ASK CLARA – KISSABLE LIPS FOR VALENTINES DAY.
Picture Source: Shutterstock
The hottest date night of the year is here, Valentines Day! It’s time pucker up those lips. It’s all about kissing the one you love. The first point of visual contact is the face, with eyes and lips being the main focus, so it’s worth making sure they’re looking their best.
Here are some essential steps to help you perfect your pout and ensure that you have kissable lips in time for your Valentine!!!
Step 1: EXFOLIATE
Whatever lip colour you go for, I can guarantee you it will look better applied over a smooth surface. To get your lips soft and smooth you need to get rid of all the dead skin that has accumulated over the past few days by gently buffing your pout with either a lip scrub or an old toothbrush. This step will not only rid your lips of any flakes but will also ensure that your lip balm can penetrate the skin more effectively and keep your lips hydrated all day long.
Step 2: MOISTURIZE
Once your lips are free of dead skin it is time to layer on the moisturizer. Opt for a hydrating lip balm that contains conditioning ingredients like Vitamin E or Aloe Vera to nourish the skin deep down and to ensure that your lips don’t become dry throughout the day. Allow plenty of time for the lip balm to sink in before proceeding on to the next step, as freshly moisturised lips will struggle to hold onto your lipstick.
Step 3: PRIME
On a normal day this step isn’t really necessary but when you are going out for a special occasion or are going to be eating and drinking then you need something to hold your lip colour in place for as long as possible, as no one wants to keep running to the nearest mirror to re-apply their lipstick during a date. You can find specially formulated lip primers for such events but if all else fails, dab a small amount of concealer over your lips and wait for it to set before completing the next step.
Step 4: LINE
Again, not a step that is essential for your everyday look but when it comes to increasing the staying power of your pout, lining the lips will make a huge difference. You can either go for an invisible liner or one in a matching shade as your chosen lip colour, both of which will smooth over any fine lines and give your lipstick something to stick to. If you want to slightly increase the volume of your pout or need to even out your lip shape, now is the time to do it.
Step 5: COLOUR
Finally we reach the main event. You have probably chosen the perfect lipstick in a formula and shade that you love, so don’t rush this step in an attempt to hurry things along. Take your time applying your lipstick (either straight from the bullet or with a lip brush) so that you get the exact shape and coverage that you want. Blot with a tissue and apply another coat for long-lasting, luscious colour that will be hard for your Valentine to resist.
Step 6: SET OPTIONAL
This final step is optional but if you want even more assurance that your lip colour isn’t going to budge, no matter how much wine and pasta you eat, then you can set everything with a translucent powder. Any face powder will do, pressed or loose work just as well, simply hold a tissue over your lips and push the powder onto the lipstick you have just applied. The tissue will prevent you from applying too much and making your lips look dry.
Following these steps will ensure that your perfect pout will stick around and be just as vibrant by the end of your date as it was when you headed out the door. Remember that when going for a bold lip colour, keep the rest of your make-up soft and subtle to avoid looking over done, but above all else, HAVE FUN!
CLARA GBADEBO – BEAUTY EDITOR
GENEVIEVE MAGAZINE