Choosing the best lipstick for you is easy! No more money wasted! Learn the tricks...
How much time and money have you spent on finding the perfect lipstick for you, only to be disappointed? (and broke!)
Well, no more!
I am here to help!
It is easier than you might think to find the perfect product for you!
There are countless brands available, with endless colors, textures, sizes... you name it.
OPTIONS:
The absolute BEST way to get the perfect shade for you is to go to a makeup counter and try them all.
Of course, only those of you with loads of free time will do this!
Grab a girlfriend and head to the makeup store! Wear your usual foundation and eye makeup. Try each color on and look at yourself in natural light. The color that makes you feel gorgeous is the shade for you.
OKAY... I know. You probably don't have that much time. So the more practical idea is to figure out your coloring and go from there.
COLORING:
In general, every person can be divided into either the cool, neutral or warm category.
I will be honest. It took me years to figure out my exact coloring profile and find the perfect shades for me. BUT. It doesn't have to take you that long.
Now, each main category can also be broken down into clear or muted.
---For example, I am a muted, warm skinned person. Therefore, I wear... (surprise!!!) muted, warm colors. Soft greens, warm browns, blue/greens, soft purples, warm pinks, creams, etc. I stay away from (because they make me look like a sick dog): black, white, blue red, royal blue, yellow, cool pink, etc.
The best lipstick colors for my type of coloring include the warmer shades (meaning they lean toward yellow tones, rather than pink or blue shades).
To determine your color, I recommend gathering a bunch of clothes or scarves and look at yourself (with no makeup on) in sunlight. Have a friend there for advice. Hold each color up to you and look at yourself in a mirror. Does it make your eyes light up and your skin glow? Or does it wash you out and make you look pale and sallow?
If you look good in cooler colors (think cold pink, blues, black, yellow, blue red, royal blue, deep purple, white, etc), then you have cool coloring.
If you look good in warmer colors (think brown, cream, sage green, peach, aubergine (brownish plum), tomato red, rust, etc), then you have warm coloring.
Some people are obvious. If you have pinkish skin, ash blond, deep chocolate brown or black hair, blue or gray eyes, then you are most likely a cool-skinned person. Choose colors that have a pink or blue undertone. (cool pink, mauve, fuscia, magenta, lavender, etc)
If you are a redhead, have golden blond or brown hair, brown or turquoise or green eyes, and golden skin, you are warm-toned. Go with warmer colors, like browns, brownish plums, tomato reds, peachy pinks, salmon, peach, etc.
If you just cannot decide, you might be a neutral. So you'll need to just try colors till you find the one you personally like. You will most likely look good in most shades.
If all this sounds like mumbo jumbo to you and you're totally confused, then just go with the trial and error route. Try till you like!
If you are ordering online, you might wish to buy samples before buying full size products, just in case you get a shade you don't like.
NOW... if you simply cannot decide, go with a shade that looks great on most everybody: Nude pink.
TEXTURE:
Lipsticks come in so many types that you might get overwhelmed.
Shimmers are great for attracting attention and giving a nice glow to the lips.
Pearls or satins are great for most people, as they just give a hint of shimmer.
Matte shades do not contain any shimmer or shine, so be careful with these. They can make your lips appear dry if applied too heavily or to dry lips. So exfoliate and moisturize your lips well if using a matte color. (Not sure how? Just scrub your lips with your toothbrush, then apply lip balm. Do this at night and you will notice a difference in the morning!)
LONG-LASTING vs. TRADITIONAL:
There are so many lip products these days, claiming to last all day without smudging. If that is your desire, I recommend going with a lip stain instead. You can also top them with gloss if you like some glow to your lips.
Most of the supposed long-lasting lipsticks just don't work, honestly. Try a sample or a tester first to see just how long it really will last.
MISTAKES:
If you buy a lipstick that just doesn't look good on you (I have done this too many times to count now!), you have other options, rather than just throwing it away.
You can give it to a friend (cut off the top so you don't spread germs).
You can apply a different color on top to see if the mix looks good on you.
Try topping the lipstick with a gorgeous colored gloss to help correct the color.
Apply the lipstick to the pads of your fingers, then tap onto cheeks and blend. Cream blush!
Give it to your child as a "paint stick" for them to color with.
Scoop into a small container and melt in the microwave or on the stove in a small pan. Mix in other lipsticks or lip-safe mineral powders to change the color. Pour into a pot or lip balm style tube and allow to cool.
Use in scrapbooking to add color to your pages.
Apply to art pieces, like polymer clay before baking, to give some color and shimmer.
APPLICATION:
Now we get to the good part!!!
Obviously the basic lipstick application is to open the tube, rub onto lips and smack lips together till blended. You know that already.
So, here are some application tricks that you just might not have thought about!
-Apply loose powder mineral foundation or other type of loose powder to lips first before applying lipstick. This gives a good base.
-For a natural look, just slick on your color.
-For a more dramatic makeup look, line your lips with a matching liner (avoid the hideous mistake of applying a dark liner with a pale lipstick... not attractive).
-For fuller lips, line just outside your natural lip line.
-For smaller lips, line just inside the natural lip line.
-Either way, when applying liner, begin at the center of your lips and glide your lip pencil out to the edge of your lips. Keep in mind that this step is defining the shape of your lips, which is one of the most important steps!
-Now relax your mouth till your lips form a soft O shape.
-Then apply your lipstick beginning at the center of your lips, and sweeping outward to each side, one at a time.
-Apply to the upper lip first, then the lower.
-Smack your lips to blend.
-Dust on loose powder of some sort or blot with a tissue
-Reapply
-Top with gloss if d esired, or with lip balm.
-Stick your finger in your mouth, close your lips around it, then pull your finger out. This will remove any excess lip product that might cling to your teeth. Ewww!!
-For a fuller lip, apply some white powder in the bow of your upper lid. This will make it appear as if the light is reflecting off your upper lip, thus giving a fuller, more pouty look.
How much time and money have you spent on finding the perfect lipstick for you, only to be disappointed? (and broke!)
Well, no more!
I am here to help!
It is easier than you might think to find the perfect product for you!
There are countless brands available, with endless colors, textures, sizes... you name it.
OPTIONS:
The absolute BEST way to get the perfect shade for you is to go to a makeup counter and try them all.
Of course, only those of you with loads of free time will do this!Grab a girlfriend and head to the makeup store! Wear your usual foundation and eye makeup. Try each color on and look at yourself in natural light. The color that makes you feel gorgeous is the shade for you.
OKAY... I know. You probably don't have that much time. So the more practical idea is to figure out your coloring and go from there.
COLORING:
In general, every person can be divided into either the cool, neutral or warm category.
I will be honest. It took me years to figure out my exact coloring profile and find the perfect shades for me. BUT. It doesn't have to take you that long.
Now, each main category can also be broken down into clear or muted.
---For example, I am a muted, warm skinned person. Therefore, I wear... (surprise!!!) muted, warm colors. Soft greens, warm browns, blue/greens, soft purples, warm pinks, creams, etc. I stay away from (because they make me look like a sick dog): black, white, blue red, royal blue, yellow, cool pink, etc.
The best lipstick colors for my type of coloring include the warmer shades (meaning they lean toward yellow tones, rather than pink or blue shades).
To determine your color, I recommend gathering a bunch of clothes or scarves and look at yourself (with no makeup on) in sunlight. Have a friend there for advice. Hold each color up to you and look at yourself in a mirror. Does it make your eyes light up and your skin glow? Or does it wash you out and make you look pale and sallow?
If you look good in cooler colors (think cold pink, blues, black, yellow, blue red, royal blue, deep purple, white, etc), then you have cool coloring.
If you look good in warmer colors (think brown, cream, sage green, peach, aubergine (brownish plum), tomato red, rust, etc), then you have warm coloring.
Some people are obvious. If you have pinkish skin, ash blond, deep chocolate brown or black hair, blue or gray eyes, then you are most likely a cool-skinned person. Choose colors that have a pink or blue undertone. (cool pink, mauve, fuscia, magenta, lavender, etc)
If you are a redhead, have golden blond or brown hair, brown or turquoise or green eyes, and golden skin, you are warm-toned. Go with warmer colors, like browns, brownish plums, tomato reds, peachy pinks, salmon, peach, etc.
If you just cannot decide, you might be a neutral. So you'll need to just try colors till you find the one you personally like. You will most likely look good in most shades.
If all this sounds like mumbo jumbo to you and you're totally confused, then just go with the trial and error route. Try till you like!
If you are ordering online, you might wish to buy samples before buying full size products, just in case you get a shade you don't like.
NOW... if you simply cannot decide, go with a shade that looks great on most everybody: Nude pink.
TEXTURE:
Lipsticks come in so many types that you might get overwhelmed.
Shimmers are great for attracting attention and giving a nice glow to the lips.
Pearls or satins are great for most people, as they just give a hint of shimmer.
Matte shades do not contain any shimmer or shine, so be careful with these. They can make your lips appear dry if applied too heavily or to dry lips. So exfoliate and moisturize your lips well if using a matte color. (Not sure how? Just scrub your lips with your toothbrush, then apply lip balm. Do this at night and you will notice a difference in the morning!)
LONG-LASTING vs. TRADITIONAL:
There are so many lip products these days, claiming to last all day without smudging. If that is your desire, I recommend going with a lip stain instead. You can also top them with gloss if you like some glow to your lips.
Most of the supposed long-lasting lipsticks just don't work, honestly. Try a sample or a tester first to see just how long it really will last.
MISTAKES:
If you buy a lipstick that just doesn't look good on you (I have done this too many times to count now!), you have other options, rather than just throwing it away.
You can give it to a friend (cut off the top so you don't spread germs).
You can apply a different color on top to see if the mix looks good on you.
Try topping the lipstick with a gorgeous colored gloss to help correct the color.
Apply the lipstick to the pads of your fingers, then tap onto cheeks and blend. Cream blush!
Give it to your child as a "paint stick" for them to color with.
Scoop into a small container and melt in the microwave or on the stove in a small pan. Mix in other lipsticks or lip-safe mineral powders to change the color. Pour into a pot or lip balm style tube and allow to cool.
Use in scrapbooking to add color to your pages.
Apply to art pieces, like polymer clay before baking, to give some color and shimmer.
APPLICATION:
Now we get to the good part!!!
Obviously the basic lipstick application is to open the tube, rub onto lips and smack lips together till blended. You know that already.
So, here are some application tricks that you just might not have thought about!
-Apply loose powder mineral foundation or other type of loose powder to lips first before applying lipstick. This gives a good base.
-For a natural look, just slick on your color.
-For a more dramatic makeup look, line your lips with a matching liner (avoid the hideous mistake of applying a dark liner with a pale lipstick... not attractive).
-For fuller lips, line just outside your natural lip line.
-For smaller lips, line just inside the natural lip line.
-Either way, when applying liner, begin at the center of your lips and glide your lip pencil out to the edge of your lips. Keep in mind that this step is defining the shape of your lips, which is one of the most important steps!
-Now relax your mouth till your lips form a soft O shape.
-Then apply your lipstick beginning at the center of your lips, and sweeping outward to each side, one at a time.
-Apply to the upper lip first, then the lower.
-Smack your lips to blend.
-Dust on loose powder of some sort or blot with a tissue
-Reapply
-Top with gloss if d esired, or with lip balm.
-Stick your finger in your mouth, close your lips around it, then pull your finger out. This will remove any excess lip product that might cling to your teeth. Ewww!!
-For a fuller lip, apply some white powder in the bow of your upper lid. This will make it appear as if the light is reflecting off your upper lip, thus giving a fuller, more pouty look.