Enhance Your Pout: How To Apply Lipstick Perfectly

I remember when I first started applying lipstick. It was a year into college and I had just started understanding my love for a bit of pop on my lips. But I would do a pretty shoddy job (obviously). In a rush to make it to my early morning class, I’d end up swiping my lipstick the wrong way or too quickly or without prepping my lips, and end up with dry, faded, chapped lips with hints of patchy pigments by noon.

If I could travel back in time, a pro tip that I would have definitely given to my younger self is just a few scrolls away (a video clip awaits, you’re welcome). Yes, there’s a series of steps that can get you the perfect pout, trust. To be absolutely honest, there are no ‘rules’ to correctly applying lipsticks , but there are sure-shot ways to make sure that your lipstick doesn’t smudge, dry out, fade away or make your lips chapped. Below are easy, effective and quick steps that’ll truly alter (for the better) your lipstick routine, without eating up your valuable time before you start your morning hustle.

Perfecting how to apply your lipstick correctly is no easy feat, and it should be at the top of your list when you’re a beginner. It’s one of those skills you must acquire, much like riding a bike or knowing how to swim. Learning how to apply lipstick perfectly isn’t exactly difficult. Read on to know how you can do it like a pro with our top tips and tricks.

How To Apply Lipstick Perfectly

1. Exfoliation

Your lipstick, especially if you’re using mattes, can tend to flake off your lips or worse, crack in places. Being the most important (often overlooked) step, exfoliation is a must. Use the scrub at least 15 minutes before the application. The scrub takes off that surface layer of dead skin giving you a great canvas to work with. Place the exfoliator on your lips and rub gently. You can also use a toothbrush to really get in there and eliminate dead skin.

2. Moisturisation

After exfoliating, your lips will feel a bit bare. This is the time to generously slather on some lip cream or balm to hydrate them. The lip balm will also prevent them from looking dry and cracked and allow the lipstick to simply glide on.

3. Foundation

Next, pat on some foundation. If you want the maximum colour payoff from your lippies, this step is unmissable. If you have darkened or pigmented lips, never skip it because it’ll create an even tone all over your face. As you can tell, flawless application has more to do with prep than the actual application, so just be patient and do your groundwork right.

4. Lip Liner

We can’t emphasise enough the importance of liner when it comes to applying nude, red or even vampy lipstick shades. It creates a well-defined boundary for your lips, for precise application. All you need to remember are the criss-cross (X) and hyphen (—) shapes. Start with creating an ‘X’ tracing your cupid’s bow. Next, create a hyphen on the lower half of your lower lip, directly below your ‘X’. Next start lining your lips from the edges. Keep your liner horizontal and draw a line pulling towards the ‘X’ on the upper lip and the hyphen on the lower lip- one side at a time.

5. Lipstick

Whether it’s directly from the bullet, with a brush or a liquid formulation, the process is the same. Start applying it within the boundary you’ve created around the pout on your lower lip first. Once you’ve practised enough times, you’ll get it in one swipe, however, if you don’t- don’t stress, girl. Split your lip into sections and put it on by pulling inwards, towards the centre. Now purse your lips, pull them in and say “Mouse”. You’ll see that your lipstick has transferred to your upper lip. Don’t worry, that’s what we’re going for! Again, split your upper lip into two, and repeat as you did the lower lip, swiping towards the X of your cupid.

6. Concealer

Just in case you mess up, make sure you have your concealer ready, pumped out on a thin, angular brush. In the event that you’ve painted outside the lines, use your brush and cover it up. Another way to cover up your mistake would be to use an earbud soaked with makeup remover and wipe off the mess. Use the dry side to blend your foundation back in place.

7. Make It Last

To prevent smearing and straying off your lipsticks, you need to add some steps to ensure it stays put. Avoid that coloured smile, you know the one we’re talking about, where your lipstick gets on your teeth, by simply sticking your finger in your mouth, pursing your lips and pulling it out. You’ll see all the extra colour left behind on your digit. Another way to make it last is to place a tissue on your pout and dust it with loose powder. It’ll lock in the formula and keep it in place for hours.

Step-By-Step Guide To Applying Lipstick

Step 1: A Coat Of Lip Balm

The skin on your lips is a lot more sensitive than the rest of your face. Thus, your lips need more hydration, especially before a coat of lipstick. In fact, some lipsticks that have a matte finish or a tinted texture can make your lips even drier. Thus a nourishing lip balm as a protective, moisturising layer before applying your lip colour is a must.

Turn to balms with shea or cocoa butter that have powerful hydrating properties. Need another reason to use a lip balm? Think of it as a primer for your lips before makeup, for an easy lipstick application. You can go for a lightweight, fast-absorbing, yet hydrating formula that won’t hinder the colour pay-off of the lipstick.

Step 2: A Liner For Definition

Well-defined lips lead to the perfect pucker. Think of this as your lipstick mantra. Before you begin to paint your lips with lipstick, make sure you line your lips with a similar shade of liner. Remember as kids we’d struggle to paint inside the lines? Consider liners godsent... Also, lip liners are textured in a way that helps your lipstick stay put and avoid bleeding.

The trick is to stick to your natural shape, begin from the edge of your lips and draw the liner into the centre. The best part:? If you wish to master the viral feathered lip trend, you can use a soft and light shade of lip liner and blend it in with your balm, making the perfect base to achieve the look.

Step 3: Colour In With The Liner

It’s a pro tip we learnt from our favourite MUAs to ensure long-lasting colour, use the lip liner to colour your entire lips before actually adding on your lipstick. It acts as a base for your colour and even if the to\]p layer of your lipstick fades after some time (or a couple of glasses of water), the liner still stays intact.

In fact, if you have lips that dry out too fast, use a liner that is moisture-rich. It will not only stay in place but also keep your lips comfortable and nourished.

Step 4: Apply Your Lip Colour

Your lips are now prepped for the lipstick. Apply your lipstick starting from your cupid’s bow. You can try cross strokes from each tip of your cupid’s bow and then fill in the rest of your lip. This simple, and effective style of applying lipsticks ensures that your lips are coloured and shaped perfectly, without it smudging.

If you’re mixing two colours (as most of us do), add the second colour after entirely coating your lips with the first. The second colour can be added to the centre of your lips, patched onto the rest of the area and then blended. You can use a brush if you’re not confident with blending.

Step 5: Protect With Gloss

If you love glosses as much as we do, you will understand the vitality of this step. Not only does a lip gloss add a gorgeous shine to your lipstick, but also safeguards your colour (it’s true!). Whether you end up sipping coffee or caught in the rain, a lip gloss will give your lip colour an extra layer of protection.

While a transparent lip gloss is ideal for the last coat, you can also match the colour of your gloss with your lipstick. Smack your lips together and voila! You’ve got a lip colour that defines your lips perfectly, gives them dimension, and stays in place all day long.

5 Lipstick Application Tips & Tricks

Applying lipstick the right way is not just about elevating your makeup look. The lip colour when applied right can enhance the overall aesthetics, define the lip shape, and bring focus to the face. Here are our top tips and tricks for applying lipstick

• 1. Exfoliate: Use a sugar scrub to exfoliate the lips and remove dead skin cells. This ensures lipstick goes on smoothly without any visible skin flakes.
• 2. Moisturise: Apply an SPF-infused lip oil to protect the skin from harsh UVA/UVB rays and moisturise the lips for a plump appearance.
• 3. Conceal: Yes, the 90s had a concerning ‘concealer lip’ trend that we are all trying to forget. But we’re not talking about that. Just use a small dab of concealer to define the lip shape and cover any blemishes around the lips.
• 4. Primer: Use a lip primer to reduce the appearance of cracks and fine lines on the lips. It also increases the longevity of your lip colour.
• 5. Set It: After applying the lipstick, place a tissue over your lip and dust translucent powder for a long-lasting effect. While this adds a matte finish at first, it’s temporary and your lipstick will return to its original finish after a few minutes.

Parting Thoughts

If you’ve been wondering how to apply lipstick properly, we hope this guide helps you with everything you need. Basically, all you need to ensure is that your lipstick looks smooth and is set in place to prevent smudging. Using tools like a precision brush and products like lip scrubs and primers also help you achieve the perfect pout.

FAQs

1. How do I prepare my lips before applying lipstick?

   Use a scrub to create a smooth surface and apply a lip primer before applying your lipstick.

2. Do I need to use a lip liner?

   Yes! Lip liners help create an even base and are especially important if you have two-toned lips. They also help define the lip shape and enhance the shade of your lipstick.

3. How can I make my lipstick last longer?

   Set your lipstick with translucent powder to make it last longer. You will simply have to place a tissue over your lips and dab the powder with a sponge.

4. Should I use a lip brush to apply lipstick?

   Yes! Using a precision brush to apply lipstick allows you to build thin layers and achieve the perfect application.

5. How do I prevent my lipstick from smudging?

   Apply loose powder over your lipstick to set it in place to prevent it from smudging.