Everything you need to know about lipstick

Makeup is never complete without a dash of colour on your lips. No wonder lipstick has always held a top spot in the hierarchy of makeup.

Lipstick is often the base of instant makeovers. A little bit of colour can instantly transform a woman’s appearance from drab to fab, even without the help of other makeup products.

Fortunately, you do not have to break a bank to buy a tube of lipstick. It is easily accessible at a variety of prices hence no woman has an excuse to not have some lipstick pick-me-up.

In fact, records show that during periods of economic hardship such as recession and economic downturns women spend more on lipstick. This is known as the Lipstick Effect.

For such a common and self-explanatory product, there is still a lot that most of us do not know about it and its application. Here are some tips on lipstick application:

Try the foundation trick

Do you want your lipstick to last all day? One of the most effective tricks to help your lipstick last longer is to apply foundation first.

A layer of foundation on your lips gives your lippie something to cling onto. For bold-coloured lipsticks, you might want to wear a little bit of concealer too.

The concealer will neutralise your natural lip colour and make your lipstick shade stand out. Instead of primer or foundation, you can also go for a primer that is specifically designed for lips.

Exfoliate for smooth application

Chapped lips look nasty, and especially so when combined with lipstick. Like with the rest of your body, you should exfoliate your lips to get rid of dead skin cells.

When you exfoliate your lips, your lipstick application will look smoother. Exfoliate your lips weekly with a homemade scrub of sugar and olive oil.

Another simple lip scrub is to apply Vaseline or lip balm on your lips and gently rub off dead skin with a toothbrush or towel.

If you like, you can also go for store-bought lip exfoliators. Avoid lip scrubs containing salicylic acid as it can damage the thin skin on your lips.

Apply lip liner

Getting lipstick all over your teeth is embarrassing. But even more embarrassing is having lipstick ‚bleed ‘all over your face. 

Yet many women skip one step that can prevent this – applying a lip liner! If you want to keep your lipstick from ‚bleeding ‘and feathering, you should not make this rookie mistake.

Lip liner is also a life-saver for thin-lipped women. It can give your lips a fuller appearance and make the colour last longer.

Apply lip liner in thin steady strokes around the perimetre before using it to fill in your lips, after which you can apply lipstick.

When shopping for lip liners, go for a shade lighter than your natural lip colour, nude, or clear shades. This way, the liner will blend in with your skin tone and show off your lipstick colour.

Keep your lips moisturised

Just as important as exfoliating your lips, you should also keep them well-hydrated. Hydrated lips are less likely to chap and flake.

When your lips are well hydrated, lipstick application will be more seamless. Health experts recommend taking at least eight glasses of water a day to keep your body well-hydrated. In addition, apply a moisturising lip balm and avoid licking your lips.

Mind the expiration date

Many women hoard lipsticks way past their expiration dates. But just like you would not eat expired yoghurt, you should not be using expired lipstick. Remember, you will end up ingesting a fair amount of your lipstick.

But you do not have to throw out your lipstick after just a few months. Generally, lipstick is safe for use for about 18 to 24 months after opening.

Unopened lipsticks, on the other hand, is good for two to five years, depending on the brand. Regardless of the expiration date, if you notice changes in texture, consistency and colour in your lipstick or lip liner, it is time to toss it.

Remove lipstick like a pro

Removing lipstick does not have to be a rough process involving countless tissues that further dry out your pout.

You do not need a fancy remover either! You can effectively and easily remove your lipstick with either Vaseline, coconut or olive oil.

In the case of long-lasting matte lipsticks, investing in a matte lipstick remover is highly recommended. These removers are specially formulated to effortlessly remove dry, and sometimes flaking pigment from your lips.

Understand lipstick ingredients

It is also important to understand what your lippie is made of.  Most types of lipsticks are made of wax, oil, and pigment.

While pigment gives lipstick colour, wax shapes it and gives it texture, and oils add moisture. Animal by-products are also used in many lipstick formulations.

Some shiny lipsticks obtain their sheen from fish scales, which are a common ingredient in many pearlescent lip products.

According to a study from the University of California, Berkeley, many lipsticks also contain trace amounts of metals such as lead, aluminum, chromium and manganese.

Scary, right? However, the researchers insist that the levels were found to be too insignificant to cause any health effects.