Article: Lip Care Tips for Beginners: Prepping Your Lips for Lipstick
Lip Care Tips for Beginners: Prepping Your Lips for Lipstick
1. Hydration Is Key
Hydration is the first thing that any lip should be prepared with before putting lipstick on. Dry, cracked lips will even make liquid lipstick uneven and flaky on the surface. First, drink plenty of water to keep hydrated from within. Use a hydrating lip balm during the day, even before going to bed. Lip balms can even offer the convenience of moisturising your lips while keeping them sealed off from drying. You may look for a lip balm with ingredients that contain other additional supplements such as Shea Butter, Vitamin E, or Hyaluronic Acid.
2. Exfoliate Regularly
Exfoliating lips is of high importance, especially when you like matte or bold lipsticks since they dry and cause some highlighting on dry patches. You can use sugar and honey-containing natural lip scrub to remove dead skin from your lips. You can also use a clean toothbrush to buff your lips softly whenever you do not have a scrub. Regular exfoliation makes sure your lips are soft, smooth, and prepared for a perfect lipstick application, which can be done every week or two.
3. Prime Your Lips
Lip priming is like prepping your skin before putting on makeup. So, after exfoliating and moisturising the lip area, apply some lip primer or even a small amount of foundation to try to make your lips as smooth as possible. This is important, especially with liquid lipstick, because it tends to keep that colour on the lips for a long time and will not feather anywhere on your lips. It also helps in more intense colour pay-off from the lipstick.
4. Choose the Right Lipstick Formula
This will also depend on the quality of the lipstick you are wearing. If you have dry lips, a creamy lipstick will be a good option for you to get added hydration and comfort. Remember that certain matte formulas are so drying, so prep those lips with a moisturising lip balm beforehand. Lip crayons are also phenomenal for those who enjoy getting that precise application and long-wear benefits, but prep those lips up first to avoid cracks.
5. Line Your Lips
Lip liners help define your lips while keeping the bleed off your lipstick or, worse, preventing smudges. Match the lip liner to your shade of lipstick, which could be a bold red or a subtle nude. Outline your lips very carefully to minimise the appearance. The liner can also be filled into your lips before painting on the lipstick for better-staying power.
6. Layer for Long-Lasting Wear
To be able to make your lipstick last longer, especially for matte lipstick, layering is the key. So you apply that first coat of lipstick, blot your lips with a tissue, and use that excess product off so that the latter coat is the one that fills and creates a more intense colour on your lips. Then you apply a second layer of lipstick that will make your lipstick last longer. The trick works very well, especially if it's bold coloured lipstick.
7. Avoid Over-Application of Lip Balm
The importance of lip balm cannot be overstated, but don't apply too much right before lipstick; it'll slide all around your lips, and it won't adhere as well, especially with liquid lipstick. Apply lip balm at the start of your makeup routine and let it sink in so that by the time you get to the lipstick stage, your lips will be moist but not greasy, giving you a smooth, even finish.
8. Blotting and Setting
Blotting is a classic technique to remove excess product and avoid smudging, especially when wearing creamy lipstick. After your final lipstick application, gently blot your lips with a tissue to absorb any extra product. For liquid lipstick, setting your lipstick with a translucent powder (applied through a tissue) can make it transfer-proof and even longer-lasting. This is a must if you’re wearing dark coloured lipstick like a red, maroon, brown, plum and want it to stay flawless throughout the day.
9. Keep Your Lips Healthy
At the end of the day, it’s essential to remove your lipstick gently, especially if you’ve been wearing long-wear formulas. Use a lip-specific makeup remover or a gentle oil-based cleanser to ensure that your lips are thoroughly clean without being stripped of moisture. Follow up with a nourishing lip balm to replenish any lost hydration and maintain soft, healthy lips.
Prepping your lips is all about maintaining healthy, hydrated lips while ensuring smooth application. Whether you prefer bold lipstick, creamy lipstick, or the ever-popular matte lipstick, following these simple steps will ensure your lips look and feel their best. Remember, healthy lips make for a more comfortable and confident lipstick-wearing experience, no matter the formula.
By incorporating these tips into your lip care routine, you'll be ready to rock any lipstick look effortlessly.
