Kiss plain old lip balm good bye, and liven up your look with
lipstick. Here’s how to choose and use it the right way. In this
Real Simple primer, you’ll find the right formulation for your
needs and learn the best way to apply lipstick for your particular
lip shape. It’s easier than you think
– promise.
Kiss plain old lip balm good bye, and liven up your look with lipstick. Here’s how to choose and use it the right way. In this Real Simple primer, you’ll find the right formulation for your needs and learn the best way to apply lipstick for your particular lip shape. It’s easier than you think – promise.
APPLY YOURSELF
Want lipstick that looks as pretty? You can have it, and it’s not complicated. The following steps reveal everything you need to know to keep your lipstick looking good and have it stay put, from your peck good bye in the morning to your various good-night kisses.
START SMOOTH
The best canvas for lip color is a set of smooth, soft lips. “It’s important to have a flake-free mouth so your lipstick goes on evenly,” says New York City makeup artist Rebecca Restrepo, who made up the lips in this story. To keep your lips in lipstick-ready shape, exfoliate whenever they feel dry or start to flake. Here’s how.
Step 1: After showering or cleansing your face, apply a generous layer of a heavy-duty moisturizer, like Aquaphor or Vaseline, over your entire mouth.
Step 2: Place a warm, wet washcloth on top of your lips. Relax for a few minutes while the heat helps the moisturizer penetrate and soften dry skin. Then gently massage away the remaining moisturizer (and flaky skin) with the washcloth.
Step 3: Add a coat of lip balm to seal in moisture. And don’t be shy about reapplying. Lips have few oil glands and are susceptible to dryness from overheated rooms and frigid temperatures, so using a hydrating nonmedicated balm as needed during the winter is important to maintain softness, says Seth Matarasso, a clinical professor of dermatology at the University of California in San Francisco.
PAINT PERFECTLY
Now that your lips are soft, application is easy. Simply prepare your mouth to give lipstick staying power, then use a few strategies from makeup artists to apply your color.
Step 1: Begin with a fresh coat of lip balm to hydrate your lips, then blot with a tissue to remove any excess, says New York City makeup artist D’Angelo Thompson.
Step 2: Line your lips, using a lip pencil in a shade that matches your natural lip color. “Start at the center of the bow of your upper lip and line outward,” says Thompson. Repeat on the lower lip, starting from the center and, again, moving toward the corners. “Work in short, even strokes to keep the line as close to your natural lip line as possible,” says Thompson. Fill in the lips with a pencil to avoid a ring-around-the-mouth effect. “This also helps your lipstick stay on once you apply it,” says Cover Girl makeup artist Molly R. Stern.
Step 3: Take the time to apply lip color with a small lip brush. “Using a brush gives you better control over how much you put on,” says Toronto makeup artist Julie Harris. Use short strokes, working from the center of the lip to the outer corners. Add a second layer for deeper color.
Step 4: Blot your lips with a tissue to help remove excess color. (Don’t press too hard or you’ll get tissue lint on the lipstick.) To keep lipstick from winding up on your teeth when you smile, says Stern, “put your index finger in your mouth and press your lips around it.” Then pull your finger out, taking stray lipstick with it.
Tip: Instead of testing a lipstick on the back of your hand, which is a very different shade than your lips, dab it on the tip of a finger. The skin there is closer to your lip color.
LIPSTICK JUNGLE
It belongs on your lips, but sometimes lipstick can end up in unwanted places. Here’s how to remove lipstick from…
Clothing: Since lipstick is wax- or oil-based, you need to cut the grease to remove the stain. Dab rubbing alcohol directly on the spot. Next, soak the stain in warm water and dishwashing liquid. (Dawn and Sunlight work well.) Let soak for 10 minutes, gently rub in the detergent, then wash as usual.
Your baby’s cheek: Dissolve the lipstick by dabbing the area with petroleum jelly or lip balm, both of which are gentle on delicate skin. Use a tissue or a baby wipe to clean away the remaining color.
Your drinking glass: To remove it, you’ll need to rub it off with a finger or wash the glass. Next time, discreetly lick your glass before you drink. Lip color won’t stick to a wet rim.
