Lipstick is a cosmetic product made of waxes, oils, emollients, and pigments to create a rich color on the lips. There are innumerable varieties of lipstick available in the market today, in different colors and textures. The right lipstick can transform the look of a person entirely – it is thus, worthwhile to invest some time in choosing the perfect lipstick and applying it with care.

What is lipstick made of?
The exact composition of a lipstick depends on the brand, and the type of lipstick being manufactured. Each brand usually has its own secret formula. The waxes commonly used for the lipstick base are beeswax, carnauba wax, and paraffin. Oils help keep the lipstick texture soft, yet firm enough for application – some of the commonly used oils include cocoa butter, lanolin, castor oil, and olive oil. Emollients such as aloe vera and vitamin E help keep your lips moisturized. Lipstick pigment can come from various animals, plants, synthetic or mineral sources.

How to choose the right lipstick?
The variety of lipsticks available in the market today can be overwhelming to choose from. The following tips will help you pick the right lipstick for yourself:

• Determine your skin tone
  By examining the color of the veins at your wrist, you can determine whether you have warm, cool or neutral undertones. Green veins mean warm undertones, and purple/blue veins mean cool undertones. If it is difficult to tell, you have neutral undertones.
• Choose colors that flatter your complexion
  Fair skin tends to look best with pink, peach or light brown shades, while darker skin tends to look best with brown, red, wine and bold colors.
• Choose the right nude shade
  The ideal nude shade should be at most, one or two shades darker or lighter than your actual lip color.
• Match the lipstick with your outfit
  Pinks and nudes tend to go best with office or daytime wear, and bold reds and wines look best with evening wear.

How to apply lipstick?
Applying lipsticks can change the shape and appearance of the lips, so, it is essential to apply it correctly. The following tips will help you apply lipstick perfectly every time.

• Use lip primer
  A lip primer can help your lipstick stay on longer and also look smoother. Lip primers usually contain conditioning products like aloe vera or vitamin E to help nourish the lips. You can also apply foundation or powder to the lips before applying lipstick for a longer-lasting base.
• Use a lip liner
  This is ideal for creating an outline before applying lipstick so that the color does not bleed onto the skin around the lips. Pick a shade of liner that is either neutral or one tone darker than your lipstick. Apply thin strokes around your lips. You can make your lips look fuller by drawing around the outer line of your lips.
• Apply lipstick with a brush
  Since the tube of lipstick can get blunt with time, using a lip brush to apply your lipstick can ensure that it looks flawless.
• Set the lipstick
  To increase the longevity of your lipstick, blot it with a tissue after application to wipe off the excess. You can also use a layer of loose face powder to set matte and crème lipsticks.