Six Easy Steps To Your Most Luscious Lips Ever

Here’s your step-by-step guide to getting the most puff out of your pout, regardless of what you’ve got to work with. 

Sure, the pandemic has dried up my day job, but it hasn’t dried up my desire for luscious lips. Even with the mask mandates in place, I am still being asked to participate in online meetings, getting the occasional virtual job interview, and just generally wanting to look nice, because, let’s face it, at least it’s something! So I reached out to Alex Sanchez, a Lancôme National Makeup Artist whose skin is the stuff of LEGEND for suggestions. 

First, we must prep the canvas. I don’t know about you, but no matter how much water I drink, I am plagued by chapped lips. This means that I am often reaching for a lip balm. But according to Alex, I am forgetting a vital first step–exfoliation. We must, “exfoliate and moisturize the lips first to create a smooth canvas for application.”

Alex recommends using the Lancôme Rose Sugar Scrub before applying Absolue Precious Cells Nourishing Lip Balm.

• Beautytap’s community of Beauty Experts (licensed aestheticians, makeup artists, hairdressers, beauty journalists, and facialists) recommend Paul & Joe Treatment Lipstick and Apivita Lip Care with Propolis 

Now, we sketch an outline. Line your lips using a lip liner that is two shades darker than the lipstick you plan on using. “Follow your natural lip line at first,” says Alex. “This way you can see exactly what you are working with and where the lips start and stop.” The darker shade will help to create depth and dimension while also, sculpting a new, idealized lip contour.”

Try Le Lip Liner Waterproof Lip Liner from Lancôme or one of the Paul & Joe Lip Liner Duos

Take a minute. “Pause, step back, and assess what you need to adjust to create a more voluminous lip shape,” says Alex.

My favorite part of being seen (almost) exclusively in the virtual space is that I can control my light source and adjust my filter on Zoom so that I can wear as much or as little makeup as I want depending on what look I’m going for. I don't have to worry about looking overdone like I would in person, just full-on flawless. 

Go BOLD! “Strategically overline the lips purposefully and precisely in these areas to build volume, shape and symmetry,” Alex advises. “I highly recommend starting the application at the cupids bow with a freshly sharpened lip liner to create a perfect pout.”

Now, color it in. It’s time to pull out that lipstick that is two shades lighter than the liner you’ve chosen and make sure it is matte. “Matte shades do not reflect the light,’ says Alex, and “this helps create the illusion of a new lip contour.” Glossy shades are a give away. “Everyone will see the original surface of the lip shape” and we definitely don’t want that. (Especially if you’re taking real creative license with your actual lip shape like I intend to.)

These lips are going to be a work of art, so be sure to use your favorite lip brush to apply your color, starting at the outer corners of your mouth and working towards the center. 

Blend. The goal here is a seamless transition from liner to lipstick. “Blend and blur” the two together in order to achieve that “coveted 90’s supermodel aesthetic.” 

I wish Alex had been around in the 90’s when I was trying all of this for the first time. I might have looked less like I had eaten a fudgesicle for lunch.

Set it and forget it. “Set lips with translucent powder to mask the natural lip line and brighten the overall lip color,” says Alex. That brightness will make your lips look bigger, which is all I needed to hear. Now all you need is one more pass of lip liner at the center of the top and bottom lip for what Alex calls a true “trompe l’oeil’ (fool the eye) effect.

Now add a spritz of setting spray to mask-proof your masterpiece and voila! Who needs art classes when you are your own canvas? Not me. 

I am so down to try all of this. Are you in? Join me and we’ll post the results on our IG accounts. We’ve got the time! And be sure to tag us @beautytapofficial @theamandafletcher and @alexlancomeusa