Hello Everyone,

When it comes to beauty, I do not believe in the word “fixing,” but I believe more in the word “enhancing.” That is what make-up is supposed to do: bring out your eyes, your lips, your hair and many other things. “Fix” has such an awful connotation and can make anyone feel bad about themselves. Nevertheless, a lot of beauty industries purposefully make you feel bad in order to make money. Ironically, make-up would be of no use if you did not already have your beautiful and unique self. Below are so tips on how to “enhance” your already beautiful lips.

Thin Lips- Try using light to medium colors as dark colors can make your lips look even thinner. You can also dab a little bit of highlighter on your cupid’s bow (the little v on the top of your upper lip) and a dab in the middle of you lips, to give the illusion that they are fuller. Great highlighters can be a white eyeshadow, or a white lipstick (but just a dab…not white lips!) To make them look even bigger, use your eyeliner, and lightly add a soft line to the bottom of your lower lip to draw the illusion of a shadow, to give once again, an illusion, that you lips are so plump that they cast a shadow! Shadow effects are great for a lot of things, like Keira Knightley’s make-up artist added shadow to her bust to make her boobs look bigger!

Adding Definition to your Lips- Sometimes when I add lipstick, I do not like how both lips look like thick lines (this happens when I add lipstick without a mirror) thus erasing the beauty of shape from my lips. For this, you can use a neutral lip pencil to outline your lips after applying lipstick or gloss.

Lines around the mouth- Did you know that smoking can cause lines around your mouth? For this problem, you will need prescription creams to even out the lines. But for lipstick, it is important to line your lips with a neutral lip pencil, and use a creamy matte on your lips, as glossy super creamy lipstick can creep to the lines of your mouth. The lip pencil helps to hold the lipstick, sort of like a little barrier to keep the lipstick from going into the lines, and making the lines stand out more.

Fade of natural color- As one ages, your natural lip color also starts to fade. However, this one is simple because all you need is  a brighter version lipstick than your natural lip color. Use a lip color that blends into your bottom lip well without turning orange or brown. Great colors are hues of pink, rose, berry or apricot… try not to use brown or beige because they can make your lips look duller.

Uneven Lip Color- Naturally, every women’s upper lip is slightly darker than their lower lip. I think they look beautiful that way, but if you would like for both parts to be the same color, you can do this: Use sheer dark lipstick as a base on your lighter lip, then apply your regular lipstick on both your upper lip and bottom lip. Finish it with a lip pencil.

Lastly, try to find organic and natural lipsticks as you pretty much eat your lipstick. Great brands that provide all natural lipstick are Eve Organics, Honeybee Garden, Primitive, Couler Caramel, Zuzu Lux and many others you can find in this website: http://www.natureofbeauty.com/organic-makeup/. What you buy says a lot to big business on what is important to you as a consumer. Therefore, if you buy natural, other businesses will pay attention to that and put more effort in providing you with all-natural safe cosmetics.

* Ideas take from:

Bobby Brown Living Beauty. New York: Springboard Press, 2007. (74-75)