3. Apply a thick lip balm or a nourishing lip oil.
4. Wait for at least 10-15 minutes so the balm absorbs and leaves your lips smooth.

How to Apply Bullet Lipstick

There is no rocket science in applying a lipstick. This is the easiest type that you can use even when you are in a hurry but cannot miss your lipstick. 

1. Use a lip liner that matches your lipstick shade. 
2. Glide the bullet across the middle of your lips, then move slowly outwards toward the corners.
3.  Add thin layers until you reach the intensity you want, rather than applying one heavy coat.

How to Apply Crayon Lipstick

Crayon lipstick has a pencil-like tip, so this removes the hassle of using a lip liner. 

1. Use the tip of the crayon to outline the lips.
2. Fill in the lips with the lipstick. 
3. Build up layers for a bolder, more saturated color.
4. Softly blend the outline if you wish to create a diffused lip look. 

Can both be used together?

Yes, you can use both together if you can’t decide between two. Use the crayon as the lip liner, outline your lips or overline to give lips a fuller effect. Use the bullet as the main filling color, fill in your lips as per the desired lip look or your color preference. 

Colors Queen Classic Lipstick Collection of Bullet and Crayon Lipsticks

Bullet Lipstick

One of our best Bullet Lipstick, Luxury Matte Non-Transfer Lipstick, brings you a luxury feel at just ₹425. It’s available in 16 stunning shades and is enriched with shea butter to give you a creamy and luxury matte finish. Along with this, it’s also waterproof, non-transfer and smudgeproof, to save you from constant lipstick application or any worries about it fading while drinking water, eating, etc. 

Crayon Lipstick

Our crayon lipstick, brings you a creamy formula, available in 31 beautiful shades for your everyday wear, at just ₹349. Its pencil design makes the application very precise. It is also long-lasting and has a non-transfer formula, due to which it can last up to 16 hours. Besides this, it is waterproof and gives off a matte finish in a single swipe application. 

How to Make Your Lipstick Last Longer

Follow these steps in order for color that stays put for hours.

• Prep Your Lips: Lip prep once a week is important to keep the lips soft and smooth. This removes flaky skin and creates a smooth surface.
• Apply lip balm: Always apply a lip balm at least 10-15 minutes before you apply your lipstick. Remove the lip balm or blot the excess, as lipstick applied over lip balm can slide and fade quickly. 
• Line and fill with lip liner: Outline your lips with a liner that matches your shade, then fill in the whole lip. This gives the lipstick something to grip and prevents feathering.
• Apply the first thin layer: Glide your lipstick from the center outwards in a light, even coat.
• Blot: Press a tissue gently over your lips to remove excess product and help the color set.
• Add a second thin layer: Build the color gradually until you reach the intensity you want. Avoid piling on thick coats.
• Clean up the edges: Tidy any smudges with a cotton bud for a sharp, neat finish.

FAQs

Q1. Is lip crayon long lasting compared to bullet lipsticks?

Ans. The finish of most lip crayons is a matte finish, which offers a great staying power than most bullet lipstick finishes. But if the formula is matte, then a bullet can also offer a long-lasting stay.

Q2. Are classic lipstick colours available in both bullet and crayon formats?

Ans. Yes, both the lipstick formats offer beautiful shade ranges, including nudes and bold colors both. 

Q3. Can a lip liner crayon be used as a crayon lipstick?

Ans. A crayon lip liner can be used to define and precisely outline your lips, but it lacks the rich pigmentation and texture that a lipstick has, use it to fill in the lips to create a base for your lipstick to stay. 

Q4. Which is easier to apply, bullet lipstick or crayon lipstick?

Ans. Crayon lipstick offers more control over the edges, while the bullet lipsticks are for quick, all over application. It doesn’t define the edges clearly. Whereas with lip crayon, you need to build the layers gradually.