Valentine’s Day is just two days away, but you should be feeling prepared in the beauty department. You’ve already prepped your pout, landed on your ideal lip product, and nailed down what hue you’re going to sport — now it’s all about making that color last. Whether you’re wearing a lipstick, liquid, stain, or gloss, Natalie Soto, global makeup artist and educator for Jane Iredale, has the hacks you’ll need to lock your look in place.
1. If You’re Wearing Gloss: The key to a long-lasting lipgloss is to not go overboard with your application. “You want to achieve a high-shine, hydrated look without messy, melting lips,” Soto explains. “Apply in the center of the lip and fan the gloss outward to prevent product from collecting on the borders of the lip, which will impact the wear of the gloss.” To set the shine in place even more, apply a touch of powder around your lips to prevent any potential bleeding.
2. If You’re Wearing Regular Lipstick: The best way to secure a standard lip product in place is to create a barrier with a liner. “Begin by creating an X on the Cupid’s bow, followed by lining the bottom lip,” she says. “Use a lip brush, which can also be a life-saver for touch-ups and getting extra life out of your lipstick, to blend out your look.” Finally, swipe your go-to shade on top and you’re set for the night.
3. If You’re Wearing a Liquid Lipstick: Soto recommends using a lip scrub and mask prior to your application, but her biggest hack is to completely remove all remnants of any exfoliator and mask. “Apply the liquid lipstick to totally bare lips and allow each layer to fully dry before applying the next,” she says. This ensures that each layer sets and will last until you remove it. “You can also press a tissue onto your lips after the liquid lipstick dries and dab translucent powder over it to absorb the oils and give you an extra long-wearing, matte look.”
4. If You’re Wearing a Stain: Since stains are so drying, keeping them looking fresh all day (and night) can be tricky, but Soto says that with proper hydration, you can hack your way to extended wear. “A clear lip balm can be applied over a stain throughout the day for kissable lips without disrupting the color payoff,” she recommends. If you go for this option, make sure to dab and pat it on — gliding it across your pucker could leave behind smears. An alternative option is to create a base for extra security. “You can also hack it by applying a liquid stain under a lipstick or gloss to ensure that when the top coat wears off, color will still be on the lips underneath,” she says.
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(Illustration by Yising Chou)
