Matte Lipstick: How to Get the Right Look
The best matte lipsticks are all the rage—the smooth, finished look they create is a great finishing touch to any makeup look. However, like any other makeup product, there are some tips and tricks you can use to ensure your matte lipsticks stay put all day for long-lasting wear. When a product stays put, it not only looks its best, but it also helps you avoid annoying reapplications throughout your day.
What Should I Know About Long Lasting Matte Lipsticks?
Lots of matte lipstick brands market themselves as being “long-lasting” and able to achieve “all-day wear.” While many of these products can do that, it often comes at a price. The other side of “all-day wear” is often dried-out lips, flakiness, and peeling product.
If you decide to use an “all-day wear” brand of matte lipstick, consider using lip balms or other preparation products underneath to keep lips properly hydrated during wear. After all, if the style dries out or becomes flaky, you’ll end up needing to reapply.
Some people prefer to reapply thin coats of regular matte lipsticks during the day to avoid the dryness of more extreme “all-day wear” mattes. Depending on your preferences, you can choose either to achieve a matte lipstick look.
How Should I Prep My Lips for Matte Lipstick Applications?
In general, makeup stays where it should a lot better when the application area is clean and primed first. Many people are familiar with the process of cleaning and priming your skin before applying foundation, but there are also rituals you can employ especially for your lips.
Lip exfoliation is important. A small patch of dry skin on your lips can quickly ruin your application process, leaving you with drying flakes of lipstick. To exfoliate, gently rub your lips with a soft-bristled toothbrush or washcloth to remove any excess dry skin. There are also special exfoliation products made especially for lips that can be purchased online or at your local beauty supply store.
Moisturization is key for a good, smooth matte lipstick look. Applying a coat of lip balm before going to bed is a great way to keep your lips looking and feeling smooth (unfortunately, a lot of us do snore or sleep with our mouths open at night, causing extra dryness on the lips).
Lots of makeup users know the benefits of a good makeup primer. Primers are used to create a fresh, smooth surface on the skin to help foundations and other products apply easily and stay in place. Luckily for your lips, lip makeup primers also exist. These primers work to fill in fine lines on your lips, creating a super-smooth surface that is ideal for matte lipstick application. Simply apply the primer to your freshly-cleansed lips, allow it to dry and set, and then apply your matte lipstick and lip liner as usual.
Another truth in the world of moisturization also applies to lip care: Drink plenty of water! Like your skin and hair, your lips also require lots of hydration to stay healthy and avoid excessive dryness. Keep drinking your water to keep your whole body hydrated—your lips will benefit along with everything else.
What Can I Do During the Application Process to Make My Matte Lipstick Last Longer?
Besides taking time to prepare and prime lips for matte lipsticks, there are a few other tricks you can try to keep your lips looking gorgeous and flake-free.
To give matte lipsticks a little more grip, you can apply a thin coat of foundation or concealer to the surface of lips to help the pigment to stay in place. As an added bonus, this trick also helps prevent darker colors from creating hard-to-remove stains on your lips when you remove it later.
If your lips are still feeling a little dry before you’re ready to apply a matte lipstick, consider applying a thin coat of lip balm first. The added dose of moisturization keeps lips smooth while you’re wearing matte lipstick, helping you avoid any dryness or “cakey” lipstick situations. The lip balm also helps apply the matte lipstick smoothly.
Before applying your matte lipstick, you can also choose to line your lips with a lip liner first. This ensures that you are applying the matte lipstick exactly where you want it to be, avoiding any application mishaps that would require you to clean off your lips and start over again. Using a lip liner not only makes the application process quicker, but it also helps you avoid wasting any product.
Resources— Prime Life Pretty, Seventeen
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