Beauty Solutions: Fuller or Thinner Lips?

Makeup for lips can accomplish many different beauty objectives. Follow these tips to use lipstick, lip liner, or a lip gloss makeup set to make thin lips look fuller or to downplay full lips.

For Fuller Lips
Plump up thin lips by selecting a lip color that is not too dark. Peaches and light pinks that are close to your skin tone work well for fair-skinned women, while browns, taupes and beiges work for a dark or olive complexions.


Line the very outside edge of your lips with a lip liner just one shade darker than your selected lipstick. Don’t go outside the lines or it will look fake and "drawn on.”

Apply lipstick or lip stain, starting from the bow of your lips and working outward. Then use a tissue to blot excess. Add a second, lighter color (this can be a gloss or a lipstick) in just the center of your upper and lower lips.


You can find all the colors you need in a coordinated set.

To Downplay Full Lips
Full lips benefit from darker colors. If you have a plump, luscious kisser, then by all means, flaunt it! Depending on your skin tone, choose wine, berry, cherry red, chocolate brown, or any other bold and beautiful color.


Choose a lip liner one shade darker than your lipstick, and apply around the inner edge of your lips. Apply lipstick or stain, and finish with gloss to make your lips dewy and kissable.

"Fashion Is Foremost Inspiration"
Suzanna

Beauty Solutions: Lipstick, Lip Liner & Treatment

To give your lipstick stay-put power, the best trick I have is to apply a thin film of Studio Gear's Lip Primer. This moisture rich primer creates the perfect surface for lipstick and stain to bind to. However, you may find that it is hard to remove your lipstick without Benefit's Gee... That Was Quick! - Makeup Remover!

If you do not need such staying power, use a lip liner in a great color, line and fill in the entire lip, then apply an SPF lip balm, like Neutrogena's Moisture Shine Lip Soother SPF 20, or Lorac's Vitamin E Stick for lips, sheer shimmer gloss, or lipstick. The dryness of the liner "stains" the lip, while whatever you put on top of it will add moisture.

Does your lipstick bleed into vertical lines around the mouth? Typically caused by smoking or excessive sun damage, these lines are difficult to eradicate with simple topical products alone. Exfoliation and AHA (and/or topical retinoid) use, microdermabrasion or filler agents are the best way to help these. However, bleeding lipstick will significantly emphasize these ugly lines. MD Skincare's Serious Lip Treatment can help soften the lips and the appearance. This two-step process draws moisture into the lips from the surrounding tissue, resulting in intensely plump and full lips within minutes that can last 4-6 hours. With continued use, long-term benefits are sustained. Gentle exfoliating properties leave a satin finish, which allows for lipstick application immediately following the two-step treatment. If you are still experiencing wandering lip color, you can apply a Borderline Anti-Feathering Lip Pencil to the outside of your lip line.

If lipsticks tend to turn ultra-pink or unsightly orange on you, like they do me, I suggest finding a neutral lip liner somewhat on the brown side, (like Urban Decay's 24/7 Glide-On Lip Pencil), and apply it to the entire lip before applying your lipstick. The color of the liner will neutralize your natural lip color and allow for the true lipstick shade to show.

To make lips appear fuller, use a lighter color, or gloss in the center of the bottom lip. Also make sure you line your lips with a product like Fusion Beauty's Lip Fusion/Lip Fusion XL Duo before applying your lip color. Make the most of light and color for creating the illusion of fullness. Using light colors on the mid section of the lower lip helps bring the lip forward. Dark colors on the other hand, give the appearance of making things recede. If you have large lips, and would like to make them less apparent, stay away from light, frosty lipsticks and glosses.

"Fashion Is Foremost Inspiration"

- Suzanna

Just Launched: Urban Decay's Fall 2009 Collection

Good news for all you Urban Decay fans! Not only is Urban Decay giving us a sneak peek of their Fall 2009 collection which features over 35 new products; but they're also available for purchase now. Here are some new goodies that you should add to your cosmetic collection.

Surreal Skin Mineral Makeup
Yes, it’s the latest rage in skincare, but why? Mineral Makeup contains no talc, oils, artificial dyes, or fragrance – just naturally derived minerals – making it the perfect for even the most sensitive skin, oily or dry. So why is Urban Decay’s Mineral Makeup different from other mineral foundations out there? The package just might be the favorite thing – totally mess-free. Other brands’ makeup needs to be poured and brushed and swirled and whatnot. Urban Decay comes with an attached puff. Just puff it on for a flawless finish anywhere – at your vanity or on the subway. Use a little for sheer coverage or keep puffing for heavier coverage. Titanium dioxide, a major ingredient, provides formulation color and great coverage. The handy on/off switch means you can toss it in your purse – no spills. You’ll get a semi-matte finish instead of the shiny finish other mineral foundations provide. The result is natural, not made-up, and totally weightless.

Tips: For precise shading and concealing, makeup junkies can unscrew the lid and use a Good Karma Blush Brush instead of the attached puff.

Ink For Eyes
It’s everything you want in a cream eyeliner: more precise than a pencil and forgiving than a liquid. This super-smooth formula offers added control, play time, and buildable coverage than your average liner. The creamy paraben-free formula and double-ended applicator makes it easy for you to create razor-sharp lines or smoky bedroom eyes. Try the angled liner brush for precise details, or use the smudger for blending and drama. With such a wide variety of intriguing shades and ways to apply, you’re only limited by your imagination. The secret ingredient is Nylon 12! This high-tech polymer decreases drag for flawless application (no skips or smears), while softening and absorbing excess oil. Color glides easily and stays true all day long.

Surreal Skin Cream to Powder Foundation

Want porcelain-perfect coverage AND a modern, natural finish? Surreal Skin Cream-to-Powder Foundation is your answer. This ultra-lightweight formula transforms from a decadent cream to a micro-fine powder upon contact with skin. You won’t believe the instant transformation! The light-as-air texture glides on effortlessly and feels as natural as your own skin (No heavy, greasy, or powdery makeup texture). Lighter than liquid, its buildable formula gives you all the coverage you desire, without the pore-clogging effects of heavier foundations – you can even wear it as a concealer. Hyaluronic Filling Spheres and Pearl Powders hydrate and reduce the appearance of fine lines, while antioxidants, like Vitamins A and C, nourish and protect skin. And, you Urban Decay fans will LOVE to pull this compact out of your bag! The transparent violet compact features a collage of skulls, flowers and funny creatures. Inside, the double-decker compact houses a mirror, your foundation AND a ventilated compartment for a custom, cruelty-free brush. No more digging to find your foundation brush – it’s included.

Tips: The cruelty-free Urban Decay brush (included!) is the best way to apply: just brush it on and buff to a porcelain finish. Your own sponge – or fingers – will work, too.

24/7 Glide-On Lip Pencil
Just like their 24/7 Glide-On Eye Pencils, it’s said that the Lip Pencils are guaranteed to last. They contain Jojoba Oil, Vitamin E, and Cottonseed Oil to nourish the skin and improve the smoothness of application. Go ahead and have another sip of your cocktail— this formula is waterproof, but never feels dry or cakey. It’s the perfect complement to Urban Decay Lipsticks, Stains, and Glosses.

Tips: Apply Ozone (a clear shade) outside the lip line to prevent feathering, or inside lips to keep gloss in place without leaving a line. Ozone also works wonders as a blend and repair tool!

Deluxe Eyeshadow
The divine collection of high-tech creamy powder eye color will turn your eyes into opulent works of art. The creamy formula feels like cashmere, blends beautifully, and delivers an even more intense burst of color than regular Urban Decay Eyeshadows. And, Deluxe hues have an even greater fill weight than our regular Eyeshadows - a generous serving. Created with maximum staying power, Deluxe Eyeshadows offer incredibly long-lasting wear that won’t fade (especially when paired with the popular Eyeshadow Primer Potion). As a result, you’ll get gorgeous, gem-like lids that are worthy of their own exhibit. Packaged in weighted, hinged and mirrored compacts, each vibrant shadow features a unique piece of art inspired by graffiti, street art, and graphic design. Dip into these sumptuous shades and experience never-before-seen (or felt) eye shadow extravagance.

Tips: Sport these shades alone to make a statement or mix them with your favorite neutrals for a spectacular, yet subdued, effect

Lipstick
Leaving no shade unturned, Urban Decay’s huge assortment of colors and textures tempt you to stray from an otherwise predicable palette. The Fall-ready shades range from a nude beige to blackberry. The luxuriously creamy formula nourishes and protects lips with Vitamins A, C, and E. Hyaluronic Spheres are added to stimulate cellular function, prevent dehydration, and fill-in lines and wrinkles. The teardrop-shape bullet (etched with an Urban Decay logo) is infused with a decadent crème caramel scent and flavor.

Complexion Primer Potion Pore Perfecting
Smooth on a little Pore Perfecting Complexion Primer Potionbefore foundation or alone to totally minimize the look of pores and fine lines. The velvety, paraben-free formula flashes down to a soft-matte finish, without the greasy, heavy feel sometimes associated with foundation primers. A small application will result in flawless skin with an airbrushed look and feel. Foundation applies smoothly, evenly, and won’t fade away. Ideal for oilier skin, but dry complexions who want pore perfection will love it, too. The convenient squeeze tube includes a twist-up dispenser (like school glue!) for easy application control. Two unique finishes of Complexion Primer Potions are available.

Tips: A little goes a long way! A pea-sized drop of Complexion Primer Potion is all you need to perfect your whole face. Or, try just a touch in the areas where you need it most.

Complexion Primer Potion Brightening
Dull skin? Fine lines? Disappearing foundation? Try Brightening Complexion Primer Potionunder foundation or alone for beautifully moisturized skin that looks brighter and feels tighter. This lightweight, oil-free, paraben-free formula includes buzz-worthy ingredient Matrixyl 3000, celebrated for its ability to reduce the appearance of wrinkles. Hyaluronic Filling Spheres also minimize the look of fine lines while leaving skin beautifully moisturized. Your skin will look youthful, lifted and firm, and your foundation will apply smoothly, evenly, and last longer! Ideal for complexions that need moisture, and great for mature skin. But, the Brightening formula gives every skin type a healthy glow. Two unique finishes of Complexion Primer Potionsare available. For flawless, airbrushed skin, try the Pore Perfecting formula.

Tips: Apply a pea-sized amount of the light, cool gel to bare skin. The formula goes on sheer and dries quickly. Then apply foundation, if desired. The convenient squeeze tube includes a twist-up dispenser (like school glue!) for easy portion control.

Eyelash Primer Potion
Wave this magic wand before your favorite mascara for lashes that appear thicker, longer and stronger… right before your very eyes. Tiny fibers band together, cling to every lash, and construct towers of Babel… reaching for heavenly lashes. Just apply Eyelash Primer Potion, then apply your favorite mascara as usual. Your lashes will look fake, but the magic is real. It's protein-rich and paraben-free formula conditions, fortifies, and thickens lashes with Silk Protein, Panthenol, and Hydrolyzed Wheat Protein.

"Fashion Is Foremost Inspiration"

- Suzanna