Credit: Sevak Babakhani

The lipstick. That iconic, sleek, little bullet is in almost every woman’s handbag, and possesses power like no other beauty product.

But, its purpose isn’t limited to just lips. In fact, almost every makeup artist will testify that lipstick isn’t restricted to le pout, but has multiple uses, multiple finishes, across multiple facial parts. Here, Nicole Thompson, M.A.C Cosmetics Senior Artist, shows us exactly how to repurpose the humble lipstick with ingenuity and flair.

Read our lips. And eyes. And cheeks.

GIVE GOOD CHEEK

Credit: Sevak Babakhani

How To
Lipsticks are the hidden gem of the makeup bag; they can be used in SO many ways! When looking for makeup inspo, I love to look beyond what the product is supposed to be used for, I look for colour! Using a super matte long-wearing liquid lipstick on the lips and then patting on the apples of the cheeks is a great place to start. This product will stay put and tie your makeup look together. When I want my blush to go that extra distance, I will use a long wearing liquid lip product as a base and then lightly brush my blush on top – this will set it and give you a more opaque colour.

Frosted Lipsticks make a great highlighter! I discovered this when I was working on set, and found I was using my nude lipstick palette as a cheek colour more than my blush palette!

Top Tip: Pick light nude shades that are sheer and shiny, then with your finger tips dab onto the tops of the cheek bones, the inner corners of the eyes and bow of the lip; for a non sticky, cream highlighter.

Shop The Look
M.A.C LUSTRE LIPSTICK HIGH TEA, $36. SHOP NOW
M.A.C LUSTRE LIPSTICK POLITELY PINK, $36. SHOP NOW
M.A.C RETROMATTE LIQUID LIP COLOUR DIVINE DIVINE, $46. SHOP NOW

LIPSTICK OF MY EYE

Credit: Sevak Babakhani

How To:
Sometimes colours and shades in eye products can be really dark, and be too heavy a colour to wear with other things. Often you choose a chocolate brown instead of black to soften your look, so you can wear a smokey eye and a lip together – and the brown still ends up dark and you feel like you are wearing too much makeup! In magazines and on red carpets, when we see that soft tan eye paired with a bold red or pink lip, the makeup artist has actually often used a lip product!

Choosing your favourite soft peach lipstick, or nude brown lipstick and buffing over the lids in a soft halo shape on its own, or across the base to a shimmer in the same colour can let that lip colour pop, without you having to go naked on the eyes! I love to choose a matte lipstick for longevity, and a slightly glossy lipstick for a more editorial, fresh, wet-look on the eyes.

If you are worried about the colour shifting, my trick is to pop on the M.A.C 24hr Extended Eye Base all over the lids first, this clear cream product will stop creasing and intensify the colour you wear over the top. Three of my favoured tan eye colour combos are:

• Kinda Sexy Matte Lipstick + All that Glitters Shadow on top

• Burnt Spice Retro Matte Liquid Lipstick + Texture Shadow on top

• Hue Lipstick on its own!

Top Tip: The trick is to blend the colour with a large fluffy eye shadow brush (MAC #224 Brush) so it doesn’t go on heavy – you want to build up the colour in sheer layers for it to be more flawless and stay longer!

Shop the Look
M.A.C MATTE LIPSTICK KINDA SEXY MATTE, $36. SHOP NOW
M.A.C ALL THAT GLITTERS EYESHADOW, $33. SHOP NOW
M.A.C RETRO LIQUID LIPSTICK BURNT SPICE, $46. SHOP NOW
M.A.C EYE SHADOW TEXTURE, $33. SHOP NOW
M.A.C GLAZE LIPSTICK HUE, $36. SHOP NOW

Sounds frightening, but it is actually one of the most flattering ways to wear a bold colour, especially if you want to rock a dark lip! And we aren’t talking about blurring the lips onto the face and making a mess, I am referring to the softening of the edges to cut the harshness of a strong lip, have your lips appear bigger, and make the colour look like it belongs on your face.

1. Make sure to Prime! Especially over the edges of the lips to stop feathering of colour

2. Draw in the lip shape with the lip liner first, pencils have stronger colour Pigment that will stick to the lips, and act as a base for the lipstick to sit onto. Colour the lips in heavily.

3. Apply the lipstick over top. If you did a full base of the pencil, you will not need to apply much for it to look opaque and fabulous. If you want these lips to last day into night, do three layers and blot with a tissue and powder between each layer!
4. Now with either a cotton tip or small eye shadow brush, wipe over the edges of the lip colour like you are rubbing the colour in, not spreading it too far, just softening. This will make is less noticeable if you need a touch up, and allow you to eat without stressing about your perfect red lip!Expert Tip: If you want these lips to last day into night, do three layers and blot with a tissue and powder between each layer!

Shop The Look
M.AC. PREP + PRIME LIP, $33. SHOP NOW
M.A.C LIP LINER CHERRY, $30. SHOP NOW
M.A.C HUGGABLE LIPCOLOUR CHERRY GLAZE, $43. SHOP NOWCredit: Sevak Babakhani