MAVACADEMY > BEAUTY TECHNIQUES > LIPS MAKE-UP
THE MAVALA LIPS make-up technique
The importance of protection
The skin tissue that makes up the lips is a thin, mucous membrane that differs from the skin that covers the rest of the body in two significant ways: it is lacking in sebaceous glands which secrete a protective oily film to keep the skin soft and supple; it has no protective keratinized layers.
The lips, are exposed to all the damaging effects of cold, wet weather; overly-dry central heating; sun and wind; atmospheric pollution; etc. Such conditions can cause unprotected lips to become dry, rough and sensitive. This not only brings discomfort and harms appearance, but can worsen to the point that lips develop very painful fissures and cracks.
It is therefore very important to protect the lips at all times with a protective and moisturising lipstick such as Mavalip or the Mavala lipstick. Even if you're after a natural, "no-liptstick" look, it is important to apply a protective lip gloss or balm.
What's more, lips tend to lose some of their fullness and shrink with age. Small lines can develop around the mouth, causing lipstick to "bleed" beyond the natural lip contours and become messy looking. In addition to the daily use of one of these specialized products, here are some steps to follow in applying lipstick to achieve a youthful lip line :
When applying a foundation base, blend it onto the lip contour.
For an uniform and long-lasting makeup, apply a lip base under lipstick, which protects your lips, enhances color shine and prolongs hold.
Outline the lips with a Lip Liner Pencil slightly darker in tone than your lipstick and apply it slightly outside your natural lip line.
Apply lipstick sparingly, using a lipstick brush to blend the lipstick with the lip liner so that no harsh line is visible.
If you find your lips too narrow, use a Lip Gloss or translucent lipstick rather than the matt type. A shiny surface makes the lips appear fuller.
Lip shapes: corrective tricks
The most beautiful mouth is the one that smiles !
Once thin lips were considered a sigh of distinction, but now fuller lips are the desired look. Dark lipstick colours conceal and matt-shades accentuate the shape of the lips. Clear, brilliant colours emphasize and illuminate. No one has a perfectly symmetrical mouth, but a Lip Liner Pencil can correct this imbalance.
A dropping mouth
Trace the upper lid with Lip Liner Pencil, rising slightly at the corners. Fill in with a lip brush.
Thin lips
If lips are really stretched, avoid reds that are too bright during the day. With a matt crayon, redesign the contour. Fill in the colour with a lip brush. Pearlized lipstick applied at the centre will give highlights and volume.
Full lips
Don't banish bright lipsticks if they are matt, but avoid shiny lipsticks. Rosewood or peach tones are elegant during the day. Trace the lip contour inside the colour border.
Narrow upper lip
The lip line should be traced slightly beyond the fleshy part of the lip. Choose a slightly lighter tint for the upper lip. The lower lip should be matt (this can be achieved by applying powder over your lipstick).
Narrow lower lip
Apply colour, then rub lips together so that the lipstick goes over the lower lip line. Define with a Lip Liner Pencil.
Choosing lip and nail colours
Your choice of nail and lipstick colour will depend on your personality and current fashion trends, of course. But the most important consideration is your personal colouring - your hair, skin and eyes.
Attaining visual harmony is the ultimate aim of any makeup regimen of which lips and nails are certainly a vital part.
There are some basic rules to be observed: if you are pale complexioned, avoid dark colours; if your skin tends to redden easily, never wear violet tones on your nails and your lips which will only accentuate the redness of your hands and your face. Choose instead true red, pink or brownish shades.
For inspiration on finding a harmonious lip and nail colour combination, visit COLOR MATCH.
