Lip Color:
Lip color is generally found in a waxy stick or liquid form. There are a few basic products designed for the
lips that should be mentioned: lip liner, lip color and lip gloss. Lip liner is good for women who have a problem with poorly defined lip
boundaries or who find that lip color used alone tends to bleed over the edges of their lips. The liner creates a definitive edge to the lips and
should be one shade darker than the lip color.
Lip color is used to give the lips a tint that enhances both the shape of the lips and draws attention to the
mouth. Most lip colors now include moisturizing ingredients to leave the lips feeling soft and supple as well.
Lip glosses are generally clear or lightly tinted liquid coating that are designed to give the lips a degree
of shine, making them appear moist and dewy, or even wet. In some cases, tinted lip glosses can be used alone.
{Note: The act of using artificial lip color has the same physiological origin as using eye shadows. The same
arousal state that creates the shaded effect in the soft tissue of the eyes also results in a darkening of the lips. The use of lip color is
designed to replicate this effect.}
For daytime looks, lip color should be softer and more subtle. This is also a good time for using low-shine
lip glosses with a satin finish as opposed to the wetter looks. Soft pinks and pastel colors are perfect for daytime wear and offer a more
natural, dewy look.
For evening wear, darker shades with high gloss finished are in order. These colors offer a more dramatic
effect and balance the evening looks of other nighttime make-up techniques. Lip colors for evening use can have shimmering and glossy finishes.
Lip Colors should be replaced at least every six months.
(Trivia Fact: Before the advent of lip color products, women often used the juice of dark berries to stain
their lips and give them deep rich colors.)
Mascara:
Mascara is usually found in a thick liquid form that is applied using a specially designed brush applicator.
Its purpose is to thicken and define the lashes of the eyes, making them appear larger and more open. Mascara should usually be the last step in
make-up application. The reason for this is simple. When mascara is applied before other make-up products, particularly eye shadow, the
likelihood is high that the make-up will fall onto the mascara and will ruin the effect of the mascara.
For daytime wear, mascara colors should be restricted to medium and dark browns, depending on the color of
the hair and eyebrows. This creates a softer, more natural look suitable for daytime settings.
For evening wear, your mascara can be darker - soft or jet black - to balance the darker, richer colors of
evening make-up. The darker colors give a more dramatic effect. There are even colored mascaras that are perfect for festive occasions and can be
used to create bold looks and highlight the color of the eyes.
Mascara should be carefully applied and should be replaced often (at least every three-to-six months) because
bacteria from the eyes can contaminate it and lead to eye infections. You should never share your mascara with another person or use another
person's mascara.
The tips offered above are basic techniques to help you create flattering looks for both daytimes and evening
wear. However, these are only basic tips. You should occasionally look to fashion and beauty magazines or other sources for looks that you like
and add them to your repertoire. The styles and techniques for make-up application are constantly changing, and by keeping yourself abreast of
current styles and trends you can be assured of looking fashionable.
