How to Apply Lip Gloss

Applying lip gloss is pretty cut and dry. You open the tube, rub it over your lips and there you go. You have applied lip gloss. Sometimes though, it’s a little more complicated. Lip gloss can be tricky because it has a tendency to wear off, smear, or migrate outside of the lip line. Here are some helpful tips for applying lip gloss.

The best way to apply lip gloss is to start at the center of your top lip. Apply gloss from the center (the cupid’s bow) to the corner of your mouth in one long sweep and repeat on the other side. Then apply the gloss to the bottom lip in the same fashion.

If you have a problem with your lip gloss wearing off soon after you put it on, try these tips. First, don’t slather your lips in gloss. Over applying is the number one reason most lip glosses slide off of the lips so easily. A lighter coating will stick to your lips better. One good dip of your lip gloss wand should be enough. I use one side of the brush or doe foot for my top lip, then flip it and use the other side for the bottom lip. There is an exception to this rule though. If you want a much longer lasting gloss, you can blot with a paper towel or clean hand towel and reapply.

Try your best not to lick or bite your lips. Every time you lick your lips, you are licking off some of the gloss. Saliva also dries out your lips and can make your lip stick and lip gloss look bad no matter how you apply it. Also, try not to smash or rub your lips together too much. Often times we do this without realizing it, when concentrating and such. When I catch myself doing this, I make myself stop. Rubbing and mashing causes gloss to break up and wear off or bleed.

A common problem many have with gloss is bleeding. In terms of lip gloss and lipstick, bleeding is when the color migrates outside of the natural lip line and creates an uneven border around the lips. This is not attractive. The best way to combat lip gloss bleeding is to use a clear or reverse lip liner. My favorite lip liner for this is Cargo’s Reverse lip liner. Apply the lip liner just outside of the natural lip line and blend it out so it looks natural. Then proceed to putting on your gloss. This will help stop your gloss from bleeding outside of the lines.

You can also use a colored lip liner if you choose. For this, you want to stay inside your lip line or it will look unnatural. You can create a gorgeous look by lining your lips with a colored lip liner of your choice, then lightly filling in the rest of your lips with it as well. Apply a light layer of a lip gloss of your choice and you have your own custom lip color. This works exceptionally well if you want to create a nude glossy lip.

Plumping glosses are a great way to enhance the volume of your lips and give them more definition. A trick I live by is applying a plumping gloss under my lipstick. You might think this will make your lipstick wear off faster, but not if you follow these steps. First, I apply a thick layer of my favorite plumping gloss. (My favorite plumping gloss for this is Fusion Beauty’s Lip Fusion lip gloss in Clear.) Yes, I said a thick layer. I know that contradicts what I said before, but in this case, a thick layer is okay. I let the gloss sit on my lips and absorb while I do the rest of my makeup. When it’s time to do my lipstick, I blot the gloss with a paper towel until my lips look matte again. I do not use toilet paper or a tissue for this because the few times I’ve tried it, I was left with linty lips. By this time, my lips are plump, smooth and ready for lipstick or gloss.

Another trick for making lips appear larger using gloss is to apply a dab of shiny lip gloss in the center of the bottom lip only. This will create the sexy pouty lip look many women seek. You will have to try to not mash your lips together in this case as well.

One of my favorite things to do with lip glosses is to combine them with other lip colors to create my own custom colors. Any base color can be enhanced with a coat of lip gloss. For instance, if you have a matte lipstick that you wish was sparkly, applying a layer of sheer sparkly gloss will make your wish come true. If you have lip stick that is too light for you, does not show up, or the color just looks wrong, try putting a more pigmented gloss over top to change the color. You can warm up a too cool lipstick and vice verse using this method.

Lip gloss has so many uses. It can be mixed and matched to create numerous looks. Play around with your colors and you will be able to create lots of new lip colors without having to buy new products.