Makeup 101 – How to Apply Lipstick

This is part 3 of Make up 101, a series of posts for beginners on how to apply makeup. You can read the rest of the series here.

Happy first of the month! I can’t wait til Xmas and since I’m in the mood, I thought I should write about lipstick this week. I am especially starting to love red lips, if I dare I will try them out this Xmas!

Anyways, I’m sure everyone knows what lipstick does – they make your lips look hot, that’s what! Other than adding color to your lips, some apply lipstick and lip liner to make their lips fuller, smaller, more shapely – whatever the reason, here are the basics on how to apply lipstick.

Application:

1. This step is not really needed, but I’d recommend doing it, especially if you have dry lips. Apply a lip balm to soften your lips.
2. Find a nude colored lip pencil, or a color that matches your lipstick and outline your lip shape with soft strokes instead of harsh lines.
3. Either directly from the tube or using a lip brush; apply the lipstick, starting from the middle of your bottom lip outwards on each side, then your top lip.
4. Use your fingers to blend the edges so there aren’t any obvious sharp lines.
5. Take a tissue and press against your lips to blot the color. This should make it a little less intense.
6. After that, apply one more layer of lipstick. This should keep your lipstick in place!
7. Again, not really needed, but some like to apply lip gloss over the lipstick to soften the color and make it glossy.

Recommended Products:

Clinique lipsticks – I don’t really wear lipstick but I have tried a few from Clinique and I really like them.

L’Oreal Infallible Lipstick – My mom recommends this! It comes with a lipcolor and a balm to seal the color, making this a lipstick that really lasts.

Bésame Cosmetics Enriched Lip Glaze – (Review here.) One of my faves lip glosses.

Clinique Full Potential Lip plumper – (Review here.) Another favorite of mine. I recommend the clear color to fully enhance your lips!

Further reading:

• 16 Lipstick Tricks & tips at About Beauty
• How to Apply Lipstick video from Video Jug
• How to apply lipstick and lip liner at eHow.com

Does anyone have a signature lip color? I don’t have one (yet, I’m on the hunt for the perfect red color!) but if there was something I religiously use on my lips is a Nivea tinted lipbalm. (I’m sure everyone has seen this, you can find this anywhere!)

Image: Kah Zanon