It’s probably no secret by now that I’m a big fan of liquid lipsticks. They really started hitting the makeup market big in 2016, and I was all here for it. Before, we’d only heard of it in terms of “lip stains,” which I never liked.
Liquid lips are amazing because they last all day, aren’t messy, and pop such a pigmented punch of color.
As popular as they’ve become, SO many people still don’t like them! I get it, they take some getting used to. Some just don’t like how dry it feels, but you don’t have to sacrifice dryness for lasting power!
Today, I’m happy to share some easy application and maintenance tips that will have your lips lookin’ instagrammable in no time!
Tip #1: Exfoliate your lips
Do your lips look crusty, and do matte lipsticks seem to just seep into your lip lines and crevices? They probably need to be exfoliated! You can get away with not doing this with creamy lipsticks and glosses, but a matte lip shows all! We gotta make sure they’re as smooth as possible.
The old school (& cheap!) way of doing this was just to run a toothbrush over your lips. I used to do this all the time after brushing my teeth, ’cause it was an easy step to add! But, it kinda skeeves me out sometimes, so now I like to use a separate product dedicated to that.
I really love the lip scrubs from Lush – specifically because they feel amazing AND it’s edible so you can lick off the excess! Super easy for on the go and no cleanup since you just…eat the residue! The flavor I currently have is Eve’s Cherry.
Another lip scrub option that I often use is this ELF one. It’s affordable, easy to find, and I love that it’s in the shape of a lipstick tube so you can pretty much use it anywhere, also with minimal mess. The only con is that it isn’t edible, so you have to use something to wipe it off with. Sometimes, I forget and try to lick it off like I do with the lush ones – its doable but not as pleasant.
Overall – I like the ELF one for the convenience of price and the design, but I like the Lush one ’cause you can eat it. I would go with the ELF one to start!
Tip #2: Moisturize Your Lips
This step is an obvious one – you want to make sure your lips are hydrated! Dry lips aren’t cute, and they especially don’t mix with liquid lipsticks. I’ve recently been obsessed with overnight lip masks! My favorite one at the moment is this Korean beauty one by Laneige! You can find them at Sephora, but I’ve found them cheaper on Amazon! (See it here) I apply this on my lips before bed and wake up with super soft lips!
Tip #3: Perfect Application
STEP 1 
STEP 2 
STEP 3
If you’re blessed with a steady hand, application is not an issue for you. But, if not, you can start with applying a lip liner.
Application Steps:
Step 1: Use the lip liner to outline the shape of your lips first, creating a zone for the liquid lipstick to stay in. This helps to prevent the shade from bleeding out while it’s still wet.
Step 2: Dip the liquid lip in the tube once and try to swipe it on in one go on the bottom lip, then one swipe on the top lip.
Do this quick and in one range of motion. Taking too long to apply it is a fail, since the lipstick is quick drying. Too many tiny swipes makes it look cracky, instead of continuous.
Step 3: If needed, you can go in with a second layer (using the same one time swipe motion!) and that’s it. Depending on the pigmentation of the lipstick, you may only need one layer.
Note: If you just can’t stand the dry feel of liquid lips, apply a little dab of lip balm before the lipstick! But just a little, so it doesn’t lose the mattifying effect!
Tip # 4: Easiest Removal!
Do yourself a favor and get this lip remover from NYX. You squeeze a little onto your lips, rub them together for a couple seconds, and then wipe right off with a tissue.
Liquid lips are notoriously hard to get off, (which is a good thing! you want it to last) but this cream dissolves it in no time. With this, you’re not rubbing forever, smearing the product everywhere and irritating your lips.
This really comes in handy when I’m taking photos for my lipstick posts. I have to switch between colors and this makes it quick and painless!
Tip #5: Give your Lips a Rest
Sometimes, your lips are just going through a dry spell. So, no matter how much you moisturize – it may just be a good idea to ease off the liquid lips for a few days. Give them a rest and wear regular lipstick or glosses until they’re soft again.
Tip #6: Don’t Compare Yourself
One last thing – don’t compare yourself to all these Insta-model makeup looks. You don’t have to look like you just stepped out of a magazine! Lines on your lips ARE NATURAL. Your lips might not look as flawlessly plump as IG girls, but newsflash! A lot of these people have lip fillers – which smooths out the wrinkles on the lips.
Next time you get down on yourself because you don’t have “Kylie Jenner lips,” remember, Kylie doesn’t even have Kylie lips! She paid for them!
Are you a fan of liquid lips? Did these tips convince you to try them?
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oh my gosh, that liquid lip is PERFECT on you – seriously such a gorgeous shade!! x
Author
Thanks! Berry shades are some of my favorites! So flattering! This one is “Madison” by Anastasia Beverly Hills!