We are slowly starting to segue into maskless life which means those puckers and pearly whites will be on full public display. I don’t know about you, but Mom retired her lip wands, tubes and sticks under the quarantine regime, and she is quite thrilled to be able to debut a dollop of color on her kisser. Something thick or too pigmented isn’t her style, so for that subtle sparkle she turns to Tower 28.

Named for the lifeguard tower that straddles the meeting place of Santa Monica pier and Venice Beach, they boast products that are simply good, clean fun. Founded by Amy Liu in 2019, Tower 28 invests in ingredients that go beyond standard callouts like hypoallergenic and cruelty free. Because Amy is a chronic Eczema sufferer, she made sure to create the only cosmetics line on the market that 100 percent follows the National Eczema Association’s ingredient guidelines, opting out of using essential oils and synthetic fragrances found in most products that are marketed toward sensitive skin but can actually become harsh irritants.

On top of her commitment to clean, she has a commitment to community. Amy started the Clean Summer Beauty School which is a mentorship and education program for Black beauty founders. A champion of Stop Asian Hate, she pledged 100% of her proceeds from on-line sales for one day and ended up raising $25,000 for the organization. This is a company that makes beauty bloom on the face and in the heart. For a lightweight, shimmering smile the ShineOn Lip Jelly is fantastic. Colors like XOXO (sheer pink and Mom’s fav) and Fear Less (sheer berry) give the mere suggestion of a tint while options like Chill (clear) and Magic (a hint of gold) keep it neutral.

My Aunt Chloe, who has Eczema and generally avoids cosmetics altogether, is a Fear Less fan. We’ve also gifted the holiday-time set of four Lip Jellies (currently out of stock – sad face!) to a friend’s teenage daughter as a fun, safe introduction to the magnificent world of make up. Clean cosmetics is a friend to all, including me because I can still get a lick or two in without ingesting any icky ingredients. For effortlessly lustered lips, turn towards Tower 28.