Lipstick Cosmetics

How to correctly use lipstick cosmetics? Make your lips shine!

admin — Sun, 16 Aug 2009 09:00:59 +0000

General guidelines

1* Preparation

    Preparing your lips is very important in order to obtain a great looking lipstick
    application. Your lips need to be soft and smooth. So try to drink plenty of
    water and keep your lips hydrated as much as possible by using lip balm
    (Clinique has a very good one; not even expensive given its high quality)
    especially when you live in a dry, windy and/or arid climate.

    When applying lipstick cosmetics; start by making your lips clean as a whistle.
    Undo them of all death cells and any other impurities. For this you can use a
    toothbrush and gently brush the bristles over top and bottom lip. A washcloth
    can do the trick as well. No need to use any extra soap, facial exfoliate or
    toothpaste. Just a bit of warm water will do the trick.

2* Foundation and application

    After this apply a lip balm (extra tip : you could already apply it just before going
    to bed; this way your lips are conditioned while you sleep).
    (Note : using lip balm before you put on lipstick, will make your lips fuller AND
    it prevents chapped lips, which the use of lipstick often can cause)

    Next, apply either foundation or lipstick over your lips. This creates an even
    base for your lipstick. Moisturize your lips again if you feel the need. Then,
    apply lip liner the same colour as your lipstick all over your lips. This will make
    your lipstick last longer. Next, apply your lipstick either from the tube of using
    a brush.

    !! Using a brush usually will give you a better and longer lasting result !!
    Though it will definitely take longer, it’s best to apply lipstick with a lip brush
    for more precision. Take your time and be sure to take the colour all the way
    to the corner of your lips. After you’ve applied your lipstick, use concealer
    around your lips to prevent feathering (the lip colour seeping onto your skin).

    When your lipstick cosmetics wears off; instead of reapplying your matte
    lipstick; try a conditioning lip tint or a moisturizing lipstick which is more matte
    but provides the same amount of moisturizing as a lip gloss. Prefer lip colours
    which condition your lips; over ones that do not. Look for lip conditioning
    products that contain natural ingredients such as vitamin E, jojoba oil, and
    beeswax. If your lipstick fades easily, add a thin coat of lip primer to your
    lips before applying lipstick or gloss.

3* Sun Protection

    Protect your lips from the sun! As your skin your lips as well do tend to age
    quicker when exposed to too much sun. Use a lipstick which contains a sun
    blocker; or apply a product which does contain a sunscreen as a foundation

Choosing the correct concealer cosmetics …..

admin — Thu, 20 Aug 2009 21:44:59 +0000

How to pick the right colour to cover my skin impurities? How much does if have to be darker or lighter than my skin colour? Or does this depend on the colour of the foundation I use?

There are generally two misconceptions about concealer cosmetics and their use!

1) The colour does not always have to be one or two shades lighter than your skin colour. Not necssarily so. If your skin impurities concern hyperpigmentation; the best thing you can do is choose a concealer which matches your skin colour. This can be the same colour as your foundation colour; but since a concealer is a product which is many times more concentrated; it will give you a much better cover effect.

Dark spots under the eyes which still show after the application of a concealer; can best be treated first with a corrector; and afterwards with concealer. For a dark skin; you better use an orange colour corrector. A good one to use is

Make Up For Ever 5 Camouflage Cream Palette – No.4

from Make Up For Ever. Orange neutralises dark spots with a purple/blue undertone.

EXTRA TIP / ALTERNATIVE : A matte, non shiny lipstick in the right tint of orange could do the trick as well; instead of the corrector mentioned here above.

2) A second misconception is that concealer should always be applied BENEATH the foundation. Not necessarily! On the contrary; concealer will stick better if you first apply your foundation. And only after that camouflage the remaining impurities with your concealer. If you did it the other way around; you would soon wipe out your concealer. Besides that; a concealer can easily be used and worn on its own.

Lipstick Cosmetics – All about lips…

admin — Tue, 11 Aug 2009 12:19:59 +0000

Attractive lips stand out; no doubt about that ! Why not try to enhance the natural beauty of your lips! And give them a luscious and desired aura ! Women have always looked for this and will continue to do so….

History

Lips have always been in the spotlight !

Scientists have found that the size of somebody’s lips plays a key role in determining whether they are sexually attractive to other people. Basically , the bigger the better – but, in a warning to those who are thinking about opting for surgical enhancement, it is possible for somebody to have lips that are too big -:)

The very first signs of women colouring and accentuating their lips; lies about 5000 years ago; in the city of Ur, near Babylon. Semi-precious stones were crushed and smeared on the lips as lipstick.The ancient Egyptians; even though they used a bit different tools than nowadays – Their lipstick cosmetics was all about henna; crushed carmine beetles giving a deep red colour and ants used as a base / foundation; their means to put a bit of spark on their lips. They even used iodine and bromine to produce purple-red shine; in the meantime putting even their health at a risk.

Queen Elizabeth; during the 16^th century; introduced the trend of chalk white faces; in combination with red lipstick. The main ingredients they used to produce lipstick was beeswax and plants. Although lipstick became suite popular during this time; lipstick faced a lot opposition as well from the church; proclaiming painting faces and lips was the “Devil’s Work”. This lead in 1770 to the British Parliament voting a law against using lipstick; arguing that women luring men this way into marriage; were considered as witches ! Even Queen Victoria in 1800 openly spoke against using lipstick cosmetics.

Mass production of lipstick cosmetics began well and truly at the beginning of the 20^th century. The American Maurice Levy invented in 1915 the first metal container; very similar to the shaped ones nowadays. Lipstick cosmetics rapidly were available in different colours and by 1928 the first “glossy” looking lips were introduced by Max Factor (especially favoured and nourished by Hollywood actresses). Lip liner and lip balm soon followed. By 1949 women were ravished by the introduction of the first “kiss-proof” lipstick. It instantly became a big success.

Longer lasting and moisturising lipsticks saw their appearance in the Nineties; using new technological procedures and ingredients such as spa water, vitamin C, polymers, etc.. This evolution still continues with new ingredients being used and tested; ingredients such as iron oxides, waxes, vegetable oils, natural colours and many more.

New trends – the future for lipstick cosmetics : lipstick changing colours after application; depending on the acidity, moisture and heat of the skin; or even the skin type of the person who is wearing it ! Exciting future trends are metallic lipsticks, mirror lipsticks, lipsticks that stick to your lips; not to glasses and drinking straws.

Since ancient history lipstick cosmetics surely has had its fans and enemies. The history continues however since humans will always have a fascination towards lips and its cosmetics.

TO BE CONTINUED…

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