Ripe Lips for All Occasions

Just as you have carefully chosen the proper prom dresses for your high school prom and graduation prom, so should you choose the proper makeup for your everyday look. More often than not, the last thing any woman does before leaving the house is to put on a some lipstick. Unlike other forms of makeup, lipstick is easy to use — it doesn’t require much technical know-how, and it looks good even if you wear it alone or with a fully made-up face. Lipstick is also the cheapest way to update your makeup “wardrobe” or experiment with a new look.

Subtle color may be de rigueur for work and weekends, but a night out on the town calls for brighter, more vivid lip color. Plums, berries and bright pinks work well with almost any skin tone, but mature women should stay away from very dark red and orange shades, as they may be too severe. Instead, stick to a creamy or gloss formulas for a more youthful look.

To give your lipcolor a strong foundation, smooth on a thick layer of lip balm first, as bright color emphasizes rough, cracked lips. Let it sink in for a few minutes, then buff away with a dry washcloth. Outline the lips with a neutral shade of lipliner, then fill in lips with the same pencil to eliminate that “ring around the mouth” look. Top it all off with your gloss, and you’re all set.