The Perfect Pout in 5 Easy Steps

Applying lipstick is as easy as one, two, three. Simply glide the lipstick over your lips and voilà! However, with a little effort and a little technique, lipstick turns your beautiful smile into a Mona Lisa work of art. Here are some simple tricks and efficient tips to perfect lips.

1. Gently exfoliate lips with a specially designed lip rub or exfoliating product. This will keep lipstick from caking and flaking due to dry, cracked skin. You can also use a soft bristle toothbrush to gently brush your lips and eliminate rough or dry skin.

2. Apply a dollop of foundation or under eye concealer to your lips to ensure long lasting colour. Your lips become more neutral in tone and will show off your chosen lipstick colour even better!
 
3. For perfectly defined lips, line the contour of your mouth with a well sharpened lip liner, starting with the middle of your upper lip. Then trace a line along each side and start again in the middle of the lower lip working outwards. Remember to blend the liner into the lips. If you smile during the process, your contour will look fresher and more natural and even at rest it won’t look so controlled. Trick from the pros: If you want to create the look of fuller lips, trace the contour slightly outside the actual outline of your lips. And if you’re looking to create the opposite effect, line lips slightly within the natural contour of your mouth. Caution: this process requires a little practice to avoid tracing uneven lines or a clown-like smile.

We Suggest:
Waterproof lip liner pen - Nude, from Marcelle
($9.50)

4. Now’s the time to add a little colour! Apply your lipstick with a lip brush beginning with the middle of your mouth working outwards. If you often find yourself with lipstick on your teeth, slide your index finger into your mouth and slowly remove as if you were sipping a straw. Any excess lipstick will stick to your finger and your teeth will remain impeccable.

We Suggest:
Rouge Xpression Lipstick - Sincerity, from Marcelle
($10.25)

5. To pump up lip volume, apply a little gloss in a shade that is complementary to your lipstick. The Gloss shine will reflect light and give the illusion of a soft, plump pout. 

We Suggest:
Vita-Lip Plumping Gloss – Nude, from Marcelle
($10.95)

There is only one tried and true trick to perfect lips…. Smile. Nothing beats a smile, regardless of the lipstick shade you choose, smile and the world smiles with you! Say “Cheeeese!”