In order to “master” something, you need to take a little time to perfect what you’re going for. Quick makeups are great, but like anything, perfection takes time!

1. Start with a clean lip. Wipe off any chapstick or oily residue.
2. Outline top lip with a red lipliner (a thick line), I used Cherry from MAC.
3. Outline bottom lip.
4. Take the outline through the corners of the lip.
5. Shade in the corners of the lip about halfway. This will give the lip a more contoured look, especially if you naturally have a fuller lip.
6. It should look like this.
7. Apply a lighter shade lipstick in the middle. I used Lady Danger, also from MAC.
8. Rub together to blend
9. Use lipliner to solidify your original line, and to blend the lipstick together with the liner.
10. Take a full coverage powder or concealer on a flat brush. I used Studio Fix Powder and a #242 brush from MAC.
11. Use to make your edges more crisp.
12. Voila!

p.s. Don’t blow off the lipliners ladies! Lipliner is so important for a clean, bold and sexy lip! It makes the lip look like a stamp on the face, and it also helps to keep those beautiful colors from bleeding! Good luck!

The perfect nude lipgloss or lipstick… It takes a while before you find one, IF you find one! If you’re one of those girls who just can’t seem to find the right nude lip colour that matches her skin tone, here are three tips to create your own! The best part of this tutorial: it’s one for every skin tone! All you need is a concealer and a lip product! Which lip product? Keep on reading to see which one matches your preference! 

One
For these nude lips you need a concealer that matches your skin tone and a clear lipgloss. These nude lips are for girls that like very nude and glossy lips. 
What to do? Apply your clear lipgloss. Dot some concealer over it. And that’s it! That’s how you create your nude glossy lips that also match your skin tone!

Two
If very nude lips are a little too nude for you, but you still like your lips to be glossy, this is the way to go for you. Apply a sheer pink lipgloss. Dot concealer over your glossy lips and you’re done! By using a pink lipgloss, you give your nude lips a pink undertone. You can also use a peach lipgloss or any other colour you prefer.

Three
Not a big fan of glossy lips? Me neither. This is my favourite way to create nude lips! Apply a pink lipstick. I used a matte pink with blue undertones. If you have a skin with warm undertones, use a lipstick with warm undertones. Apply some concealer over the pink lipstick, rub your lips together et voilà! For this method you can also use a peach lipstick, if you prefer nude lips with peach undertones.
See how simple it is to create perfect nude lips that will definitely match your skin tone? And because you’re using either a lipgloss or a lipstick, you don’t get the frightening foundation face! These are just a few tips, but of course you can variate much: lip products in other colours or lip products with other finish (glossy, sheer, shimmer, matte). Just play with it and pout away!

1. Start with bare lips. Don’t use concealer or foundation on the lips! The creaminess will encourage your lipstick to bleed!
2. For a vampy lip, lips should be ultra smooth. Take a pinch of sugar and mix with a few drops of water to create a paste.
3. Smooth mixture over lips and gently scrub. Tissue off when done.
4. Take a deep liner, pick one that’s as dark as your lipstick or slightly darker. Outline and feather in to create a secure base for your lipstick.
5. Apply that vampy lipstick!
6. Voilá! Instant drama! To pull off a lip like this, the key is to keep the rest of the face super simple. Your lips will be doing all the talking with this look!

Red lips are the way to go this Valentine’s Day! No need to be intimidated by this bold color because there are some great daytime alternatives to this bold look. Master the look of full, classy, statement making red lips for the daytime and night this Valentine’s day.

Option 1: Natural true-red matte lip
Used: NYC Lip Stain in 498 Berry Long Time
Lipstains are transfer resistant and last longer than the traditional lipstick. This is your best option for a subtle and quick red lip look for the daytime without having the feeling of having something on your lips. These are also great for layering. You can apply a lipstain before lipstick or gloss for long lasting color and less touch ups. The downsides are that it can settle into lines if they aren’t exfoliated and moisturized and the lipstain itself be drying so apply chapstick on top to finish it off. 

Option 2: Bold tomato- red matte lip
Used: NYX Soft Matte Lip Cream in Amsterdam
The texture of this product is, as the bottle states, “like nothing you’ve experienced before”. It has a sponge tip applicator, making it easy to apply, and has a sweet vanilla scent. It goes on moose-like and dries to a matte finish without over drying your lips. The great deep tomato red is flattering on all skin tones. Easy to apply, affordable with great color and a matte finish, this is my top favorite; a must have!

Option 3: Daytime light-red matte lip
Used: NYX Soft Matte Lip Cream in San Paulo
This is a slightly lighter, much wearable red for the daytime version of NYX Soft Matte Lip Cream in Amsterdam. Goes on smooth and precise with the sponge tip applicator and leaves a gorgeous matte finish. Since these lip crèmes aren’t very buildable, start by applying a dab and smoothing it out evenly with your finger and letting it dry for a more subtle red.

Option 4: Bold deep-red glossy lip
Used: Revlon Lip Butter in Red Velvet
There’s a lot of hype in the beauty world about this addition to the Revlon family. It’s a great combination of a lipstick and chapstick. It has excellent pigmentation and has buildable color. It leaves your lips moisturized with a glossy shine.

Option 5: Semi bold true-red glossy lip
Used: NYC lipstick in 309B Sheer Red
That can be worn bright or sheered out with a finger. It’s definitely one of those buildable lipsticks which can comfortably be worn out during the day. This unscented, affordable lipstick is a great for people with dry lips. It’s moisturizing, doesn’t leave a harsh stain, and leaves a glossy finish.

Option 6: Deep plum-red matte lips
Used: Wet n Wild in Cherry Bomb
This looks gorgeous specifically on people with deep skin tones. Go bold and daring with this deep red, almost plum shade. Although it doesn’t go on as smooth as the other lipsticks, the finish of these lipsticks resemble that of a high end brand. Go for the sultry and fierce look of Skyfall’s Bond girl with this beautiful shade.

You’d be surprised to find how many different variations you can find of red lipsticks. You’d find different textures, undertones, finishes, and lasting power. With so many choices, you’ll be able to find a red lipstick perfect for you, you just have to have the courage to get step out of your comfort zone to test out different looks. If you feel you applied a bit much, blot your lips onto a tissue to your desired intensity. There’s not just one way to wear a red lip, so chose which one you’re more comfortable with that suits you and glam this Valentine’s Day up with some hot red lips. Bold is beautiful!

After 4 years of boring plain Jane, our favorite candidate is finally here! The perfect red lip, that is!

1. You want your lips smooth, so apply Vaseline on your lips and let it sit for 30 seconds. Then take a tooth brush that you don’t use and gently brush your lips. You will take off all the dead skin and your lips will be so smooth. Added bonus? The vaseline doubles as an instant lip plumber. 
2. Apply your favorite matte red lipstick. It’s very important that you use a shade with a matte finish. (A stain finish is not compatible with the remainder of this tutorial)
3. Add some definition! Apply a darker red to the outer corners of your lips and blend; use a lip brush for this step.
4. Blot the inside of your lips for any imperfections and to prevent red lipstick on your teeth.
5. Next, add some liquid highlighter to your cupid bow, center of your top and bottom lips, and your chin. This will bring out your lips and compliment your teeth for a whiter smile.
6. Finally, line your lips with a red lip liner. This will perfect your lip look and prevent your color from running.

Voilà! Who will you vote for?

1. To make sure that your lips are ready for red lips always make sure your lips are not dry. Drink plenty of water and keep your lips moisturized with a lip balm. Another trick to keep your lips looking smooth is by using a damp toothbrush brush lightly over your lips until they are completely smooth. This will allow the color to glide onto the lips.
2. After you have moisturized your lips, line your lips with a color matching your lipstick. Lining the lips allows you to have a perfect guide to follow when applying the lipstick so it does not bleed onto the outer-lip skin.
3. When you have completed applying the lip liner, apply your lipstick, and…
4. Voila! You have crimson red lips!

Lipstick used: Ruby Woo by MAC

1. Revlon’s matte lipstick in Fabulous Fig: Almost a red and almost a brown, but still able to come off a neutral, it is the perfect balance for fair skin. I even double this as a blush. Just dad a bit onto the apples of your cheeks and an instant flush is born.
2. NYC Color’s Retro Red: For the most daring. This is the perfect 1950s red, a colour every girl should have. It’s blue tones, which may not work for everyone, but it is marvelous if you can.
3. B.S.N’s Stained Pink: Like Fabulous Fig, except instead of red it is perfectly pink for a sweet everyday look that won’t overpower the rest of your makeup.
4. NYC Color’s Berry Rich: A bold everyday colour for the fair skinned girl, especially if you have a warm or neutral undertone.

Here’s how to achieve the look:

1. Start off by lining your lips with any lip liner – just to give a template for where the rest of the colors will go. The color will not show up much so it does not need to perfectly match any of the following lipsticks used.
2. Apply a red lipstick to your upper lip (possibly using a lip brush to get inside of the lip lines). Follow this step by applying a bright watermelon shade to the bottom lip. (Image 1)
3. Apply a red gloss to your upper lip and a bright pink gloss to the bottom lip. The glosses will make the blending of the two colors much easier, while the lipsticks applied before will serve more as a base. (Image 2)
4. Lightly blend your upper and lower lips by tapping them together once to exchange some of each color. This will also make the blending process easier and make it appear more natural.
5. Apply a glittery, light-reflecting pink shade in the center of your bottom lip to give the true ombre touch. Continue blending the colors together until you have the desired gradient, keeping the glittery pink shade centered on the lower lip. (Image 3)
6. Once you have a natural blending between the red and pink shades you are good to go! Work with the colors for a while and feel free to reapply any glosses that may have lost their true color in the blending process.

A little bit of advice regarding the application of the rest of your makeup: keep it simple! Make the lips pop by keeping the rest of the colors used in your makeup application muted and simple. This will ensure that your lip is not only the center of your look, but that your overall look is not too overwhelming.

Have fun experimenting!

Colors, left to right: MAC Impassioned, Jane Glam, Maybelline Pink Peony, Revlon Lip Butter in Sweet Tart

In case you are unsure how to judge what clashes and what compliments, I swatched four hot pink colors that will work for any olive skinned girl. The hot pink lip is the perfect option when you are on-the-go during the summer. It works in the same way that a red lip does in the winter months – a sophisticated look that works best with simple makeup, since the lips are such a powerful element to the look. 

Therefore, in the summer, to look somewhat put together in minimal time, I sweep on some bronzer, apply some mascara, and slap on a pink lip. In this look, I am using Jane Cosmetic’s lipstick in Glam – a vibrant, electric pink color. It works beautifully with minimal makeup because the lips are such a strong focus to the look. Be sure not to pair too many other colors or elements to your makeup to ensure the lip isn’t too overwhelming.