How to Wear a Bold Lipstick Color with Confidence

A bold lip is a great way to enhance the appearance of your smile. Whether you’ve just gotten your braces off and want to draw as much attention as possible to your new straight smile, or you simply just want to try out a bold lipstick color, here are a few tips on how to wear a bold lipstick color correctly.

1. Pick the right color.

Not every color is going to look great on everyone. A color that is too dark is going to wash you out and perhaps make the wrong impression. A color that is too close to the natural color of your lips is not going to make the bold statement you want to make. Keep in mind that colors go through cycles along with the seasons. For example, dark, rich colors are more popular for fall and winter than they are for spring and summer, which prefers brighter, happier hues. In order to find the right color for you, you might need to try a couple different colors. When in doubt, you can always go with a classic red—it looks good on anyone, with just about any outfit.

2. Prep your lips properly.

If you usually do not wear a bold lipstick color or you are new to lip color in general, it is important to note that the right preparation of your lips could change how long your lip color lasts and how well it stays within the lines of your lips. Start by applying a moisturizing lip balm to your lips. This will give you the smoothest, softest possible surface for applying your color. When wearing a bold lip color, you do not want your lips to be chapped or dry, as this will break up the color and could cause it to feather as you are wearing it. Apply the balm, let it soak in for a few minutes, and then blot any excess away. If you leave the balm on the surface of your lips, it could create a barrier that makes your color wear away quickly.

3. Define your lips.

Many people steer clear of a bold lip color because it is much more obvious when it gets outside of the lines of your lips, which can be embarrassing. You can dispel this worry by using the right lip liner and concealer. Use a lip liner that matches your lips, not the color you are going to be using. This helps to create the right template and means that you do not have to buy lip liner to go with every single color that you want to use. It will help to keep the color in place. Concealer can also help to define the lip area when it is applied around the mouth. Using the same concealer that you use under the eyes is usually a good idea, because it will be easier to blend and it designed to hide any discoloration or redness, both of which are common around the mouth area.

4. Add a stain.

If you are going to be wearing a very dark color, it is a good idea to start off your lips with a stain, over the top of your lip liner. This usually means that you do not have to worry about your lip color wearing off unevenly. Your lips will already be stained with the proper color, so even if your lip stick does wear off in one place, the color will remain. The best way to use a lip stain is to apply it, let it sink into your lips for a minute, and then blot the excess away with a tissue. Some people will also apply a layer of translucent powder over the top of the stain, as this helps it stay even longer than it otherwise would.

5. Apply from the tube.

Most lipsticks are designed to be applied right from the tube. Some people feel more comfortable using a lip brush to transfer the product from packaging to lip, but the best color payoff comes from applying the stick right to the lips. It’s the best way to get the most pigment on the lips, which is essential for those who want to wear a bold lipstick color. It may take some practice to get your technique down perfectly, so that you get the color in all of the right spots, but over time, it will become so easy you might not even need to use a mirror.

6. Set the color.

There are a number of different ways that you can do this. Many people will actually use oil blotting paper to set the color. This gets rid of any of the moisture in the color, leaving behind just the color. Another option is to again use translucent powder to set the color. This will leave the moisture behind in the lipstick, which is a good option for those who have dry or chapped lips. If you are going to apply more than one layer of color, you might want to powder in between those layers of color.

7. Keep the rest of the look simple.

If you really want to be confident when you wear a bold lipstick color, keep the rest of your makeup as simple as possible. If you wear a bold lip and also go with a defined cheek and dark eyes, you might find that you are wearing too much makeup and no longer feel comfortable. Do a little bit of contour, a little bit of mascara, and you’re ready to go!