We really love how a bold lip colour pops against a bridal look or vamps up a bridesmaid look beautifully. But it's the one part of your makeup that will most likely need to be topped up between the ceremony, dinner and dancing. There are a few ways to lock down your lip look on the big day, to stop to lipstick feathering and how to clean it up neatly if it does. Lipstick is the one thing you know you will be topping up because there are lots of laughs, kisses, eating and drinking as you and your other half celebrate your nuptials. But, lipstick feathering is one thing you can avoid completely if you follow these three simple tips.
What Makes Lipstick Feather?
Feathering, also known as lipstick bleeding, happens when your lipstick settles in the fine lines around and creeps outside of your lipline, so that the edges of the colour look jagged rather than clean and smooth. Obviously this is more noticeable with dark or bold shades.
This can happen when you're lips are dry and dehydrated, or when you haven't prepped them properly, and can make your lip look a bit messy, or can even look quite ageing. Lipstick feathering is also more likely to happen with glossy formulas rather than matte, longwear formulas.
1. Get a Smooth Base
In the week before your wedding, work on smoothing the lips and surrounding area so there is no dry skin. A hydrating lip scrub will brighten and care for the lips and skin without leaving them feeling dry or looking dull, or raw and overly sensitive. Follow with an intensive lip balm with ingredients like Shea Butter, coconut oil and murumuru to help seal in moisture.
We Like: Fresh Sugar Lip Polish, €19.50 and Laneige Lip Sleeping Mask, €24/six flavours
2. Stop Lipstick Feathering with a Primer
A good primer can solve so many makeup issues. Used underneath your foundation, it creates a smoother canvas that locks down your face base and a lip primer does exactly the same job. Most people have fine lines around their mouth, which get deeper as we age, and a specific lip primer will help 'fill in' those tiny lines so the colour can't sit in them.
As a bonus for your wedding day, a lip primer will make the surface of the lips smoother and stop your lipstick from fading too meaning you can enjoy the party without having to worry about topping up your lip colour every hour.
We Like: MAC Prep & Prime Lip, €25.95 and Anastasia Beverly Hills Lip Primer, €20.90
3. Use Clear Lip Liner
Very popular to stop lipstick feathering, a clear lip liner also helps create the look of fuller lips which is a great added bonus. Transparent lip liner can be used along the vermilion border of the lips, and outside of it, to blur any tiny lines in the lips and stop lipstick from migrating.
The waxiness of the liner creates a barrier between your lipstick and skin, and it helps keep your lip colour in place. Apply your coloured liner and lipstick on top for a full-looking lip instantly. For lipstick inspiration, see what lipsticks these celebrities wore to say 'I do'.
We Like: Chanel Le Crayon Lèvres Longwear Lip Pencil, €28 and Byredo Lip Liner, €27
Looking for a makeup artist who can make you feel gorgeous on the big day? You'll find our favourites here. Make sure to follow us on Instagram for tips and inspiration!
