Puckering up is a blast, particularly when your lips are rocking a luscious shade of color. However, a cute pose can quickly go south when lipstick takes an unexpected turn. Whether a vibrant red adheres to your teeth, or an adventurous shade doesn’t translate from the shelf to your lips as expected, there’s no denying that lipstick can be tricky. Understanding the basic do’s and don’ts of lipstick can ensure that your color is headed in the right direction.
Do: Understand your expectations. 
Bright lips require skill and upkeep, so if low maintenance is your style find a shade that’s similar to your skin tone. Simplicity lies in neutral shades and will be much easier to manage.
Do: Experiment.
The only way to discover the perfect shade is to experiment. Try visiting a local mall and request to try on a few different colors at the beauty counter. This will help gauge what hues are best for lip tone, and empower you to switch things up from season to season.
Do: Use liners and gloss.
Lip liner gives definition to your lips and helps the color stay put. Start from the center of your lip and work out, and remember that liner can also be used as all over color. Gloss is a great accent to lipstick, but the application process is the opposite of lip liner. Start by applying gloss at one corner of your mouth and run it across the natural curvature of your lips.
Don’t: Apply lipstick to chapped lips.
Hydration is key to every aspect of life, and that includes beauty. Ensure that lips stay hydrated by using a high quality, moisturizing balm and if necessary, exfoliate your lips with a cotton swab after applying. Once your lips are hydrated, set to work with your lip color of choice.
Don’t: Let lipstick end up on your teeth.
This is a beauty blooper that’s incredibly common. To avoid lipstick smudging onto your teeth, pull the excess color off. Do this by placing a finger in your mouth, closing your lips around it, and gently pulling it out. This will remove any lipstick that rests near the inside your mouth and reduces specks of color on pearly whites.
Don’t: Use a lip liner darker than your lipstick.
While it’s tempting to believe that lip liner is meant to create a more vivid contrast on your lips, it’s actually meant to be a subtle enhancing tool. Stay within the natural shape of your lip and never choose a liner that’s darker than your lipstick. If you’re applying a red, go with the same shade of liner. If you’re sticking with a neutral hue, find a similar liner or try an invisible (clear) liner.
