Lipstick woes. I’m sure we’ve all had them. Before you left the house, your lips were painted pretty. But by the time you got to work or finished your morning latte, it was long gone or fading fast. I get asked a lot, “Why does my lipstick wear off so quickly?” “Is there something I can do to make it stay put?” You bet there is. Here are some tips to ensure your lipstick makes a lasting impression.
PREP YOUR LIPS I can’t stress this enough because it really makes a difference in how your lipstick wears. Lipstick holds up best on a smooth surface. When I need to gently buff lips, I use a damp washcloth and Lip Polish to exfoliate. Then I pat on clear lip balm (Episilk is my favorite), let it sink in for a few minutes, then blot with a tissue.
PENCIL IT IN One of my favorite makeup artists, Sam Fine, says he always uses a lip pencil. I couldn’t agree more. Lip pencil adds a layer of pigment and helps color last. The key is to choose one that matches your lipstick. If your lipstick is very dark, then go one shade lighter. Lightly trace the pencil along the inside edge of your lips, then fill in your mouth and blot.
SEMI-MATTE & SATIN FINISH The good thing about many matte lipsticks: They are long-wearing. The bad thing: They can dry out your lips. A happy medium I’ve found are semi-matte and satin-finish lipsticks which are highly pigmented and non-drying. Satin lipsticks yield a creamy, silky finish; Semi-mattes a velvety finish. My faves: ARTISTRY and NARS.
GO BOLD Don’t be afraid of strong color. Go for a bright or dark shade because they have more pigment and they tend to last longer than soft ones.
SWIPE IT ON I like lip brushes for precision application but skip the brush and apply it straight from the tube for richer color payoff. Blot the first coat with a tissue, then add another layer.
FINISH WITH POWDER Don’t worry. The powder won’t dry out your lips if you don’t use too much. Close your mouth, smile and then dust a little face powder on your lips with a fluffy brush. And definitely don’t reapply your lipstick because it could get cakey.
Smooches!
