How to Apply MAC Lipstick Without the Lips Clumping

Lip color lasts longer when worn over lip primer.

The tissue that makes up the surface of our lips is just like any other kind of skin: It can age, tear, crack, dry out or flake off if left un-primed and un-moisturized. After makeup is applied to the skin's surface, clumping or feathering can occur, causing the product to look unnatural. In such cases, when using lip color from lines such as MAC Cosmetics, it's helpful to wear a lip primer underneath one's lipstick or lip stain. Primers are transparent coats of lip-balm-like product that help to keep lips moisturized and lip color fixed on the skin. The result of lip primer use is an even coat of lipstick or lip stain without cracks, feathering or clumps.

Things You'll Need

• Gentle soap
• Face towel
• Lip primer
• Lip brush (optional)
• Lip color (liner, stain, stick or gloss)
• Tissue or paper towel
• Exfoliating facial scrub

Instructions

1. Choose a lip primer, like MAC Cosmetics Prep + Prime Lip.

2. Wash entire face with a gentle exfoliating facial cleanser. Pat dry.

3. Apply a thin layer of lip primer to the surface of both lips. This can be accomplished by pressing the primer tube directly to the lips, by using a lip brush to bring primer from the tube to the lips, or by dabbing primer onto a fingertip and gently smearing the product across the lips.

4. Allow the primer to dry and settle for at least 15 to 30 seconds.

5. Apply lip liner, lip stain, lipstick or lip gloss to the lips. Again, you can apply the lip color directly to the lips, use a lip brush or your finger tip. Work the color slowly over the lips.

6. Blot lips with tissue or paper towel.

Tips & Warnings

• Exfoliating your lips and face once or twice a week will help to slough off the dead skin cells that can cause clumping under makeup.

References

• Beauty Decrypted: Red Lipstick Primer
• MAC Cosmetics: Prep + Prime Lip
• Makeup Notebook: Tips For Exfoliating Lips