How to Apply Lip Stain

Prepping Your Lips

Find a lip scrub. A lip scrub will help buff away dead skin cells and make your lips appear smoother and plumper. It will make applying the lip stain a lot easier. If you don't have a lip scrub at home, or don't have time to run out and buy one, you can make your own by combining 1 part honey, 1 part sugar (white or brown), and 1 part oil (almond, coconut, jojoba, or olive) in a small dish. You should only use lip scrub occasionally and as needed. It's great for sloughing off dead, peeling skin, but it can also damage the delicate tissue on your lips if you overuse it.

Exfoliate your lips with the lip scrub. Apply the scrub to your lips using your fingers. Gently massage your lips using soft, circular motions. A few seconds is all you need. If you have very chapped lips, however, you might need to exfoliate them for up to two minutes.

Wipe the lip scrub off with a damp towel. Soak the corner of a clean, soft towel with warm water. Squeeze out the excess moisture from the towel, then gently wipe the excess lip scrub off your lips.

Buff your lips with a soft toothbrush as an alternative to scrubbing. Use a clean toothbrush. This is great for circulation and can help make your lips appear more plump and full. Consider getting a separate toothbrush for lip buffing purposes. Don't both buff and scrub your lips. Buffing is the better option, as it's gentler.

Pat your lips dry. Take a soft towel, and gently pat your lips dry with it. You are now ready to start applying your lip stain.

Apply a thin coat of lip balm. Allow the balm to soak in to your lips for 10 minutes. If you're in a hurry, allow it to soak in for at least a minute before wiping away the excess.

Doing the Basics

Get out your desired color of lip stain. Depending on how your lip stain is packaged, you may also need a lip brush. Lip stain can come in a bottle with an applicator, in a small jar, and in a small tube. If the lip stain comes in a small jar, you will need a lipstick brush. Even if your lip stain comes with an applicator, you'll have more control over it if you use a brush. If you plan on doing some layering and contouring later on, choose a lighter shade. Kevyn Aucoin Kevyn Aucoin, Make-Up Artist Apply lip stain with a lip brush, starting at the center of the lips and blending outward. For a more intense color, apply a second coat after the first has dried. To prevent the color from bleeding, use a lip liner that matches the natural color of your lips.

Start applying the lip stain to your bottom lip. Simply start at one corner of your lip, and drag the applicator or brush to the middle of your lip. Then, start at the other corner and slowly drag the applicator or brush to the middle to connect your line. Follow the curve of your bottom lip. Once you have your lip outline, fill the center part in with more lip stain.

Smack your lips. Pull your lips inward, so that you can't see them, and then pop them. This will help transfer some of the excess lip stain from the bottom lip to the upper lip.

Finish applying the lip stain to your upper lip. Start applying the lip stain at the top of your lip. Make an "X" to define your cupid's bow, then use your applicator or brush to trace from each corner to the "X". If needed, touch up the color to make sure the entire lip is covered.

Blot your lips with a tissue or paper towel. Take a tissue or paper towel, and fold it in half. Place it between your lips. Close your lips and pull them inward. Open your lips and discard the paper towel. This helps get rid of any excess lip stain. It also helps make your lip stain look more natural. If you'd like, you can wear lip stain under your favorite lip stick, as long as the colors match. That way, if your lipstick wears off throughout the day, it won't look patchy.

Adding Depth and Shimmer

Choose a brighter and darker shade of lip stain. You will be applying brighter shade to the outline of your lips, to make them "pop." You will be applying the darker shade to the inner part of your lips to add depth. Combined, this will make your lips appear fuller and plumper.

Start outlining the inside of your lips with the brighter lip stain shade. Keep the lip stain inside your lip line, not outside. The innermost part of your lips should still have the lighter lip stain color. Outline the inside of both lips. For a sharper, crisper look, use a lipstick brush to apply the lip stain—even if it comes with an applicator. Follow the basic process discussed above, except when it comes to defining your cupid's bow. Instead of making an "X", trace it into a "V".

Blend the lip stain shade in with a lipstick brush. Once you have outlined your lips using the brighter shade, go over your lips with a lipstick brush. Focus on the transition line, right where the two shades meet. This will create a smoother transition, and make your lip stain look more natural.

Apply the darker shade to center part of your lips using a lipstick brush. Gently dab the lip stain on using a soft, tapping motion. Focus the color on the inner part of your mouth, and work your way to the center of your lips.

Consider adding a dab of shimmer on the center of your bottom lip. This will help make your lips appear plumper. Choose a light pink, shimmery shade, and tap it onto the middle of your bottom lip. You can also add a dab to your cupid's bow. This will help give your lips that final touch of luscious fullness. You can also use a little bit of a glossy lip plumper right in the center of your lip, if you prefer.