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Getting the perfect lip look is easier said than done. Even when you manage to recreate that enviable lippie you see on Instagram, it’s often hard to make it last through your morning cup of coffee. That’s why we sat down with makeup artist Maira Candela to snag all her application secrets for achieving a beautiful lip look with maximum staying power. Here are her steps to the perfect pout.
Step 1: Prep
If you want your color to last as long as possible — and let’s be honest, we all do — then you’ve got to start with a smooth base. That means any dry, cracked skin on your lips has to go! According to Maira this step is absolutely essential. She says, “Prep is really a make-or-break step when it comes to makeup. Having the right base is really what’s going to make your makeup last, and sadly it’s the one thing most people neglect.”
To get smooth lips, she recommends wetting a clean toothbrush or spoolie and using the bristles on wet lips twice a week to gently exfoliate and remove any dead skin or dry, flaky patches. There’s no need to scrub harshly. Gentle is better.
Step 2: Moisturize
After gentle exfoliation, apply a moisturizing lip balm like Cinnamon Kiss. Leave the balm on while you apply all your other makeup so it can soak into your lips. Then, when you’re ready to apply your lip products, blot off any extra balm with a tissue to set the perfect stage for your colour.
Step 3: Line
Because lip liner is usually more matte than lipstick, it acts like a primer and gives your lipstick something to hold on to so it lasts longer. Maira suggests starting in the center of your lips where they tend to get wet the most. Apply your lip liner there first and then pat the lips together to evenly press a smooth layer of colour across your lips.
Step 4: Fill
Now for the fun part! Grab your lipstick and start filling in the colour at the center of your lips, then work towards the outside corners taking care to follow your natural lip line.
Step 5: Blot
Take a tissue square and blot your lipstick, then reapply a second layer for more intense colour and long-lasting wear.
Step 6: Contour
Want to really make your colour pop? Here’s a pro tip Maira snagged from J.Lo’s makeup artist: dust a little bronzer along the top of your lip line to complete your look. It offers a light lip contour that makes a stunning difference.
Step 7: Remoisturize
As your lips get dry throughout the day, they’ll pull from any source, including your lip colour, for the moisture they need. By periodically applying a sheer tint over your colour, you keep your lips hydrated so they don’t inadvertently soak up all your colour.
Step 8: Remove Colour with Care
For her final tip, Maira stresses that how you take off your colour is just as important as how you put it on. She advises that you give your lips some love with an ultra-moisturizing makeup wipe that fully removes your lip products without stripping your skin’s natural oils. She says these extra-foamy wipes are her favorite because they remove all your makeup with a single wipe.
Now that you’ve got Maira’s best pro tips, we can’t wait to see your perfect lip look! Tag us on Instagram to show it off, and we’ll feature you in our stories.
About Maira Candela
As a lover of art, creativity and rule breaking, the world of makeup was a natural fit for Maira. In a career spanning over 10 years, she has had the opportunity to work with makeup on every level. As an artist, she constantly pushes the boundaries of beauty and truly is a rebel at heart and in her craft.
These are such beautiful products! I can’t wait to see the looks everyone creates with them! -Maira