Key Questions to Ask When Ordering The Lipstick

In some parts of the world, they celebrated World Lipstick Day on July 29, 2020, and we got to thinking about how much we LOVE our lipsticks! And how a little red lipstick can go a long way in making ourselves feel better and even boosting our morale.

Fun fact: British PM Winston Churchill is said to have curbed the production of all other makeup during World War 2, except for lipstick because he believed it somehow boosted morale. So many years later, and through this pandemic, it somehow feels like similar logic still applies, right?

So, we invited Arti Nayar, Celebrity Makeup Artist, to host a #GirlTribeAMA session on Malini’s Girl Tribe on Facebook. She answered all questions about lip colours, hacks, tricks and anything else you can think of around lipsticks. Read on to know all the tips she shared!

Q. How do you find the perfect shade of nude for your skin tone?

The key is to understand your skin tone; is it warm, pinkish, or yellow? You can do this by checking the colour of your veins on your wrists. If they are green in colour that means you have a warmish undertone. If the veins are slightly blueish or purple then you have a cool undertone. On the other hand, if it is neutral, somewhere between green and blue, you can try any shade but remember to choose pinkish tones more than brown tones.

Q. How long does a lipstick last? And is it true that lipsticks make your lips darker?

The shelf life of lipsticks is anything between 16 months for some to almost 3 years for others. However, checking them regularly and checking the smell is very important. If they smell off or stale, you know it’s time to get rid of it. Also, lipsticks don’t turn your lips black, but yes, if they’ve expired and you’re still using them that’s not good for your skin.

Q.

How can I stop my lipstick from drying out my lips?

You will generally always feel your lips getting a bit dry when you apply lipstick. To counter this, when you are ready to touch up, apply a lip balm first and then just blend the colour already on your lips.

Q.

I have pigmentation around my lips in the corners and it sometimes makes my lipstick look weird. What can I do to make it look neater?

Use a corrector around that area first and then some concealer, dab a little powder over it and you should be good to go!

Q.

What’s the trick to make lipstick last longer?

Take a little powder on your brush and dab it on the lips after you apply your lipstick. Then follow this up with another layer of lipstick; it always makes it last longer.

Q.

How can I create ombré lips?

You can do that by using a dark colour on the outer corners of your lips and using a lighter colour in the middle. Next, slightly blend the area where the two colour meet. Choose colours that complement each other. You can blend them with a small brush or your ring finger.

Q. How to choose the perfect red? Is that even possible?

It is very possible to choose the perfect red. There is a red for everyone. Knowing your undertone will help you determine which red suits you best. If you have a pinkish undertone then a pop red will look great. For a yellow undertone, a cherry red will look awesome!

Q. How should one maintain lipsticks?

Storing lipsticks in a cool place helps maintain them better. You can also store them in the fridge.

Q. How can a fair girl wear bright colours without washing them out?

Choose colours that enhance your skin’s undertone. For example, if you have a yellowish undertone, choose colours that will always enhance it. So, pick a cherry red instead of a tomato red colour.

Q. Is it safe to use any kind of lipstick on your cheeks as a blush or even on your eyes?

It’s safe to do so, and it works well too. While using it on your eyelids however remember to put some powder eyeshadow to lock it in or it won’t last long.

Do you have any tips or tricks for picking the right lipstick colours? Please share it with us in the comments below.

Join Malini’s Girl Tribe on Facebook to be a part of more such conversations!

Hi @Sgirlmakeup! 

Red lipstick is my favourite shade to wear, and it sounds like I have similar colouring to use (I'm also fair with freckles). 

I'm assuming you're referring to the Smashbox Always On Matte Liquid lipstick in Bawse? I'm not aware of a gloss called Bosse. Most liquid lipsticks require a few minutes to completely dry before they won't transfer, whereas an actual gloss will never fully dry down.

I'll share with you some of my personal favourites, but it will also help if you can provide us with a bit more information as to exactly what you're are looking for; do you prefer matte or a bit of shine/creaminess to the lipstick? Are you looking for a red that is more warm toned or cool toned? Do you have a budget for the lipstick?

As for my personal recommendations:

• Besame makes some of my favourite red lipsticks. The price is reasonable, the vintage-style bullet is nice, they have a great range of reds, and the formula is comfortable (not too matte, so it will transfer, but it is creamy to wear and very pigmented. Leaves a bit of a stain behind)

My suggestion would be Red Velvet - it's a super flattering neutral red, that's somewhat deeper so it isn't overly bright.
http://www.sephora.com/classic-color-lipstick-P395669?skuId=1702661&icid2=products%20grid%3Ap395669

Lip swatch here:

http://community.sephora.com/t5/Beauty-Confessions/What-are-you-wearing-today/m-p/2103788#M134915

You could also try Besame Red or American Beauty. I have swatches of Besame here:

http://community.sephora.com/t5/Makeup/Besame-Cosmetics/m-p/2248571#M85543

Besame also makes little matches of the lipstick so you can try the shade

http://www.sephora.com/classic-color-lipstick-matches-P397884?skuId=1719400&icid2=products%20grid:p3...

Tom Ford matte colour in Flame is also gorgeous - it's a brighter, warmer red (leans slightly orange) but it really looks amazing on and is comfortable to wear for a matte lipstick.

http://www.sephora.com/lip-color-matte-P416222?skuId=1920461&icid2=products%20grid%3Ap416222

This one isn't available from Sephora, but I love Charlotte Tilbury's lipsticks. I'd suggest Red Carpet Red (matte) or So Marilyn (cream) for a deeper red. 

I have a swatch of Red Carpet Red here:

http://community.sephora.com/t5/Makeup/Let-s-talk-about-Charlotte-Tilbury/m-p/2577431#M116546