lipstick…

[shredzeppelin]

im a big fan of red (almost ox blood) colored lipstick. how on earth can I apply it so it looks even on my lips. I swear the pigment gets stuck in certain areas of my lip, no matter how well moisturized and exfoliating they are before apply color. please help 🥺

[WinglessOne]

@shredzeppelin  A few tips: 

• Don't over-exfoliate your lips. That skin is very thin. Exfoliating it each time you see chapping/dry patches will worsen the problem. (Same goes for the rest of your face, where skin is thicker.) Keep lip exfoliation to just once a week. I exfoliate mine even less frequently: once or twice a month. And I'm a lipstick addict. 😄 
  
  
• Make sure your lips are damp (with water, not saliva) before applying lip balm. That way, your balm can seal in hydration instead of dryness. You lips don't have to be soaking wet, just lightly damp. 
  
  
• I don't know which version/variety of Chapstick you use... if it's the "classic" one in the black tube that contains petrolatum, give it time to settle onto your lips before applying lipstick over it. I use plain ol' Aquaphor Ointment as my daily lip balm (not the product specifically marketed as lip balm; just the regular ointment sold in tubes and jars/tubs) for its petrolatum + lanolin content. I apply a thin layer to damp lips and let it settle for a minute or 2. Afterward, if I have lots of excess balm on my lips, I gentle dab it off with the back of my hand or a tissue. 
  
  
• You can also apply a lip primer over balm and see if that creates a somewhat smoother texture. Primer can also help lipstick sit better. My favorite lip primer is MAC Prep + Prime Lip. 

If your lips are badly chapped, try temporarily stopping exfoliation altogether for a few weeks. Your lip skin needs time to heal. Just apply a petrolatum-based balm to damp lips until that skin's in better shape.

[shredzeppelin]

thank you!! all of these responses are super helpful 🥹

[SportyGirly125]

@shredzeppelin @Lining your lips first with a lip liner close to the color you are using will help. To clean up the edges I use a concealer with a brush. 

[shredzeppelin]

my issue is the pigment getting stuck in the lil crevices from chapped lips. even when I exfoliate and do a nice sugar scrub before. my lips are nice and soft and cleaned up. I moisturize with a little chapstick, then try to apply lipstick. but…it doesn’t go on evenly at all. 

[shredzeppelin]

thank you both for your advice. between the 3 of you who responded, I think I can combine your tips to figure out what can work for me. 

this was incredibly helpful. I’m glad I asked for advice!! 💄

[SportyGirly125]

@shredzeppelin  You are welcome. Hope something works for you. 

[SportyGirly125]

@shredzeppelin maybe try using a lip mask/balm instead of chapstick and give your lips time to absorb it. I usually do my lips last so the lip balm or mask is on for 20 minutes or so. 

[JoSometimes]

I usually try to fill my lines with a similar coloured lip liner before applying my lipstick. It keeps the pigment from tracing the lines. You could also try applying with a brush for more precision. Good luck!