Luscious Lips

1.Exfoliate your lips on a regular basis as this will improve their appearance and also give lipstick more staying power. Try using a cotton bud dipped in a make up remover to buff up and remove flakes.

2.Always protect your lips from the sun – remember the skin on your lips is far more sensitive than that on the rest of your face. It is very thin skin and has no natural protection from harmful UV rays.

3.Beware of matte lipsticks. These can actually highlight blemishes and texture faults rather than hide them. Where possible go for a lush tinted balm or gloss and use effectively to give the appearance of fuller lips.

4.Avoid balms containing menthol or camphor which can be irritating and cause allergic reactions in certain cases.

5.Choose your colour well. The right selection of colour can bring your face to life, giving you a fresh and vibrant apperarance. Experiment in the mirror and ask a friend you can trust for their opinion.

The perfect technique

Step 1: preparation

Start by exfoliating your lips to get rid of dead skin.
Then apply a nourishing, moisturising balm.
Finally, apply a touch of foundation, concealer or powder to your lips to create even colour, plump up the lips and ensure your lipstick stays on for longer.

Step 2: lip liner

Highlight the edge of your lips with a lip liner/pencil that’s well sharpened, starting with the “V” of the upper lip and descending towards the corner of the lips. On the lower lip, draw a soft line along the edge, starting from the centre and moving outwards to the corners.

Step 3: lipstick

Apply your lipstick with a brush if possible, starting at the centre of the mouth and moving outwards to the corners. Blot the centre of your lips with a tissue, then repeat. This will help your lipstick stay on longer.

Step 4: gloss

For full lips, set them off with a touch of gloss in the centre. If you’re more concerned about your lipstick staying on for longer, apply a touch of concealer to the centre of your lips instead.

A few little tips

To make a small mouth look larger, apply a touch of foundation to your lips to smooth out the edges, add a little powder to make your lipstick last longer, then trace the outline of your lips with lip liner, enlarging the corners and thickness of your lips.

To make a large mouth look smaller, tone down the edges of the lips using foundation or concealer, retrace the inside edges of your lips, reducing the gap at the corners, then apply a soft shade of lipstick for a natural effect.