World Lipstick Day: A Beauty Guide To The Perfect Pout

“If you’re sad, add more lipstick and attack” – Coco Chanel

There are few things in the world that can instantly spice up both the look and our attitude, and one of those things is lipstick. Lipstick not only helps to make a statement, but it’s also a fun way to play with different looks, all while improving your mood.

But what if you’re not a lipstick fan? Well then, what better way to spend World Lipstick Day than by reading our guide on how you can get the perfect lipstick?

Beauty Guide to the Perfect Lipstick

1. It has to be moisturizing

There’s nothing more uncomfortable (and unsightly) than a lipstick that dries out your lips and leaves them with a caked appearance. This is why it’s always important to choose a lipstick that’ll not only make your lips pop, but it’ll also keep them moisturized.

The Revlon Super Lustrous Glass Shine Lipstick is a great lipstick that’ll help keep your lips moisturized, thanks to its blend of aloe and hyaluronic acid – both of which have hydrating qualities.

2. Make it creamy

A creamy lipstick not only provides a vibrant look, but also makes application easier. If your lipstick isn’t creamy, then it won’t glide as easily on your lips, leaving you with a patchy appearance.

The NYX Professional Makeup Soft Matte Lip Cream not only gives off a vibrant color, but its soft and creamy coverage provides a beautiful matte finish.

3. It Should Be Long-Wearing

How many of us have time to pull down our masks and reapply our lipsticks? That said, if you really want to invest in a lipstick that’ll still look good 8 hours after you’ve applied it. This lipstick should still look flawless after a day of face masks, air kisses, healthy lunches, and endless ZOOM meetings.

The Rimmel London Lasting Finish is a great budget lipstick that not only provides long-wear, but its soft and creamy finish will have you wanting to reapply it just for the feel.

4. Transfer-Resistant

In the world of face masks, the last thing you want is a lipstick that flies off your lips as soon as your lips come into contact with something, be it a face mask, your teeth, or someone else’s cheeks.

The KVD Vegan Beauty Everlasting Liquid Lipstick is a vegan product that provides a long-wear and transfer-proof finish.

5. Great Color Payoff

I don’t know about you, but I don’t wear lipstick for the feel of it. If my lipstick doesn’t color my lips, then why bother? The last thing you want is to have a lipstick with a poor color payoff, which will then force you to apply more layers to build up color, and that’ll just waste product.

So, it’s important to find a lipstick that has a great color payoff, like the Pat McGrath Labs MatteTrance Lipstick, which not only has an amazing color payoff but its lightweight and hydrating formula is long-lasting on the lips.

6. No Bleeding

The last thing you want is a lipstick that forgets its place and decides to bleed outside the lines of your lips.

Now, while there are application techniques that can help prevent this, wouldn’t it just be easier to choose a lipstick that knows how to behave and doesn’t bleed? A lipstick like Smashbox’s Always On Matte Liquid Lipstick. The long-lasting lipstick has an applicator that allows for precise application, preventing bleeding of any sort.

7. Not Too Sticky

The last thing you want is a lipstick that glues your lips shut. The texture of a lipstick can cause stickiness, so you’ll need to choose a product that has a smooth texture and it doesn’t make it feel like your lips have been bound together for life.

The Charlotte Tilbury Pillow Talk Lipstick provides a polished formula, thanks to vitamin E and safflower seed oil, that’ll leave your lips smooth and hydrated.

8. Smells As Good As It Looks

Now, while it shouldn’t smell good enough to eat, there’s no reason as to why your lipstick should smell like plastic. If it does, then it’s probably expired, or it contains ingredients that you and your lips should not be touching.

If you’re a coffee-lover, then you’ll definitely enjoy Maybelline’s SuperStay Coffee lipstick that not only has an enticing coffee scent, but it’s also long-lasting and transfer-resistant.

10. Complement Your Skin Tone

No matter how good a lipstick looks on the shelf, or on the makeup lady at the counter, that doesn’t mean that’ll look good on you too. This is why it’s important to choose a lipstick that complements your skin tone.

How can you do this? Simple – choose a lipstick that flatters your skin’s undertone.

Cool undertones

If your veins appear to be blue or purple, you probably have cool undertones. Choose lipsticks that have blueish and purple shades – berry colors, such as the RMS Russian Roulette vegan lipstick. If you’re looking to wear red lipstick, choose a shade that’s more cherry red.

Warm undertones

If your veins appear to be green, you probably have warm undertones. Choose lipsticks that have orange hues –  fiery reds, terracotta browns, and bold oranges. To get that fiery red look, try the Trust Me from Colourpop Lippie Stix as it’s a great vegan alternative to Mac’s Ruby Woo.

Neutral Undertones

If they are a mix of both, you may have neutral undertones): You can play with a variety of shades, from mauve shades to pink hues to berry colors. As such, we recommend the Champagne on Ice shade from Revlon.

How to apply lipstick perfectly

Now that you know how to choose the perfect lipstick, here’s a how-to guide on how you can flawlessly apply your lipstick.

1. Exfoliate your lips

Mix honey with some sugar, dipping a wet toothbrush into the mixture, and then gently rubbing your lips with the mixture.

2. Prepare your lip

Using a lighter foundation or your concealer, apply a small amount all over your lips. This won’t only act as a primer, but it also hides any hyperpigmentation on your lips, as well as prevents bleeding.

3. Use a lip liner

A lip liner will help to provide definition, so make sure to apply lip liner around your lips. You can also put lip liner all over your lips as this will provide definition.

4. Apply the lipstick

It’s the part you’ve been waiting for. Start by placing the lipstick in the center of your upper lip and then work outward, moving the lipstick across your upper lip from the center to both corners, until the entire lip is covered.
Repeat the same thing on the bottom lip, starting from the center and working outward.

5. Blot your lipstick (optional)

If your lipstick isn’t transfer-proof, blotting it can help to reduce the transfer. To blot your lips, grab a tissue or napkin, hold it in between your lips and gently press down.

If you don’t have a tissue or napkin, you can use a setting powder to blot your lips. Grab a brush, or your fingers, and lightly tap a small amount on your lips.