UncleSamsModels.com - Advice

Lipstick Definitions:

We've all heard these terms but what do they mean?

Pigment: Gives lipstick its color.

Emollients: Carries the pigment to the lips.

Waxes: Gives lipstick its shape.

Matte: The most lasting formulation. Flat, not shiny coverage. Always choose one that's not too drying.

Creamy: Looks best when first applied. Provides the most even coverage. Available in the greatest number of colors.

Stain: Provides only a hint of color. Generally wears off more naturally and discreetly. Often contains moisturizing ingredients and sunscreen.

Lip Tips:

1. Lips should be conditioned with lip balm rather than chapstick and other waxy substances. Let lips fully absorb lip balm before applying color.

2. To help remove flakes from dry lips, use a soft toothbrush, and gently brush across your lips. A soft toothbrush also temporarily plumps up lips for that sought-after "pouty" look.

3. Your lips will look less defined if you do not use lipliners or pencils.

4. Generally, there is no agreement amongst experts on which to apply first, lipliner or lipstick. Therefore, do whatever works best for you.

5. Your lipstick and lipliner should match and blend together.

6. Use your pinky finger or a lip brush to blend lipstick and lipliner together. The name of the game is blend. You should not be able to see where the two merge. Blending will also help keep the color on your lips longer.

7. Use a natural lip pencil rather one that matches your lipstick.

8. To get a perfect lip line, get a glass of cold water, and put your pencil (with the cap on) in it for about five minutes, then apply as usual. Your pencil will be firmer and will produce better results.

9. Using a lip brush will give you better accuracy especially when coloring in corners.

10. Apply pressed powder on and around your lips if your lipstick has a tendency to "bleed."

11. To help lipstick stay on longer, use a little bit of foundation on your lips before applying lipstick.

12. To help lipstick stay on longer, use your pencil first as a base. Outline and color in your lips with your pencil (nude, if your lipstick shade is light) and apply your lipstick on top.

13. To make lipstick last longer, apply it with a brush.

14. "Blot" your lips by lightly closing them on tissue and releasing immediately.

15. To prevent excess lipstick from coming off on your teeth, pucker lips into an "O", cover your index finger with a tissue, poke it into your mouth and twist away the excess.

16. For a softer lip color, blend moisturizer into the lipstick.

17. To warm up any color of lipstick, apply yellow eye shadow on the lips as a primer.

18. To make lips look fuller, dab a little bit of orange or red in the center of lips.

19. To make lips look fuller, apply lipliner on the outside edge of your lip line. Next apply lipstick. A dab of clear or tinted gloss in the center of your bottom lip finishes the look.

20. To make lips look thinner, apply foundation over the edges of your lips. Follow by applying lipliner just inside your lip line. Next apply lipstick.

21. Dabbing a little gloss in the center of your top lip will give you a pouty, sexy look.

22. For a great natural looking lip stain that really lasts, dip a cotton swab in red Jell-O powder and apply it across your lips. After 5 minutes, lick it off and top with a sheer layer of clear or red gloss.

23. To create your own tinted gloss (and save money at the same time), mix your favorite lipstick with a dab of Vaseline.

24. Store lipstick in the refrigerator. It will last longer.