What Happened to LipSense? Why Customers Still Love It 27 Years Later
You might be asking yourself, “What happened to LipSense?” and thinking we slowly disappeared, but that couldn’t be further from the truth! LipSense is still here, now in our 27th year, delivering the same high-quality, long-lasting lip color you love, with exciting new shades and updated formulations.
Some of you may remember the buzz back in 2017, when LipSense (SeneGence) experienced a massive boom and everyone seemed to be talking about its amazing qualities. While distributors have come and gone over time, the product itself didn’t change, and neither did our commitment to helping you achieve beautiful-looking lips.
Rest assured, we’re here to stay, and as for me, I certainly don’t plan on going anywhere anytime soon. In fact, we are continuing to grow our makeup and skincare lines, adding new shades, products, and even business perks, but that is a story for another blog post. 🤪
If you’re rusty on what LipSense is, or maybe you have never seen it in action, let’s talk about how it works, why it feels different, and why people are still wearing it 27 years later.
LipSense has evolved significantly since its launch in 1999, expanding from a single long-lasting lip color into a complete lip system that includes glosses, balms, pH-enhancing products, lip liners, and multiple finish options.
History of LipSense
In 1999, our founder Joni Rogers-Kante set out to solve a problem every woman knows too well: lipstick that smudges, gets on your teeth, needs constant reapplication, and fades. She was inspired by her own everyday challenge of keeping her lip color on, especially when kissing her young son. From this idea, she created a liquid lip color that was truly long-lasting, smudge-resistant, and designed to work as part of a complete lip care system. A brand new category in beauty, not just another lipstick!
From the beginning, the goal wasn’t just about makeup; it was about creating a complete beauty system that worked for real life. From the beginning, SeneGence was built on innovation, results, and purpose!
What Happened to LipSense?
The product didn’t disappear. The social media buzz simply settled down after the explosive growth period around 2016-2018. During that time, it felt like everyone knew someone selling or wearing LipSense. Social media trends come and go, and direct sales looks vastly different today than it did in 2017. While social media looks different than 2017, the product itself has remained remarkable consistent. SeneGence has continued developing new shades, new products, and expanded skincare and makeup offerings while remaining committed to the original LipSense we know and love.
What LipSense Actually Is
LipSense was designed as a complete system. The color provides long-lasting wear, the gloss supports comfort and flexibility, and the remover helps gently remove the color at the end of the day.
What makes LipSense different from other lip colors, lipsticks, and lip stains on the market? One of the most noticeable differences is its wear time, from 4-18 hours without smudging, fading, or transferring.
Typical liquid lipstick is made of wax, silicone, or other drying films whereas LipSense is a permeable, flexible color system that bonds to your lips at a molecular level. Its patented formula creates a thin, flexible film over the lips so it doesn’t “sit” like a wax-based lipstick and feel heavy. It also doesn’t function like a traditional stain where it dyes your lips through absorption. Because it forms a flexible, permeable film, it doesn’t create a thick, rigid coating that many people associate with traditional long-wear lip products.
Is LipSense a Lip Stain?
Short answer, no. While LipSense is often grouped together with lip stains, it actually works differently. Traditional stains rely on dyes that absorb into the skin. LipSense creates a flexible film that bonds to the lip surface and is removed through natural wear or a remover such as Ooops! Remover.
Why Does LipSense Last So Long?
Solvent System (delivery + flash drying)
This is the one I feel trips up the most people as it is part of the difference in our product. LipSense uses a cosmetic grade denatured alcohol. This ingredient is key to your LipSense application because it is a lighter-than-water carrier system to carry the pigment to your lips. It then dissolves/evaporates and distributes the pigment evenly. It has a flash evaporation, which allows it to dry quickly, and as it is evaporating into the atmosphere that can be the “tingle/cooling” you might feel initially. Many users find the sensation becomes less noticeable over time as they consistently use the complete LipSense system.
Polymer Network System (Long Wear + Bonding)
This is where our patented technology shines and is super exciting! The polymer system within LipSense creates an ultra-thin and flexible ‘mesh film’ over your lips. It provides water and transfer resistance while moving with your lips to prevent cracking and breakdown. This flexibility is one reason LipSense is able to maintain wear while still moving with your lips throughout the day.
Slip/Flexibility System (Application Performance)
The slip and flexibility system helps the color apply evenly while maintaining a comfortable, flexible feel throughout wear.
Botanical Comfort System (Lip Support + Conditioning)
LipSense also includes conditioning ingredients, antioxidants, and humectants that help support comfort during wear. These ingredients work alongside the gloss system to help maintain moisture balance.
Why Do You Need LipSense Gloss?
One of the biggest misconceptions about LipSense is that the gloss is optional. In reality, the gloss is an important part of the system.
Think of it this way: the color is responsible for the long-lasting wear, while the gloss is responsible for comfort, flexibility, and moisture support.
LipSense creates a thin, flexible film over the lips that is designed to move with you throughout the day. Because the color layer is permeable, your lips continue their normal moisture exchange with the environment. The gloss helps support that moisture balance while also keeping the color layer feeling comfortable and flexible.
It also helps protect the color from everyday wear and tear while providing the conditioning benefits that many people love.
Because LipSense was designed as a complete system, the glosses were specifically formulated to work alongside the color layer. While other glosses may work for some people, LipSense glosses are designed to support the flexibility, comfort, and wear of the color while delivering conditioning benefits to the lips. That’s why many long-time users find they get the best overall experience when they use the complete system together.
Why Does LipSense Burn or Tingle?
This section always confuses first-time users because they think they are allergic (always consult your doctor). Generally, this has to do with the health of your lips. If your lips are dry, they may have tiny surface cracks in them. If you’ve ever held your eyes open too long and felt a slight sting as the moisture evaporates, it’s a similar concept. As the alcohol evaporates during application, some people notice a cooling or tingling sensation, especially on dry or sensitive lips. Reapplying gloss throughout the day can help keep lips feeling comfortable and supported.
Does LipSense Dry Out Your Lips?
This is probably one of the most common questions I hear.
Many people assume LipSense is drying because it feels different from traditional lip products. The color is designed to set on the lips and create a flexible, long-wearing film, which can feel very different if you’re used to products that sit on top of the lips and need frequent reapplication.
For some users, especially first-time users, a tingling sensation can be mistaken for dryness. However, the sensation and actual moisture levels are not necessarily the same thing.
LipSense was designed as a complete system that includes both the color and gloss. While the color provides long-lasting wear, the gloss provides conditioning ingredients and moisture support to help keep lips feeling comfortable throughout the day.
Many long-time users find once they begin using the complete system consistently, their lips feel more comfortable and the initial tingling sensation is no longer noticeable.
Why Three Layers?
Alright, now that the science-y stuff is out of the way you might be asking, “Well, why do I need three layers then?” The product is intentionally sheer and layering builds structure without heaviness. Each layer serves a purpose and reinforces the durability of color on your lips while they are moving, eating, and moisture is exposed.
Layer 1: This layer interacts with the surface of your lips and starts the bonding process. It tends to get broken down from the pH of your skin.
Layer 2: This is the most protected layer as it is ‘sandwiched’ between the other two layers. It builds coverage and strengthens the wear layer.
Layer 3: The top layer is the final stabilization layer and it is holding down the fort from the top to protect the color from natural shearing of your lips (rubbing together from talking, eating, drinking, etc.)
Layering also allows for you to adjust the intensity of color by playing with the shades you apply on each layer.
Why LipSense Feels Different from Other Lip Products
Many lip products are designed to sit on the surface of the lips and are intended to be reapplied throughout the day. LipSense takes a different approach by creating a flexible film that bonds to the lip surface and moves with you throughout wear. The result is a very different experience than traditional lip color, which is one reason people often notice the difference immediately.
Conclusion
LipSense is not “just lipstick!” It is a multi-system lip technology that you will notice and feel. It is more than just lip color, it’s a system designed to last longer, protect and condition your lips, and offer flexibility and customization. After 27 years, many loyal clients still choose LipSense as their go-to lip color.
Fewer touch-ups, lasting color, and a lip color routine that works with real life.
