In hip-hop class last week I marveled at my teacher’s naturally dark, berry-red lips. Struggling to booty pop (apparently, booty popping is nothing like riding a bike; if you don’t use it, you do loose it), I couldn’t help but feel a twinge of jealousy.
I’ve had pigmented lips on my mind since I got this e-mail from Eileen. Like my dance instructor, Eileen is blessed with dark lips, but sometimes that pigmentation gets up in her mix, like when she wants to wear light lipsticks or gloss…
Hi Karen,
Is there some kind of primer I can use on my lips to ensure a true reflection of the lipstick or lipgloss color I have purchased? My natural lip color is a very dark pink and because of this I tend to have a brownish/purplish cast when using pink-toned lipcolor (such as Clinique’s Bamboo Pink). Thanks for any help you can give me in this area!
Eileen
Hi Eileen,
Isn’t the grass always greener on the other side? I’m totes jealous of your dark pigmented lips! Mine are naturally a pale pink, and I think they look boring with nothing on.
Here are a couple things you might try to get truer color from your lip products.
Foundation is yo’ friend!
Try applying a very thin layer of foundation to your lips before you apply lip color. It covers up the natural color of your lips, but it can also dry them out, so you’ll want to condition beforehand and at night. I really like Philosophy’s Kiss Me Lip Balm in Clear ($14); it’s one of the most moisturizing lip balms I’ve ever tried.
Nude lip liners work, too
Another trick you could try is to line and fill in your lips with a nude pencil before applying color. Nude pencils work like the foundation trick above, covering up your natural lip color. My favorites are MAC Cremestick Lip Liners ($15) in Sublime Culture (a brownish pink) and Creamola (a soft brown). They’re creamy, apply without skipping and don’t dry out my lips. If you’re not a MAC girl, then perhaps consider Urban Decay’s 24/7 Glide-On Lip Pencil in Naked ($14) or Chanel’s Nude Lip Liner ($28).
Homies, I’m betting a few of you out there with pigmented lips have run into this issue before. Do you have any tips for Eileen? What can she do to get truer color on her naturally dark lips?
Your friendly neighborhood beauty addict,
Karen
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