Not Your Grandma’s Lipstick
The lipstick process may seem intimidating, but by following these simple application steps, you’re sure to be wearing fabulously bold lip colors on a daily basis this summer and beyond. You already know the best color options for the season, so here are the tips and tricks you’ll need to avoid looking clownish with your lipstick, but still having it last longer than 10 minutes.
1. Most important is the need to prep your lips. To exfoliate, you can use a toothbrush, a sugar scrub or a washcloth dipped in warm water. Gently massage your lips in small circles.
2. Apply a soothing lip balm, and then proceed to do the rest of your makeup and get dressed. The longer the lip balm stays on, the softer your lips will be. Remove the lip balm (skipping this step will result in lipstick that doesn’t adhere well).
3. Apply a thin layer of foundation to your lips. The foundation will act as both a primer and neutral canvas for your bright lip color of choice. (Make sure to smile when applying the foundation to fill in any cracks so your lipstick applies evenly.) Blot lips.
4. Line your lips with a pencil in the shade most similar to your natural lip color. Although lip liner may sound 90’s, this step will prevent your lipstick from spreading across your lip line.
5. First apply lipstick at your Cupid’s bow, outer corners and bottom of your lip (using a lip brush will provide the most control). Proceed to connect the dots as you fill in the rest of your lips. Blot lips then apply one final layer of lipstick.
6. Place your index finger in your mouth, close your lips around it and pull it back out to ensure any excess lipstick ends up on your finger and not smeared across your teeth.
7. Using a small makeup brush, touchup any mistakes on the edges of your lips with concealer.
Let the fun continue with these designer runway trends you can copy at home. Try a classic blood red like Burberry Prorsum by applying a bold red color allover with a brush, then blotting with tissue for the perfect matte finish. For smudgy, just-kissed stains like Topshop Unique, try smudging two similar shades together with your fingers for a diffused, ombré effect. Kabuki forwent the lipstick and used lip pencils to define the lip line as well as fill in the lips for a bold, stamped-on look. For an extra pop of color like Lucia Pieroni, apply lipstick all over the lips then blend with a cotton ball before adding a slightly brighter shade to the center of your lips.
