Ever wonder how the pros get the look of such fine, even borders around the lips? Aside from a steady hand (and tons of practice), there exist reverse lipliner products which are a godsend for those of us who don't get our lip application right the first time! Reverse lipliners come in handy for refining the edges of lip application and also help to prevent lipstick from bleeding.

Cargo's popular The Reverse Lipliner is pictured at left, but rest assured you don't necessarily have to shell out another $20 for a 'reverse lipliner' product. You can also use your creamy concealer as a reverse lipliner. Use it with either a q-tip or a concealer brush and lightly trace just outside the border of the natural lipline to essentially "erase" any jagged edges. Choose a concealer that matches your skin tone exactly and be sure to blend it so it's not visible. Otherwise, you'll end up with a light ring around the mouth!

Here's a pic of the gorgeous Maylynn from a bridal trial we had this past weekend. Maylynn is getting married next year and she's definitely going to make a gorgeous bride!

Rarely do I come across a 'long-lasting' product that lives up to half of its proclaimed hype so I was quite impressed when I gave MAC's Pro Longwear Lustre Lipcolour a test run. I've tried a couple of other "long-lasting" lip products before, but on both occasions found the formula to be so drying to the lips that soon enough a re-application was required anyway! The MAC version is similar to other long-lasting lip products out there: a double-sided tube contains the colour on the one end and the sealer on the other end. But unlike the versions I've tried, the MAC lipcolour actually felt very comfortable on the lips without drying them! The colour did fade slightly and lose its 'lustre' during the initial three hours, but the bulk of the colour lasted until I went to remove it. Removing it is another story - be armed with a heavy duty make-up remover and be prepared to pat down the lips with it. (You might also want to pack some concealer to blot and neutralize the lips with, especially if you're changing up your lip colour throughout the day. Yes, the stuff is that strong!)

Overall, MAC Pro Longwear Lustre Lipcolour is a great option to add to your personal kit. I'd recommend it particularly for women who like no-fuss make-up and for women who tend to have trouble with their lip gloss bleeding outside the lipline. The lipcolour is also an ideal product for brides who need to maximize the life of their Big Day make-up - this way you'll still have some colour on the lips even post matrimonial kiss! Enjoy!

To add volume to the lips without having to go under the knife, try some strategically placed lip gloss. You don't have to apply gloss all over the lips, which is especially great for those of us that aren't lip gloss kind of girls. Just concentrate a bit of gloss on the middle of the bottom lip and blot. Apply a couple more layers if desired. The gloss will reflect light (rather than absorb light as a matte colour does) and help to create the illusion of fuller lips.

To play down the lip volume, opt for a flattering colour at least 2 shades darker than your own lips. Darker colours will make lips appear smaller by doing the opposite of gloss and not reflecting light. Avoid the use of gloss to minimize the appearance of lip size.

There are certain types of make-up products that I would advise splurging on, while for others, going for the deal is definitely recommended! Here's when to dish out the dollars and when to save your bucks:

SPLURGE

Foundation and Powder
When done right, foundation and powder make the skin look absolutely flawless without looking like you have anything on. Part of the trick in making foundation work is narrowing in on the right colour and formula for your skin type (see here for tips on how to pinpoint your colour of choice and here for how to choose the right type for your skin). When the skin is perfected, other make-up is just icing on the cake! Glowing and even skin also gives you a more healthy and youthful appearance - and who doesn't need a little of that every now and then?? Foundation and powder are definitely worth the splurge!
Fave foundations: FACE Atelier, MAC Face and Body, Stila, MAC Studio Fix
Fave powders: Vichy Dermablend Loose Powder, MAC Mineralize Skinfinish

Eyeliner
The more you shell out on an eyeliner, (usually) the better the quality. I consider eyeliner one of those staple items that transforms my look (i.e. I can't live without it!). For an everyday basic, I think eyeliner is worth the splurge.
Fave eyeliners: Make-up Forever Aqua Eyes eyeliners

Lipstick
Lipstick is another product that can dramatically change your look. You just need to do a double-take of that lady you know who wears red lips all the time, and then look again when her lipstick is gone after lunch. Lipstick adds instant pop to the face and one tube can last you quite a long time. For another staple product that you would apply everyday, you might as well treat yourself - opt for a quality lipstick that is highly pigmented, lasts long and moisturizes all in one!

STEAL

Mascara
For a product that should be replaced every 3 months, mascara is definitely one item that you should go for the deal on. There are plenty of great mascaras out there to choose from and the beauty is that you can try them all until you zone in on your fave!
Fave mascaras: L'oreal Voluminous, Cover Girl Lash Blast, Maybelline Great Lash Mascara

Eyebrow Pencil / Eyebrow Kit
You don't need to dish out on an expensive eyebrow kit to achieve your best brows yet! Some of my fave eyebrow pencils come courtesy of Rimmel, available at your local drugstore. You can even make your own "eyebrow kit", by pulling out an angled brush and browsing through the eyeshadows you already own. For dark brown to black hair brows, choose a black brown eyeshadow in a matte texture. For lighter haired brows, choose either a taupe or a hazel colour also in a matte texture. Use the technique described here to perfect the brows.
Fave eye pencils: Rimmel

Highlighting Eyeshadow
You would likely spend more on an eyeshadow because you were looking for either a trendy, well-pigmented and creaseproof colour. Highlighting eyeshadow is typically applied to areas that aren't prone to creasing (i.e. atop the browbone) so you don't necessarily have to worry about it being 'crease-proof'. Go for the deal here and instead save those dollars towards higher end eyeshadows in deeper/bolder colours that are long-lasting and crease-resistant.

Gloss
I haven't met a gloss that I didn't want to touch up after half a day's wear. Even the overly sticky glosses that are meant to be long-lasting still look and feel better on the lips within 3 to 4 hours of a new application. Save on gloss to stock up on different types or to indulge in other make-up products!