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6 Lipstick Application Techniques That Will Make You a Pro!
Lipstick is a powerful tool in any makeup arsenal, transforming a look with just a few swipes. However, mastering the art of applying lipstick can make the difference between a polished, professional appearance and a messy, uneven one. Whether you’re a makeup novice or an enthusiast looking to refine your skills, these techniques will help you apply lipstick like a pro.
What is the correct way to apply lipstick?
1. Lip Balm: The Foundation of Flawless Application
Before reaching for your favorite lipstick, it’s crucial to prep your lips to ensure a smooth and long-lasting finish. Start by exfoliating your lips to remove any dead skin. You can use a lip scrub or make your own using sugar and honey. Gently rub the scrub in circular motions and rinse off with warm water.
Next, hydrate your lips with a nourishing lip balm. This step is essential to prevent dryness and cracking, which can ruin even the most expertly applied lipstick. Allow the balm to absorb fully before proceeding to the next step.
This helps to smooth out any fine lines and creates a base for the lipstick to adhere to, ensuring it lasts longer and looks flawless.
2. Creating a Perfect Canvas: The Power of Primer and Concealer
A lip primer or a dab of foundation on your lips can create a smooth base, helping the lipstick adhere better and last longer. Additionally, applying a bit of concealer around the edges of your lips can help define their shape and prevent feathering. This step also neutralizes your natural lip color, ensuring it has the same color that is true to its tube color.
3. Defining the Edges: Lip Liner to the Rescue
A lip liner is a game-changer that achieves a precise and defined lip look. Choose a liner that matches your lipstick or is one shade darker. Start by outlining your natural lip line, following its natural shape. For added fullness, you can slightly overline your bottom lip, but be careful not to stray too far from your natural lip line.
Before overlining, make sure you’ve practiced if the look is best for your lip shape. Overlining is best for those with small lips. So if you don’t have small lips, you may want to skip this step.
After outlining, fill in your lips with the liner. This acts as a base for your lipstick and ensures that the color remains even as the lipstick wears off throughout the day.
Use a lip liner that matches your natural lip color or the lipstick shade you’re using. Carefully line your lips, starting from the cupid’s bow and working your way to the outer corners. For a fuller look, you can slightly overline your lips.
4. The Main Event: Apply Lipstick with Precision
Now it’s time to apply your lipstick. You can use the lipstick bullet directly or opt for a lipstick brush for more precision. Starting at the center of the upper lip, swipe the lipstick outward towards the corners. Apply one coat, then gently blot with a tissue to remove excess product and set the first thin layer.
It’s also great for preventing lip stains and making your lips look more defined. You can also use a cotton swab to perfect the edges. For a more intense color, apply a second coat.
You can apply lipstick straight from the tube if you’re using a liquid formulation. If you want a more intense lip, you can apply lipstick on the bottom lip more. For a more defined look, you can use a clear lip liner around the edges. Apply lipstick perfectly with a lip brush.
5. Perfecting the Finish: Setting and Highlighting with Lip Gloss
To ensure your lipstick stays put, lightly dust a translucent powder over your lips. With a light hand or clean fingers, dust off the powder on your lip. This step can help lock in the color and prevent smudging.
Applying a bit of highlighter or a light, shimmery eyeshadow to the cupid’s bow (the dip in the center of your upper lip) can make your lips appear fuller and more defined. It can make all the difference in your makeup application.
To make your cupid’s bow stand out, apply a lighter shade of lipstick or a dab of highlighter to the center of your top lip. This will create the illusion of fuller lips and add dimension to your overall look. If you have small lips, this step is a must.
6. Maintaining the Look
Even with the best techniques, lipstick can fade or smudge throughout the day. Carry your lipstick and a small mirror for quick touch-ups. Blot any excess oil from your lower lip with a tissue before reapplying, and use a bit of balm if your lips start to feel dry.
Lip gloss can have a plumping effect so you may want to apply it when you retouch.
Tips for Choosing the Right Lipstick Shade
Here are some lipstick tips to give you plumper lips and ensure you can properly apply lipstick using the right shade.
Understanding Your Skin Tone
Identifying your skin tone is crucial when choosing the right lipstick. If your veins appear blue and you look best in silver jewelry, you likely have cool undertones, which are complemented by shades with blue or purple bases like berry, wine, and cool reds.
If your veins appear green and you prefer gold jewelry, you have warm undertones, best suited by shades with orange, red, and yellow bases, such as corals, warm reds, and bronze.
Neutral undertones can wear a variety of shades. Fair skin tones look great in light pinks, nudes, corals, and soft reds. Medium skin tones benefit from richer nudes, mauves, and deeper pinks. Olive skin tones are enhanced by warm pinks, oranges, and brick reds, while dark skin tones shine in deep plums, berries, and bold reds.
Considering the Occasion
The occasion plays a significant role in selecting the right lipstick. Natural and neutral shades or soft pinks with matte or satin finishes offer a sophisticated look for everyday wear.
For evening events, go for a bright lipstick color, such as bold reds, plums, or deep berry shades, which make a striking statement. Long-lasting formulas are ideal for avoiding frequent touch-ups.
In professional settings, neutral, pink, or soft berry shades that aren’t too bold work well, with creamy or matte finishes providing a polished and professional appearance.
Lipstick Formulas
Understanding different lipstick formulas can help you make the right choice. Matte lipsticks offer bold, flat colors with no shine and are long-lasting, though they can be drying, so proper lip preparation is necessary. Satin lipsticks balance matte and glossy, with a comfortable feel and slight sheen.
Glossy lipsticks give a shiny, wet look and are hydrating but may require frequent reapplication. Liquid lipsticks are highly pigmented and long-lasting, drying down to a matte or satin finish, depending on the formula.
Personal Preferences and Lifestyle
Your personal preferences and lifestyle should guide your lipstick choice. Comfort is key, so choose a formula that feels good on your lips, especially if they are sensitive or dry. If you need your lipstick to last all day, opt for long-wear formulas and consider using a lip liner as a base.
Some formulas, like liquid lipsticks, require more precision during application, so if you prefer a quicker, easier application, a creamy bullet lipstick might be best.
Experimentation and Versatility
Don’t be afraid to experiment with different shades to discover what you love. Mixing and matching various lipsticks can create custom shades that reflect your unique style. Adjust your lipstick shades according to the season, opting for brighter colors in spring and summer and deeper tones in fall and winter.
Experimentation and versatility in your lipstick shades can help you find the perfect match for any occasion and personal style.
How to Take Care of Your Lips to Apply Lipstick Perfectly
Taking care of your lips is essential for maintaining a healthy, beautiful smile. You can properly apply lipstick if you prep them well. Here are some tips and techniques to ensure your lips stay soft, smooth, and perfectly prepared for any lipstick application.
Exfoliate Regularly
To keep your lips soft and free of dead skin cells, use a lip scrub a few times a week. You can create a simple homemade scrub with sugar and honey or purchase a pre-made one. Gently massage the scrub onto your lips using a soft toothbrush or your middle finger in circular motions.
This will remove flaky skin and reveal a smooth canvas before you apply your lipstick. You can also use a damp washcloth for exfoliating.
Moisturize
After exfoliating, it’s crucial to hydrate your lips. Apply a nourishing lip balm to keep your lips soft and prevent them from drying out. Look for a balm with natural ingredients like shea butter, coconut oil, or beeswax for the best results.
Protect
Always use a lip balm with SPF to protect your upper and lower lips from harmful UV rays. This will help prevent sunburn and keep your lips looking healthy.
Level Up Your Lipstick Game Like a Pro Makeup Artist
Following these steps ensures a smooth, precise, and long-lasting lipstick application. Practice makes perfect, and soon, you’ll be able to apply lipstick with confidence and ease. You don’t have to be a makeup artist to apply the perfect lipstick.
FAQs
What is lipstick application?
Lipstick application is the process of preparing, defining, and coloring the lips to enhance their appearance. It involves exfoliating and moisturizing the lips, using a primer or foundation as a base, outlining with a lip liner for precision, applying lipstick evenly, and setting it for longevity.
Proper application ensures a smooth, vibrant, and lasting finish, complementing one’s overall makeup look.
Do you apply lipstick in the corners?
Yes, applying lipstick to the corners of your lips is essential for a complete and polished look. Start by outlining the lips with a lip liner, ensuring you define the corners, then fill in the entire lip with your lipstick, including the corners. This provides an even, full coverage that enhances the shape and prevents gaps or uneven edges, contributing to a seamless, professional finish.
However, for lip gloss, it’s best to apply it only at the center of your lips.
How do you apply lipstick to different types of lips?
To apply lipstick to different types of lips, tailor your technique to enhance their unique shapes. For thin lips, overline slightly with a lip liner on your entire lips to create the illusion of fullness, and choose lighter shades for a plumper look. You want to achieve a plumper lip if your lips are small.
Stick to your natural lip line and experiment with bold colors or a darker shade for a full lip shape. Use a lip liner to even out the shape before applying lipstick for uneven lips. If you have dry or chapped lips, moisturize before applying a creamy or satin formula to avoid emphasizing dryness. Adjusting your approach based on lip type ensures a flattering, well-defined result.
If you have small lips, blend your lip liner slightly inward to avoid harsh lines that can make your lips look smaller.
Cath initially pursued a Doctor of Medicine degree but eventually shifted her focus to writing. While she remains passionate about health and wellness, she also explores beauty and fashion as a creative outlet. Her diverse interests empower her to blend scientific insight with artistic expression.
