One of the most challenging beauty tasks is mastering the art of painting your lips. I’ve realized that with time and practice, you only get better. Whether you’re new to applying make-up or you’re a pro with your brushes, we bet there are a few lipstick facts, you don’t know. To ace your make-up game, we’re going to tell you everything you need to know about using the best lip products and how you can make the most of it. Are to ready to give your pout a sexy makeover? Awesome! Here are a few lip make-up ideas we think will help you in the long run. (Good luck!)
Pay Attention To These Lipstick Commandments!
1 Exfoliate like a boss
Just like your body and face requires exfoliation every other week to slough off layers of dead skin, your lips are no different. You could either use a combination of sugar granules and olive oil to scrub those lips or use a store-bought one. Another way of exfoliating the lips is by using an old toothbrush to scrub them thoroughly. This will make your lips smooth and ready for even application of lip colour, ‘coz dry flakiness can ruin a great lipstick look!
Also Read 10 DIY Lip Scrubs To Exfoliate, Brighten & Nourish Your Pout
2. Splurge On Quality
Be it lipsticks or any other cosmetic product for that matter, always go for good quality products from trusted brands. Since a lot of research goes into formulating them, they are a better bet than the ones with a cheaper price tag. You might have to shell out more bucks for them, but trust us, it’s worth it!
3. It’s ALL About The Base
A base doesn’t just make your skin look better, but it does wonders for your pout too. Use a lil’ bit of primer or foundation on your lips and then apply your lipstick. This is a super helpful trick to help the true colour of the lipstick show up on your lips.
4. Stay Away From Too Much Bling
If you like all things glittery and shimmery then we have a piece of advice for you – over the top shimmer and bling can go horribly wrong when it comes to lipsticks. Opt for lipsticks that have just a tinch of subtle shimmer or just swipe a lip gloss over your lipstick to add a glossy finish. This will help you look classy and glam rather than OTT.
5. Befriend The Liner
Not all of us have well-defined lips like Rihanna but why worry when there are lip liners! You can shape your lips with a lip liner to give them a more defined look. Most of us shy away from using lip liners but trust us, they can make a helluva difference to your lips! You don’t have to use a lip liner every day, if you don’t want to – just keep it for the days when you feel like putting a lil’ bit more effort. Just make sure your lip liner matches your lipstick shade, you don’t want to look like a throwback to the 90s with too-dark lip liner.
6. Know your type
Sheer, matte or creamy…what suits you the best? Remember, glossy lipsticks can make your pout look fuller while mattes can make your lips look thinner. Not every kind of lipstick suits everyone – so you need to figure out what works for you like nothing else. Here’s all you need to know about all the various types of lipsticks to find your type.
7. Stay Loyal To Your Squad
Every girl should have a lipstick squad that must consist of basic shades of bright, neutral and nudes. These colours should be your go-to lipsticks – the ones that you can wear without much thought and know that you’ll look great.
8. Always Have Plan B Ready
Women with a perfect pout have a habit of reapplying their lipsticks whenever they feel it’s fading away. A few touch-ups (especially after a meal) will make sure that your lipstick looks fresh all day long. So never forget to stash your lipstick in your bag before heading out.
Master These Lipstick Hacks
1. Stay Loyal To The Primmer
Step one for make-up is to apply a primer. And the same rule applies for your lips too. After moisturizing them nicely, apply a lip primer or dab on some liquid foundation on the lips. This makes your lips the perfect canvas, ready to be painted. Lip Primer is a great way to make your lipstick last longer and bring out its true colour. This lipstick hack is gold!
POPxo Recommends: ColorBar Lip Prime & Care (Rs 700)
2. Dab away!
After you apply the first coat of lipstick, place a tissue between your lips and press them on it. The tissue will soak the excess colour on your lips and make them ready for the next coat. This step is super important, if you ask us.
3. No More Lipstick Marks On Your Teeth
Our reds and hot pinks look stunning on the lips but what plays spoilsport are embarrassing lipstick marks on our teeth. One way to tackle this is by sticking your clean index finger in your mouth, wrapping your lips around it, and slowly pulling it out. This way all the lipstick that would have otherwise stuck on your teeth will come off on your finger.
4. Seal The Deal With Clear Gloss
This one’s a must for days when you want the lipstick to last for long hours. It could be when you’re going out in the night or for a wedding. Apply a coat of clear gloss after you’re done with the lip liner and lipstick. This will seal in the colour and give a healthy, moisturized look to your lips.
POPxo Recommends: Essence XXXL Shine Lipgloss (Rs 229)
5. That Little Bit Extra In The Centre
To make your lips look fuller and for that perfect pout in your selfies, take your lipstick and dab some extra colour in the middle of your lower and upper lip. This hack is sure to get you tons of compliments on that lovely lip look!
6. Highlighters Are Bomb AF
To add that extra oomph to your look and to make your lip colour really stand out, apply a highlighter on your cupid’s bow. This will make your pout look all the more stunning!
POPxo Recommends: Makeup Revolution London Pro Illuminate (Rs 850)
7. Say Cheese!
This goes without saying – no matter what lipstick you apply, you definitely need a smiling face for it to look absolutely stunning. So give us that wide, beautiful smile, ladies.
How To Find One That Compliments Your Skintone?!
It’s important to find the perfect shade so that it syncs well with your skintone. If you have a wheatish complexion, use colours that are a bit deeper. Instead of using a neon pink, starting off with a powder pink or coral may suit you more. If you’re on the darker side, a burgundy or berry shade will look great on you. For those who are on the fairer side, the challenge is not look too washed out. Add a dash of colour with shades like soft pink, apricot or an orange-red.
If you have chocolatey skin try: NYX Professional Makeup Lip Lingerie Liquid Lipstick – Seduction (Rs 650)
If you have cookie brown skin try: Maybelline New York Color Sensational Lip Gradation – Red 2 (Rs 600)
If you milky barfi skin try: Maybelline New York Color Sensational Creamy Matte Lipstick – Ravishing Rose (Rs 575)
Here are all the ‘other’ lip products that should be in your kitty!
1. Milani Keep It Sweet Sugar Lip Scrub
Sweet and delicious, you will literally want to eat this up – but please don’t! It is made with granulated sugar to give you gentle exfoliation, leaving you with soft, smooth lips. No one wants dry, flaky lips, after all. Use it upto 3 times a week to ensure your lips are liquid lipstick ready!
Brand: Milani
Product Name: Keep It Sweet Sugar Lip Scrub
Price: Rs 1,300. Buy it here
Discounted Price: Rs. 1,170
2. M.A.C Lip Conditioner Hydratant
This lip conditioner from M.A.C is the perfect base for your lip liner and lipsticks. It is a nourishing balm that will lock in moisture, giving your lips a subtle sheen while also fighting dryness caused by your lipstick.
Brand: M.A.C
Product Name: Lip Conditioner Hydratant
Price: Rs 1,400. Buy it here
Discounted Price:
3. NYX Professional Makeup Lip Primer
A lip primer preps your lips for the *perfect* application of lipstick. It will boost the wear of the lippie by making it stay in place for long and ensuring that it does not bleed. Brace yourself, because your lipstick never looked better!
Brand: NYX Professional Makeup
Product Name: Lip Primer
Price: Rs 700. Buy it here
Discounted Price: Rs 595
4. Nykaa Pout Perfect Velvet Matte Lip Pencil Combo
This Lip Pencil combo contains the perfect shades you’ll need to get started! From deep reds to dusty pink, these never-fail lipsticks can take your look from day to night instantly. They’re small and totally travel friendly. Just throw them in your daily make-up pouch and you’ll never have a dull day again.
Brand: Nykaa
Product Name: Pout Perfect Velvet Matte Lip Pencil Combo
Price: Rs 674. Buy it here
Discounted Price: Rs.550
5. Neutrogena Norwegian Formula Lip Moisturizer SPF 15
Don’t forget ladies, your lips also need to be protected from the sun. The sun is one of the primary causes of pigmentation on your lips. This lip balm from neutrogena has an inbuilt SPF of 15, making it perfect to be used daily and to protect your sensitive pout.
Brand: Neutrogena
Product Name: Norwegian Formula Lip Moisturizer SPF 15
Price: Rs 175. Buy it here
Discounted Price: 149
6. Fran Wilson Moodmatcher Young Lip Plumper
This lip plumper has a plumping peptide complex as one of it’s ingredients that enhances your lips. For days when you want Kylie Jenner’s pucker, this healthy lip plumper can get you close for a temporarily plumped effect, plus it’s so much safer than going under the knife! You can top off your favorite lipstick with it or wear it alone.
Brand: Fran Wilson
Product Name: Moodmatcher Young Lip Plumper
Price: Rs 690. Buy it here
Discounted Price: Rs. 587
7. M.A.C Cremesheen Glass
The M.A.C Cremesheen Glass gives your lips an intensely creamy, glassy shine. It is non-sticky and adds dimension to your lips. Use it on the center of your pucker to give you instantly fuller-looking lips!
Brand: M.A.C
Product Name: Cremesheen Glass
Price: Rs 1,850. Buy it here
Discounted Price:
These are what you need in your beauty arsenal for a perfectly plump pucker. Now you have no reason to shy away from those matte lipsticks!
Images: Shutterstock
