A matte lip looks absolutely stunning when you execute it perfectly. By the same token, it can look awful if it is done wrong. I certainly don’t want to have to redo my entire face of makeup before leaving home for the day and I’m sure that you don’t either. This is almost like when we are learning the wing tip eyeliner technique – done correctly it ties our whole look together, but done wrong, it can turn into an instant eyesore, figuratively speaking.
To help you with the process of creating the perfect pout, I’ve rounded up the top matte lipstick dos and don’ts to help you apply your lip color like a professional. Get ready to conquer one of the biggest lipstick trends that never seems to truly go out of fashion.
Matte Lipstick Do: Exfoliate First
The first step to getting a perfect matte lip happens before you even touch your lipstick. Because matte lipstick has a flat, non-shiny finish, it draws more attention to your lips than glossier lip colors. This means that if your lips are dry, then flakes will be far more visible.
This makes exfoliating more important when working with matte lipstick. So, before you pick up your lipstick tube, gently massage on a lip scrub to help exfoliate dead skin cell build-up.
Matte Lipstick Don’t: Skip Lip Balm Or Primer
Once you have finished exfoliating your lips, reach for a hydrating lip conditioner so that you can moisturize your pout before applying matte lipstick.
Moisturizing your lips will help your lipstick apply more smoothly. Priming your lips will also help. After your lip balm application, reach for your lip primer which will also help your matte lipstick wear more evenly.
Pro Tip: if you don’t have any lip primer on hand, your normal foundation can work, though it is not quite as ideal.
Matte Lipstick Do: Pick An Eye-Catching Color
The objective of your matte lipstick is to stand out, not be timid. For that reason, I love choosing bold, eye-popping shades that really make a statement – especially during fall and winter. However, I’ll be the first to admit that I own a plain nude matte lipstick as well – which I’ll use in those work situations where going full-bold with my lips is not quite appropriate. Likewise, if your life circumstances don’t allow you to flaunt bold, colorful lips, use nude lipstick – you’ll still have that gorgeous feel on your lips.
Why not try one of the shades that I have in my collection and see how it works for you? I have the L’Oréal Paris Colour Riche Matte Lipstick in Matte-ly In Love, Matte-jestic, or try the Matte Mandate (available on Amazon), the L’Oréal Paris Infallible Pro-Matte Liquid Lipstick in Deeply Disturbed, Stirred, or Roseblood (available on Amazon), or the L’Oréal Paris Infallible Paints/Lips Matte in Velvet Pout or Cinna-Bomb (available on Amazon).
Matte Lipstick Don’t: Apply Multiple Layers
Matte lipstick is a deeply pigmented product. That means you don’t need to apply layer after layer to get full coverage.
Just one swipe across your top and bottom lips and you should be good to go – that’s what I do. Too many layers can actually have the opposite effect to what you want.
Irrespective of whether you use matte lipstick straight out of the tube or one that comes with a wand applicator – go slowly, especially when starting out, to help avoid getting messy.
Matte Lipstick Do: Match Your Lip Liner
As we already know, matte lipstick comes in pretty bold shades. Using a lip liner can help prevent color from feathering outside the lines which is not the look we want to have.
The obvious question then is what shade of lip liner should we choose? Try using one that’s close in color to that of your lipstick. For instance, the L’Oréal Paris Colour Riche Matte Lip Liner (available on Amazon) comes in eight shades.
Matta Lipstick Don’t: Go Too Far Outside The Lines
I know that some of society’s most-followed celebs rocking over-lined pouts these days. For this reason, I’m sure that some of you might feel inspired to try the look yourself.
The reason that it’s trendy is that over-lining your lips can create the appearance of a fuller-looking pout. The trouble is that it’s very easy to go overboard with lip liner. Therefore, make sure that you’re only going slightly outside your lip line so that you can keep your makeup look from veering too far out there.
If you want to know more about over-lining your lips then check out this tutorial that I wrote here on Pink Femme that explains exactly how to do it.
Matte Lipstick Do: Conceal The Edges For An Extra Crisp Silhouette
I know as well as any girl that it’s easy to go a little out of bounds when applying our matte lipstick. However, a crisp line of concealer can help make your matte lip color really pop.
I use the L’Oréal Paris Infallible Pro Glow Concealer (available on Amazon), which comes with a wand applicator that is perfect for quick touch-ups – it has saved me from many small lipstick mistakes over the years.
Matte Lipstick Don’t Be Afraid To Clean Up Mistakes
None of us have the skills of a makeup artist when we start out. So, if you’ve made a mistake, no problem!
You don’t have to take off your matte lipstick entirely – or for that matter your entire face of makeup. Instead, I dip a cotton swab into my bottle of micellar water and dab it on any areas of color I’d like to remove.
I use the L’Oréal Paris Micellar Cleansing Water Complete Cleanser Waterproof – All Skin Types (available on Amazon), which works on long-wear formulas including matte lipstick.
Why not expand your knowledge even further by reading another makeup/beauty article here on Pink Femme? You can find them either via the menu at the top of the page or by clicking this link that will take you to the list of all the beauty articles.
When it comes to my choices for makeup and beauty products, I only use L’Oréal Paris (Available on Amazon). I have really sensitive skin and never once have I had any negative reaction to any L’Oréal product.