Lasting Lips

BOLD LIPS. We have seen the trend all over the red carpets and ramps this year. Amazing!

OOOOH!
We buy!
We try!

We fail.

Red lips bleeding out, bright pinks transferring to clothes and rich berry shades fading to patchy baby pink. The eternal problem we encounter when wearing those notice-me bright or dark colours:  HOW do we get them to STAY!!? There are ways. I'm not even going to try and spice this up... it's quite a process.

There is some helpful product knowledge we need first apply during the purchase stage of our quest for the everlasting.

1. Frosted lipsticks last longer than the moisture-rich variety. They can, however, dry your lips out.
2. Glossing over your colour will lessen the staying power.
3. Matt, non-frosted lipsticks do come in made-to-last inexpensive varieties, which can be great. Shop around.
4. Invest in a lip liner pencil the same shade as your lipstick.
5. The last all day, set with a glue-type gloss products are amazing and really do last all day. They also tend to peel off and don't layer well for touch ups. This can give the impression of some strange skin problem. Choice is yours.
6. Highlighter powder (used for eyes and cheeks) can help staying power and also give the illusion of fuller lips.
7. Following on 6, powder sets cream.
8. Lip "stains" are a great option for mess-free colour.

My favourite long last products:

Wet 'n Wild is finally here in SA. Available exclusively at Clicks. www.clicks.co.za

 These Mega Last lipsticks are fantastic and really last for hours.

 Tube looks like this -Available in fantastic red, orange and berry shades.

...And also available is a rich gloss variety. "Megalast"

And their "Balm Stain"

I also like Revlon "Just Bitten Kissable". A fantastic lip stain that never needs touch-ups.

If you're willing to spend a little more, MAC has a great variety in their "Prolongwear" range.

The secret process. 

The order in which products are layered can help. This is what works for me:

1. Apply primer and then foundation to your face AND lips. Many people avoid the lip area.
2. Powder (preferably translucent) over it to set.
3. Line lips with a pencil in your chosen lip shade.
4. Fill the lips in with the liner.(ie: colour in the lip area.)
5. Apply your lipstick.
6. Blot with a tissue
7. Powder to set. Hold 1 ply of blotting tissue to your lips and dab the powder over the area.
-If you apply the powder directly to the lipstick without the tissue for even more staying power:
8. apply more lipstick and blot again.
-For fuller lips and extra-extra stay:
9. Using your finger, apply the before mentioned highlighter powder using a dab and roll motion from the cupid's bow outwards to the corners of the lips. Top and bottom.

Remember to check there are no lipstick stains on your teeth and GOOD LUCK!

xoxo B xoxo

Brush Basics

Make-up Brush Basics

Make-up Artists will always give you this advice : Invest in a set of quality brushes.

I agree, its great advice, and you agree, that all sounds very exciting. So you take a casual walk around the closest MAC store, see the prices, hear the jargon, freak out and leave the decisions for another day. The truth is before anyone gets caught up in the industry, there's hardly anyone that can give a clue as to what goes with which and how it should -or shouldn't- be used. It can be very overwhelming, and lets be honest, its not cheap. The good news is that if you know your basic application needs, and buy a really good quality set to meet them, you probably won't have to replace your set for a good few years.

Here are some basics I feel are worth investing in for the everyday woman.

Foundation 

Stippling Brush / Duo Fibre

MAC Stippling / Duo-Fibre brushes

These brushes are fantastic for foundation application and give a flawless airbrushed look. Don't be fooled by brushes that simply have two different colour bristles. The duo fibre brush is made from two very different kinds of fibres- natural (dark colour bristles) and synthetic (white).

 I use them for mineral as well as liquid foundation. Use this brush with small quantities of product and apply in short stippling (dotting) and light circular motions.

The classic foundation brush

This can be used for liquid or cream foundation

 These come in various shapes and sizes, including a square tipped shape as well as miniature versions for small areas and concealer. Start in the middle of your face and work the foundation outwards. Short criss-cross motions will help prevent streaks

Mac Foundation Brush

Mac Concealer Brush

Powder

If you use a cream or liquid foundation that doesn't set (transfers) use some translucent powder and apply with a powder brush like this one, or a powder puff. 

Blusher

 Apply a small amount to the apples of your cheeks with the blusher brush. This part is easy to see when you smile.

Eyebrows/ Eyeliner

 Use the small angled brush for filling in eyebrows or for applying eyeliner. I personally always use powder instead of pencil as it gives a more natural finish, and find this brush indispensable.

 The Fluff Brush is wonderful applying shadow to the lid area.

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I love the Blending Brush. This is my absolute favourite and its used for blending the eyeshadow and softening lines. Soft blended eyeshadow is the best way to make your makeup look professional.

Variations of all these brushes are made by most professional cosmetic houses in varying degrees of quality and cost. I would say these are the most important to a personal kit and definitely worth spending on. You can add other tools and brushes as you go along. 

Find more information on these Mac brushes http://www.maccosmetics.com 

Essence is a super brand and very affordable. You can get it at Clicks or Dischem here in South Africa. Perhaps try out some of their brushes for your starter kit?

http://www.essence.eu/za/products/eyes/little-helpers.html 

http://www.essence.eu/za/products/face/powder-brushes-sponge.html

xoxo B xoxo