There are many ways to apply lipstick, but knowing a few tricks will not only make it last longer – you’ll also get a smoother and cleaner result. This article will show you how to apply it properly, but it will also give you tips on how to make your lips look bigger or smaller and how to achieve certain effects, such as ombré.
Prepare the Lips
Exfoliate your lips. This will help remove dead cells and give you a blank canvas to work on – plus they will be softer to the touch. You can gently exfoliate them for a few seconds with a toothbrush or scrub them with a damp towel. You can also make a scrub using one part of cooking oil and one part of sugar.
- The most suitable oils for lip scrubs are jojoba, olive, and coconut oils. If you don’t feel like using oil, honey may be fine too.
Moisturize your lips with a balm. Open the tube and slide the stick over the lower and upper lips. If it comes in a jar, use your finger to spread it out instead. Not only will it help you soften and smooth your lips, but it will also allow you to apply the pencil and lipstick more evenly. Wait a few minutes for your lips to absorb it; while you wait, you can do the rest of your face.
- Try to choose a wax-based, non-oily lip balm. This way, she is unlikely to leave a greasy residue.
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If necessary, remove excess conditioner with a tissue. Before applying the lipstick or pencil, check if there is any residue left on the lips. In this case, wipe them off with a tissue. The excess conditioner will make lips too slippery, thus preventing the pencil and lipstick from adhering.
You could prepare your lips with foundation. This helps you bring out the natural color of the lipstick, but it is not necessary. Use the same foundation applied to the rest of the face. Apply it with a make-up sponge. Make sure you smile as you do this: it will allow you to fill in all the small crevices of the lips
Choose a pencil. It is a very important product. It allows the lipstick to adhere better to the lips and last longer. In addition, it allows you to apply it more evenly and prevents possible smudging.
- If you are going to apply bold color lipstick, choose a pencil suitable for this shade. It will help you intensify the color of the lipstick and make it mattified.
- If you’ve prepped your lips with foundation or want a more neutral look, match the liner color to your lip color.
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Apply the pencil. The way you apply it can change the shape of your lips. It can help you make them look fleshier, thinner, rounder, or looser. First, outline the lips, then color them. Here are some tips and guidelines:
- To make your lips look smaller, apply the pencil just below the outline. Apply concealer around the lips to hide their natural line.
- To make them look more fleshy, apply the pencil slightly outside the outline – in any case, it should still touch the natural line.
- To make them appear wider, apply the pencil along the natural line of the lips, but extend it slightly beyond the corners. To make them look tighter, do the same, but apply the pencil right inside the corners. Hide the natural line with the concealer.
- To make your upper or lower lip look fuller, apply the pencil just outside the outline. Stay within the outline as far as the rest of the lips are concerned.
- For a softer, more natural look, tap the liner on the corners of your lips with your finger. This helps you soften the sharp edges.
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Apply Lipstick
Try choosing lipstick in a color that suits your complexion. If you understand which shades and formulations are that enhance the tone and texture of your skin, you will be much more satisfied with the final result. Before buying a lipstick, keep these factors in mind:
- If you have dark skin, choose a bold color that creates a nice contrast. If you have pale skin, a light pink or neutral color should be noticeable enough. For a medium complexion, opt for a mauve, cinnamon, or plum color.
- If you have dry lips, you shouldn’t choose matte lipstick – it can dry them out. Prefer one containing moisturizing ingredients.
- If you have thin lips and want to plump them, avoid using very dark colors – they tend to make them look smaller.
Apply the lipstick. Start from the center of the lips and apply the lipstick outwards, filling in all the empty parts. You can apply it directly from the tube or use a lip brush for greater precision
Take a second pass. The first is a sort of base, while the second allows you to have a more lasting and intense color.
Blot the inside of the lips. Put your finger in your mouth, close your lips around it, then pull it out. This helps prevent the lipstick from staining your teeth.
Make the lipstick last longer by applying some powder. Gently separate the veils of a handkerchief. Press one onto your lips and lightly apply translucent fixing powder through the handkerchief using a brush. Remove it and apply a second coat of lipstick.
Clean the outer edges of the lips with the concealer. With a brush, pick up some concealer that suits your complexion, then use it to contour your lips. Blend it outwards to blend it with the foundation. The lips will not only have a nice defined contour, but this will also prevent the lipstick from smudging.
You could apply a highlighter pencil to Cupid’s bow. This will help you accentuate the natural shape of the lips. Just outline Cupid’s bow with a white or ivory pencil. Do not apply it on the lipstick, but on top of it.
Try adding a bright touch with lip gloss. It is not necessary, but it will give you some shine. Also, the lips will look fuller. You don’t have to apply it all over the surface – just dab a small amount in the center of your lower lip.
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Try Classic Variants
- Don’t use a bright blush.
- This method does not work for all lipstick colors – it depends solely on the blush shades available.
- If you can’t find the right blush, you can try using a matte eyeshadow of a similar color instead.
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Create an ombré effect on the lips. Choose a pencil that is darker than the lipstick color. Use it to outline your lips, then color them with lipstick. For a more noticeable ombré effect, apply an even lighter shade of lipstick to the innermost part of the lips. Blend it all by applying a clear lip gloss.
- For a reverse ombré effect, use a lighter pencil than lipstick to outline the lips. Color them with lipstick. For a more eye-catching look, apply an even darker shade of lipstick to the innermost part of the lips.
Create a shape that resembles that of a bud. This chic and feminine look, quite popular in the 1920s, is perfect for a themed party or an evening when you want to try something new. Outline the central part of the lips, excluding the corners. Color the inside with bright red lipstick, then top off the look with a 1930s-style wavy hairstyle.
Try a goth look. Choose dark lipstick, such as black, dark red, or garnet. Look for a pencil that matches this shade and use it to outline the lips, but also to color them. Then, apply the lipstick. Complete the look with a goth outfit and hairstyle.
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How To Put On Lipstick | Video Explanation
Advice
- Always carry your lipstick, pencil, and lip gloss with you – you may accidentally undo your makeup or need a quick touch-up.
- Highlight Cupid’s bow with a white pencil and blend. This way, her lips will look plumped up.
- After applying the lipstick, blot your lips with a tissue and apply powder on top with a brush. She takes it off and reapplies the lipstick. This will make the makeup last longer.
- If you have particularly dry lips, you could opt for a colored balm, like those of Kiko: it will moisturize and color them slightly.
- Being confident is the secret to wearing bright and unconventional colors with ease.
- It is not necessary to always use colored lipsticks. Nudes are great for a day out with your girlfriends or boyfriend and can still enhance your lips.