How to Choose the Right Long Wear Lipstick
How many of you have tried wearing long wear lip color, but found it uncomfortable? I’m here to help you navigate through the process of trial and error that I have personally experienced.
The biggest tip I have for you is to begin the evening before you plan to wear a lip color that lasts for hours. Begin by exfoliating your lips with a lip scrub, take a very small amount, rub it in, work it in with your lips and then tissue it off (I love LimeLife Perfect Lip Scrub). The next step is to moisturize with a lip mask. I always apply a lip mask before bed and sleep with it on – your lips will thank you the next morning. (My favorite is Sara Happ The Dream Slip Overnight Lip Mask).
Now, when you wake up the next morning, your lips will feel fully nourished and you can begin the next step. While you take your morning shower and after you’ve brushed your teeth, put on a lip balm to keep your lips conditioned. When you have finished showering and moisturizing your face and body, take a tissue and wipe off that lip balm.
I like to begin the lip color process with a lip liner, choose one that has a medium to full pigment for a long lasting, transfer-proof finish – this will prevent lip color from feathering or bleeding into any fine lines around the lip. I will begin by drawing the outline (and cheat a bit by making my upper lip look fuller), then lightly fill in the lips with the liner.
Now for the big guns – your long wear lip color. Choose wisely! Over the years, I have tried many brands.
- My least favorite are: Lip Ink, Senegence and Maybelline Matte Ink.
- Runners up to the winners include Stila Stay All Day Liquid Lip and AJ Crimson S+M Sultry Matte.
- My absolute favorites are LimeLife by Alcone Enduring Lip Color, Pat McGrath Matte Trance Lipstick and Senna Cosmetics Matte Fixation Lipstick.
So what’s the difference? My least favorite category is really difficult to remove! I have tried their removers, olive oil, and even my favorite waterproof makeup remover and some of the lip color still did not budge. I know why they sell lip moisturizer and gloss with their products – because they are super uncomfortable to wear!
The runners up category last a super long time, but need a bit more finesse with the waterproof makeup remover before the lips become clean.
My absolute favorite category is that for 2 reasons. First, they are comfortable to wear – my lips do not feel super dry and dehydrated. Second, they all have ingredients like great skin soothing oils such as squalane & moringa oil to name a couple as well as silicas for a smooth glide onto the lips.
What is my best advice for easy removal of these long wearing lip colors? My favorite waterproof makeup remover is by LimeLife by Alcone – Makeup Remover Spray. It’s easily sprayed onto the lips or onto a cotton pad, let it sit for about 10 seconds and swipe away.
If you want to know where to purchase these products, please visit Shop My Shelf where I have put together my favorite products and you can shop right from this page.