How to apply lipstick

A woman’s smile speaks volumes, revealing her beauty, charm and mood; hence why lipstick needs to be applied perfectly! Here are the secrets of a sublime smile.

Make-up essentials:
- a lip base or balm;
- a lip brush;
- a lipstick;
- a lip liner that’s one tone deeper than your lipstick;
- a tissue;
- loose powder and a large brush.

Choice of lipstick
There’s a huge range of lip colour out there. Choose one you like that suits you:

- Glossy lipstick makes lips shiny but isn't long-lasting.
- Transparent lipstick highlights your smile with a very natural look.
- Matte lipstick is long-lasting and gives lips a smooth, ultra-sophisticated look.
- Satin/Sheer lipstick results in an intense, glossy colour and gives lots of coverage.
- Pearly/Frosted lipstick adds sparkle to your smile with light-reflecting effects.

Choice of lip liner
Your lip liner should be a tone darker than your lipstick.

Technique 
- Step 1: preparation
Start by exfoliating your lips to get rid of dead skin.
Then apply a nourishing, moisturising balm.
Finally, apply a touch of foundation, concealer or powder to your lips to create even colour, plump up the lips and ensure your lipstick stays on for longer.

- Step 2: lip liner
Highlight the edge of your lips with a lip liner/pencil that’s well sharpened, starting with the “V” of the upper lip and descending towards the corner of the lips. On the lower lip, draw a soft line along the edge, starting from the centre and moving outwards to the corners.

- Step 3: lipstick
Apply your lipstick with a brush if possible, starting at the centre of the mouth and moving outwards to the corners. Blot the centre of your lips with a tissue, then repeat. This will help your lipstick stay on longer.

- Step 4: gloss
For full lips, set them off with a touch of gloss in the centre. If you’re more concerned about your lipstick staying on for longer, apply a touch of concealer to the centre of your lips instead.

A few little tips
- To make a small mouth look larger, apply a touch of foundation to your lips to smooth out the edges, add a little powder to make your lipstick last longer, then trace the outline of your lips with lip liner, enlarging the corners and thickness of your lips.

- To make a large mouth look smaller, tone down the edges of the lips using foundation or concealer, retrace the inside edges of your lips, reducing the gap at the corners, then apply a soft shade of lipstick for a natural effect.

Glam touch
For a really glossy effect, try lip lacquer. All the most glamorous beauty icons swear by it!

No-nos
Avoid shades that are too dark, otherwise your smile will look stiff.

Photo: Franck Provost