Lip Color Application

February 13, 2010

Application Tips for Soft and Smooth Lip Color

A. Exfoliate your lips.

Use an exfoliating, moisturizing lip product, a scruffing cleanser (Green Tea Scruffing Milk Cleanser works nicely), or rub a rough facecloth across your lips. Diane Irons recommend brushing your lips with your toothbrush after brushing your teeth. Not sure about this one as just thinking about it tends to be uncomfortable. If you try this, be gentle because the bristles may tear the sensitive skin if care is not exercised.

B. For the smoothest, most professional appearance, always apply lip color with a brush.

Yes, it makes that much difference. Use a lip brush for all forms of color: dry or wet minerals, cream lip minerals, gloss, or any lip tube color.

C. Avoid habitual use of matte lipsticks advertised for all-day wear.

Matte lipsticks lack moisturizing oils and can be extremely drying (which is what helps these lipsticks stay put for so long). Use them sparingly, but especially when your lips are chapped. Instead, alternate use of them with moisturizing lip colors that contain Vitamin E and are not full of synthetics, or use a hydrating balm or gloss in place of lip color if your lips need healing. If you just must use a certain long lasting matte formula, precede its application with a moisturizing lip balm. (See also: Lead in Lipstick in Lip Care )

D. For a sophisticated sheen and to add fullness to your lips,

apply a swish of a mineral shimmer powder across the middle of your lower lip. Glossy lip stains are beautiful, long- lasting, and all natural. Mix with a slight touch of gold or silver mineral color for an elegant look.

E. Increase the staying power of lip color:

Dust clean dry lips with one of the finishing powders. Apply lip color as usual, place a tissue over your lips and dust lightly with loose powder. Apply a second coating of color. How to tell if a lipstick has staying power: The more soft wax a lipstick contains, the shinier and more emollient it is, and the harder it it is to keep the pigment in place. Wax melts, so if it’s a hot day, creamy lipsticks take a beating.. Matte lipsticks have more staying power, but are drying and often irritating to lips. Lighter lip colors and lip stains are prudent choices for hot weather.

F. Keep lip color from bleeding by applying a smooth base of a finishing powder

or Flawless Finish Liquid Powder. Lip stains are less likely to move around. The best lip colors glide on and leave only a modest layer of pigment behind. To test whether a lipstick will tend to migrate, run the lipstick across the back of your hand. Notice if it is very slippery and deposits a large amount of lipstick on the skin. If it deposits a large amount of pigment that slides around the skin, it will be more likely to travel on your lips as well. The best defense though is to prime your lips with a dusting of powder before applying color.

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