How to Prep Your Lips for Liquid Lipstick

A perfectly painted pout can help tie any look together. And if you know you’ll be on the go all day long, chances are you’re not interested in having to make frequent makeup touchups. That’s where liquid lipstick comes into play. While traditional lipsticks, lip glosses, and lip stains have their time and place, liquid lipsticks are a great option for when you’d like to rock a long-lasting lip color. In general, liquid lipstick is known for being highly pigmented, matte, and long-lasting.

OUR BEST LIQUID LIPSTICKS

Ready to add liquid lipstick to your makeup bag? Try the L’Oréal Paris Infallible Pro-Matte Liquid Lipsticks, available in 12 high impact shades, or the L’Oréal Paris Infallible Pro-Matte Les Chocolates Scented Liquid Lipsticks, available in six subtle nude and pink shades. Then, follow along with our guide to liquid lipstick application below!

LIQUID LIPSTICK APPLICATION TIP #1: FIND THE RIGHT SHADE FOR YOUR SKIN TONE

When it comes to picking a liquid lipstick, let your undertones be your guide. If your veins are blue and silver jewelry complements you best, then you’ve got cool undertones. Blue- or purple-based hues will flatter you the most. Meanwhile, if your veins are green and gold jewelry looks best against your skin, then you have warm undertones. In that case, opt for red or orangey hues.

LIQUID LIPSTICK APPLICATION TIP #2: EXFOLIATE FIRST

Since liquid lipsticks usually have matte (a.k.a. non-shiny) finishes, they can often draw attention to dryness and flakes. So, before applying one, use a lip scrub—you can use the L’Oréal Paris Pure-Sugar Smooth & Glow Grapeseed Scrub on your lips—to help exfoliate dead skin cells from the surface of your lips. Make sure to use gentle circular motions, then rinse off with a damp wash cloth.

LIQUID LIPSTICK APPLICATION TIP #3: PRIME YOUR POUT

After you’re done exfoliating, go ahead and apply a lip primer. Primer can help create a smooth canvas for your liquid lipstick application. If you don’t have a lip primer on hand, don’t worry! You can just dab on a little bit of foundation or concealer in a pinch.

LIQUID LIPSTICK APPLICATION TIP #4: LINE YOUR LIPS

Next up, lip liner! This product can help prevent color from bleeding outside the lines. Use an invisible lip liner or one that closely matches the color of your lips. Try the L’Oréal Paris Infallible Never Fail Lipliner. While you can overline your lips to help create the illusion of a fuller-looking pout, only do so slightly as going overboard can end up looking cartoonish.

LIQUID LIPSTICK APPLICATION TIP #5: PAINT ON YOUR COLOR

Now it’s time for the fun part! Our two liquid lipsticks both feature wand applicators for precise application. Outline your lips with the applicator, then fill in your lips.

LIQUID LIPSTICK APPLICATION TIP #6: KEEP THE REST OF YOUR MAKE SIMPLE

Let your lips be the star of your makeup look when you use a liquid lipstick. Keep the rest of your makeup subdued by using a full coverage foundation, like the L’Oréal Paris Infallible Total Cover Foundation, and swiping on a coat of a volumizing mascara, like the L’Oréal Paris Voluminous Lash Paradise Mascara. Finish with a thin line of the L’Oréal Paris Voluminous Lash Paradise Liquid Eyeliner in Black.

LIQUID LIPSTICK APPLICATION TIP #7: TAKE IT ALL OFF AT THE END OF THE DAY

After you’ve jaunted around town in your liquid lipstick for the day, it’s time to remove it all before hitting the sheets. Reach for a no-rinse cleansing option formulated to remove long-wear makeup, like the L’Oréal Paris Micellar Water Cleansing Water Complete Cleanser Waterproof for All Skin Types. Micellar water is powered by tiny micelles—oil molecules—that act as a magnet to lift dirt, oil, and makeup up and away from your skin. Just pour some onto a cotton pad and wipe the pad across your lips. Voila!

Congratulations: You’re now a liquid lipstick pro! From finding the right shade of matte liquid lipstick for your skin tone to prepping your pout beforehand to removing the color at the end of the day, applying liquid lipstick is a definite art—and now you know how to do it right!

To make sure you’re applying blush the right way, check out our article, How to Correctly Apply Blush for All Face Shapes.