Adding lipstick to chapped lips can often cause chipping, smudging and other undesired effects when all you might be aiming for is a simple pop of color. If you’re experiencing this, don’t fret! We checked in with professional makeup artist Mary Winkenwerder for tips and suggestions regarding what type of lipstick to avoid if you have drier lips, and how to prep and moisturize before applying the optimal kind.
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Why Matte Lipstick Is A No-Go For Dry Lips
Whether your lips have become drier with age, because of the seasons changing or any other reason, moisturizing them is vital (as is choosing a lipstick product that won’t dry them out even more!) This, Winkenwerder explains, is why matte lipstick should be avoided if your lips are prone to drying or chapping.
“Matte lipstick tends to dry out lips where the lips and surrounding areas are already dry,” she explains. “As we age, our lips and the area around our lips tend to develop dryness and additional creases.” Applying matte lipstick to areas that are dry and with creases, she adds, “accentuates the creases and lip dryness.” Additionally, matte lipstick is ideal for “fuller lips,” and if you find that yours are thinning or are not as supple, “matte may not be for you.” This, she stresses, is okay, because there are other kinds better suited for your skin type!
If you don't “take care of your lips” with ample moisturization, regular exfoliation and a healthy diet, matte lipstick “will not go on smoothly,” she says. “Lip liner or lipstick skipping happens when you apply lip liner or matte lipstick to parched or chapped lips,” she continues, “The finished look is incomplete and stinging discomfort occurs.”
Lipstick Products To Use Instead
When taking into consideration the many drawbacks matte lipstick might have on lips that tend to be dry, Winkenwerder recommends choosing a lipstick with a moisturizing finish, like satin or gloss. Before applying anything, however, she stresses to “always treat these sensitive areas with moisturizing serum, cream gels, and creams to keep them in healthy shape.”
“Keep your lips and lip area exfoliated at least once every 2-3 weeks,” she suggests. “Apply serums, cream gels, and creams to the lips as extra treatments for additional health benefits and keep lips moist when not wearing lip color or gloss with a lip balm barrier.”
This, she concludes, is why wearing a moisturizing lipstick is ideal. You can also “seal the color with lip gloss to prolong the wear of your lip statement,” she notes. Ultimately, if you ever “have to wear matte or want to experiment with matte lip statements,” she says to “wear an opaque, full-color moisture lipstick and finish the look with a matte lip gloss.”
