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Back in the day, you might have found applying lipstick to be super simple. Quickly swiping on a fun color might’ve been all you needed for a statement lip that would last all night.
But as we get older and our faces start to show beautiful signs of wisdom (aka wrinkles—especially wrinkles around the mouth), cleanly applying lipstick can become more of a challenge. Often, wrinkles and dry skin absorb the lipstick from the edges of the lips, leading to a not-ideal effect called “feathering.”
But there’s good news: If you have lines around your mouth and are looking for a way to cleanly apply lipstick, there’s one trick you can do that will make the process so much smoother.
In fact, we spoke with four makeup artists who all agree that this trick is an important step in the lipstick application process for people with wrinkles around their mouths: Michelle Radow, a two-time Emmy-nominated makeup artist who has worked as the Makeup Department Head for the upcoming FOX series Baywatch as well as Big Little Lies, The Affair, and more; Tim Quinn, makeup artist and founder of skincare company Halo42; Margina Dennis, a regional Emmy-nominated multimedia makeup artist who has worked with celebrities including Tracy Morgan, Jane Lynch and Tom Brady; and Meredith Boyd, a licensed master cosmetologist and the founder of Meredith Boyd Cosmetics.
Curious to learn more? Keep reading to learn more about this trick and learn a few different makeup artist-approved ways to do it.
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4 Makeup Artists Agree: This Lipstick Trick Is Brilliant for People With Wrinkles Around Their Mouths
According to Radow, Quinn, Dennis and Boyd, if you have wrinkles around your mouth, the key to a clean lipstick application is preparing your lips by exfoliating them.“I recommend exfoliating your lips prior to lipstick application so that you get a smoother lipstick application by removing any dead/flaky skin on the lips,” Dennis tells Parade.“Exfoliating the lips also helps to stimulate blood flow, which can result in a plumper-looking lip,” she adds. “Regular exfoliation can help to soften smoker’s lines around the lips. Lastly, regularly exfoliating the lips can make the lips look more youthful and keep long-wear lipsticks from accentuating the lines on the lips.”
“Prepping, powdering and sealing your lip area makes all the difference!” Radow says. “This trick works because prepping the skin area on and around the lips, which can often be dehydrated and visibly dry, makes the lip application smooth and last longer. The lipstick and liner will have a clean, smooth surface to adhere to.”
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However, exfoliation isn’t for everyone—and it’s not a cure-all
That said, not everyone’s lips need to be exfoliated. “One thing I have learned from experience: don’t tug or pull at peeling skin this can cause a tiny tear and even bleeding,” Quinn explains. “I would skip exfoliation if lips are really sore or irritated. I usually apply a conditioning lip treatment while I address the rest of the face.”
Furthermore, even though exfoliating lips before applying lipstick can certainly help reduce the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles, this trick is not a miracle worker, and it can’t make your wrinkles completely disappear.
“I definitely think exfoliating the lips is a very important step in creating a longer lasting and cleaner lip result,” Boyd says. However, “exfoliating cannot fix wrinkles alone around the mouth,” she explains. “I wish it were that easy. To truly fix wrinkles around the mouth, a skilled and licensed medical professional would need to use micro amounts of filler or plastic surgery such as a lip lift.”
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How To Exfoliate and Prep Your Lips Before Applying Lipstick: 3 Makeup Artist-Approved Methods
1. The toothbrush method
Alexandr Dubynin / Getty Images
To exfoliate your lips, Radow suggests using either a new soft toothbrush or new disposable mascara wand along with some petroleum jelly (or a similar occlusive product). “Gently rub in a repeating circular motion on your lips and over the lip line,” she instructs.
“Be sure to remove all dry skin,” she adds, and then use a tissue to blot off excess petroleum jelly.
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2. The sugar scrub method
Jacob Wackerhausen / Getty Images
“Dry lips, especially where there is a bit of flakiness or peeling, can create an uneven finish,” Quinn states. “I look to create a smoother finish, not to erase lip lines or wrinkles.”
In his opinion, using a toothbrush or mascara wand to exfoliate lips might be too harsh for sensitive skin. “I am a fan of using a soft damp washcloth or a gentle sugar scrub,” he says. “I find this to be a more gentle approach.”
Boyd also recommends a sugar scrub for lip exfoliation, and she suggests doing so once a week. If you don’t have a sugar scrub, “in a pinch, you can use granulated sugar with olive oil with a soft toothbrush to exfoliate the lip area,” she says.
Once you’re done with your sugar scrub, wipe it off with a makeup removal wipe “so that your lip product doesn’t slide off.” Next, Boyd suggests applying lip balm rather than petroleum jelly, which is what Radow recommends. In fact, Boyd specifically recommends against using petroleum jelly—so you’ll have to figure out what works best for you.
After letting the lip balm “soak into the lips” for around 20 minutes, you can blot with a makeup wipe.
3. The silicone lip scrubber method
ULTA
“Instead of using a toothbrush or a mascara spoolie, I prefer to use a silicone lip scrubber,” Dennis explains. “The scrubber is usually dual-sided so that you can vary the intensity of the exfoliation.”
To use a silicone lip scrubber, start by applying a lip oil or lip scrub. Then, use either side of the scrubber to remove dry skin.
“I find them to be more gentle, and they are very easy to clean and sanitize,” she says. “I’ve also used a Japanese exfoliating face towel with good results.”
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How To Apply Lipstick To Hide Wrinkles: 3 Makeup Artists Share Their Favorite Methods
1. MUA Michelle Radow’s method
After exfoliating, Radow suggests applying a long wear and/or waterproof lipstick and liner. Some of her favorite liners include Make Up For Ever’s Artist Color Pencil Extreme Smudge-Proof Lip Liner and Urban Decay’s 24/7 Glide-On Waterproof Lip Liner; for lip colors, she recommends e.l.f.’s Glossy Lip Stain or Urban Decay’s Vice Bond Glossy Longwear Lipstick.
“When applying lip color and liner, make a half smile so it stretches the skin on and around your lips,” she advises. Then, use a soft puff to apply blotting powder and “gently press over the entire lip shape.” Next, blot off any powder residue with a slightly damp cotton swab.
And finally, “when the entire makeup is complete, use ONE/SIZE’s ‘Til Dawn Mattifying Waterproof Setting Spray over the entire face” to set everything.
2. MUA Tim Quinn’s method
After you blot the sugar scrub off of your lips, Quinn says: “I like to outline the lips with the pencil and blend the liner inward creating a soft definition. This helps discourage feathering without a harsh drawn line.”
When it comes to what lipstick to use, Quinn prefers “a creamy or satin finish lipstick on dry or mature lips because a matte finish can emphasize the dry texture issues.” Then, “refine around the outside of the lip line with a small amount of concealer and powder to keep a crisp look.”
And for the final step, you should set your makeup. “Place a thin tissue over the lips, gently sweep a powder brush with loose powder across the tissue, then remove the tissue,” Quinn suggests. “You can repeat the color application and setting trick once again for a really long wear lip!”
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3. MUA Meredith Boyd’s method
As mentioned, after exfoliating, Boyd suggests applying lip balm, and then blotting 20 minutes later with a makeup wipe. “Then, apply a silicone based primer around the mouth to fill in the areas of concern,” she says. Her recommendation is Hourglass’ Vanish Airbrush Primer.
“Then apply your foundation ever so lightly on the face; then, a very small amount of concealer around the lips,” she suggests. She suggests HAUS LABS’ Triclone Skin Tech Hydrating + De-puffing Concealer with Fermented Arnica.
“Then, I use a clean fluffy brush to dab away any excess concealer that remains from those areas,” she explains. However, you should avoid applying concealer on the lips—the closest you should get is “near the border.”
Next, apply lip liner and fill it in with lipstick. “My trick is to apply lip liner when you are smiling,” Boyd says. “It’s so much easier to apply!”
And to wrap things up, “take a cotton swab and lightly trace above the lip liner to make sure the edges are clean,” she advises. “And there you have a beautiful long lasting lip color with a finished result.”
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Sources:
Michelle Radow, two-time Emmy-nominated makeup artist Tim Quinn, makeup artist and founder of skincare company Halo42 Margina Dennis, regional Emmy-nominated multimedia makeup artist Meredith Boyd, licensed master cosmetologist and the founder of Meredith Boyd CosmeticsHence then, the article about wrinkles around your mouth 4 makeup artists say this lipstick trick helps was published today ( ) and is available on Parade ( Saudi Arabia ) The editorial team at PressBee has edited and verified it, and it may have been modified, fully republished, or quoted. You can read and follow the updates of this news or article from its original source.
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