Why we love it: Impossible to mess up (you can absolutely apply them without a mirror) and supremely nourishing, balms are essentially skin care, whether or not they come with a tint.

Patron saint: Gwyneth Paltrow.

Wear it with: Truly anything. “This is the only makeup I wear most days,” says Gwyneth, but a great balm also looks incredible when the rest of your makeup is more intense. It’s as brilliant with a French-girl smoky eye and a douppioni silk ball gown as it is with jeans, a T-shirt, and a bare face.

Tip: Keep your favorite balm wherever you’ll reapply most often—we keep one right next to the computer, one in the glove compartment, one on the nightstand, and one in the makeup bag—to keep your lips in their best shape.

Why we love it: The juicy, shiny, ultrahydrated effect you get from gloss is sexy—plain and simple. Gloss also layers beautifully with lipstick, adding dimension along with shine.

Patron saint: Rihanna.

Wear it with: Think of gloss as the star—if you’ve got a lot of color or texture going on your face already, it’s generally not the time for a gloss moment (though if you’re Rihanna, go for it, because it’s going to look amazing). Great skin, defined brows, and inky lashes are the perfect accompaniments.

Tip: Makeup artists everywhere use a dab of gloss on the bottom lip to make anyone’s lips look fuller.

Why we love it: Significantly longer lasting and typically more intensely pigmented and opaque than balms or glosses, lipstick is your best option if you’re looking for full-on drama. It’s also the easiest texture to blend or layer.

Patron saint: Morticia Addams for deep shades, Jenna Lyons for reds, and Shiv Roy for neutrals.

Wear it with: The confidence we get wearing a great lipstick reminds us of the way we feel in a perfectly fitted jacket: ready to take on the world. So while you can wear it with anything, pull out your favorite lipstick when you’re feeling bold—with the widest wide-leg pants and a crop top or your sharpest suit—or when you feel like your outfit needs a chicness boost.

Tip: Dab a bit of the lipstick you’ve put on your lips onto your cheeks and buff it out for a chic monochromatic look.