I recently discovered a new lip technique that provides a longer lasting application than I've found with any lip product. I just happened to be "creating" my own lip color with a blend of several products, and I liked the look so much that I continued using the technique. What came to my attention after several days of using the technique - every night after hours of wear - I still had color on my lips!



I recently tried the technique out on a bride, and I asked her to let me know how the application lasted for her. After returning from her honeymoon, she dropped me an email to tell me she did not have to reapply lip color even once - and still had color at the end of the evening. Wow!

So if you'd like to create your very own all-day lip color here's what you'll need:

-A quality eye shadow in the shade you'd like your lips to be (frosts are ideal here as you'll get a shiny gloss finish)

-A quality eye shadow in a pearly shade for creating a highlight on your bottom lip (this is optional but really makes the lips look outstanding)

-Matte Lip Gloss

-Small synthetic concealer brush (lip brushes do not work as well with this type of application due to their extremely small size)

How to apply:

-When applying your foundation and powder, cover your lips as well.

-Using the small concealer brush, coat your brush thoroughly with the eye color you've chosen for your lips. Pat this all over your lips. Gently smooth the color with the brush.

-Using your finger, apply a very small dab of matte gloss to your upper and lower lips. To lessen the effort of smoothing, use your finger to dot three times across each lip. Do not continue adding a lot of gloss - you're looking for a very thin, evenly distributed layer over the color you've applied. Kiss your lips together; smooth gently with your fingertip.

-Next, recoat your concealer brush with a good amount of the eye color you're using on your lips. Gently pat this over the gloss you've just applied. Kiss your lips together lightly.

-Remove any excess color from your brush on a tissue, and then tap the brush over your pearly shadow color. Gently pat this color in the direct center of your bottom lip. If you have a noticeable "line" where you've applied - just gently pat the brush on either side of the center to blend the edge of the highlight you've created.

Avoid kissing your lips together a lot after this step. Allow the application to "set". If done properly, and with quality products - you'll notice many hours later that you still have color even if you don't feel the gloss much on your lips at all.

As noted above, this technique works extremely well with shimmery colors. The shimmer in the powder eye colors replaces the shine usually found with lip glosses. And, as we all know, lip gloss just doesn't stay on very well. With this technique, you'll have a glossy lip (for hours and hours) minus the sticky glosses that disappear in no time.

If you try to use this method with normal lip glosses, you may get too much shine, and the application will likely not last as well as with a matte gloss.