#theSOproject - Lips

Now I have to admit that I have a lot of lip products but I am shockingly bad when it comes to branching out and actually using them!  On a day to day basis, I go for a nude lip or even just lip balm but I love a lipstick or a gloss on a day or night out.

1.  Lightly tinted lip balm - Korres Lip Butter in Jasmine

2.  Lip stain pen - Maybelline Colour Sensational Lip Stain in In the Buff

3.  Liquid lip stain - The Body Shop Lip and Cheek Stain in 01

4.  Lip Liner - No7 Precision Lip Liner in Blush

5.  Matte lipstick - MAC Matte Viva Glam I

6.  Glossy lipstick - MAC Cremesheen in Ravishing

7.  Intense colour lipstick - MAC Amplified in Watch Me Simmer

8.  Light colour lipstick - MAC Lustre in Patisserie 

9.  Lip gloss - MAC Cremesheen Glass in Deelight

10.  Glitter gloss - Butter London Lippy in Chancer

11.  Glossy stain - YSL Glossy Stain no. 27

12.  Glossy pencil - Bourjois Colour Boost Crayon in Orange Punch

13.  Matte pencil - NARS Velvet Matte Lip Pencil in Dolce Vita

Lip treatments

Lip scrub 

My first ever beauty product was a lip scuff from The Body Shop!  The Lush ones are popular but I think they're overprices and you can do them as well at home - check here for my How-to!

Lip balm (1)

An absolute essential, especially in Winter months.  Every product feels slightly different so try them out to see what works for you.  I am not a fan of ones that feel claggy (Chap Stick, Nivea Lip Butter) but prefer the buttery ones that melt into your lips (Korres Lip Butter) or refreshing ones (Blistex or Carmex) with a hint of mint.  If you can, apply a lip balm before bed and then again in the morning.  I always carry one round with me too to keep my lips hydrated throughout the day.

Lip Primer

This is a new discovery for me.  As I have quite pink lips, lipsticks never seem to be true to colour on me.  I used to use a little concealer or foundation over my lips but this primer from Urban Decay does the job of neutralising the colour and making lipstick last longer.  Winner! 

Sorry, they're all a bit battered from clanging around in my handbag!

Lip Liner (2)

I like to use a nude lip liner to line and coat the lips before using a nude or pale colour to give extra wear time.  Using liner is essential when wearing bright or bold colours to give a distinct line and to prevent bleeding or smudging over the edge of the lips.  Never make the mistake that was common when I was growing up of using a darker liner than the colour of your lipstick, or going around the outside of your lips to make them look fuller.  It doesn't, it just looks trampy! 

Lip Stain (3 + 4)

Stains come in liquid and pen form and are a great way to add a simple, long-lasting colour to the lips.  I like to use a stain when I am going for a 'no make up make up look' or to add depth under a lipstick.  

Lipstick (5-8)

One of the first make up products ever used, lipstick is a staple in any make up collection.  Lipsticks come in all manner of formulas - from matte through to glossy, light and sheer to highly pigmented, last-a-minute to super long-wearing.  I much prefer an intense lipstick such as the Amplified range from MAC as I get so frustrated when lipstick disappears after about 2 minutes.  Sometimes I use a stain or long-lasting option as a base then apply a gloss or glossy lipstick over the top.  

You can apply lipstick with a brush but I never bother, the bullet works for me.  To make your colour truer and longer-lasting, apply one coat, blot on some tissue then apply again over the top.

  

Lip Gloss (9 + 10)

Lip gloss, as the name suggests, gives the lips a glossy finish.  This can be in a neutral shade for a simple look, or a bold shade for a powerful effect.  The perfect gloss for me is one that is not too sticky - I HATE the feeling when your hair sticks to your lips, yuck!  

Glossy Stains (11)

These are a relatively new type of lip product that combine the staying power and pigmentation of a stain with the glossy gorgeousness of a gloss.  The YSL ones are pout perfection - they last FOREVER and feel beautiful, with gorgeous colours to choose from.  I also like the L'Oreal Glam Shine Stain Splash for a cheaper option, although they pack less punch in terms of colour pay-off.

Pencils (12 + 13)

The original Clinique Chubby Sticks started the craze for these and now many brands including Soap and Glory (Sexy Mother Pucker Gloss Sticks), Revlon (Just Bitten Kissable Balm Stains) and Bourjois (Colour Boost Lip Crayons) have got in on the act.  I have a couple and really like how easy they are to wear.  They are glossy without being a thick gloss and have really great pigmentation.  My favourite is the Bourjois crayon in Orange Punch and I used it all Summer long!  I also have a couple of matte pencils from NARS.  They are easy to apply, highly pigmented and last a really long time. 

What is your favourite lipstick or other lip product?

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