{Beauty Tuesday} Make It Last and Make It Count

Once upon a time I discussed the merits of wearing lipstick and all kinds of it. Just as vital to the wearer as shade and formula is the preparation and application thereof! We've all seen - or, at least, heard of - the smeared coffee mugs and sacrament cups, stained men's dress shirts (that's always a fun trip to the dry cleaner), and messy napkins. And let's not forget the dreaded ring of nakedness in the center of the lips after a particularly fulfilling meal! Here's how to eliminate flakes and make your color last:

Use a small amount of lip scrub (try C.O. Bigelow Mentha Lip Buffer) and rub it in well to create a smooth, even base. Remove any remaining product with a tissue.

Apply a thin layer of Vaseline or clear lip gloss (I love Hollister Lip Gloss in Ocean Berry; it tastes sensational) to moisturize lips. Allow ten minutes for it to sink in; otherwise, it won't penetrate the surface and will just mix in with your lipstick. Which doesn't work very well...

Use either a nude lip liner or the edge of the lipstick you're going to wear to create a thin line around the edge of the lips. Focus color on the cupid's bow and the very center of the bottom lip.

Fill in entire lip surface with lipstick straight from the tube.

Separate the top and bottom layers of a tissue, and use one layer to lightly blot lipstick. Reapply straight from the tube, blot again, then dab on one final coat of color.

Find something to be unfathomably happy about.

Happy sticking around!