Lip Makeup

Lip Makeup FAQs

What is lip makeup?

Lip makeup colors and enhances your lips and comes in many forms, including lipstick, lip stain, lip gloss and tinted lip balm. Lip makeup can also treat lips--lip balms will nourish and moisturize your pout, while lip scrubs and lip exfoliators can be used to buff away dry skin and help prepare lips for a smooth, flawless application of lip makeup.

How do you apply lipstick?

Start with an exfoliating product like the Cookies and Dreams Cookie Crumble Lip Exfoliator to buff lips and remove dry skin. Next, use a lip liner like the Love Triangle Vegan Lip Liner in a shade that matches your lipstick to fill and outline your lips. Then apply your lipstick over the liner, using a lipstick brush or your fingers or applying the lipstick straight from the tube. Work from the center outward. Finally, place a tissue between your lips and gently press to blot and set your lipstick in place.

How do you apply lip gloss?

Simply apply a lip gloss like the Lip Plumping Gloss to the center of your lower lip, press your lips together and go. If you want a bit more coverage, apply lip gloss to the center of your lower lip, extend it to each corner and then press your lips together. For a more polished result, fill your lips with lip liner, swipe lip gloss onto your top and bottom lips from center to corner and press your lips together. You can also go back and outline your lips with the liner to refine your lip shape.

How do you apply lip liner?

Start by exfoliating your lips with a lip exfoliator like the Lip Exfoliator to remove dry skin and create a smooth, moisturized lip surface. Place a lip liner like the Love Triangle Vegan Lip Liner at the center of your top lip, aka the Cupid’s bow, and trace your lip from the center out to the corner. Repeat on the other side of the top lip and then line the bottom lip in the same way. Fill in the rest of your lips with the lip liner, then top with matching lipstick, lip stain or lip gloss.

What should I look for when choosing lip products?

If you’re new to lip makeup, start with the basic lip “wardrobe”—lipstick, lip gloss, lip liner and lip balm. These fundamentals will meet the majority of your lip makeup needs. Lipstick and lip liner will give your lips color and polish, lip gloss offers sheer color and shine, and lip balm will nourish and moisturize your lips. As far as lip color goes, choose neutral shades for “everyday” wear, as well as a few more fashion-forward shades such as pink, coral or peach, depending upon your complexion and personal style. For drama, many people embrace rich hues like berry, mauve and red. Lip makeup can be habit-forming—it’s always fun to pick up a new shade or try a new formula like a lip stain or tinted lip oil. And why not? Lip makeup is an affordable indulgence that instantly brightens your look, your outfit and your mood, so treat yourself!