BEAUTY: Pillow-Proof Your Lips

Hey readers! Kimberly here, while Jen is on vacation, I'm here to show you a few beauty tips! When doing my usual fashion and beauty browsing I noticed that many of the fashion campaigns for Spring 2013 and Fall 2014 had one thing in common: a bold pout. No matter the hue, magazines and design-houses alike were dipping in different paint pots to whip up colorful lip-stains that best complimented the story they wished to tell.

In this beauty minute, I want to help you Pillow-Proof Your Pucker using Gioia Magazine's shoot as inspiration.  Let's explore quick ways to prep your lip & the best shades that compliment your skin tone.





The key to a soft and sweet pucker is to do a quick lip-prepping that will allow for your lipsticks and lip-stains to go on smoothly. The key is to gently exfoliate & then moisturize.

/// Brown Sugar ///  Go for brown sugar for a gentle exfoliation. Brown sugar, as opposed to white sugar, is often used at spas, as the crystals are much smaller and smoother which prevents abrasion to the skin. Brown sugar is also rich in Vitamin B, which helps prevent the skin from sun damage. Brown Sugar is the perfect ingredient for a sweet & soft pucker.

/// Olive Oil ///   Is a great moisturizer that helps repair impurities on the skin as it is rich in Vitamin A and Vitamin E. Olive Oil also seals in the moisture of the skin by creating a barrier that protects the skin.

/// Soft Toothbrush ///   A soft toothbrush or sponge is great for aiding in an even exfoliation creating a smooth and even surface for your lipsticks and lipstains to be applied smoothly to.




It's always tough finding the best lip shade for yourself when you're unsure of which one best compliments your skin complexion. I can admit that walking into a makeup store and being surrounded by so many different colors can be a bit overwhelming. Here's a short and sweet guide to color-coding your next pucker picking. The next time you walk into your local Ulta or Sephora, play with colors in these shades to see which looks best on you! Oh, and don't forget to come well prepped (exfoliate + moisturize) before trying on each one!

Fair ///  Nudes, Coral, Pinks, Apricrot, Red

Medium ///  Berry, Mauve, Rose

Dark ///  Plum, Wine, Brown, Deep Nudes

    all images: Fashion Gone Rogue, Yulia Terentieva Hits the Beach for Gioia Magazine by Alvaro Beamud Cortes

What's in your makeup bag? What's your favorite lipstick?!

-post by kimberly luxe