Did you know that lipstick has been around for over 5000 years? Even Cleopatra was known to use lip colours made from various natural vegetable dyes to make her lips more attractive and sensuous. In this brief guide, we will discuss everything you need to know about lipsticks. As a bride-to-be, there will be various occasions where you would need to use this essential makeup item. The right tools and the proper shades can go a long way in getting the lipstick in sync with the occasion.
Today, lipsticks are available in virtually each and every shade. You can even get them in black, gold and other exotic shades. If you have a lighter complexion, you must choose a shade to subjugate your skin tone. Naturally, you must avoid lighter lipstick shades especially pink ones and opt for brighter and darker tones instead.
Things you will need to apply lipstick
- Your favourite shade of lipstick
- A lip liner pencil
- Lip brush
- Moisturizer or balm or chapstick
- Foundation
- Talcum powder/face powder
- Lip gloss (optional)
Applying the lipstick
- Smooth some moisturizer over the lips to ensure that your lips are ready for the lipstick.
- Some makeup artists also recommend lightly brushing the lips with a toothbrush to remove dry skin, prior to applying the lipstick.
- You can even prime your lips by using a little foundation on them.
- Next, dust some face powder/talcum powder over the foundation. This will help your lipstick last longer.
- Use a lipstick pencil/liner to enhance the outer lines or edges of the upper and lower lips. Make sure to keep your hand steady while doing so. You can rest your elbow on a table or a high desk while applying the lip liner.
- Make sure to define the upper lip’s crease (called the Cupid’s bow) properly with the pencil.
- Using a lip brush, start applying your favourite lipstick shade making sure you fill each and every crevice of the lips. Make sure you open the mouth to cover the inner part of the upper and lower lips.
- To make lipstick last longer, blot off the lipstick using a tissue paper. Now, apply the lipstick again. This will also give it a superb matte finish to the lipstick.
- For glossy and smooth finish, apply some gloss on the lips.
Some more lipstick tips
- Always use a lip liner to define the lips.
- Exfoliate the lips once every week to remove dead skin and smoothen them.
- A touch of foundation and face powder can help the lipstick last longer.
- Use a lip brush to fill in colour in slow and well defined strokes. This helps the shade get inside all the crevices of the lips.
- Chill your lip liner/lip pencil and lipstick in the refrigerator for a few hours prior to application. This eases the lipstick application.
- To prevent lipstick from getting on your teeth, make your lips in form of an ‘O’ while applying.
- If you are looking for a just a hint of shade, then avoid using liners and gloss.
- Applying an ice cube over the lipstick after application can help the shade last longer.
- Always apply lip balms or chapsticks prior to application to moisturize the lips.
- Lipsticks should always be the final step of the makeup application process.
Have any more lipstick tips: share them with us!
Featured image: Sabyasachi bride in Lakme Absolute Royal
Other: Wikimedia commons