Pucker Up Buttercup! Lipstick 101...

Pucker up buttercup!

In all of the times I have applied makeup to women I've noticed that they all have something in common. None of them are fans of lipstick. I get it. I have full lips and hesitate to wear a color that is too dramatic for fear that it will look like my lips enter the room before I do. I tend to like a color that is maybe a couple of shades darker than my own lip color and then I use gloss on top of that.

If lipstick is something that is new to you, here is your Lipstick 101.

Colors

Picking a Shade
Like I said for myself, when choosing a lip color, choose one that is 1-2 shades darker than your own lip color. If you're in a makeup store, where you can try colors on, apply it to one lip and compare. If you're in a drug or grocery store, go by the color on the label. Hold it up to your lips in good lighting to see how it matches.

All the Colors of the Rainbow
Fair skin - Choose nudes, apricot, coral or light pinks. Don't go with brown or purples. It tends to not be flattering.

Medium skin - Purples, rosey pinks, berry and deep colors like burgundy.

Dark/black skin - Plum, browns and reds.

Ruby Red Lips

Red lips are a huge trend right now but it's an intimidating color. It comes in many different shades, which flatter different skin tones. If you are fair (pink), go with a more cherry red color. If you have olive skin, you can go more vibrant like fire engine red. If you have dark skin, you can choose a deeper tone.

With red lipstick, I notice it tends to smudge easily. Line your lips first, fill them in and then put on your lip color. For a more solid color go straight from the tube. If you want it more subtle, apply with a lip brush.

Application

Lip Liner - My personal preference is to line the lips first and then fill them in. It's like coloring in a coloring book. It helps to give you a line to follow and keeps your lipstick on better. Choose a color that matches the lipstick. NEVER use a dark liner and light lipstick. It's very outdated and just looks like you ate a brownie and forgot to wipe your mouth.

One or the Other - If you do dramatic eyes, do a neutral lip. If you do a dramatic lip, neutral eyes. It really can be too much of a good thing or like you're in the theater.

Putting it On - You can go straight from the tube for a more solid color or use a lip brush for a subtle application. I put the color on the back of my hand to warm it and apply it with a brush.

Keep it in Place - To avoid getting it on your teeth, after you apply, slip your clean index finger into your mouth, wrap your lips around it and pull your finger out. Any extra lipstick will come off on your finger. Also, to avoid getting it on glasses, lick your lips before you sip.

Brighten Your Smile - If your teeth have a yellowish tint, choose a lipstick color that has a blue base to it. My all time favorite gloss on anyone that makes their teeth look whiter is Maybelline Super Stay 24 Color in Continuous Coral. It looks good on almost everyone.

Mix and Match - If a color is too dark, mix it with a lighter color to customize it.

Trying it On - Don't try samples in stores unless they have disposable brushes to apply them with. Germs, germs, germs.

Big, Beautiful Lips - To make your lips appear bigger, line your lips just on the outside of your natural line. You can also apply gloss just to the center of your lips. If you feel like your lipstick has gone too far outside the line, correct it with a little concealer.

Don't be afraid to try lip color if you never have. Start with with a tinted gloss or balm if you've never worn anything before. Then venture into "real" lipstick. Play around with colors. You can always wipe it off.


And if you're a big ol' smoocher, try the color stay options out there. They stay on great without leaving a trace. Just remember to gloss them up because they can be a little drying.

Kiss kiss!
xo - Bethany