Some time ago our country celebrated a national holiday. Our patriotic color is red. I set out to wear my brightest red lipstick as I decked off.
There would be eating and drinking and I did not want my lipstick to be all over the place.
Lipstick bleeding, also called feathering, is when your lipstick seeps outside your natural lip line. This little mishap can really take away from a polished look and make things seem a bit messy.
As I stared into the mirror, I started pondering where else we “bleed” from one place to another.
For example, I hold an executive position at my job. The job can be stressful. I find myself sometimes taking an authoritative and managerial tone with my family. This often leads to volatile situations at home. Things become messy. I am not proud of this.
Analyzing the Causes of Bleeding
Lipstick bleeding happens for a bunch of reasons, and knowing these can help in preventing it. Factors like how smooth your lips are, the type of lipstick you’re using, and even your age can play a big role. Dry or mature lips might have tiny cracks where lipstick can sneak through. Glossy or creamy formulas are often the culprits because they’re more likely to move around as compared to matte ones.
Tiny cracks happen in life and personalities too. Oftentimes, we are completely different people in different situations. We are one person at home, one at school, another at home and yet another with our closest friends.
Stress can add pressure to the barriers between these personalities and can cause tiny cracks resulting in one bleeding into another.
When your lipstick bleeds, it can make even the most perfect makeup look appear untidy. Imagine spending time creating a flawless face only to have your lipstick betray you! Getting a handle on this is crucial if you want to maintain that crisp, defined look you were going for.
You may have spent a good portion of your life perfecting these differences that all feel like you because you are not just one thing. And that is good. Why limit ourselves? The issue comes when one trait is excellent in one forum but is a flaw in another. Take exceptional organizational skills for example. This works well in areas like work and school. But it can become problematic at home when you want everything perfectly organized every single minute of every single day.
Effective Prevention Tips for Lipstick Bleeding
The type of lipstick you use matters a lot. Glossy and creamy formulas, while super hydrating and lush-looking, tend to be more prone to bleeding. These formulas have a lot of slip, which is great for comfort but not so much for staying power. On the other hand, matte lipsticks generally stick better and stay put longer, reducing the chances of bleeding.
Are we choosing the right formulas for our lives? Are we doing the things that make us happy or are we adding pressure by continuing with the things that stress us?
Aging and lip care are big factors, too. As we get older, the skin around our lips loses elasticity, making it easier for lipstick to feather. Not taking care of your lips can exacerbate this problem. Dry, cracked lips with fine lines are practically an open invitation for lipstick to bleed. Regular exfoliation and keeping your lips moisturized can do wonders.
Are we taking care of ourselves? Aging in itself puts stress on us. Are we setting time aside to ground ourselves or enjoy hobbies? Anything to take the edge off. Are we exfoliating the negative energies in our lives?
What Should Be Done?
Hydration is key. Moisturized lips are less likely to crack and allow lipstick to bleed. Use a good lip balm regularly, especially before applying lipstick. Give it a few minutes to fully absorb before you go in with color.
Immerse yourself in the things that nourish your soul. This is soothing and will have a positive impact in all aspects of your life.
Lip primer can be helpful. Think of it as a primer for your walls—it creates a smooth, even surface that helps your lipstick adhere better and last longer. Just a quick swipe before your lipstick can really up your staying power.
Smooth your rough edges by engaging in activities that brush off the negativity. This is different for everyone. Yoga, exercise, art, dance, picnics, reading.
Lip liners aren’t just for the ’90s. They help to define your lips and create a barrier that prevents your lipstick from wandering. Opt for a liner that’s close to your natural lip color or the color of your lipstick. Carefully trace your lip line, and don’t be afraid to slightly overdraw if needed. Fill in your lips lightly with the liner for extra staying power.
Create a barrier of positivity. Do not be afraid to say no sometimes if saying yes does not align with your values and beliefs.
Choosing the Right Products and Application Techniques
Layering products effectively can make a huge difference in how long your lipstick lasts. Start with a good base—this could be your lip primer or even a light layer of foundation over your lips. Then, apply your lip liner and fill your lips in with it. Follow this up with a layer of lipstick. Blot your lips with a tissue, and then apply a second layer. This gives your lipstick a solid foundation and helps it stay put.
Start with a good foundation. Family, Religion, Love. Always know who you are and where you belong.
Blotting between layers is crucial. It helps to set the color and removes excess product that could lead to bleeding. By doing this simple step, you lock in the color and ensure it has fewer chances to move around.
Take time to check yourself. Or have close ones help you analyze your layers and stay true to yourself even if it means shedding the heavy, excessive, or unnecessary stuff.
Quick fixes come in handy when you need them. If you notice any feathering, a dab of concealer around the edges of your lips can clean up the lines and sharpen your lip look. A cotton swab dipped in a bit of makeup remover can also help redefine the lines without messing up your entire makeup.
Taking a moment to take a deep breath, calm down, and re-energize can be crucial. Sometimes you simply need to look in the mirror for a minute to realign with who you are.
Feel free to share your thoughts below.
Dee_J.