The Best Lip Shades For Dark Skin

Today's post is all about dark skin tones and their best lipstick colors.

Day: Just a transparent lip gloss will leave your face with a luxurious fresh for daytime. If you prefer to play with colors, pick a shade between pink (Lavis) or orange brown (Livid) . All shades from Younique's Lucrative Lip Gloss.

Night: Choose a plum, wine (Lethal) or purple shade. Also from Younique's Lucrative Lip Gloss. If you choose a lipstick instead of gloss, go with a velvety finish as it will make it look more chic!

The Best Lip Shades For Brunettes

Following the previous blog post, dedicated to blondes, let's talk about brunettes and their shades for the lips:

Day: Choose colors such oranges (Lovesick) and corals for a colored look. A coffee tone (Lucky) leaves matches a basic and beautiful look! Both lipgloss shades from Younique's Lucrative Lip Gloss Collection.

Night: strong tones like terracotta (Livid) and burgundy highlight brunettes skin. 

Tip: Run from red shades that are too open.

The Best Lip Shades for Blondes

Many of us women out there struggle to find the right shade of lipstick or gloss, that one color that no matter what you're wearing will definitely enhance your whole look. So here's a quick guide to choose the right color, starting with blondes:

Day: Choose a nude tone (like Luxe), or if you want more color, choose a light pink (Loveable), peach (Ladylike) or watermelon (Lethal). All shades from Younique's Lucrative Lip Gloss.

Night:Create a chic contrast to the skin using a deep red (Luscious) or cherry, also from Younique collection.

Tip: Avoid brown tones, going off the pink of his skin

How to prevent lipstick from getting on your teeth

Red lipstick screams "sexy" all over, it's such a rich color, suitable for either brunettes or blondes. But what about those times you think you're smiling flawlessly, super confident, only to find out that your teeth are red too? It's the same with other colors too, even with nude tones, as they can create a yellow layer effect: gross.
To prevent this? It's easy, and in just 3 steps:

1. before the lipstick, apply a lip balm, it will create a smooth canvas for the pigment; help the lipstick pigment to stay in place;
2. use a lip liner, always in the same color as the lipstick, as not only it creates definition but helps the lipstick to stay in place;
3. apply your lipstick evenly through your lips, and gently insert your thumb straight out of your mouth: this will clean any pigment that was on your inner lips, the ones in constant contact with your teeth.
4. Add some lipgloss, if you like.

And don't forget to smile ;)

Beauty Quiz: Find Your Signature Lip Gloss

My list of guilty pleasures runs the gamut from the tame to the wild. Taking beauty quizzes falls somewhere between eating cronuts for breakfast three days in a row to wearing glitter eyeliner during the daytime. Assuming your vices are similar, I'm presenting a highly scientific quiz today to help you find your signature lip color. Read through and tell me your answers – no need to feel an ounce of guilt afterwards.

1. On a Saturday night, you’ll most likely be found:

A) Getting cocktails at your favorite spot

B) Relaxing on the couch with a glass of wine and magazine

C) Shopping with girlfriends, of course

D) Who knows – your Saturdays are never the same

E) Checking out the buzzed-about secret speakeasy that just opened

2. Your favorite style of handbag is:

A) A timeless tote bag

B) A versatile cross-body

C) A cute satchel

D) Anything with studs or tassels

E) A sleek envelope clutch

3. When you go out, you feel prettiest wearing:

A) A LBD

B) Your favorite vintage dress

C) A lace dress and pumps

D) A patterned top and flirty swing skirt

E) Leather leggings

4. You tend to date men who:

A) Are courteous and gentlemanly

B) Are easygoing

C) Treat you like a queen

D) Can make you laugh easily

E) Introduce you to new things

5. Your nails are usually:

A) Red, gray or navy

B) Bare

C) Sporting a French manicure

D) Bold and bright

E) Flaunting a half-moon or textured mani

6. You like to start your mornings off with:

A) Eggs and toast

B) Oatmeal or a bran muffin

C) A yogurt parfait

D) Last night’s leftovers

E) A green juice

7. Your fashion icon is:

A) Marilyn Monroe

B) Alexa Chung

C) Audrey Hepburn

D) Zooey Deschanel

E) Victoria Beckham

8. Your guilty pleasure:

A) Champagne

B) 2AM carb overload

C) Chocolate

D) Wearing leggings as pants

E) Staying out until the sun rises

9. The artist you can never get tired of listening to:

A) Mozart

B) Fleetwood Mac

C) Katy Perry

D) Spice Girls

E) Solange Knowles

10. The most–read book on your bookshelf is:

A) Gone With the Wind

B) A Lonely Planet Guidebook

C) Martha Stewart’s Entertaining: A Year of Celebrations

D) Fifty Shades of Grey

E) Anything by Haruki Murakami

Results:

Mostly A’s: Red

Classic, sophisticated and timeless – your signature lip color is red. You stick to what you know works, and know you’ll look fabulous doing it. Crazy trends and diet fads? You’ll pass. But heaven forbid people mistake you for a square – you’re not afraid to go bold for the right time and occasion.

Product pick: Younique Lucrative Lip Gloss in Lucky

Mostly B’s: Nude

Down to earth and low maintenance, you’re the peacemaker among your group of friends and the one your girlfriends call when they need to vent. You would rather explore a new hiking trail than stand hours waiting in line at a designer sample sale, but you know how to knock ‘em dead when the occasion arises. After all, we all know the best pairing for a nude lip is a sexy smoky eye…

Product pick: Younique Lucrative Lip Gloss in Livid

Mostly C’s: Pink

Your wardrobe is filled with feminine, romantic frocks and a string of pearls is your most-worn accessory. On a weekend, you can be found sipping mimosas at brunch with your best girlfriends or shopping for dresses at the cute boutique on the corner. You have a weakness for sparkly things and nothing sends your heart aflutter more than flowers and a perfectly penned note from a secret admirer. That, or diamond earrings.

Product pick: Younique Lucrative Lip Gloss in Loveable

Mostly D’s: Coral

Sassy, irreverent and quirky – coral is your lipstick color of choice. While others may shy away from the unknown, you’re always up for anything and know not to take life too seriously. Your friends might know you as the one who’s always running late, but once you arrive, you’re the life of the party.  The key to your heart? Anything (or anyone) who can make you laugh.

Product pick: Younique Lucrative Lip Gloss in Ladylike

Mostly E’s: Plum

Getting voted “Most Stylish” in high school was just the start of your fashion trailblazing ways. You count Vogue as your Bible and start every morning with a cup of green juice in hand, clicking through all your favorite fashion blogs. While others admire trends from afar, you’re always the first to rock them in person. You jumped on the ombré obsession first and you cheered when Radiant Orchid was deemed the Pantone Color of the Year – mainly because you’ve been rocking purple lips for years already.

Product pick: Younique Lucrative Lip Gloss in Lucky

How to Wear Lip Gloss Perfectly

Of all the products on the shelves, lip gloss is one of the most foolproof. Slick it on (with or without a mirror) and go. Right? Well … sorta. I have seen and experienced my share of gloss mishaps, so I'm here to dole out my top seven hard and fast rules for buying and applying it. Break them at your own risk.

Rule #1: Unless you’re going for a patent leather-y bold lip color, always go with a sheer bright or dark gloss hue. Opaque bold glosses are nearly impossible to keep looking neat, and they create a more over-the-top look than most of us are going for. My own go-to gloss: Younique Lucrative Lip Gloss in Lucky  is a mauvy-neutral shade, I swear it looks great on everyone!

Rule #2: If you buy a gloss that doesn't seem to mesh well with your skin tone, mix it with clear gloss (Lip Gloss in Loyal - perfect choice!) or petroleum jelly to make it more wearable. I do this all of the time!

Rule #3: If you have fine lines around your mouth, choose a gloss shade that’s close to your skin tone. This will make any bleeding that occurs with gloss less obvious.

Rule #4: Don’t shy away from thick or sticky formulas. They are not necessarily bad, thicker formulas give the highest intensity shine and last much longer their thinner counterparts. One warning: these are not kissable, they’re definitely for looks only.

Rule #5: Don’t get caught with any icky gloss mouth. You know how some people seem to have a gloss/saliva combo collecting in the corners of their mouth and along the inside rim of their lips? We hope you’re nodding. This can be prevented by exfoliating lips regularly. Use the simple Vaseline with a warm washcloth trick to get rid of excess skin. If that doesn't solve the issue, carry Q-Tips with you to swipe the excess gloss/skin/saliva/whatever-it-is off the corners and inner rims of your mouth.

Rule #6: Protect your lips. Wearing lip gloss is like wearing oil on your body, so you need to protect your lips with sunscreen. I recommend applying Chapstick Ultra 30 before swiping on gloss to prevent sun damage.

Rule #7: Don’t rub your lips together. It pushes the lip gloss outward so your lips no longer look finished.

Lip Cheat: Fuller Lips Instantly

As it turns out, we weren't all blessed with Angelina Jolie's lush lips. Now, there are a few tricks to making them appear larger (a glossy lip being one), but for a more dramatic effect, don’t be afraid to line your lips just outside of your natural line. When I say just outside of your natural line, I mean slightly. You don’t want to look like a clown by over doing it!

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• DIY: Fuller Lips in Minutes!
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• EVERY Red Lipstick Trick

EVERY Red Lipstick Trick You Need to Know!

Here you'll find every trick and tip there is to keep that gorgeous red lipstick in place and how to keep it there all day. No Joker lips here, gals!

First, Find the best shade for your skin tone.


Get Healthy Lips:
Color absolutely will not stick to dry, flaky, chapped lips. Get them silky smooth:

1. Using a disposable mascara wand or toothbrush, apply a generous amount of lip balm directly on your lips.

2. Scrub back and forth, up and down and in small circular motions in the same fashion you would brush your teeth. Really work on the flaky areas until the loose skin gently breaks off.

3. Wrap a tissue around your finger and remove any flaky residue.

4. SMILE!

Base: 

A lot of beauty experts recommend applying a layer of concealer or foundation. It creates a smooth surface, will help the pigments of your color stick and give them an extra little pop. I always recommend BB Cream though. Why? It's infused with moisturizer -- perfect to help keep your lips looking silky all day. 

Line Your Lips the Correct Way: 

Lip pencils often receive an unjustly chilly reception with lipstick shoppers because the products are so often misused. Pencils are not intended to draw a ring around the lips to corral the lipstick in place. While this will stop lipstick from feathering, it also wears unevenly and looks harsh. Pick a lip liner color that is slightly lighter than the intended lipstick color to keep the look soft and youthful.

Instead of encircling the lips with the pencil, start at the center of the lower lip and lightly fill in the entire surface. Repeat the process with the top lip. Starting in the middle of the lips instead of on the edges ensures that the most intense color will be near the center of the mouth. This technique helps keep the telltale ring of lip liner from appearing as lipstick fades.

Apply then Blot: 

After applying lipstick, blot it with a tissue and apply a new layer. Blotting removes excess oils and emollients from the first layer of lipstick while leaving the pigments largely intact. Adding a second layer of lipstick after blotting increases the pigment concentration relative to the creamy ingredients that are the enemies of lipstick longevity.

The Tissue Trick:

Apply a thin tissue over the lips & apply a loose powder using a brush. The powder helps keep the color in place.

Gloss it Up:
Gloss keeps your lips hydrated after your put on your lipstick and gives them a glowing, fuller appearance. Younique Lucrative Lip Gloss is gluten-free and super silky -- none of the sticky, icky grossness.

Enjoy your beautiful pouter!