Pucker up!

Lips. Everyone has them. Lipstick is a fun color to play with, and similar to eyeshadow, everyone can wear every color -- it's a matter of finding the correct shade for your skin.

First things first: the tools.

Lip Liner:  Used to (obviously) line the lips. Liner comes in pencil form only, either sharpen or roll up. Lip liner is designed to keep the lipstick/gloss from feathering outward. Lip liner should be kept as close to the shade of lipstick/gloss that you are using, so a good rule of thumb is to have a warm, cool and neutral color of lip liner to get your color wardrobe started. Once you get the hang of it, feel free to have liner to match each shade of lip product you own!

Lip stick: This should be obvious. It's in a tube. Been around for a while. Lipstick will give the most color payoff.

Lip gloss: Gloss tends to be in a tube that applies with a doe foot (looks like a q-tip) or with a brush at the end. Gloss is sheer, and does not provide a lot of color, but does provide a nice shine.


Many makeup brands are starting to come out with all kinds of other kinds of lip products -- stain, glaze, etc. While they are nice, they're just fancy names for the 3 basics.

Ok, now that we know what to use, let's talk about how to use it.

Lip liner should not be obvious. Liner can be used to correct lip shapes that are not even, but is mainly there to keep your lip color from feathering out. Liner should be a natural color, or (even better) as close to the lip color you're wearing.

Quick Tip! Use liner all over to maintain your lip color longer.


To create the illusion of bigger lips, use gloss on top of your lip color, but mostly in the center of your mouth.



Try to use lip colors that work with the other colors you're wearing -- if you wear warm colors in your makeup/clothes, use a warmer lipstick (warm = brown, red, olives, oranges, etc). If you're a cooler person, use a cooler lipstick (cool = blue, purple, pink).

The best rule to keep in mind: when in doubt, ask your best friend. If they look at you like you've lost your mind, probably not the color for you.

SOME PLACES TO TRY BEFORE YOU BUY

Merle Norman

MAC

Clinique

Mary Kay

Bobbi Brown

Many drugstores will allow you to bring back a lip product after you have used it (and changed your mind). Check your store's return policy to be sure.