Here is a lip make up trick I’ve been employing since Ye Darque Ages, which should be useful to anyone who’s ever looked at their eye shadow collection and woefully exclaimed, “Why can’t lipstick come in these colors? I, MAQUILLAGE MASTER, COMMAND IT!”.
Though, yes, it could, and does, sort of, the coverage and staying power of these products often leave much to be desired. Which is fine, because it’s ridiculously easy to create your own custom shades and, using a simple technique, ensure that they stay on as long as you please.
THE TOOLS
- lipstick brush
- lips gloss or creme lipstick
- loose eye shadow of your choice
- lip or eye pencil liner in a similar color
THE METHOD
- line your lips, then fill in with pencil
- in a small dish [or on your bathroom counter, for that matter] mix eye shadow with a dollop of gloss or lipstick
- apply with lipstick brush, staying away from the very edges of your mouth to prevent feathering
- Ta-da!
Seriously, that’s it. Infinite color freedom in just a few minutes. You could brush on some She Laq for extra durability, but the liner bonds the gooey mix so well, that I usually don’t bother and carry a little gloss-and-shadow mix in my purse for [infrequent] emergency touch-ups. A reader adds: Check the pigment list for safety. Pigments containing Chromium, Ultramarine, or Ferric Ferrocyanides (usually blues, greens, or dark cool purples mixed with the blue pigment) are not safe to use on your lips. There’s an ongoing list here with a lot of the common culprits, and notes on products that are safe for multi-purpose use.
Below, I gothed it up and lined my lips with black, going over it in with a mix of fuchsia lipstick, gloss, and Sugarpill’s Hysteric loose shimmery eye shadow. Modeled in my finest sock monkey pajamas before and after several hours out with no touch-ups.
It’s likely that some of you have also been employing this method for ages, but for those who have not, a whole new world of experimentation awaits! Gold, green, teal, violet, yellow, orange, opalescent white, that perfect shade of raspberry – everything is permitted. Try this technique with liquid foundation and just a dash of eye shadow for lighter and pastel shades.
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this has been a favourite trick of mine! and as a makeup artist it has proven tried and true again and again :D the blue is stunning on you Zo!
Makes me want to buy Hysteric now. Great looks
I’ve always shied away from real, bold lip color because I was sure there was no way around smearing, fading, and all-around disappointment. But if these concoctions really stick, it may well change my life. MY LIFFFFE.
(Mad love for the sock monkey pjs. Represent.)
It’s a trick, I’ve done it my self. Though I was told to be careful, as some pigments aren’t meant to be on the lips. And they usually are the cold colour ones.
But it’s easy to check, just by googeling the name of it (not the brand, the pigment that come son the ingredients).
FDA for instance, I think they have a huge table for that purpose. With the browser’s tool “search” (yea, we forget it exists, but it is there thankfully) search the pigment, and there is everything =)
Oh. Oh my god. How have I not thought of this before? Thank you so much! *runs off like an excited little girl to drawer of makeup*
Best trick I’ve ever used (both personally and as a professional makeup artist).
Every time I read one of your Blush Response posts, I’m reminded on how I NEED to get some Sugarpill into my kit!
If you don’t have the shadows you want you can also use a softer eye liner topped with balm or gloss.
love it- that purple is gorgeous!
I’ve really just recently graduated to big girl loose shadows, but I have wondered if I could make them lip glosses, and ye gods, they look gorgeous on you! Thanks!
Why didn’t this occur to me? Genius! Now I have another use for my pigments!
Also, we’re slap-watch sisters. :)
it is a cool trick. although the ferric ferrocyanide aka prussian blue that is in most blue pigments should not be used on lips.
wowwwwww i love it
yikes jam
I must thank you for posting this not only because of your useful make-up trick, but also because I saw this post right before bed last night and pretty much made me have a dream about playing through a big box of freebie make-up and it was really rad. till i woke up that is :-\
could you please show us how you keep your makeup organized? <3
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I’e definitely done this before too! I love using eyeshadows as bold lip colors!
XO Sahra
EffortlessCool
I was actually just *thinking* of trying to apply shadow to my lips so I’d have a bronze lipstick for a steampunk event…ended up not going but now at least I know it’s worth trying! My makeup selection is pretty limited since I’m horribly poor, so this opens up a lot more options without having to spend any more $. Always good. Thank you :)
where are all the guys saying how they hate this look and to wash the makeup off your face? did you scare them away? I hope so. Way to go Zoe!
What did you use for the blue lip?
Well, at least a couple of the commenters know that this isn’t always safe. Check the pigment list for safety. Pigments containing Chromium, Ultramarine, or Ferric Ferrocyanides(Usually blues, greens, or dark cool purples mixed with the blue pigment)
There’s an ongoing list here with a lot of the common culprits, and notes on products that are safe for multi-purpose use.
https://spreadsheets.google.com/ccc?key=0AmUTdipzNfSodDlYYnB6bm1mYWY4MEw4ZF91UUhDZ2c&hl=en&authkey=CJDVoPoB
You should add something like that to the main post, in case someone tries this, and has a bad reaction.
Do you think it would be about the same to use Vaseline as base instead of lip gloss or would that be too slick?