PURE Spa Top Tips: Make-Up #101: Lips

Statement Red Lips
Statement Red Lips via Kayture.com

Next in our Make-Up Tips series, we’ll be looking at the lips!

The perfect pout is the ultimate beauty look. From scarlet siren to muted mistress, getting your lip colour right can tie up your whole beauty look.

Feeling a bit down and out & drab one day? Apply a slick of lipstick to uplift your look instantly. It’s the ultimate feel-good technique!

In fact, in the words of the lipstick loving queen herself, Elizabeth Taylor..

Lipstick
Put on some lipstick! Via Pinterest

But, what of the different types of lip products and techniques available? It’s enough to get your head spinning!

So, we’ve written our PURE Spa & Beauty guide to lipstick for all you confused ladies..

Choosing The Colour

Bobbi Brown, one of the most well-known beauty industry names, is vocal about her colour-matching belief. In an interview with Allure Magazine (the ultimate beauty lover’s bible!), Bobbi said that:

“The most versatile lipstick you can own is a shade that’s just a bit brighter than your natural lip color. It will even out and define your lips the way a subtle coat of mascara draws attention to your eyes. For some people, that color is a peachy brown or rosy pink”

With that in mind, it’s worth finding the perfect neutral shade to accentuate those smackers!

Red Lips

Want to rock out with red but not sure if pillarbox red will suit you undertones? Lauren Conrad has come up with an easy-peasy colour guide which is perfect to cut out and keep in your handbag!

Lipstick Colour Guide by Lauren Conrad
Lipstick Colour Guide by Lauren Conrad

Simple! As a guide, cool tones should go for a classic pillarbox red, warm tones should go for  an orange-coral red. If you’re lucky enough to have neutral undertones – go forth and conquer! Any tones should suit you between those two shades.

Dark Lips

Berry Lips
Berry Lips via Pinterest

Want to go to the dark side..?

Cool toned ladies should go towards dark berry-plum shades and warm toned ladies can go for a deep red. Matte or glossy, the choice is yours. Vamp it up!

PURE Spa Top Tip: When it comes to brands, we love Revlon and Max Factor for high-street lipstick loveliness or Chanel and MAC for that luxurious high-voltage lip look!

Miranda Kerr
Supermodel Miranda Kerr in all her lipstick pouting glory!

Applying Your Lipstick (and making it last!)

When it comes to applying lipstick, it can be a bit of a fiddly business! Just as getting that eyeliner flick right is a tough one, painting your lips with a steady hand is a challenge in itself. But, once you get the basics right, it should be like riding a bike!

  1. Prep your lips by brushing lightly in circular movements with an old toothbrush (or lip exfoliator, if you’re feeling luxurious! We ♥ the Lush Bubblegum Lip Scrub)
  2. Draw the moisture back in with a dab of lip balm (like the wonderful Elemis Lip Revive)
  3. Time to line! Use a lip liner in a very similar shade to your desired lipstick colour and draw around, ensuring the cupid’s bow is perfectly shaped.
  4. Next, fill in your lips with the lip liner to really build the foundation for your lip colour
  5. Start to paint! We recommend using a lip brush to ensure an immaculate finish. Remember to stay within the lines (a bit like your childhood colouring book..!)
  6. After the first coat, grab a tissue and purse it between your lips to get the excess colour off
  7. Apply a 2nd coat
  8. Finally, dust lightly with translucent powder to really help it set!
  9. Ta-da! Perfect lips!

PURE Spa Top Tip: After a glossy look? Skip the translucent powder and go straight for a slick of lipgloss instead! Perfect for all those glamorous nights out..

PURE Spa Top Tip: Lipstick should be thrown away after 2 years! Even though it’s one of the longest-lasting products in your make-up bag, 2 years signals its use-by date..!

And there you go! Your ultimate Lipstick #101 guide! Got any other top tips to share? Let everyone know in the comments below