The Secret to a Perfect Pout

Celebrities and models spend beau-coup bucks perfecting their pout. After all, who doesn't want perfect, pouty lips? But there's a lot you can do, without surgery or injections, to perfect your pout. A few beauty products and a little time is all it takes to improve your pout. Here's how.

Exfoliate. Dry, chapped lips are never pretty, so take a few moments to exfoliate your lips from time to time. Use a clean toothbrush to gently brush your lips or purchase a commercial lip exfoliator (yes, they exist!). Just don't over do it - a couple times per week will be just fine.

Moisturize. Make sure you frequently moisturize your lips. Use lip balm, gloss, or moisturizing lip stick several times a day to keep your lips in great shape. And never lick your lips - the saliva actually removes the moisture from your lips, making them feel even drier.

Prime. There are some terrific age-fighting lip primers available. They are made to keep your lipstick on, as well as fight the early signs of aging. Lip primers are a great investment if you need your lip color to stay put or you are worried about fine lines in your lips.

Hide. It's really o.k. if your lips aren't perfectly shaped. Every one's lips are different, and special. But if your lip shape bothers you, you can use a little concealer on the outline of your lips to cover it. Make sure you blend it into your foundation so the line isn't noticeable. If you like your lip shape, just skip this step.

Outline. Next you need to outline your lips with a neutral color lip liner. Find one that closely matches your natural lip color. If you have concealed party of your natural lip line, very carefully draw a new one in the shape that you prefer. Or, just follow the natural line of your lips. If your lips are small, stay to the outside edge of your lips to give them a little extra width.

Fill. Use the lip liner to fill in the entire lip area. If you've primed your lips, it won't be drying at all. It will help your lipstick stay on even longer.

Color. Use a lip brush to apply your lip color a tiny bit at a time. Make sure you get smooth, even coverage. Blot if necessary, then reapply. If your lips are large, you can wear a darker shade to make them look smaller. If your lips are small, a lighter shade will help them look bigger.

Shine. For poutier lips, apply a dot of light colored gloss in the middle of your lower lip. Or, for a glassy effect, cover your entire lips with a heavy coat of lip gloss.

After you've taken such great care to perfect your pout, make sure you show it off with a great big, confident smile.

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