The Ultimate Guide to Lipstick

You’re never fully dressed without a smile—or lips coated in color. A basic in any cosmetic collection and an essential element of just about every makeup look, lipstick is undeniably important. In fact, chances are you own quite a few! A fascinating finish or vibrant hue can take your makeup to a whole new level. A bold red lipstick offers a sudden surge of confidence, while a dark burgundy can create an air of mystery. Because we’re such big fans of this makeup product, we’re sharing all the lipstick tips and tricks you could need!

THE ULTIMATE GUIDE TO LIPSTICK SHADES FOR EVERY SKIN TONE

We live in a time when lipstick is available in virtually every color under the sun. But with such an overwhelming array of options out there, determining the right colors for you can often be a challenge. This task can be tackled—tribulation free—by determining your skin tone before going any further. Flip your wrist over and view your veins to judge whether your undertones skew more warm, neutral, or cool. Blue or purple veins reveal cool undertones, while green ones indicate warm.

If you have cool undertones…you’ll look best when matched with neutral nude, pink, cranberry, and wine shades.

If you have warm undertones…try pale pink, peachy nude, and bronze hues.

THE ULTIMATE GUIDE TO LIPSTICK FINISHES

Thought every tube of lipstick was exactly the same? Uh-uh! In fact, there are quite a few different finishes—and each one can offer you something different.

Sheer:Add a wash of color to lips with a sheer tint. This finish is ideal for a natural look but can be layered with a few extra passes to build up a stronger shade.

Satin:Swipe across lips for a smooth, satiny (go figure) texture, light shine, and major color payoff. This finish basically does it all, making it pretty perfect for any lip color novices.

Matte:These lipsticks dry down with zero shine and are seriously on trend right now.

Natural:A natural finish is the most widely available type, so chances are you’re familiar with it already!

Frosted:Packed with pearlescent shimmer, these lip colors aren’t for the faint of heart. While they might not suit your standard style, they’re perfect for adding a touch of glitz and glimmer on a special occasion.

Metallic:This lipstick trend is totally heavy metal. Metallic is the lustrous finish you’ll soon start noticing on your favorite style stars and want to start sporting yourself.

THE ULTIMATE GUIDE TO L’ORÉAL PARIS LIPSTICKS

Get ready to add some major color to your pout with any of the following lipsticks.

L'Oréal Paris Rouge Signature, Lasting Matte Liquid Lipstick: This lightweight, matte lipstick delivers intense pigment with a weightless, bare-lip sensation. Basically, your lips will be coated with the no-makeup feel of a stain combined with the color impact of a liquid lipstick. Choose your signature shade from 12 captivating colors.

L’Oréal Paris Colour Riche Ultra Matte Highly Pigmented Nude Lipstick: Available in 16 shades that enhance the color of your lips, this ultra-rich matte lipstick is also highly pigmented.

L’Oréal Paris Colour Riche Shine Lipstick: This sheer, radiant lipstick comes in 16 beautiful colors. It has a hydrating, glossy formula that’s comfortable on your lips.

L’Oréal Paris Infallible Pro Matte Les Chocolats Scented Liquid Lipstick: What’s better than a long-lasting lipstick? A long-lasting lipstick infused with an indulgent chocolate scent! With six beautiful colors, this matte liquid lipstick is a must for your collection.

L’Oréal Paris Infallible Paints/Lip: Want to take a risk? This lipstick is available in a variety of daring shades, like Lilac Lust and Navy Spy, with 14 shades total to choose from. It has a neutral finish that’s fit for any makeup look.

L’Oréal Paris Infallible Crushed Foils Metallic Lipstick: Add a glittery shimmer to your makeup look with one of these four metallic shades. You can wear it alone or use it to create a metallic highlight on top of another shade.

L’Oréal Paris Infallible PAINTS/LIPS Metallic: These four vibrant metallic lipsticks are another way to achieve on-trend metallic lip looks. Try this option if you’re partial to liquid lipsticks over bullets!

L’Oréal Paris Infallible Pro-Matte Liquid Lipstick: With 10 shades to choose from, this long-lasting, matte liquid lipstick will give your lips full-coverage color that feels light for all-day comfort.

L’Oréal Paris Colour Riche Lipstick Matte Lipstick: This matte lipstick offers intense hydration with its smooth, creamy feel. It’s available in 16 shades ranging from nudes to purples.

L’Oréal Paris Colour Riche Lipcolour: With 42 colors to choose from, you can wear a different one every day of the week—for weeks on end! This creamy lipstick has a natural finish.

THE ULTIMATE GUIDE TO APPLYING LIPSTICK

As with most makeup, applying lipstick can take a bit of practice—but you’ll definitely get the hang of it! Below, find lipstick tips and tricks to make application easier.

Lipstick application tip #1: Prep your pout

Before diving in, start with a bit of prep. Gently exfoliate lips with a damp washcloth or lip scrub to help remove dead skin cells and help your chosen color go on evenly. Try the L’Oréal Paris Pure-Sugar Nourish & Soften Cocoa Scrub.

Lipstick application tip #2: Use a lip brush

If you’ve decided to wear a matte formula or a deeper hue, use a lip brush instead of applying your lipstick directly from the tube—this will allow for more precision. Apply color around the edges of your lips first, then fill them in.

Lipstick application tip #3: Concealer is your friend

If necessary, any messy edges can be cleaned up with a creamy concealer loaded onto an angled brush.

Lipstick application tip #4: Use your fingers

After applying, avoid the dreaded lipstick on teeth look by quickly sticking a fingertip between your lips and pulling out. This can help remove lipstick remaining on the inside of lips that risks being transferred to teeth.

Lipstick application tip #5: Set your lips

To help set your look, hold a tissue over your lips and brush a translucent powder on over the tissue.

Lipstick application tip #6: Keep a cotton swab nearby

Besides using concealer to fix application errors, a dab of micellar water on a cotton swab can make all the difference in how precise your application looks. Use it to carefully remove any lipstick that went outside the lines.

THE ULTIMATE GUIDE TO PAIRING PRODUCTS WITH YOUR LIPSTICK

Sometimes, lipstick is better when it's paired with another product, like one of the below.

Balm:Do your lips tend to get dry? Smooth on a thin layer of a hydrating lip balm before applying lipstick.

Lip liner:This product serves a variety of very useful purposes. You can use it to help prevent color from bleeding, create smooth edges, keep lipstick in place, and make your lips look bigger. Either match your liner to your lipstick or pick an invisible liner, which will work under any color. Try the L’Oréal Paris Colour Riche Lip Liner.

Gloss: You can help make any lipstick high-shine by adding a gloss over top. Try the L’Oréal Paris Infallible 8 HR Le Gloss.

THE ULTIMATE GUIDE TO REMOVING LIPSTICK AT THE END OF THE DAY

Ugh, don’t you hate when you have to scrub, scrub, scrub to get every last bit of lipstick off? Next time, try using a micellar water, like the L’Oréal Paris Micellar Cleansing Water Complete Cleanser Waterproof - All Skin Types, which is suitable for use on your face, eyes, and lips. Micellar water is powered by tiny micelles—oil molecules—that act as a magnet to lift dirt, oil, and makeup up and away from the skin. There’s no rinsing required—just saturate a cotton pad and wipe it across your face to get clean.

Next: Your Ultimate Mascara Guide