Who doesn’t love a good lipstick? A quick swipe can make you feel polished and pulled together in seconds.
Beauty vlogger and founder of Look Fabulous Forever, Tricia Cusden, says lipstick is an anti-ageing must-have for mature women, as it adds an instant pop of colour and defines your lip line (both tend to to fade over time).
If you've been wearing the same lipstick for a while and wondering why it doesn't have the same youth-boosting effects it once did, it could be time to make some easy changes to your routine.
So, along with Tricia we asked makeup artist Ruby Hammer, Bobbi Brown Pro Makeup Artist Aimee Morrison, and Estée Lauder Pro Artist Emma Tillman what the most common lipstick mistakes are - and what to do instead!
1.Applying makeup over dry, flaky lips
Polishing lips with a gentle scrub (or gently brushing with a toothbrush) removes dry, flaky patches of dry skin, boosts circulation and instantly makes your lips feel smoother and look plumper. "Having smooth lips gives great colour payoff too so weekly exfoliation is a step I never miss," says Aimee.
2. Forgetting to use lip balm
Once you've exfoliated, locking in moisture will help to keeps lips soft and supple. For an intensive treatment, layer on a rich, buttery balm overnight or dab on a light layer of lip balm before you apply your lipstick for a smooth, hydrated canvas. Be sure to remove the excess so the texture isn’t slippery, which could cause your lipstick to smudge.
3. Not using lip liner
"Product tends to migrate over the edge of the lipline as we get older, causing even much loved-lipsticks to look fuzzy," says Tricia. Lip liners work by creating a barrier between lipstick and your skin, which helps to prevent the lipstick from bleeding into fine lines around the mouth.
"As a general rule, a liner that matches your natural lip colour should work with most lipstick shades," says Aimee. You could also use a colour-free, 'invisible' pencil, which will work with every lipstick shade.
4. Applying lipstick straight from the bullet
"As we age, lips can lose definition so using a lip brush helps to create a stronger, bolder outline," says Ruby. "I like to use the brush to take lipstick right to the edge of the lips for a smoother, cleaner finish. You can also use the brush to add shape back to your cupid's bow."
Diego Dalla Palma Diego Dalla Palma Lip Brush
Otis Batterbee Otis Batterbee Double-Ended Lip & Eye Brush
5. Wearing the wrong shade
We think you should wear whichever colours make you happy, but working with your skin’s natural undertones (which are either cool or warm) helps you to choose lipsticks that will instantly lift and brighten your complexion. "Work out your skin’s undertone by looking at the veins in your wrists; if they look green then you’re warm, if they’re blue or purple that means you have cooler undertones," says Emma. "Warmer skin tones suit coral-spiked reds and peach-tinted nudes, while cooler skin tones work well with blue-based reds and pink nudes."
Yves Saint Laurent YSL Rouge Pur Couture Lipstick
