What do Angelina Jolie, Megan Fox, Jessica Biel and Scarlett Johansson have in common? Other than being Hollywood heartthrobs these women also possess lips to die for. Beautiful lips are almost the first noticeable attractive feature on a face. Some have been naturally endowed with luscious and gorgeous lips and others are able to make their lips look good with makeup tricks and proper care.
Today as second part of our series we are talking about ten tips for beautiful lips.
Perfect shape
The perfect shape for lips is one where the top lip is a cupid’s bow’s shape and both lips are equal in proportion and fullness. These lips look great with any lip color whether it is bold shades or soft pastels. However, only a few lucky ones have the perfect shape. The rest of us mortals are divided into two categories- thin lips and uneven lips (either the top lip is full or the bottom one). But the good news is simple makeup tricks can make your lips look closer to perfection.
Some simple steps include finding the best lip liner that is close to your natural lip color and lightly trace the natural lip line to define the shape. Buff out the edges into the center of the lip with a brush and layer with a clear gloss.
Using makeup for shaping lips
Lip colors are a great tool for creating the ideal shape of lips. Take a look at our posts on using Makeup tricks to look younger and 5 common lipstick mistakes women commit to have a foolproof plan of applying lipsticks and getting gorgeous lips. You can also use plumping serum or gloss to create a fuller effect on the lips.
Moisturising lips
Lips are just like sponge which absorb moisture and become plump and when there is lack of hydration they shrink and look thin. Use hydrating lip balms which contain ingredients like Shea butter, beeswax, Vitamin E, almond oil, olive oil etc. You can also use lip exfoliators once or twice a week to revitalize lips by removing the dead skin cells. But in case you have severely chapped or cracked lips then skip the exfoliation and focus on hydration.
SPF for lips
Just like your face and hands, your lips also need protection from sun’s UV rays. Lips are even more prone to sun damage because the skin on the lips is quite thin, has hardly any melanin and are exposed at all times. To protect your lips from sun’s harmful rays, use SPF-enriched lip balms and lipsticks. These need to be water resistant and should be able to provide long lasting protection.
Inner health for lips
It is not enough to apply moisturising balms and lipsticks but inner health is also important for stunning lips. Eat lots of fresh fruits & vegetables and also foods rich in good fats and Omega-3 like Walnuts to keep your skin nourished.
Tool kit for lip care
The perfect tool kit for lip care should include Lipsticks, lip balms, lip stains, lip pencils, lip brush and lip glosses.
Kick bad habits
Dry lips are inevitable if you are in the habit of licking your lips. Saliva contains digestive enzymes which breaks down the natural barriers on the lip skin. Don’t bite your lips because they will become cracked and start peeling. Avoid using expired or damaged lip products at any cost. Smoking and excessive drinking can cause the lips to look stained and black. If this happens go off these habits and also stop wearing lip makeup for a while.
Home remedies
A mixture of lime juice, glycerin and honey applied daily helps lighten dark lips. Use natural softeners like clarified butter to hydrate lips. Soak fresh rose petals in raw milk for a few hours and then make a paste which should be applied on lips to improve pinkness and texture of the lips. You can also make a great lip scrub using 1 tsp each of olive oil and sugar to exfoliate lips.
Your lip care routine
Every morning lightly scrub your lips with either a toothbrush or a lip scrub. Afterwards use lipstick or gloss according to your choice. In the evening or before applying another shade of lipstick, remember to remove the lipcolor from your lips using a hydrating makeup remover. Use lip balms or butter every night before you sleep to keep your lips moisturised.
Lippie secrets of the stars
Scarlett Johansson once said that if she plans to be out all-night she uses a lip pencil to reshape and color in her lips because applying lipstick in a dark bathroom is a recipe for sure disaster. Megan Fox makes her pouty lips come alive with bold color or full on gloss. Marilyn Monroe has been often credited with being the inventor of lip gloss by combining lipstick, Vaseline and beeswax to emphasize her “wet lips” look. The erstwhile supermodel Claudia Schiffer rubs Jell-O powder on her lips for the natural rosy tint. Superstar singer Mariah Carey mixes Mint extract in her gloss to improve blood circulation to her lips making them look naturally plump.
Armed with these tried and tested tips you should be able to pamper your lippies and get ready to pucker up. Would love to hear your thoughts through comment below!
This post has been written by our staff writer Swapna.images – weheartit.com
I agree with SPF for lips. Most often, women aren’t aware that lips need the same sun protection. I also dab a bit of highlighter on my cupid’s bow to create an illusion of fullness, alongside lipgloss. Great tips! xo
Kath – That’s a great tip….I am going to try it!