Lipstick is a personal preference and I’m sure you can agree with me when I say¬†there’s a time and a place for it.¬† Either one day you can’t stop wearing it and another you skip it all together.¬† When working on photo shoots or assisting a major client¬†of course I use it like nobody’s business, but when it comes to working with my lovely brides and/or upon giving beauty advice¬†to the every day working woman I actually skip it and use a lip pencil instead!¬†

Why, well because it gives a more natural look without the lips feeling extremely heavy, eliminating 3-4 lip products to carry around (lip balm, lip pencil, lip stick & lip gloss, etc.) because during the course of a busy day who really has time to do all that.

So here’s my little trick:

1.¬† After you’ve exfoliated your lips apply lip balm.

2.  Using a lip pencil (color of your choice but I prefer something more close to your natural lip color for a natural look).  Line your lips and then color them in with that same lip pencil. 

3.¬† Gently pat (don’t rub) your lips together to set the color, this will help make it last longer.

4.  Apply your favorite lip gloss over top.. and viola! 

Used MAC lip pencil in “Deverish” &¬†Silk Shimmer gloss by Stila¬†in photos¬†¬†¬†¬† photos by¬†Mandy Paige¬†Photography

For a night time look use a darker lip pencil, but make sure when going darker the rest of your makeup should be minimal.¬† Being that your emphasizing more on your lips you don’t want to overdo your makeup on the rest of the¬†face.¬† Below are some other favorites I have.¬† Lip pencils and/or lip coloring systems that can be used when trying¬†this beauty tip.¬†