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ChapStick, like other lip balms, is an integral part of a woman's makeup routine. A swipe of Chapstick can make lipstick application flawless and can also refresh dwindling lipstick color after a coffee break. Lip balm makes spending a lot of money on lipstick primer and sealer a frivolous expense.
Primer
"Real Simple" magazine provided four simple steps to perfecting the art of applying lipstick. The very first step was to apply lip balm to fill in the crevices that inevitably lead to feathering. "Good Housekeeping" also recommended the use of a lip balm underneath lipstick to eliminate unsightly lines. During an interview with "Allure" magazine, makeup artist Peter Phillips elaborated on the technique of applying lip balm before lipstick. He recommended applying lip balm and waiting approximately two minutes before blotting with a tissue to remove excess balm.
Other Important Steps
Applying lip balm is not the only step to ensure that lipstick looks flawless. Just as exfoliating dry skin before applying lotion is the key to baby-soft skin, exfoliating before applying lip balm is equally necessary. Before applying the balm, lips should be exfoliated with a damp washcloth or even a toothbrush. Once the lips are properly exfoliated and the balm has been applied, lips must be lined with lip liner to ensure that the lipstick has a base for adherence.
Refresher
Makeup artist Liz Michael told "Shape" magazine that lip balm can be used to refresh lipstick. When noticing that lipstick has rubbed off on a glass during a business meeting or social event, a quick swipe of lip balm can quell the urge to run to the ladies room for a touch up. Besides simply refreshing the lipstick, putting balm over lipstick will also transfer some color to the stick of lip balm. This creates tinted lip balm, which can be used for an occasion that requires a subtle hint of lip color, but not so much color that lipstick is needed.
Lip Balm and SPF
Skin cancer has been a hot topic in the past few decades, and SPF ratings can now be found on the labels of a plethora of cosmetic products. Of course, there's always concern that layering on the products will eliminate any sun-protection benefits. "Prevention" magazine asserted that users of lip balms containing SPF are still protected even if a top coat of lipstick is applied.
