Makeup for Beginners: How To Apply Lipstick
Makeup for beginners: How to apply lipstick
If you know me well and have been following me on Instagram for a while, then you know I looooooooove a good lipstick. In fact, I love a good lip product period. Whether it be lip gloss, balm, lipstick, matte, metallic, red, blue, purple, green. If you name it, I have probably tried some form of it.
One thing I have noticed in recent years is that whenever I do a lip swatch video, I often get comments about applying lipstick and how seamlessly it seems like I do so. And while I do not consider myself a beauty professional or even perfect when it comes to applying lipstick, I have noticed that it is a bit easier and effortless for me to put on lipstick. And I know there are so many women out there who may be interested in wearing and learning how to apply makeup but haven’t got the slightest idea where to start.
Lip products provide the final touch to your makeup, without it no look is complete. And even if you aren’t rocking a makeup look, just a dab of lipstick or lip gloss on the lips can brighten any face and polish every look. But there’s nothing worse than having bomb lipstick and when you start to talk, it’s all over your teeth or smudged all over your face. For the best results, you will need a steady hand, some practice, the correct materials and some knowledge of the correcting techniques.
So I thought in today's post I’d share a few tips for the beginner who wants to learn how to apply lipstick or any lip product for that matter. Yes we are living in mask-laden times but that doesn’t mean you can’t practice how to apply lippies to your lovely pout. Now, let's start with the basics.
Here’s what you will need:
A selection of finely sharpened lip pencils/ lip liner·
Lip gloss·
Lipstick
A nourishing lip balm/ lip conditioner
Facial tissue
+/- A narrow, flat ended brush
Here’s what you need to do:
For the best results, I always try to make sure my lips are smooth as butter before putting on lipstick or gloss. Nothing ruins a good lip look like chapped, flakey, uneven, patchy lips. So I recommend exfoliating your lips at least once or twice a week to help combat dry, flakey whenever you’re putting on lippies. This creates the perfect canvas for your lipstick, lip stain or lip gloss to work its magic. Okay, now that we’ve prepped our pout, let’s get down to business.
Step 1: Apply Lip Liner
Choose a lip liner that complements your skin tone and closely matches the shade of your chosen lipstick. Use a sharp lip liner pencil in a shade close to that of your lipstick colour and with a steady hand, lightly outline the lips. For the upper lip, start at the center and work out, towards the corner of the mouth. For the lower lip, work from side to side. Don’t worry if the inner lines aren’t perfect because the lipstick will cover it up. What you want to pay more attention to is the outer lines.
The use of a lip liner helps to define your natural lip line, reshape and perfect the contours of the lips; and to also prevent the lipstick from getting messy so you get a more polished look. You can also use a lip liner to subdue a louder lipstick colour that may not be your perfect lip colour.
Step 2: Prime the lips with some lip balm
Most beauty gurus and websites tend to tell you to apply your lip balm/ conditioner or chapstick and let it sit for a while before you apply your liner. And you can definitely do that if that’s your preference. However, I personally tend to apply my conditioning lip product after I apply my liner. There’s something about smooth lips that gets me. Not only does it make your lips soft and supple, but it also helps to keep the lips smooth to help give you an even lipstick application.
Step 3: Apply the Lipstick
Alright, so we’ve prepped, we’ve primed and we’ve lined our lips and now it’s time to apply the main attraction - the lipstick. Beginning with your top lip; place the lipstick at the center of your lip and working outwards to one side and then the other side. With your lower lip you work on the lipstick moving from side to side without piling on too much colour. You can use a lip brush to smooth the lipstick on the lips and spread the lipstick to any spot you may have missed. This gives you a bit more control over your application. Once on the lips, smudge in the lipstick lightly by pressing lips together.
Step 4: Blotting Off Excess
Fold a clean tissue and place it between your lips. Press the lips lightly together to remove the excess colour and to help seal the remainder, so that it stays on the lips rather than moving onto every glass you use. You can also use the tissue to wipe off any smudges that you see along the contours of your lips. To make lipstick last even longer, dust a little powder on the tissue before blotting.
Step 5: The finishing touch
Now this step isn’t a must. But, I love to add a little shine at the end so I usually add a little light clear lip gloss on top for a more dewy look.
And Voila!
You have just perfectly applied your lipstick. It isn’t uncommon that you won’t get it perfect on the first try. But, with some practice, you’ll be a lipstick wearing pro in no time.
Bonus Tips:
If you have thin lips
Experts recommend overdrawing your cupid's bow and the fullest part of your bottom lips with your lip liner (i.e. drawing it a bit higher above your lips instead of around your natural lip line). This helps lips to look a bit fuller.
If you have fuller lips
It is recommended to use a medium to dark lip liner (drawn to match your natural lip line) and to wear deeper lipstick shades than your natural lip colour. This helps in making your lips appear smaller.
For long lasting lip colour
Applying a sheer layer of foundation on lips and dust powder on them before applying lipstick is said to help the lip colour last longer.