Getting those perfect lips are an obsession for many.
After all, our mouth is one of the more noticeable focal points of our face.
We can all use tips and techniques that will help us improve our appearance.
When we feel good about our appearance then we exude the confidence that makes others feel good about what they see in us (and on us) as well. Beautiful lips contribute to that feeling.
Because there is a wealth of information on the internet through retail websites, beauty blogs, forums and YouTube, we are virtually guaranteed that we can become our own makeup artist at home…but it’s a lot of information to digest on the road to perfect lips so where do you start?
Time Well Spent for Beautiful Lips
Since we typically spend more time on our hair and on our eyes, maybe some will feel that slapping on a little lip color is all there needs to be. And for those, maybe perfect lips aren’t essential.
Well here’s something you may not have considered – lips have been proven by the expects to be one of the most important focal points of your face. And just maybe, some of those experts know what they’re talking about.
After doing a lot of research on our journey to decoding the perfect lips; we collected some lip and lipstick tips and tricks. These tips will help you achieve the look of beautiful lips and you might find a few surprises.
Tips for Achieving the Perfect Lips
Lip makeup can look exactly the way you want it to. It can make you look younger, or older, or make your lips appear thinner or fuller. It all depends on the kind of look you are trying to achieve. That is why, we have here, different tips on doing up your lips, that will give you a chance to flaunt them and make them kissable and desirable.
Save Them Before You Paint Them:
Lip balm is not only good for dry, cracked lips, it also makes a great base for lip makeup, and protects them from the harshness of various cosmetics. Apply a good, protective layer of lip balm before you begin.
Get in Shape:
Use a lip liner to outline your lips. Choose a shade that is close to the lipstick you are going to use. After applying the liner, use a lip brush to gently blend in the liner, but still maintain the line. Not only does a lip liner define the shape of the lips, it also prevents the lip from spreading into tiny lines around the mouth. For instance, if you want to give your upper lip a sharp 'V' dip, a lip liner is the ideal way to achieve it. If your lips droop at the corners, you can use a lip liner to give them a slightly lifted appearance.
Color Me Red (or Pink, or any shade you like):
To be able to make the lipstick last longer, it is important that you apply it twice. Choose a shade that complements your skin tone. Some of you may want to jazz it up by using red. However, remember that it is neither suitable for teenagers, nor for very old women. It suits women only of a particular age group.
Moreover, if your lip color is slightly on the darker side, using a mild foundation on the lips will make the lipstick appear as it is on your lips, and allow for longer wear of the lipstick. After the first application of the lipstick, press a tissue between the lips and blot the color, followed by a second application. This will make the lip color last longer.
Gloss it Up:
Dab a bit of gloss on your lips to give them a fuller look. Women who are already blessed with full lips should avoid using gloss, as it further enhances the fullness of the lips. In some cases, you may use gloss without the lipstick. This is especially helpful when you are trying to achieve a nude look for the lips.
Always use a lip makeup remover to remove all the makeup, as prolonged application may affect the color and texture of the lips.
The procedure for lips of different shapes and sizes is the same as above, only the intensity of application of each product will vary.
Thin Lips
For thin lips, when using the lip liner, apply it just outside the edge of the lips. Don't go overboard, as this will distort the shape of your lips. Choose a color that is similar to the lipstick you are applying. Fill in the lip color, and use gloss at the center of your lower lip, to give them a fuller look.
Full Lips
For thick lips, you can do without the use of the lip liner. However, if you still want to use it, apply it just around the inner edge of the lips. Blend the liner well with a lipstick of your choice. Try to avoid darker shades, as these will make the lips stand out further. Avoid the use of lip gloss.
If you want to get great looking lips that shimmer, try applying sparkling eye shadow over the top of your lipstick to create a new shiny shade. To achieve a pouty mouth, emphasize your top lip by dabbing a touch of gloss in the center. Oh, by the way, there is little credible evidence that lip plumpers work, so carefully consider that expensive product before buying.
Some women might even want to opt for permanent lip makeup. However, it is an expensive procedure, and not feasible for many. Moreover, with these tips, and being the natural beauty you are, do you really think you need a 'more' permanent solution to your problem?
Curious Lipstick Facts
After all, our mouth is one of the more noticeable focal points of our face.
We can all use tips and techniques that will help us improve our appearance.
When we feel good about our appearance then we exude the confidence that makes others feel good about what they see in us (and on us) as well. Beautiful lips contribute to that feeling.
Because there is a wealth of information on the internet through retail websites, beauty blogs, forums and YouTube, we are virtually guaranteed that we can become our own makeup artist at home…but it’s a lot of information to digest on the road to perfect lips so where do you start?
Time Well Spent for Beautiful Lips
Since we typically spend more time on our hair and on our eyes, maybe some will feel that slapping on a little lip color is all there needs to be. And for those, maybe perfect lips aren’t essential.
Well here’s something you may not have considered – lips have been proven by the expects to be one of the most important focal points of your face. And just maybe, some of those experts know what they’re talking about.
After doing a lot of research on our journey to decoding the perfect lips; we collected some lip and lipstick tips and tricks. These tips will help you achieve the look of beautiful lips and you might find a few surprises.
Tips for Achieving the Perfect Lips
- When testing lipstick in a store, apply it your fingertip in lieu of your palm or wrist because your finger tip is a closer match to your natural lip color.
Lip makeup can look exactly the way you want it to. It can make you look younger, or older, or make your lips appear thinner or fuller. It all depends on the kind of look you are trying to achieve. That is why, we have here, different tips on doing up your lips, that will give you a chance to flaunt them and make them kissable and desirable.
Save Them Before You Paint Them:
Lip balm is not only good for dry, cracked lips, it also makes a great base for lip makeup, and protects them from the harshness of various cosmetics. Apply a good, protective layer of lip balm before you begin.
Get in Shape:
Use a lip liner to outline your lips. Choose a shade that is close to the lipstick you are going to use. After applying the liner, use a lip brush to gently blend in the liner, but still maintain the line. Not only does a lip liner define the shape of the lips, it also prevents the lip from spreading into tiny lines around the mouth. For instance, if you want to give your upper lip a sharp 'V' dip, a lip liner is the ideal way to achieve it. If your lips droop at the corners, you can use a lip liner to give them a slightly lifted appearance.
Color Me Red (or Pink, or any shade you like):
To be able to make the lipstick last longer, it is important that you apply it twice. Choose a shade that complements your skin tone. Some of you may want to jazz it up by using red. However, remember that it is neither suitable for teenagers, nor for very old women. It suits women only of a particular age group.
Moreover, if your lip color is slightly on the darker side, using a mild foundation on the lips will make the lipstick appear as it is on your lips, and allow for longer wear of the lipstick. After the first application of the lipstick, press a tissue between the lips and blot the color, followed by a second application. This will make the lip color last longer.
Gloss it Up:
Dab a bit of gloss on your lips to give them a fuller look. Women who are already blessed with full lips should avoid using gloss, as it further enhances the fullness of the lips. In some cases, you may use gloss without the lipstick. This is especially helpful when you are trying to achieve a nude look for the lips.
Always use a lip makeup remover to remove all the makeup, as prolonged application may affect the color and texture of the lips.
The procedure for lips of different shapes and sizes is the same as above, only the intensity of application of each product will vary.
Thin Lips
For thin lips, when using the lip liner, apply it just outside the edge of the lips. Don't go overboard, as this will distort the shape of your lips. Choose a color that is similar to the lipstick you are applying. Fill in the lip color, and use gloss at the center of your lower lip, to give them a fuller look.
Full Lips
For thick lips, you can do without the use of the lip liner. However, if you still want to use it, apply it just around the inner edge of the lips. Blend the liner well with a lipstick of your choice. Try to avoid darker shades, as these will make the lips stand out further. Avoid the use of lip gloss.
If you want to get great looking lips that shimmer, try applying sparkling eye shadow over the top of your lipstick to create a new shiny shade. To achieve a pouty mouth, emphasize your top lip by dabbing a touch of gloss in the center. Oh, by the way, there is little credible evidence that lip plumpers work, so carefully consider that expensive product before buying.
Some women might even want to opt for permanent lip makeup. However, it is an expensive procedure, and not feasible for many. Moreover, with these tips, and being the natural beauty you are, do you really think you need a 'more' permanent solution to your problem?
Curious Lipstick Facts
- Women will use up to 9 pounds of lipstick in their lifetime. Think about this the next time you pick up a 5-pound bag of sugar.
- Lipstick sales statistically increase on the days weather is gloomy.
- Not surprising, lipstick is the most commonly shoplifted item…good things come in small packages!
- Men caught wearing lipstick during the French Revolution were considered sympathetic to the aristocracy and were at risk for getting their heads removed by the guillotine.
- According a past issue of the ‘Ladies’ Home Journal,’ 65% of women use lipstick daily and 25% won’t leave the house without it.
- No one was permitted to wear red lipstick on the sets of some of Elizabeth Taylor’s films since the siren side of Taylor was based off wearing red shades.
- It is said that Elizabeth Arden’s obituary read “she treated women like horses and horses like women.” That may have stemmed in part from the fact that she was said to have applied her signature pink lipstick to all her horses’ mouths…really?
- Seriously, who today thinks they can’t touch up their lipstick in public? Apparently only 75% of women who wear lipstick think this is not a breach of etiquette.
- 90% of women feel that wearing lipstick makes them feel better about themselves and don’t do it to attract men.
- 75% of women select shades they feel look best on them and don’t wear a particular color to suit their plans. (Further validation of how smart women are!)
- Surveys suggest that most lipstick wearers would rather give up a prize possession than give up their lipstick.
- Not a big surprise here…70% of men polled think red lipstick is sexy.
- Some world-wide cosmetic companies claim to sell one lipstick per second.
- How many lipsticks do you own? Women surveyed in a 2010 poll showed that 40% owned more than 20.
- A poll in 2002 stated that 37% of women believed their lipsticks helped them flirt their way out of a speeding ticket. (That just goes to show you that you should wear red lipstick when driving!)
- A 2007 poll reported that 82% of women felt less confident in the workplace and in dating if they didn’t wear lipstick.
- We only throw 10% of our unused lipstick away.
- About 15% of our lipstick goes down the drain when we shower or wash our faces.
- We leave 5% of our lipstick behind on our drink glasses, coffee cups, water bottles and soft drink cans.
- We leave another 5% of our lipstick on forks, spoons and knives when we eat.
- 30% or more of our lipstick ends up in our stomach, more so with the flavored shades due to lip licking and eating.