Get the perfect Christmas lips
As striking and beautiful as a vibrant or deep red lip can be anytime of year, there is nothing more festive (or resistible for that matter) than the perfectly applied red lipstick. Red lips have always been a classic beauty trend that continue to dominate the pages of high fashion magazines and modern models, but can go astray if not applied properly. Follow this step by step guide by make-up artist Jessie Powers as shared in the December 2010 issue of TeenVogue magazine, and soon enough you’ll have the look of actress:
Step One: Exfoliate and condition. “There are so many lip exfoliants out there, so PLEASE exfoliate before applying any color,” insists Powers. To achieve a smooth surface, she relies on Fresh’s Sugar Lip Treatment to eliminate dead skin cells, and then she dabs on a lip balm afterwards. “Let it sit for a few minutes and then tissue it off. Your lips will be so soft!” she swears.
Step Two: It’s time to line. “Lip liner is essential,” says Powers, adding, “A red lip with a clean, defined line is so beautiful.” She loves using Make Up For Ever’s Aqua Lipliner, a waterproof (and, from my experience, completely foolproof) lip liner that comes in a number of shades. “For an intense effect, I will outline my lips with a full red color,” she says. If a subdued look is more your style, do NOT forgo liner; simply choose one in a nude shade.
Step Three: Pick your poison. “I don’t believe that someone with a particular skin tone or hair color should stick to just one shade of red. A warm, neutral, and cool option can work for anyone. It’s lipstick–try it on and see what you think!” encourages Powers. Make Up For Ever’s Moulin Rouge is a great universally flattering color, but for that Old Hollywood retro-glam look, Power prefers their Matte Bright Red. “It’s the classic 40’s shade of red,” she says.
Step Four: Paint your pout. “We’re a lip gloss culture, so a lot of ladies don’t know how to properly apply lipstick. You need to use a precise tool,” stresses Powers. Applying lipstick with a lip brush will help you avoid product build-up, smudging, and imperfections. “Our #3N brush is synthetic with a square tip, and you use it to apply lipstick just like a painter would paint a wall. It gives a consistent and even application,” she explains.
Step Five: Go for the big finish. For those who are ready for a more advanced technique, Powers suggests trying one of her favorite tips. “When we do our eye makeup, we contour the eye. Why not do that to the lips?” she asks. In order to “romance” the lip, she applies a dash of metallic gold lipstick (she prefers the one in the Make Up For Ever Rouge Artist Intense line) to the center of the lips. The result is a sparkly finish that creates the illusion of a fuller, more dramatic pout. To enhance it even further, “Contour the edges and corners of the lips with a deeper red shade and highlight the center with a lighter one,” she advises.
Soon enough you will be looking like Cameron Diaz, Sandra Bullock, Rhianna and other glamorous Hollywood beauties!
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