For every girl that loves a nude lip, there are at least 10 others that prefer a statement look, which requires more than just a "gloss and go" approach. Dark, saturated lips look lust-worthy and tempting, but they can also look flat, flaky, and thin.
If you love your deep shades, then you know creating the perfect looks takes time, patience, and practice. Do your lips a favor, and review these easy tips to ensure you're making the most of your memorable pout.
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1. Don't go anywhere without exfoliating
Your lips need more than color to turn heads. Dehydration is the enemy of a gorgeous dark lip, but a quick lip scrub can banish flakes and get your lips ready for the royal treatment.
Your lips need more than color to turn heads. Dehydration is the enemy of a gorgeous dark lip, but a quick lip scrub can banish flakes and get your lips ready for the royal treatment.
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2. Keep it crisp
Dark lipstick tends to bleed, and that's hardly the look you set out to achieve. To keep your lipstick in place, always line your lips before applying lipstick and blur the line inward for a more natural finish.
Dark lipstick tends to bleed, and that's hardly the look you set out to achieve. To keep your lipstick in place, always line your lips before applying lipstick and blur the line inward for a more natural finish.
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3. Fill with care
It's easy to slap on a layer of lip color straight from the tube when you're dealing with a subtle shade. Deep rich pigments, however, need a more gentle hand. If you don't already own a good lip brush, now's the time to pick one up. You'll have better control of the color and be able to blend it with the liner more easily.
It's easy to slap on a layer of lip color straight from the tube when you're dealing with a subtle shade. Deep rich pigments, however, need a more gentle hand. If you don't already own a good lip brush, now's the time to pick one up. You'll have better control of the color and be able to blend it with the liner more easily.
Fierce League
4. Blot, blot, blot
Ever wonder why experts tell you to blot your lipstick? In the course of the day, your lipstick will most likely fade from the center outward. The result: that rosy ring around the outside of your lips. Blotting helps distribute your lipstick evenly, so there's less risk of an unsightly remnant later in the day.
Ever wonder why experts tell you to blot your lipstick? In the course of the day, your lipstick will most likely fade from the center outward. The result: that rosy ring around the outside of your lips. Blotting helps distribute your lipstick evenly, so there's less risk of an unsightly remnant later in the day.
Fierce League
5. Powder to seal and set
Blotting may seem sufficient enough, but this artists' trick works wonders. If your first layer of lipstick has a lot of moisture in it, lightly press a tissue against your lips, then press translucent powder against the tissue. It will absorb any damp gloss or liquid lipstick and get you set for your final step.
Blotting may seem sufficient enough, but this artists' trick works wonders. If your first layer of lipstick has a lot of moisture in it, lightly press a tissue against your lips, then press translucent powder against the tissue. It will absorb any damp gloss or liquid lipstick and get you set for your final step.
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6. Reapply
You wouldn't paint your house with just one coat, so why shortchange your lips? Layers of pigment last far longer than one quick swipe, so finish up your application with an additional layer before hitting the door.
You wouldn't paint your house with just one coat, so why shortchange your lips? Layers of pigment last far longer than one quick swipe, so finish up your application with an additional layer before hitting the door.
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