Lipstick Tips - How to Apply Lipstick Perfectly

New To Lipstick? Try These Tips

If you're not used to wearing lipstick - and many of us from the "gloss generation" are not - it's hard to know how to apply a thick colour.

If your mother is anything like mine, she often told you that without lipstick you're not ready to face the world. She was always the type to leave the house in the morning, be it for a grocery run, a doctor's appointment or a carpool drop off, coated perfectly in something bold and beautiful - paired with a nighty, sometimes. No matter what the outfit, a coat of lipstick can finish your look, or so she said.

She was a pro. But to us newbies, the wrong color lipstick, or too heavy a lip liner, can ruin your overall look. Many women who are unsure of how to wear lipstick think that any colour will do, any texture will work, and every lip is pre-primed for an application.

Not so. If you notice that lipsticks bring out the flush in your face, the shadow above the lip, or simply make your pucker look dry - read on!

Perfect looking lips are attainable, and you can always have lips that look runway ready simply by following a few important tips:

Colour Selection:
The best way to choose the right shade for your skin tone is to make sure to match the shade of lipstick to the inner color of the lip. When the lip is in an exaggerated pout - think 'puppy-dog face' - that is the perfect time to check the inner lip. Pinkish insides beg for pinkish colours, whereas reddish tones require richer hues. The shade will most likely be the same shade, or maybe slightly darker than the natural lip color.

Application:
1. When applying foundation, continue over the lips to provide a base for lip liner and lipstick. By making your face and lips all one colour, it's like priming a canvass.
2. With your lips tightly shut, trace a fine line around the lips with a sharp pencil. Sharp is key. With a blunt pencil, you run the risk of looking like Selina (may she rest in peace). A blunt pencil will make blending more difficult. Start at the "bow" of the top lip and move outward to lip corners by making short strokes, never one continuous trace. Rest your hand on your chin for better control. After you have penciled in the top lip, begin from the middle of the bottom lip and move outward also. Follow the natural lip line and shape.
3. Do not try to make lips look larger by drawing over the lip line. With a rich colour that suits you, your lips will stand out enough, no matter how thin they may be.
4. Lipstick will stay on longer if the whole lip is filled in with lip liner before lipstick is applied. If you decide to use this technique, be aware that darker lip liner will darken the look of your lipstick. If you are going for a light look, use a light lip liner.
5. Now that lips are filled in, apply lipstick with a lipstick brush (using a lip brush will give you more control). When lipstick has been applied, with lips closed, lay a tissue across both lips to blot. The lipstick brush is the key to perfect application, and the lipstick when applied with a brush always lasts much longer.

You are ready to go, with perfect lips! Continue with touch ups during the day. If you are not used to wearing lipstick, it will probably take some time to get used to having your lips done and not eating away at the lipstick. But in a few days, you'll be used to the feeling, and looking great.

Style Lisa
		About the author:
		I love fashion more than life itself. My mother says my first word was Gucci! When I'm not sitting front row at FashionWeek, I'm blogging, reading and watching my favourite TV show, Gossip Girl.
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