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Lipstick hints & tips for a 37yo --lipstick hating-- novice

41 replies

WingDefence · 16/06/2014 11:14

Here's my confession - I can't stand wearing lipstick but I've got to 37 and I wear foundation, eye liner, shadow and mascara, brow pencil and sometimes a hint of cheek colour (when I can find my benetint) but I never wear lipstick.

I tend to stick to Vaseline or slightly tinted gloss (I'm currently using the limited edition red tiny Vaseline) but I feel like I need lipstick in my repertoire. I'm a professional and think that I should start looking my age iykwim.

I've tried the long lasting lippies before but don't like the way they get all bitty after an hour or so.

I guess I've just never got into lipstick because it comes off and I can't be doing with checking and reapplying it all the time. The odd occasion that I do wear lipstick I buy a new one, wearing it once for a certain occasion but spend the whole time worrying that it's worn off and looks dreadful and then pretty much never wear it again Blush

Can you please convert me? What are your best lipsticks and what do I need to know about applying and reapplying etc? Hints on shades etc? (Tricky I know without seeing me.) I remember asking a girl on the tube where her amazing lipstick was from and I think she said Mac. It was a matte bright red colour, although I'm not saying that bright red would suit me.

How do I get to be one of those women who can wear lipstick without worrying about it and always looking amazing?

I'm desperate. Please help Thanks

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kaykayblue · 16/06/2014 11:41

Genuine question: Why are you deadset on liking lipstick? Personally I am like you - I can't stand it!!! It takes so long to get used to, and some people just carry it off much better than others. I accepted a couple of years back that lipstick just looks odd on me. If you already wear eyeliner then perhaps some nice new eye shadow would be the way to go?

Otherwise here are some suggestions for you:

1 ) Go to a fancy make up counter (I recommend Laura Mercier) and tell them that you would like to get into lipsticks but have no idea where to start. They will be able to do you up in a colour that they think would suit you, and you can see how you feel about it.

2) Start with natural colours and see how you feel about them, then work your way to stronger colours.

3) Try the clinique chubby sticks for lips! I actually love these and don't consider them as lipstick as they are more sheer than lipsticks. And super convenient to boot. It doesn't bleed and you don't really notice if the colour comes off.

Here are some specific recommendations:

Clinique chubby sticks in Whole lotta honey, roomiest rose or curvy candy.

Laura Mercier lip glace in Opal

Clinique lipstick in blushing nude

Or if you want something with a bit more colour then Dior 874 "prune fantastique". I am pretty sure that this colour would suit everyone.

The MAC lipstick you are talking about was probably russian red. I actually have that too, but rarely wear it. It takes a lot of upkeep to prevent it from bleeding, it gets over everything, and it's a matte lipstick so dries out your lips. I deffo wouldn't recommend it as a starting point!

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CanaryYellow · 16/06/2014 11:41

I found Revlon Lip Butter was a good starter lipstick. Don't be put off by the brighter shades, the colour goes on quite sheer and if you want to make it more intense you can build it up. There's a huge range of colours to choose from. Candy Apple is a good one if you want to try a red but you're a bit scared of it.

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SuperFlyHigh · 16/06/2014 11:45

If you want colour to stay on you'll ALWAYS have a problem with lipsticks and stains/glosses.

for a novice wanting colour which does not wear off try the YSL lip stain/gloss, it does not come off and in a variety of colours.

www.yslbeauty.co.uk/make-up/lips/vernis-a-levres?gclid=CP6A4qKb_r4CFUjlwgodYkoAaQ

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rockybalboa · 16/06/2014 11:53

Watching with interest as I'm an almost-37 lipstick phobe! I actually have two MAC ones which I bought in an attempt to get into it. Both are called Viva Glam, one is like a sort of dark nude and is Viva Glam VI and the other is Viva Glam I (I think!) and it's a much bolder dark red. I really like how both of them look in theory but the reality is I feel a bit odd and like they make my lips look too small. I think I just need to get used to them. I used to think colour on my nails looked weird too but now i am never without gel nails so I think it's just a case of getting used to it but today is only the second time in 6 weeks I've worn the dark nude one and I haven't made it out of my house with the dark red yet!

I now quite fancy a bright pink and a sort of coral orange for something a bit funkier but I'm not sure I want to pay MAC prices. The lady in MAC was quite helpful though but I'm not sure whether she gave as much thought to my colouring etc as I hoped. I don't know where to start looking for the 'right' pink and the 'right' coral.

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KarlWrenbury · 16/06/2014 11:56

for colour but still the feel of a gloss get the Revlon chunky pencils
I have one of these www.boots.com/en/Revlon-ColorBurst-%C2%99-Balm-Stain_1208067/ and one a similar look but diffo name

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Elledouble · 16/06/2014 12:04

I'd second the Clinique Chubby Sticks - I hate lipstick/lipgloss too but they just feel like lip balm. I have Bountiful Blush, which is nice and natural (on me anyway).

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7Days · 16/06/2014 12:07

I'm a bit like you OP an a dab on a bit of lipstick and then smooth it out with the pink Vaseline.

Sounds atrocious but does look nice - honest! and a step up colour and coverage wise without feeling OTT

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KarlWrenbury · 16/06/2014 13:00

ive done the clinique ones - think the revlon are better and cheaper

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DameDiazepamTheDramaQueen · 16/06/2014 13:07

I'm not over keen either but that's to do with wearing tons of mascara and eye liner and lipstick too looks over done imo.

No 7 do a range of lovely sheer lipsticks which are sheer but more staying power than a gloss.

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onetiredmummy · 16/06/2014 14:07

Another vote here for Clinique Chubby Sticks. I use Mega Melon as my go to lip colour all through the summer. It doesn't bleed & the colour isn't strong enough to really stand out but it stops corpse lips & makes you look healthy & kind of sunkissed.

Or I use the Body Shop lip stain (its a lip & cheek stain but way too dark for my cheeks) apply a couple of coats of this then a coloured lip balm over the top, I use the Body Shop Born Lippy lip balm stick in Pomegranite & wearing the 2 together gives it a lovely depth & I can just apply the lip balm as & when without a mirror.

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WingDefence · 16/06/2014 14:08

Thank you so much for your responses (sorry, have been in meetings)!

kaykayblue I suppose I feel like I should wear lipstick because it finishes off a made up face, or because I think I'm a grown up, or because I look at other women and perhaps just having other make up but a completely nude lip looks strange?

We all look different to ourselves than we do to other people don't we and I wonder whether people look at me and think 'ooh she looks odd without lippy' because so many women do wear it! DameDiazepam I don't think I wear tons of the other make up but yes I think I feel more MADE UP if I have lipstick on too but then many women just look normal with it on and that's what I want for myself :)

I really appreciate the suggestions. I didn't just want to go to a beauty counter as I thought I'd get sold just their range whereas I want more generic advice, so thanks.

Those of you who use the crayons (Clinique or Revlon), when you reapply can you do it 'blind' or do you need a mirror (either a handbag-sized or in the loo)?

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WingDefence · 16/06/2014 14:15

Super that YSL product looks great too. I think I'll have to get myself to a proper make up counter to investigate that one.

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onetiredmummy · 16/06/2014 14:16

I use either a compact mirror or a mirror app on my phone

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Lndnmummy · 16/06/2014 14:22

Hi, why dont you try some sheer lipstick versions to get used to it? They are not as drying or ageing on the lips. I love clinique chubbies for this, my favourite is super strawberry for a my lips but better colour. I have bags of nude lipsticks and they all age and make me look really washed out.

I then started thinking neutral rather than nude when selecting colours and it works v well. Try lipsticks with a berry in the name or once with rose in the name.
Max Factor do crayons too and I just bought a lovely coral one which looks great with a tan. The cheer formula means that the colour is more wearable.
Good luck - and have fun with it!

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somedizzywhore1804 · 16/06/2014 14:39

I'm a big fan of the Rimmel moisturising lipsticks in neutrally shades like nude, coffee shimmer, heather etc. They are comfortable enough to wear all the time because they moisturise but they have enough colour to "polish" the look of your makeup. And they're only about six quid.

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KarlWrenbury · 16/06/2014 14:44

I can put all lipstick on blind. And put my bra on without twiddling it round

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WingDefence · 16/06/2014 15:11

I'd like to see that bra trick Karl Grin

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KarlWrenbury · 16/06/2014 15:36

I'm always stunned at people who can't so their bra !!

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WingDefence · 16/06/2014 15:59

I can do it but it is so fiddly and it's just easier to do it up at the front and whip it round?

I popped out at lunchtime (only chance I'll get near a make up counter today) and saw the Revlon pencils. I basically drew all the back of my hand with them! Out of the shiny, matte and balm I did like the balm in Honey for its sheerness although my favourite was the matte - but I suspect I'll get into noticeable wearing-off territory there.

I need to get to a proper big store and check out all the suggestions here.

So those of you who do wear full-on lipstick regularly, do you find it wears off and you keep an eye on it, keep applying or do you all have tricks that keep the lipstick on for longer?

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NewtRipley · 16/06/2014 17:27

I don't like lipstick either. I feel like a kid dressing up.

I do wear Clinique lip pencil thingies (can't remember the name) - I have a plum one, a pink one and a coral one. Reapply when necessary. Bit of moisture, bit of colour, but no too much gloss

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RemusLupinsBiggestGroupie · 16/06/2014 18:13

Soap & Glory, "Perfect Day." A really lovely muted pinky red, which is so soft and easy to wear and tastes nice too. I adore it.

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justaweeone · 16/06/2014 18:18

I often use a lip liner all over my lips then put some lip balm on top

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WingDefence · 16/06/2014 20:11

justaweeone does it make it less noticeable when it wears off then? D you just have to top up with the pencil every so often?

Interestingly, Remus, the second review on the Boots page for that lippy is from someone who never liked lipstick because it doesn't last but who has been converted to lipstick with that one. Food for thought!

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WingDefence · 16/06/2014 20:12

Thanks Newt too :)

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WildBillfemale · 16/06/2014 20:17

I hate the feel of lipstick too....until I discovered Laura Mercier semi lipsticks. They are great, comfortable to wear, more lipstick like than lip balm but feel like balm on.
I use 'Bare lips' for a natural groomed look but there are a few colours to choose from. Probably the only lippie I've ever used up and replaced.

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