I admit I don’t wear much makeup every day, and I don’t plan to change that. At the start of 2015, though, I made a few small promises to myself: wear real clothes to the studio most days, and try a bold lip more often. I’d never been into lipstick, but after receiving a few samples I discovered that a pop of color made me feel more put together, a bit more confident, and oddly more productive. A bright lip can do that.
Since today is International Kissing Day, I thought it would be fun to present Lipstick 101. Even though I wear lipstick more now, I still find myself reapplying constantly. I invited Emily from PAGE Beauty to show us two reliable ways to make lipstick last longer. These techniques cover both a pro-level routine for special occasions and a quick everyday method that still delivers great wear.
For the first look, Emily demonstrated the full professional routine. There are no shortcuts in this method — it’s thorough, and it works. This approach is ideal for special events, a night out, or an all-day shoot where you need your lip color to hold up. Here’s what to use and how to apply it.
Supplies used: concealer, invisible lip liner (wax-based), a colored lip liner, lipstick applied with a lip brush, a matching or similar lip stain, and a translucent setting powder.
- Apply concealer around the lips to create a clean barrier and even canvas.
- Use an invisible, wax-based lip liner along the outer edge to prevent feathering and keep product in place.
- Line and fill in the lips with a colored lip liner to improve longevity.
- Apply lipstick with a lip brush for precise application and longer wear.
- Seal the color with a lip stain in a similar shade to lock everything in.
- Tidy the outer edges with a bit more concealer if needed to keep lines crisp.
- Set the look with a translucent powder to reduce transfer and keep the lips from looking shiny or sweaty over time.
The result: long-lasting, flawless color that held up through the whole day. But I wondered what the minimum essential steps were for busy mornings when you don’t have time for the full routine. The good news: one simple, affordable product can do the job — a lip stain.
For the quick everyday approach: a single, long-wearing lip stain is enough. Apply directly to the lips and go — it delivers impressive color payoff and stays put through meals and daily activities.
1. Apply your lip stain and you’re ready — quick, reliable, and budget-friendly.
Makeup by Emily Oliver of PAGE Beauty | Photos by Jeff Mindell | Creative Direction by Kelly Mindell
We shot this at 10 a.m.; I ate lunch, dinner and even some cake, and the look still held up. Mission accomplished.
Do you wear lipstick often? Do you have a favorite shade or a signature color? I’m slowly building my lipstick collection — tell me your favorites!
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