There’s nothing easier than a sheer lip color to make you look pretty. You can start with a clear gloss or balm, which is subtle and beautiful. If you are ready to move on, add a little bit of sparkle to your gloss. The shine will totally change your look. For girls, matte lips aren’t necessary. Dark, matte lipstick will create a really strong mouth and will make you look older. For young, gorgeous lips, I’m more a fan of sheer pinks and berry stains, which are so modern and mistake proof. But go ahead, try it all and see what’s best for your smile.
There are lots of choices when it comes to your lips. I love sheer colors and stains because they are easy to use and look gorgeous. Here are some other choices.
MATTE lasts longer than other formulas because it has more pigment, which helps it stick to the lips. The problem is that this dense product can dry lips out quickly and is often just too strong for some girls.
SEMI-MATTE has more moisture than a true matte, so it is good if your lips are dry, and it has a soft sheen that looks pretty.
LIP GLOSS gives lips lots of hydration. It offers a lot of shine, which makes lips look fuller. I like it on its own or layered on top of other lip colors. Lip gloss comes in sheer color or full color, with or without glitter and shimmer.
BALMS are made from formulas that specifically soften or heal dry lips. They come in clear and tinted varieties. They can also have sunscreen. It’s pretty hard to make a mistake with these.
STAINS offer long-lasting, rich color that penetrates the lip.
CHUBBY LIP PENCILS can be used to define the lips and color them in. They have a creamy matte or sheer texture that lasts a long time.
LIP LINERS are generally used to define the lips and work as a base coat on the entire lip area so that lipstick or gloss on top of them lasts longer.
When you are shopping for that perfect lipstick—you know, that go-to tube you always keep in your bag—let your lips be the guide.
I have found that lipstick colors one or two shades darker than your natural lip color are the most flattering. They are also mistake proof (no chalky red lips or goopy white gloss here).
Go shopping for lipstick with no makeup on and take a good look at your lips. Then find a shade that looks similar to what you see but a bit deeper.
You know you’ve hit gold, or the right shade, when it makes your face and eyes look brighter without a stitch of any other kind of makeup. Pow! That’s the power of lipstick.
Once you’ve found a perfect neutral shade for you, it’s a good guide for going darker or lighter (but don’t go more than one tone lighter than your natural lip color, or your lips will take on a creepy grayish, ashy look). Your shade will still be the basis for more dramatic colors.
Channel your inner makeup artist. If you want to play like the pros, blend the colors from different products right on the back of your hand using a lip brush. If that seems too complicated, you can just use your finger and mix the colors directly on your lips. It doesn’t matter if you start the mixture with a lighter or darker shade. If the color comes out too intense, mix in a little beige, which will mellow it out. But stay away from white, which makes colors look pasty. You can also mix textures to create your own glossy stain or shimmery gloss.
As I said, I love stains. The colors are so easy to put on you don’t need a mirror. Stains are super-cool and modern. But you don’t have to buy a separate product to get the look of a stain. Make a do-it-yourself stain by applying a really dark, bold, or bright shade and then blotting most of it off.
I’m not a big fan of products that call themselves “long lasting” because often they are so dry, they’ll turn your lips into leather. Instead, use a lip pencil as a primer for your lip product. Before you put on lipstick, apply a lip pencil that matches your natural color by completely filling in the lips. Then apply your lipstick, which will cling to the layer of pencil. You can also use a pencil that matches your lipstick after you’ve applied your lipstick to seal in the color. If you don’t have a lip pencil, take a little bit of powder or blush and pat it over your lipstick. Add a bit of balm or gloss on top to remoisturize. Any of these methods will keep your color put.
Lipstick, even gloss, can be smudged or patted on your cheeks for a modern bit of blush. Here’s a tip from the runway: clear gloss can look cool (for a moment) on both cheeks and as an eye gloss. Be careful not to make it too gooey.
Try these looks for parties, dances, and other special occasions. Remember, if you go darker, brighter, or bolder with your lips, keep your eyes toned down and make sure your blush is gently applied. If you use pale lip colors, then you need darker eyes and should add a pop of pretty blush.
Shimmery lipsticks or lip glosses make lips look lusciously full. A gloss with a hint of shimmer in your natural lip color is fine for the day. If you want to add some wattage when you go out, wear a product with shimmer that’s a shade or two deeper or lighter than your ordinary gloss. Wear it alone for a simple, sheer look. Or experiment by layering it on top of different lipstick colors to see what you can come up with.
Before you unleash that red lipstick from its tube or brandish the wand from a red gloss, the first thing you have to do is make sure your lips are ready for the red. Chapped lips look even worse when you apply red lipstick. So pamper that pucker by smoothing eye cream on lips; then use a toothbrush or a washcloth to gently exfoliate away any dry skin before you apply a really red lip.
For the reddest red, look for blue-red and orange-red shades of lipstick. This is the serious starlet red so make sure you have the attitude to go with it. Opt for a creamy, semi-matte formula rather than a totally matte lipstick. Typically, I’m not a fan of teens using a lip brush—it’s just too high maintenance. But I’ll make an exception when it comes to painting red lips. If you use a lip brush to apply the color, you’ll be much more precise. And there’s nothing worse than sloppy red lips. Apply lipstick on the center of the top lip and work outward to the corners. Brush the color on in thin layers, using short strokes. Repeat on the bottom lip. If you want to go even more intense, apply a second layer. Make sure you blot your lips with a tissue after the application to avoid getting any lipstick on your teeth.
