A bright red, matte pucker is all the rage in Hollywood recently and during the holidays it’s fun to try on some glamour for a change. While most of us were not born with beautiful, full, Angelina Jolie lips, I’m here to tell you, you can still play up your pucker with some strategically placed products. Whether you have thin, average or full lips – there is a way to make them stand out.
Try the steps below to get a sensational pout. One word of caution – play up your lips or your eyes, but don’t do both. If you are rocking a bright red pout, use a light hand on your eyes. Vice versa – if you are rocking a smoky eye,
then go lighter on the lip color.
Prepare the Canvas
Even if you just want to go “O Naturalle”, you want to start with smooth, exfoliated lips – especially during the dry winter months. Exfoliating lips two to three times per week can help keep lips beautifully buffed. There are products specifically for exfoliating your lips. Or when in a pinch, use a wet wash cloth while in the shower.
Tip to Pick the Perfect Color
When choosing the right color, remember that lighter colors illuminate
and help make lips appear fuller. Bright, warm colors tend to make lips
look more youthful while darker colors can cause lips to appear smaller. Choosing a makeup company that has a 100% guarantee or your money back gives you confidence to try a new shade.
Step 1
Apply a lip primer on lips, inside and outside your lip line, to extend lipstick wear and help prevent lipstick and lip gloss from feathering and bleeding. Allow to dry prior to applying other lip products.
Step 2 (important step if you have a “bleeding” lip line or want to create fuller or thinner lips)
Next, to erase the existing lip line, apply concealer or foundation to the lips.
Step 3
Next, use a Lip Liner to draw your lip line, following your natural lip line or slightly above or inside the natural top lip (depending if you want to make your lips looks smaller or larger) and around the bottom lip lines. Fill in lips
completely with lip liner to create a matte base that helps increase lipstick
wear. Some companies have a clear lip liner that works wonders and reduces the chance of choosing the wrong shade.
Step 4 – Thin lips only
Dab a small amount of concealer to the center of the top and bottom lips. Having a lighter color in the center of your lips makes them look fuller ( as with clothing, light colors protrude, dark colors regress or diminish).
Step 5
Next, apply Lip color to the top lip, working from the center out. Then apply to the bottom lip, sweeping color from corner to corner. A lip brush is essential if you are wearing a dark shade – it makes application more precise.
Step 6
Apply lip gloss to the center of the top and bottom lips to help make them appear fuller.
A couple more tips:
If wearing a bright red or dark lip color, after applying first coat – press lips onto tissue to get extra color off, then pat with translucent powder and lightly apply color again. This will keep your color on.
After applying lip color, put your finger in your mouth close your lips and pull out. This will help get any extra lip color from getting on your teeth.
Using a highlighter pen to highlight cupids bow and center bottom lip can also make lips appear fuller.
Enjoy the process and the attention you’ll get with your perfect pucker!
Happy Holidays!
Candace Morton
Mary Kay Beauty Consultant
For products, color, application and more beauty tips click here.
