A lipstick is always a great way to elevate your look, especially since we get so spoiled for choice in terms of finish and colour.
Are you a matte fan or do you prefer a glossier lip? Do you like natural pinks and nudes, or are you one to make a bold statement with something darker?
No matter your preference, there’s one thing we all have in common: trying to keep our lip colour on while eating and drinking!
It may seem like an uphill battle, but we’re here to assure you that it is indeed possible to make sure your lipstick lasts through your meal. Just apply some of these tips below so you don’t have to reapply every few hours during your CNY visitations.
Exfoliate and moisturise
You’ve heard of prepping your face, so why not prep your lips as well? Think of it as preparing your canvas so that it’s ready for painting.
Lipstick will look and feel terrible on dry and chapped lips, while a well-exfoliated and well-moisturised lip will make any colour look dazzling.
Exfoliate your lips with a gentle lip scrub or wet washcloth to get those stubborn dead skin cells off. After that, follow up with a moisturising lip balm to keep those lips nice and hydrated.
If you don’t have a lip balm, you can try a nourishing oil like coconut oil or perhaps even a hydrating face cream.
Prime your lips
Although a lip primer isn’t exactly a common makeup item, you might actually have one in your vanity without realising it.
A lightweight foundation or concealer can work to fill any cracks in your lips and create a smooth base for your lipstick. This will make your lip colour not only look better and but also last longer.
Simply use a makeup blender to smooth in the ‘lip primer’ and then take a lip brush and apply your lip colour on top of that.
Use a lip liner
A lip liner can be used to further define your lips and prevent your lip colour from bleeding outside of your natural lip line.
Start by lining the outside of your lips with the liner to fill in any fine lines. After that, fill in the rest of your lips with a lip liner in a shade that matches your lipstick.
You can then apply your lip colour and enjoy minimal lipstick bleeding and feathering. If you don’t have a lip liner that matches your lipstick, there are invisible lip liners that will also work for this trick.
Pick a long-wear formula
Different lipsticks will have different wear-lengths, and that’s the truth. When you’re picking your colour for the day, try and read up on the longevity of your lippie.
Matte lipsticks tend to last longer than satin and creamy lipsticks. Liquid lipsticks tend to also have great long-lasting formulas. Just don’t swipe on a balm or gloss on top as it will reduce the longevity of the lipstick.
You can also check out our previous article on transfer-proof vampy red lipsticks to find the ultimate lippie of your choice.
Use setting products
Once you have applied your lipstick, blot off the excess with some tissue paper. Then, apply a second coat of lipstick to increase the colour payoff and blot again.
Once done, apply a translucent setting powder onto your lips to set the colour. If you don’t have a setting powder, try using an eyeshadow that’s a similar shade to your lipstick for an extra pop of colour.
You can also spritz on a makeup setting spray, which will not only lock in your lip colour, but also your makeup.
Drink with a straw
Anyone who has ever worn lipstick knows about those pesky lip stains that you leave behind when you’re drinking.
You can minimise the stains you leave behind by using a straw. Of course, you can bring your own reusable straw as it’s more sustainable – just wash the stains away when you’re done so you can use it for your next CNY visit.
Take smaller bites
The way you eat your food actually matters when trying to keep lipstick on your lips, but it can be tougher to master.
Try to bite food with your teeth more than by wrapping your lips around it. Pick smaller, more bite-sized snacks when you are munching away during your CNY visits.
If you’re at the dinner table, use a fork and knife to cut your food into smaller pieces so that it’s less likely to touch your lips.
But if you have no choice to take bigger bites – or have to slurp away at your soup – it might be best to blot away some lipstick before digging in. This will help minimise the smudging that will occur.
Avoid oily foods
This might seem like a strange tip – especially with all those delicious bak kwa waiting for you during those upcoming CNY visits – but oily foods basically act like oil-based makeup removers. They cause your lipstick to wear off and smudge outside your lip line.
Opt for less oily foods like dried or preserved fruits or other foods that you can break down into smaller bites. The less your lips touch the food, the better.
Featured image credit: Oleg Magni and Angela Roma
