I hate the disappointment that comes with buying the wrong lipstick shade. I wish I had succulent puckers like Angelina--alas, I don't. I'm stuck with a pair of proper-girl thin lips which limits my choice on lipstick shade selection. I admire women that can pull off a bold lip color like fire-engine red. (I'm so jealous!) That color on my mouth make my lips look like two red slits. (You don't even want to know about fuchsia.)
Luckily, there is a method you can use to lighten a lip shade. No more wasted money on lip colors you can't wear. No more bin of unused, unloved lipsticks rolling around in your vanity drawer. This easy technique only takes a minute or two and stays in place a good while. I use this method all the time to get varying shades of the same lipstick. Got your lipstick ready?
- Start with clean, fresh lips. I use a washcloth to lightly exfoliate my lips. Don't rub too roughly though. When you've finished, pat your lips dry with a soft towel. Avoid tissue, it leaves behind a residue. (If your lips feel dry, you'll need to moisturize them with a lip balm. It's best to do this before the application because lip balm moves the color around.)
- Tap foundation on to your lips using your finger or a clean makeup sponge. Lip primer is okay too, but foundation seems to lighten the lipstick better. It couldn't hurt to use both if you want to; however, your lips could end up feeling a bit dry.
- Line your lips with a neutral lip liner for better definition. Here's a trick worth knowing: You can make them look larger just by lining the lips slightly outside the natural line.
- Dab on the lipstick, don't slide it over your lips. By dabbing it on, you'll control the intensity of the shade. Sometimes I use a lipstick brush to get the color right where I want it. (Also, I love painting my lips!)
- Roll on a clear gloss and you've got a beautifully, lightened lipstick.
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