Lipstick 101

 I’m the girl who started wearing lipstick at the age of 21. Before that, I only used Vaseline on my lips or only applied a red color that my makeup artist used on me during my dance shows with my group. I don’t even think it was a brand; it was a pot that he used for all the girls, regardless of their skin tone. Needless to say, while some of the girls ended up looking gorgeous, the others (including me) looked rather whorish.

My fist lipstick was a deep red that I purchased after months and months of looking for a red that went well with my skin tone.

The fist thing before even picking up lipsticks to try on, is to identify and know what color would look good on you, something that complements your skin tone. I am something in between a medium and dusky and I tan very easily and hence my lipstick even varies from summer to winter.

Porcelain – Fair skin:

You are lucky and can pull off anything, Lighter colors, darkest reds, browns, plums, even the ones with the metallic bits and sparkles in them. Colors like petal pink, baby pink, bright red, hot pink and orange all look great on you.Even the nudest of nudes with a smoky eye will look great.

Medium- Dusky: ( This is where I fall under):

Picking out colors can be tricky when you’re in between. Never look at wearing bright reds, pinks or oranges – It will make you look darker than usual, and you will not photograph well with photo flash. When buying nude colors, always go for a more brownish nude than a cream nude. You want something that’s a little darker than your skin so you don’t look like you’re dead. Metallic purples and light reflecting particles in colors like mauve and pink that have a glitter effect are complete no-no’s unless it’s Halloween. For my Indian friends, think Shilpa Shetty in ‘ Main Khiladi Tu Anari’ and ‘Baazigar’.

Deep reds, burgundy, corals, rich pinks and browns are great for this skin tone.

My current obsession is a beautiful coral , YSL kiss and blush in number 5.

Chocolate: 

Always stick to dark, rich colors like oxblood, dark magenta, browns and burgundy. If you have clean and great skin, a dark orange works too! 

A lot of women have trouble on application and getting lipstick to last for hours. Here's how I apply my lipstick and I guarantee it will last longer than usual.

1. Apply foundation on the lip and blend well.Dust on some loose powder. 

2. Start by lining the lip line lightly- and blend the color inward.

3. Apply the lipstick evenly, ensuring you stay in the line. Blot with a tissue paper.

4. Apply lip gloss if required.

5. Clean up- Use a small brush and foundation to clean up the are around the lips and dust on some setting       powder!