Lipstick can be a tricky beast to master. Do I apply it right out of the tube? Matte or glossy?Should I buy the long-wear formula (and what should I do when I can’t get the darn stuff off)? Lipstick also has the tendency to smear, bleed, and fade throughout the day. I wear bright lipstick at least a few times a week and have finally found the secret to making it look really good (with minimal touch-ups) all day.
My secret weapon: clear lip liner. Like most women, I figured that lip liner was an unnecessary step and skipped it in my daily routine. I thought it was such a chore, not to mention a waste of money, to buy a coordinated lip liner for every lip color I owned. In fact, I didn’t even know clear lip liner existed until my last visit to Sephora.
Like a base coat for your nails, lip liner gives the pigments in the lipstick something to adhere to. Use it to not only line your lips but also fill them in completely (very important!). Lipstick application will be smoother and the color will have extended longevity. By using clear lip liner, your matte lipstick will no longer flake off in patches (anyone who has worn matte lipstick knows what I’m talking about). Also, since the lip liner is colorless, you can use it for every lipstick shade you own! Try it out and let me know what you think, gals!
XO, J
P.S. I apply my lipstick straight from the tube, prefer matte over glossy, and never buy the long-wear formula because I am afraid that it won’t come off!
