MAKEUP 101: Lipstick Hacks

A simple swipe of a lipstick could entirely change a person’s look. No matter how tired you are, a little effort in applying a lipstick will brighten up your face. Lipsticks also have the ability to lighten your teeth, with the right shade of course.

With that, we move on to the problem most people encounter: Finding the right shade of lipstick for your skin tone. A person with a lighter skin tone is said to be lucky since they can pull off pretty much any kinds of lipstick. It is somewhat true, but a person with a deeper skin tone can also wear any lipstick color, it just needs to have a deeper shade.

There are many problems that people encounter when it comes to lipstick. So, listed below are some of the lipstick tricks I’ve learned over the years.

One of the best lipstick tricks I have learned is turning your satin or glossy lipstick into matte. Simply blot your lips, reapply then blot again. If you want more color, use a powdered blush and dust it over your lips. You may use a 1 ply tissue, put it over your lips, then use a makeup brush to apply some blush on your lips. This will mattify your lipstick.

In addition to the mattifying trick, one trick I learned is to set it with setting spray. First, apply the lipstick (or liquid lipstick) then lightly pat or dust some powder on top of your lip (preferably the finely milled powder) then set it with setting spray, or just regular water. Sometimes the lip color will lighten depending on the powder you used, but it will last longer.

                Lots of people want different shades of lipstick. Though it can be expensive, I’ve figured out a way to make different shades of lipstick. Simply mix the product with a lip brush. You can also layer one product over another to lighten a lipstick. To have a plumper lip effect, apply a lighter lipstick on top of a darker one, and then blend it by smacking your lips together lightly.

                Applying lipstick with a lip brush is helpful when you want to be precise. Load up the product on your lip brush, and then apply it to your lips. By using a lip brush, you can also avoid excess product build up on your lips. Using your fingers is also helpful, but you might end up with a creamy and colored finger mess.

                Turn your matte liquid lipstick into an eyeliner. This is achievable by using a flat and small angle brush. Just pretend that your liquid lipstick is a gel eyeliner. Just be sure to use a matte liquid lipstick, or else you’ll end up with a disaster on your eyes.

To make lipstick’s color pop, apply a foundation to your lips first to erase the lip’s natural color, use a lip pencil to outline the lips, and then apply the lipstick. With regards to that, you can also make the lipstick last longer by blotting then reapplying.

                I do not recommend applying a lip balm before your lipstick. Doing so will make your lipstick bleed or feather faster. What you should do is apply lip balm, then do the rest of your makeup. Afterward, lightly rub your lips with a handkerchief or a towel, this shall subtly exfoliate your lips, but make sure not too rub harshly. Line your lips then apply lipstick. I rarely use my lip pencil since I’m too lazy to do so, but my lipstick is still long-lasting because I do not apply lip balm, and I blot all the time. 

                You can play around with different shade of lipstick to check if a lipstick will suit you, but the most basic tip is people with a deeper skin tone would look better in darker shades of lipstick, and people with a lighter skin tone would look great in lighter shades of lipstick. Though, it will still depend if you have a warm or cool undertone.

Warm toned lipsticks tend to have an orange shade or hint of yellows. They will look great on people with warmer skin tones. While cool toned lipsticks have a plum shade or a hint of blues. These kinds of lipsticks would suit people with cooler skin tones. 

The chart below shall help you properly decide what shade will suit you.

Chart from jesikamua.blogspot.com

Do not be scared to be bold with your lipstick choices! We have charts to show people what would most likely suit them, but it doesn't automatically mean you should stick to that. Try and test out different shades with different finishes. 

Have fun!