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The Guide to Bright Lipstick

This article is written by a student writer from the Her Campus at Davidson chapter.

As finals are ending, the one word we all have memorized is SUMMER. We all know summer fashion inside and out: beach waves, glowing tans, and BRIGHT lips. Rocking bright lipstick is an oldie but a goodie. But it can be done wrong. Here’s some easy steps to follow to get it right.

1. PICK A COLOR YOU LOVE

When it comes to bright lipstick colors, the options are limitless these days: pinks, purples, blues, oranges, etc. Pick your favorite color and then narrow it down from there. Don’t be afraid to take a risk. You can rock any color, as long as you pick the right shade, which brings me to #2. 

2. FIND THE CORRECT SHADE FOR YOUR SKIN TONE

Every skin tone is different, which unfortunately means every shade is NOT one size fits all. Some people have cold-toned skin, and lipsticks with more blue hue in them tend to look better. Others with warm-toned skin look better in yellow or orange hue lipsticks. If you’re complexion is neutral, you are the real MVP. You also have to consider the depth of your skin: paler people can get washed out by bright colors, while people with darker skin might be washed out by deep colored lipstick. Test the range of shades. You’ll never find the perfect one on the first try. Don’t settle!

3. START SLOW, PRACTICE!

Before jumping into the world of bright lipstick, you might want to begin slow. After all, it creates a much different look and takes time to get used to in the mirror. Start slow, with a brightly tinted lip gloss or a dim shade of lipstick. Lipstick can also be a hassle to get on. Find tips for applying lipstick flawlessly here

4. EXFOLIATE, EXFOLIATE!

Dry, chapped lips DO NOT look good with bright lipstick smeared on top. It will appear cracked and dried up. There are tons of lip exfoliators out there and home remedies to make lips perfectly smooth and plump. 

5. MAKE LIP LINER YOUR VERY BEST FRIEND

When you are rocking a bright colored lip, there is no room for sloppy application. Lip liner ensures that the lip stick is even and stays on. If you’re already a pro at lip liner, try to complement your bright shade with a complementary color lip liner to create a cool two-tone effect, or utilize the lip liner to change the shape/appearance of your lips completely! Have fun with it. 

6. DO NOT MAKE THE MISTAKE OF OVERDOING IT IN OTHER AREAS

The bright lips are enough. Keep your hair, outfit, and eye makeup SIMPLE. Simplicity is key here. Stick to neutral tones in other areas, ensuring that your blush/bronzer complements the lips rather than clashing with them. The key here is balance. Let your lips be the star today. 

7. OWN IT

How do I rock bright lips? If you’re going to wear a bright lip, be confident. You look bright, you look beautiful, SMILE GIRL. These bright lips are just your bright personality shining on the outside too. There’s no magical lipstick, shade, or color that will ignite this feeling for you. Own it from within. Get out in the world, KNOWING you’re looking fabulous. Because you are. 

If you are interested in writing an article for Her Campus Davidson, contact us at davidson@hercampus.com or come to our weekly meeting Tuesday at 8pm in the Morcott Room.

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Lo Donato

Davidson

A(lo)ha I'm Lo. (Lo)ver of life, books, fitness, llamas, and all things sugary. In the words of Coco Chanel, I like to keep my "head, heels, and standards high." Peep me eating crunchy peanut butter out of the jar.