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Sian Victoria © - Burts Bees Lipsticks, Bullring Birmingham pop-up event

How to Get the Perfect Lipstick: Ways to Make it Last Longer

As a beauty blogger and someone who loves lipstick, I understand the struggle of finding the perfect shade and formula that not only complements your skin tone but also lasts all day. With so many options on the market, choosing the best lipstick for your preferences can be overwhelming, especially with many makeup brands out there.

In this post, I'll share my advice on how to pick the ideal lipstick, which will improve your makeup game and boost your confidence. This guide has covered everything from understanding your undertones to trying different finishes.

Plus, at the end of this post, I will share my experience of being asked to do a Birmingham beauty influencer meet-and-greet with Burt's Bees to launch their new lipstick collection, including a review of their latest range. So, let's find your perfect lipstick match.

Different Lipstick Formulas and Finishes

To find your perfect lipstick, it's essential to understand the different lipstick formulas and finishes:

Matte Lipsticks: These provide a non-shiny finish, perfect for bold, statement looks. Remember to moisturise your lips before applying, as matte formulas can dry.
Satin and Creamy Lipsticks: These formulations perfectly balance colour and comfort for everyday wear and offer a slight sheen, keeping your lips plump and hydrated.
Glossy Lipsticks: If you seek a glamorous look, these are a must-try. They deliver a high-shine finish, making your lips appear fuller and more luscious.
Liquid Lipsticks: These types offer the precision of a liner with the long-lasting colour intensity of traditional lipsticks.

Whatever finish—matte, satin, or glossy—you prefer, there's a liquid lipstick for you. Choosing the right formula and finish can improve your makeup look and, more importantly, boost your self-confidence. Remember, the best lipstick makes you feel confident and fabulous, regardless of the trend.

Sian Victoria © - Burts Bees Lipsticks & Lip Crayon

How to Match Lipstick with Your Skin Tone

Matching your lipstick to your skin tone can sometimes feel like solving a puzzle, but it's pretty simple once you know your undertones. Knowing your skin's undertones is a game-changer that can save you countless trial-and-error attempts.

Cool Undertones: If you have cool undertones, lipsticks with blue or purple bases will look stunning. Classic reds with a blue undertone or deep plum shades will complement your skin beautifully.
Warm Skin Tones: For warm undertones, lipsticks with orange, coral, or brown bases will enhance your natural glow.
Neutral Undertones: Most lipstick shades, from the boldest reds to the softest nudes, will suit you if you have neutral undertones.
Darker Skin Tones: Rich, deep colours like burgundy, chocolate brown, or bold, vibrant fuchsia can look stunning on darker skin tones.

Remember, these are guidelines, not rules. The beauty of makeup lies in its ability to be personal and fun, so never shy away from trying something that catches your eye. After all, finding the best lipstick for you is all about what makes you feel good.

Tips for Long-Lasting Lipstick Wear

Are you tired of your lipstick wearing off after just a few sips of coffee? I have some valuable tips to help you achieve long-lasting lipstick wear.

Step 1: Firstly, starting with a smooth canvas is necessary. Lip exfoliation helps get rid of dead skin cells, making your lipstick application softer and giving you a more vibrant and long-lasting colour. After exfoliation, apply a nourishing lip balm and let it absorb for a few minutes before blotting any excess.

Step 2: Another tip is to use a lip primer to create a smooth base, lengthen the wear of your lipstick and stop feathering. Trust me, this is a game-changer that you don't want to skip.

Step 3: Once your lips are prepped, apply your lipstick with precision, and fill in your entire lip line with a lip liner that complements your lipstick. This technique will help the colour cling to your lipstick, ensuring it stays put for hours. After applying your lipstick, blot with a tissue, apply a second coat to lock in the colour and remove any excess oil that could cause the lipstick to slide off.

Step 4: Lastly, dust some translucent powder over a tissue placed on your lips after application. This will set the lipstick without altering the colour or finish.

Incorporating these steps into your lipstick routine can dramatically increase wear time, leaving you with a gorgeous, long-lasting colour. Remember, it's all about the preparation and application techniques.

Benefits of Lip Liner for the Perfect Lipstick Application

Many of us ignore the humble lip liner, relegating it to the back of our makeup drawers. However, it is a secret to achieving flawless lipstick application. From personal experience, I have discovered that using a lip liner not only defines the shape of your lips, making them appear fuller but also provides a guide that ensures your lipstick application is neat and within the lines. It is like drawing the outlines before filling in a colouring book – it gives you control and precision.

Another advantage of using a lip liner is the longevity it adds to your lipstick. By filling in your lips with a liner before applying your lipstick, you create a base that helps the colour cling to your lips for extended periods. I have noticed a significant difference in how long my lipstick lasts when I take the extra minute to apply the liner underneath. On occasions when I have skipped this step, my lipstick seems to vanish much quicker.

Lip liners also allow you to adjust the tone of your lipstick. I love blending a slightly darker liner with a lighter lipstick to create a bespoke shade or an ombré effect. This little trick can double your lipstick collection without spending an extra penny.

Including lip liners into your beauty routine might seem like an extra step, but its benefits are undeniable. It makes a difference for anyone looking to improve their lipstick game, and once you have seen the transformation it makes, it is hard to go back.

Ways to Keep Your Lips Healthy For Lipstick to Look Better

Maintaining healthy lips with a lip balm or a nourishing lip oil is crucial for achieving a flawless lipstick look. As someone who has struggled with this, I've discovered that including a few simple steps into my makeup routine can make a significant difference.

Firstly, staying hydrated is essential for your overall well-being and the condition of your lips. Since increasing my daily water intake, I've noticed that my lips appear plumper and softer.

Secondly, never underestimate the power of a good lip balm. Applying a nourishing balm regularly, especially before bed, has helped me wake up to smooth, supple lips ready for any lipstick shades I use that day.

Additionally, exfoliating your lips once or twice a week can be beneficial for achieving a smoother lipstick application. You can use a soft toothbrush or a homemade sugar scrub to remove dry, flaky skin and reveal the soft layer underneath. My preferred method is to use a liquid exfoliant toner, the same of which I apply to my skin, as I find this more effective. Just be sure to rinse your lips with water afterwards.

Lastly, protecting your lips from harsh weather is vital. During the day, use balms with SPF, and opt for more nourishing, protective formulas during the colder months. These simple practices have improved the health of my lips and the appearance and longevity of my lipstick throughout the day.

Burt's Bees Lipsticks & Birmingham Beauty Blogger Meet & Greet

As a Birmingham-based blogger, Burts Bees invited me to do a meet-and-greet event at the Bullring, Birmingham’s main shopping destination, to celebrate the release of eighteen new fantastic lipstick shades. I was thrilled to be part of this launch and to meet my local audience.

The Birmingham event's highlight was the 'magic mirror' where we could digitally try on all eighteen shades. Once we picked our favourite colour, we could try it and take it home. Before the event, Burts Bees kindly sent me all eighteen shades, and I’ve been experimenting with them ever since.

My two favourite shades of red are ‘Russet River 532’ and ‘Scarlet Soaked 520’, while my favourites from the nudes are ‘Blush Basin 501’ and ‘Doused Rose 513’ from the pinks. From the berries, ‘Wine Wave 524’ is my go-to. The lipsticks contain moisturising elements, including raspberry seed oil and moringa oil, to help soften and condition the lips. They are claimed to be 100% natural, making them ideal for anyone who likes their beauty products to include natural ingredients.

One of the best things about these lipsticks is that they glide smoothly, hydrate the lips, and provide highly pigmented colours. The packaging also makes it easy to pick out the shade you want. However, they go patchy after 2-3 hours, especially when eating and drinking. Despite claiming they stay put for 8 hours, I reapply them regularly.

The Burts Bees website says the skin absorbs 60% of the ingredients in beauty products. This can be worrying, mainly when most makeup contains non-natural ingredients. So, I recommend actively using more natural ingredients in your beauty products because these substances can enter the bloodstream and create health issues.

To conclude

As we wrap up this guide, we have explored the various types of lipsticks, providing tips and tricks to help you find the perfect match, from understanding various formulas and finishes to matching shades with your skin tone and ensuring long-lasting wear.

The beauty event taught me the joy of discovering that ideal lipstick - a small but significant way to boost confidence and express your style. So experiment with the knowledge you have gained and embrace the fun of finding the lipstick that genuinely reflects you.

Remember, the best beauty accessory is your smile, which the perfect shade of lipstick can enhance.

*SHOP THE POST

Update your lip essentials to put these tips to the test! Grab a lip exfoliator to buff away dry skin for a smooth canvas. A lip primer will help your colour go on evenly and last longer. Choose your perfect lipstick shade, whether a creamy nude for everyday wear or a bold berry for a night out. Don't forget a hydrating lip balm to keep your pout comfortable and kissable all day!