The oh-so-trendy matte lipstick look may look intimidating, but is totally achievable and wearable. Here’s a step-by-step guide to help you get the technique down pat:
1. Exfoliate
Photo: TiffyQuake on YouTube
First things first: you’ll need to prepare your lips. Matte lipsticks look terrible on cracked lips, so exfoliating is a must. You can use a lip scrub to remove dead skin, or you could apply petroleum jelly on your lips and gently scrub them with a toothbrush.
2. Moisturise
Photo: SignatureSeries on YouTube
Keep your lips hydrated to prevent cracking—many matte lipsticks can be drying. Try a lip balm with shea butter and vitamin E.
3. Prime
Photo: Nyx Nordics on Youtube
To ensure smooth application and make your lip colour last even longer, you can’t go wrong with a good lip primer.
4. Line
Photo: Sephora on YouTube
Lip liners not only prevent the colour from bleeding or feathering, they also prolong the wear of your colour.
5. Fill in
Take a selfie while you’re at it—you look fab!