Is lip pencil really necessary?

[Lottapianos]

Since stopping smoking and using various tooth-whitening products, my teeth are looking a lot brighter. I'm becoming a bit braver about using strong lip colours but am still not sure if they suit me.

I have noticed a bit of 'bleeding' of colour beyond the lip line and I guess my lipstick doesn't have as 'clean' a finish as I would like. Do I need to use lip pencil before wearing lip stick? If so, do I need to match the colour of the pencil to the lipstick, or can I use a nude pencil for all lip colours?

Thanks!

First on the stopping smoking - Well Done.

I have a BodyShop Beech lipliner that is donkeys years old. It's neutral enough to go with most lippie.
Rhen I've got a (I think) Rimmel or similar in red, but I wear that all over not just as a liner, to give a base.
For the days when I want to look like a Drag Queen
I can apply and blot and have a subtle red.

What about Lipcoat ?
Oldie but Goody

I find that some lipsticks are worse than other with regards to bleeding.
Also, applying with a brush seems to help the lipstick to not bleed as much.

I use either a clear lip pencil (mine is from Dior, but there are probably cheaper and better alternatives) or a lip pencil in the same colour as the lipstick. I can't get a nude one to look right with a red/pink lipstick.

Body shop do a clear lip liner -called lip corrector or something - that works. You can put lipstick on up to and on top of it, and it won't 'leak' over. Cheaper than Dior I expect but can't remember what it costs.

Otherwise, a lip liner around the same colour as your lips (body shop beech is a good example for a lot of people) is recommended by the lovely Sali Hughes and works for me, including for scary reds. Revlon has a really good range of reds, but you might not get the perfect shade in the finish you want, boo.

Congrats on new shiny teeth!

I use a red lip pencil for red lipstick, but otherwise wear a fairly nudey lip pencil (for coral/rusty coloured lipsticks. I don't wear any fuchsia type colours as they look horrible on me). Lip pencil definitely makes the colour last longer, and stops it bleeding. My lipstick doesn't seem to last five minutes when I don't use lip pencil, in comparison to how long it lasts when I do. I do pencil, one coat straight from the tube, blot, then a second coat. Lasts for ages.

No7 do a stick of white waxy stuff that you put underneath your lipstick and up to the lip line and it makes your lipstick stay put. I find this particulary useful when wearing red lipstick which even with my Dior red lip liner can bleed.

Does anyone else remember doing OBVIOUS lipliner in the nineties and thinking it looked really sophisticated? Oh God, the flashbacks.

No.

Oh god, the brown lipliner/nude lips look.

I always use it much prefer the look over all with it and always in a 'lip' colour

I never did the contrasting colour lip pencil but I rembember it (too) well.

70 A slight deviation, but can I ask what teeth whitening products you found were effective?

Thanks all, sounds like lip coloured pencil may be good. Re products, I think Blanx toothpaste has been the best, but Colgate Max One also good

OP it depends how 'bold' you want your lipstick to be, but personally I use Burt's Bees lipbalm - quick slick all over lips - and then apply lipstick over that. Mostly use Lancome.

I find this gives a soft, sheer effect which looks less harsh than when the lipstick is applied directly and it never bleeds. Also, the BB lipbalm is cheap and easy!

I got that Guerlain Cupidon natural lipliner which was sold out everywhere a few years ago. when I remember it and find it I use it. but otherwise I don't bother...