Fade-proof lips with a washcloth!
If only the pretty pop of color we swiped onto our lips at the beginning of the night looked just as sharp by the end of it. “It’s possible!” insists celebrity makeup artist Lisa Eldridge. “The key is to prep lips prior to applying lip color.” She recommends gently rubbing lips with a damp washcloth. This removes dry skin so there’s a smooth surface for lip color to adhere to, and it brings blood supply to lips for a natural plumping effect. Then follow up by adding a thin layer of lip balm to hydrate and nourish lip skin; remove any excess before applying lip color. For an even more foolproof application, swap lipstick for a lip tint (we like Peripera Ink Velvet, Amazon.com) since it stains lips for longer-lasting color, says Eldridge. “I also like to use lip liner around the borders of lips after applying color for added insurance that the color will stay in place and won’t feather—just blend out with fingers so there’s no harsh line.” If the color still begins to look dull as the night goes on, restore vibrancy in seconds by topping it with a layer of clear or colored gloss.