Professional Lip Makeup

ahava

Ok. I'm moving to new zealand in two weeks and I have got a new slew of makeup that i'm taking with me. It is, for the great majority, Physician's Formula mineral makeup, and it is all pretty brand spanking new. I've been practicing with the makeup for a while now and I think I have gotten both the technique and an understated but clean look going.

My biggest problems are my eyes and lips.

I despise eyeshadows for the most part, they make my eyes feel heavy and that in turn makes me sleepy. And I do not have the steadiest of hands for applying eyeliner in the first place, but my right eyelid bounces and jumps like a fish out of water anytime I get eyeliner near it. So I usually tend to ignore eyeliner and mascara, and I do my best to put on one, maybe two, colors in a neutral tones on my eyes. At times when i'm feeling adventurous, I've used a lime green/tan brown dual stick from cover girl.

so I know I can at least go with the eyes for the most part and still look alright. Subdued, but alright.

Now we come to the root of the matter.

My lips are terrible. Years of biting and chewing and peeling and they are uneven all over in skin, scarred a bit in areas, and just not a pretty sight. I've been trying to use my lipgloss (chapstick and carmex alternately) to keep them moisturized, but that just seems to dry them out. I know that I have to break the habit of chewing on my lips, and I'm getting better, but I'm afraid I won't be able to get there by the time I have an interview for a new job.

So, I know that I need dusky rose colors, and possibly even a little bolder into the reds, what I don't know is what a good brand, recommended, would be for lipstick, gloss, stain, etc. Something that has good wearability, something that won't dry my lips out even more, and hopefully something that is not too expensive.

I know there are other females out there, help?

witch_ie

To start with, I would recommend a visit to a department store make up counter. Pick any brand you want (I use Clinique) and ask them to help you figure out how to do your make up. Make sure you are clear with the look you want - my guess would be professional, but natural. They will help you pick out colors and try different kinds of make up. Usually it is best to do this during a slow shopping time like early morning or the middle of the week so that you get their full attention.

Any brand that you go with will have multiple lipstick lines in addition to gloss and lip liner. My experience has been that they all feel a bit different, but none of them are great at moisturizing. What I use that does add a professional lip sheen and moisturize my lips is strangely, Dr. Pepper lip balm by Bonnie Bell. I don't wear it all the time, but on days that my lips are feeling particularly dry or chapped, it seems to work better than even chapstick or blistex.

Also, on the eye liner thing, really it just takes practice. I still physically hold onto my lashes when putting it on. It is a lot easier to use a pencil than liquid, although liquid has a more dramatic and probably better looking effect when applied properly.

tapeslinger

Chapstick brand product tends to make the problem way worse than it was when you started. I use Burt's Bees lip balm when I must hydrate. Vitamin E is your friend for general face care, and for lip color, if you can't get to the makeup counter at a department store, I find CoverGirl's drugstore products are as good as high end makeup for most days. I think they have one of those 16-hour wear lip colors and those are srs bsnss. I might have to wait til I get home and check my makeup bag for other recommendations.

Usagi

I'm generally anti-lipstick, but when I need color of some sort on my mouth I stick to Stila Lip Glazes

And I'm a huge fan of Sephora not just because of the plethora of options but because their staff gives great tips and advice

Liiya

If your lips aren't in good shape, and you still want to apply lipstick, I always apply some chapstick first as it'll stop the lipstick drying your lips out too much.

Have you tried chewing gum instead of biting your lips?

I use Collection 2000 and The Natural Collection for my lipstick, but I'm in the UK, not sure if you have them there.

ahava

I started really chewing my lips when i was quitting smoking. So I guess I could try the gum thing.

and I've always been a bit afraid of makeup counters. I went to one when I was 13 as a bat mitzvah present from an aunt, and came away with pink eye. Been a bit leery ever since.

Also, most dept stores that have a makeup counter are at least an hour's drive from here, so not an optimal choice at the moment.

I've looked at the Cover Girl 16 hour type stuff before, but the price has always made me jittery. especially if I get the wrong shade? Yikes.

at the same time, if it'll help me look how I want to look in order to get a job... it's worth the cost, right?

There are times when i hate being female...

flowerhoney

nooo being a girl is awesome!!

Mascara is really tricky and I have a huge problem with my left eye, but with enough practice is starts to get easier. Try practicing in the mirror, no one has to see it, but try experimenting with different applications on the upper and lower eyeline.

The counters are not a scary place, you could always try somewhere posh like nordstrom. They're extremely helpful and friendly there (maybe its because its they job...)

I like to use burts beeswax on my lips, its very hydrating. Work on healing your lips, stop chewing and keep them moisturized. I've noticed that lip gloss doesnt really hydrate, it just makes your lips sticky and glossy. Lipstick probably isnt going to feel very good on dry lips either

tapeslinger

I wouldn't fret too hard over making sure it is the exact right shade-- at least you don't have to worry about reapplying constantly. they have some lady-of-the-night colors but there are quite a few mid range colors as well. The color inside the tube is the best gauge of the contents. If all else fails get a pearl or frost color you can apply on top. Anything iridescent or shimmery will make the base color look lighter and can often disguise a tone mismatch (if it is too purple or too orange for example).

bowtiedseal

If my lips are especially chapped I exfoliate them with a sugar/olive oil mix - there are also special lip exfoliants you can buy but this works just as well. Just rub it over your lips and then follow with a warm washcloth. I put on carmex nightly before going to sleep and it helps me to avoid chapped lips at all. If I don't I often wake up with chapped lips

And my preferred method for lip color is lip liner - line your lips, put on your favored chapstick/gloss, and rub your lips together (that probably didn't require saying, but I guess I'm being precise!). It requires more frequent application than lipstick but it's not drying. I am allergic to a lot of chapsticks (even burt's bees....sigh) so I use c.o. bigelow (they sell it at bath and body works, I think). There's tinted ones but the regular spearmint works just as well with colored lip liner. and it tastes good!

witch_ie

I don't really enjoy wearing or applying or purchasing cosmetics either. It really can make a huge difference in the work place though regarding not only interviewing and getting a job, but how people perceive you once you have a job. Don't be afraid to try different things when you have the opportunity - free samples, when you can get them, are great for this. As you noted before, because this can help you get a job and even potentially be thought of as more professional, it's definitely worth both the financial and time investment to find make up that works for you.

ahava

Olive oil/Sugar?

what proportions?

my problem seems to be not so much chewing as picking with my nails. it's a hand-mouth thing that i think happened when i quit smoking.

I had wondered about lip liner, and if it's a necessity, or just an extra step?

It feels bizarre to be almost 30 and asking for makeup tips.

ThreeCubed

Usagi wrote: »

I'm generally anti-lipstick, but when I need color of some sort on my mouth I stick to Stila Lip Glazes

And I'm a huge fan of Sephora not just because of the plethora of options but because their staff gives great tips and advice

MAC also

ThreeCubed

lonelyahava wrote: »

Olive oil/Sugar?

what proportions?

my problem seems to be not so much chewing as picking with my nails. it's a hand-mouth thing that i think happened when i quit smoking.

I had wondered about lip liner, and if it's a necessity, or just an extra step?

It feels bizarre to be almost 30 and asking for makeup tips.

Lip liner is awesome!! I don't do lips without it unless I'm doing lip glaze/gloss

ahava

sad thing is, I have no access to sephora or MAC. And I have a hard time buying makeup online. that just seems wrong to me. lol.

Guess I'll have to stop off into the store in Seattle next year.

ThreeCubed

Man, that blows. I know this pretty much counters what you just said, but you may want to go ahead and take a shot at the online thing.

You know what, though, I totally dig the maybeleine or cover girl duo sets (like CG Outlast). It's a two-part lipstick that is one part stain and the other part gloss. I don't have to worry about my lipstick fading, and I just have to keep glossing it up. The fact that you can just keep applying the clear gloss without worrying about looking like a clown means you get to mess with your lips in a productive way without having to go to a mirror each time.

ahava

I think I bought one of those at one point, but they were in my theatre kit that I left at the theatre when i got out of school.

so go ahead and splurge on the higher end ones, i'll thank myself later.

now if I could just get my right eye to stop twitching. Seriously, holding onto my lashes doesn't even help. mexican jumping beans under my eyelids anytime i get anything close to it. so glad I don't have contacts.

Usagi

lonelyahava wrote: »

sad thing is, I have no access to sephora or MAC. And I have a hard time buying makeup online. that just seems wrong to me. lol.

Guess I'll have to stop off into the store in Seattle next year.

Def stop in when you have a minute, or look and see if you have an Ulta near you - but in the meantime I'll pass on some wisdom from my last lip-related Sephora visit

1) Stila Lip Glaze in Apricot and Grapefruit will work for just about anybody, regardless of coloring

2) Every woman should own NARS Lip Gloss in either Orgasm or Super Orgasm (or both, like I do!).

I like the Stila Lip Glazes for every day fanciness when I get tired of plain ol' Carmex, and the NARS is a bit richer in color and better for a night look with dolled up eyes.

bowtiedseal

lonelyahava wrote: »

Olive oil/Sugar?

what proportions?

my problem seems to be not so much chewing as picking with my nails. it's a hand-mouth thing that i think happened when i quit smoking.

I had wondered about lip liner, and if it's a necessity, or just an extra step?

It feels bizarre to be almost 30 and asking for makeup tips.

roughly equal parts - just enough so it forms a kind of paste.

ahava

Hmmm I shall have to try that. Any reason why sugar over salt? although I don't want to rub salt on my lips, I just didn't know if there was a reason in specific.

bowtiedseal

lonelyahava wrote: »

Hmmm I shall have to try that. Any reason why sugar over salt? although I don't want to rub salt on my lips, I just didn't know if there was a reason in specific.

I imagine it would serve the same purpose, sugar just tastes better : )

VisionOfClarity

bowtiedseal wrote: »

lonelyahava wrote: »

Hmmm I shall have to try that. Any reason why sugar over salt? although I don't want to rub salt on my lips, I just didn't know if there was a reason in specific.

I imagine it would serve the same purpose, sugar just tastes better : )

I have a lip exfoliant from Lush that is a sugar base. I love it! When it runs out I'll have to give making a try.

VisionOfClarity

Also, get primers! For my eyes I have a basic sephora lid primer and for the rest of my face I use Kores Vitamen E primer. I barely ever need to use moisturizer since I started it.

ahava

well i went through covergirl's thing today, picked up an outlast set in a dusty pink, an outlast stain and gloss in a pinkish berry, and i got one of the newer ones that was up, I think it was called nourish in feline.

I am really liking the stain stuff.

I also got a thing of burt's bees lip balm and some cuticle cream because that's another area that is like whoa.

gonna try the olive oil and sugar thing tonight.

Iruka

I like to wipe my lips with a towel after a long hot shower, gets some of the chappy bits off your lips. If you do this after you exfoliate it might get the leftovers.

Drinking alot more water will help with chapped lips, I say this as a soda addict recently turned to just water and orange juice. I've stopped picking at them too. Personally, I havent found that putting much of anything on my lips have helped as much.

Bartholamue

Yeah, if you're dehydrated, the first thing that will dry up is your lips.

juju

Drink water. A lot of it, because if your lips are cracking, you probably need to hydrate.

As for lip stuff, I never remember to reapply it and I'm always snacking at my desk (ooops) so unless it's long lasting it's not worth it. I'm the opposite of you - I wear tons of eyeshadow and usually a glossy clear or very, very subtle tint gloss. I swear by Burt's Bees and C.O. Bigelow's lipgloss in tubes you can find at Bath & Body Works - the latter is awesome because it stays on for a while and is minty, so it's good at retaining moisture. I used to have a huge problem with bleed-y lips until I started using it.

ahava

yes, the olive Oil and sugar mixture worked amazingly. As did the hot shower.

My lips are quite close to being kissable and presentable! Huzzah!

and yeah, i've been doing my best at the water drinking. I've been mostly tea (no sugar or anything) at room temperature, simply because i prefer my water to taste like something.

Thanks so much darlings. It is greatly appreciated.

radroadkill

VisionOfClarity wrote: »

bowtiedseal wrote: »

lonelyahava wrote: »

Hmmm I shall have to try that. Any reason why sugar over salt? although I don't want to rub salt on my lips, I just didn't know if there was a reason in specific.

I imagine it would serve the same purpose, sugar just tastes better : )

I have a lip exfoliant from Lush that is a sugar base. I love it! When it runs out I'll have to give making a try.

Yessss they are so tasty. I love my mint one.


Basically salt and sugar will exfoliate but the larger sugar grains make it a bit easier with the lips, it's a more pleasant taste, plus the sugar is anti-oxidizing. You can use olive oil but you can also do coconut oil,jojoba oil, or vitamin E pretty well.

I would suggest avoiding any sort of chapstick or "lip moisturizer" that uses any sort of petroleum derivative. Basically they coat your lips and make you think "Oh shit, this is awesome" but they don't actually moisturize for you and your lips dry out more and more.

Exfoliate once, or even twice, a day, apply a moisturizer afterwards, and proceed with a lip color.



As far as makeup is concerned, I love my Mac and Urban Decay lip colors. Mmmm, tasty. They both also make pretty lightweight, high-pigmented eye color that is easy to spread on and keep super light weight.