By Carla Jelens, Master Esthetics Educator at Tricoci University
Achieving the perfect pout can sometimes be a challenge especially when you’re going for this season’s bolder, richer lipsticks in reds and berries that may not compliment your skin tone. The good news is that there are some simple steps you can take to create those luscious, pout-perfect lips.
Step 1: Exfoliate
Start out by smoothing out your lips. Gently buff them with a lip exfoliator or a warm damp washcloth and then hydrate with a rich lip conditioner stick with vitamin E.
Step 2: Line Them
Keep your lipstick from fading or feathering by using a matching lip liner or one of the new reversible lipliners. This will act like a barrier around your lips to keep the color from bleeding. When lining your lips, don’t forget to feather the color inward and not just lining the outside for the best look as your lip color fades.
Step 3: Go Nude
If you’re using a nude lip color, choose one that is slightly brighter or deeper then your skin tone. If you have fair skin, go for a hint of pink. If your skin tone is more olive or yellow, a sandy beige works best.
Step 4: Be Natural
Base your lipstick tone on your natural lip color, not on your skin. Pale lips look better in cherry red or coral. If you have naturally reddish lips, try hot pink, orange, or cranberry. For dark or African American lips, brick red or burgundy are ideal.
Step 5: Keep it Light
To prevent your lip color from looking heavy, line your lips and then press color into lips with your index finger. This will evenly distribute the color instead of applying it straight from the tube.
Quick Tip: To remove long wearing lip colors, use an oil-based eye makeup remover, coconut oil or olive oil. This will dissolve the lipstick quickly and easily.