5 Common Lipstick Mistakes and How to Fix Them
Ever put on lipstick in the morning, then caught your reflection at lunch and wondered what happened? Patchy middle. Colour stuck in the corners. Half of it on your chai cup.
Usually the lipstick isn’t to blame. The habits around it are. Below are the five lipstick mistakes we see most often, what to do instead, and a bit on shades for Indian skin tones, safety and allergy signs.
Table of Contents
Quick Guide
| Mistake | Quick fix |
|---|---|
| Applying on dry lips | Moisturise first and let the balm sink in |
| Skipping lip liner | Line lightly in a shade close to your lips or lipstick |
| Starting from the wrong place | Begin at the centre and work outwards |
| Not exfoliating | Gently remove flakes once or twice a week |
| Not blotting | Blot with tissue and reapply for longer wear |
The 5 Common Lipstick Mistakes
1. Applying lipstick on dry lips
Picture a cracked wall getting fresh paint. The paint sits in the cracks. Lipstick does the same on flaky lips, and mattes are the worst.
The fix is boring, but it works. Put on plain balm ten minutes before, go do your eyes, then press off what’s left with a tissue. The American Academy of Dermatology suggests a non irritating lip balm or ointment for dry lips, and one with SPF 30 or higher if you’re heading outdoors.
Drink enough water. And stop licking your lips! Saliva dries them out even more.
2. Skipping the lip liner
Plenty of us skipped liner for years, until a close up wedding photo showed red lipstick creeping into the tiny lines around the mouth.
Pick a pencil close to your natural lip colour or to the lipstick. Start at the cupid’s bow, outline with light strokes, then lightly fill in the whole lip with the same pencil so the colour has something to grip. Just don’t draw far outside your natural line. In daylight, people notice.
3. Starting from the wrong place
Most people start at one corner and drag the bullet across. The corners get the most product and the middle gets the least.
Flip it. Start at the centre of the upper lip, work out to each corner, then do the lower lip the same way. Wearing a dark shade? A lip brush gives you far more control.
4. Not exfoliating your lips
Flaky bits grab colour, so a little exfoliation helps. A little. Scrub hard every day and you’ll end up with sore lips instead.
Once or twice a week, rub gently with a soft, damp washcloth or a mild lip scrub, then balm. Are your lips cracked, bleeding or very sore? Then leave them alone and let them heal first.
5. Forgetting to blot
Blotting sounds old fashioned. It’s also why some lipstick survives a three hour meeting while some ends up on every glass at the table.
After the first coat, press a tissue between your lips. Add a second thin coat if you want it to last. Some people also dust a little translucent powder through a tissue laid over the lips. Worth a try before your next long day.
More Mistakes to Avoid
Buying a shade because it looked lovely on your friend? We’ve all done it. Her undertone isn’t yours.
Old lipstick that smells odd or has changed texture goes in the bin, even if you wore it twice. Don’t share lipstick, not even with your sister, because it can pass on cold sores and other infections. And sleeping in a long wear formula usually means dry lips by morning.
Then the classic: lipstick on your front teeth. After applying, put a clean finger in your mouth, close your lips around it and slide it out. The colour from the inner lip comes off on your finger instead.
Choosing a Shade for Indian Skin Tones
Indian skin covers a huge range, so no single rule fits everyone. Your undertone matters more than how light or dark you are.
Not sure what yours is? Look at the veins on your wrist in daylight. Greenish veins point to a warm undertone. Bluish veins point to cool. A mix usually means neutral.
Warm undertones tend to look good in brick red, terracotta, coral, peach and warm browns. Cool undertones usually suit berry, plum, rose pink and blue based reds. Neutral? Lucky you. Most nudes, mauves and classic reds will work.
On deeper skin, rich wines, chocolate browns and bright fuchsia often look beautiful, while very pale nudes can turn ashy. On fair skin, soft pinks and sheer reds suit daytime, deeper berries the evening.
When you test, swatch on your fingertips or lips, not the back of your hand, since fingertip skin is closer to lip colour. Then step out into daylight before you pay. Mall lighting flatters everything.
Lipstick Safety and Expiry
We swallow a little lipstick with every sip of water and every bite of lunch. That’s reason enough to be picky.
Cheap fakes sold online or in markets may contain unsafe ingredients. Buy from trusted sellers and read the label. In India, cosmetics are regulated by the Central Drugs Standard Control Organisation under the Drugs and Cosmetics Act 1940 and the Cosmetics Rules 2020, and the label should list ingredients, the manufacturer and the batch.
What about lead? The US Food and Drug Administration recommends that lipstick and other lip products contain no more than 10 parts per million.
The tiny open jar symbol with a number such as 12M means use within 12 months of opening. Keep lipstick out of the heat, too. A tube left on a car dashboard in May can melt, and heat can change the formula.
Lipstick Finishes Explained
Matte has no shine and lasts well, but it shows every dry patch, so prep matters. Satin or cream gives a soft sheen and good colour, and it’s comfortable enough for every day. A sheer or tinted balm adds light colour with moisture, and you can put it on in an auto without a mirror.
Gloss makes lips look fuller with its high shine but wears off fast. Liquid lipstick lasts for ages and is often transfer proof, though it can feel tight, so keep the layers thin.
Do your lips run dry? Then cream or satin may suit you better than matte.
Making Lipstick Last Through the Day
You know most of this by now. Prepped lips, a liner base, thin layers, a blot between coats.
Carry the lipstick and a small mirror for touch ups. Oily food strips colour fast, so if yours vanishes after a plate of chole bhature, that’s normal. Long wear formulas are handy at weddings; just take them off properly at night. On sunny days, put a clear lip balm with SPF underneath.
Signs of a Lipstick Allergy
Some people react to fragrances, dyes or preservatives in lip products. Doctors call it allergic contact cheilitis. It can show up as itching, burning, swelling, redness, peeling, or small cracks that just won’t heal.
Sound familiar? Stop any new lip product first and switch to a plain, fragrance free balm or petroleum jelly. Think about your toothpaste and flavoured lip balms too, since they can cause the same irritation. If it carries on for more than two weeks, see a dermatologist. A patch test can help pin down the cause.
Any swelling of the lips, tongue or throat, or trouble breathing, needs urgent medical help. Don’t wait on that one.
Removing Lipstick Properly
Water won’t shift long wear or liquid lipstick, and rubbing hard just leaves your lips raw. Soak a cotton pad with a gentle oil based remover or micellar water, hold it on your lips for a few seconds, then wipe gently. Balm before bed.
Wash your lip brushes once a week with mild soap and water. And at shop testers, ask for a disposable applicator, since testers can carry germs.
For more reading, see our tips to make lips look fuller, our list of make up blunders that can make you look older, and our guide to daily skin care mistakes to avoid.
If you remember one thing, keep one neutral shade for every day and one bold shade for occasions. Mornings get a lot easier.
What We Changed From the Old Post
The old post listed five mistakes in brief, general terms. We kept the same five and gave each one a clear fix. We also added a quick guide table, more mistakes to avoid, shade advice for Indian skin tones, lipstick safety and expiry, allergy signs with advice to see a dermatologist, and gentle removal. The dry lip and safety advice now follows published guidance.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why does my lipstick look patchy?
Usually the lips are dry or flaky. Moisturise and exfoliate gently before you apply.
Do I really need a lip liner?
Not always. It does stop bleeding and helps colour last, especially with dark shades.
How long does lipstick last after opening?
Many brands suggest about 12 months. Check the open jar symbol on the pack.
How do I stop lipstick getting on my teeth?
Use the finger trick right after applying to take colour off the inner lip.