LIPSTICK HACKS YOU NEED TO KNOW

At least three lipsticks are floating around in my bag. One in va-va-voom red, a stick in a warmer shade of pink, and a solid nude from our friends at M.A.C. In the console of my car lies another carefully positioned Clinique Chubby Stick. My love keeps thinking this is junk, but the stick goes right back in the compartment after his tidying spree. When I think my face is going to do absolutely nothing funny with beauty that day, a little color goes on the lips, and if it does something funny, well, that too. I am a lipstick addict. And the lipstick-addicted woman needs lipstick hacks.

1

Make sure your lips are clean. Gently wash them with a washcloth before you start applying. For a bigger maintenance session, give them a scrub. So you have a very nice lip scrub from Dior, but if that’s still on your wishlist, then you’re okay for now with some sugar. Bye-bye loose flakes.

2

Is your lipstick broken? You can easily fix it by warming the flat broken part with a lighter. Then reattach the piece to the rest of your lipstick, pop it in the fridge and voilà: ready for use. And if someone messes with your favorite lipstick and it gives you the creeps? Just cut off the top flake with a sharp knife. Yes, that’s a bit hard to swallow, but then you can just use it again.

3

Powder your lipstick, and it will last much longer. And do you know what works even better? A layer of lipstick, a quick bite into a tissue, some powder in between, and another layer on top. You’ll get super duper long-lasting lipstick that way. If you’re looking for a keeper, then the Rouge line from Chanel is the absolute best. And that comes from the painted mouth of this lipstick addict signing off.

4

A tip for when you’re still looking for the ideal color for everyday use; gently bite your lip, the blood will flow faster into your lips and you’ll see the color that’s made for you. Easy peasy shopping for the right lipstick color.

‘How sad is it if your favorite melts into eternity?’

5

I picked up this trick from the pros and I’ve been doing it ever since. Apply some concealer around the mouth and especially along the edge of the lower lip. Your lips pop out of your face with that beautiful lipstick. Meanwhile, the concealer also immediately hides spots and blemishes around your mouth.

6

Store your favorite in the fridge when the mercury rises. How sad is it if your favorite melts into eternity? I mean, it’s like letting that brand new powder case bounce on the bathroom floor.

7

Is nude far from nude for you? Then first make your lips neutral with concealer or foundation. Now that your lips are colorless, that nude will absolutely work. Ha, solved again.

8

And as a finishing touch, gently close the painted mouth around your index finger and carefully pull it back out (do give it a wash before and after). This trick ensures that your teeth go through the day lipstick-free. Quite clever. And yes, it looks a bit bizarre.