HOLD THAT TUBE!

Pre Lip-shhhhtick tips and tricks to go from flaky to flash in a low maintenance second!

1. FLAKE AWAY

Okay, so it’s winter and this can wreak havoc on our skin. Many of us are dehydrated and switching between central heating indoors and freezing temperatures outisde = stressed skin and cracked lips (unless you have lucked out and live in balmy climes). So, a little brushing or exfoliating of your lips will get rid of unwatned dry flakes. No need to buy a ridiculously expensive lip exfoliator….no no no! Either gently rub an old dry toothbrush to across those smackers or try the backstage makeup artist trick of rubbing your lips with a cottonbud (eco friendly please) soaked in Wild Cornflower Eye Makeup Remover by Klorane (only £6.37 from Look Fantastic). No one quite knows why, but the icky bits just seem to melt away!

2. BALM & BLOT

Next step: Moisturise! Apply a balm of your choice (Carmex is fabulous and cheap) and then BLOT. This removes excess product and moisture to stop your lippy slipping into oblivion.

3. PRIME TIME

If you are using a bold lip colour, or want your lipstick to be as budge proof as possible for a night out or special event, a primer is a makeup artist must. I love MAC’s Prep & Prime for Lips. Allow that to sink into the lips and blot the excess after about 5 minutes.

4. MAKE IT LAST

Fill in your lips using a lip liner in a matching shade to your lipstick. Then apply a coat of lipstick on top. BLOT excess lippie with a tissue. Reapply your lipstick and blot again. To finish off, if you want to gently touch up your lip line with your liner to sharpen the contour, go for it! Just don’t forget to try the old trick of putting a finger in your mouth when you are finished, pulling it out to remove excess lipstick on the inner part of your lips and checking your teeth for any lipstick transfer!

…….Looking Shhhhhmokin’ girlfriend……..