Ah, a question asked by millions of women through decades (and even centuries!) of makeup history: how do I accentuate my lips and get the look to LAST? Even as far back as Cleopatra’s time, there is a rich history of women crushing various plants and elements to create pigment that could be applied to the lips, with the number one goal always remaining the same: find a beautiful product that’s long-lasting.Thank heavens our lip products have come a long way since then, right? Here’s a fun fact, the modern lipstick was invented in the 1880s in Paris (no surprises there!) Since then, hundreds of thousands of lip products, balms, and lipsticks have been invented. Amongst the overwhelm of lipstick advice and products though, are a few super easy, simple tips you can use to truly get the best, long-lasting lip! 

Keep your lips moisturized

Beauty starts at the base! Adding too many products to dry, cracked, peeling lips can actually make them feel worse, and your lip color won’t apply as smoothly. Regularly moisturize your lips to help them both feel and appear smooth and healthy. 

Start with clean lips, free of other products and chapsticks

Lip color lasts the longest when it’s applied directly to clean lips. Use an easy makeup remover towel or tissue to remove any excess product before applying your color. 

Exfoliate if needed to remove dead skin

Lips getting dry and peeling is one of the most common reasons that lip color doesn’t last. Before you apply your color, use an exfoliate or a little bit of sugar mixed with olive oil and rub it over your lips to help exfoliate the dry skin away and polish the look of your lips. This will help give you an even base to apply your lip color to. 

The right product matters

When it comes right down to it, the product you use matters more than anything! You want to make sure you have a product like our LipLast color, that is easy to apply, created to be long-lasting, won’t smudge around your face, and doesn’t dry out your lips or peel off! We went through a lot of testing and perfecting to create LipLast so that you can get perfect, beautiful results, every time. You can swipe it on with one glide in the morning, then get on with your busy day and your lipstick won’t budge, whether you’re running errands, eating meals, or kissing the baby. It’s your new best friend, we promise! 

Top it off to last!

With LipLast, you can just swipe it and go- only one step necessary! BUT if you want to have a little extra shine or mix things up, you can top your LipLast with a coat of your favorite Shine Lip Gloss! 

One of our personal favorite combinations is any LipLast product with a clear, shimmery lip gloss in the color Clarity. It’s the perfect amount of sparkle and shine to complete any look, and we all know that a little glitter makes everything better, right? 

If you haven’t tried Shine’s LipLast, you’re missing out on the best long-lasting lip color of your life! Choose your favorite shade (or 3!) and get that long-lasting lip color you need to get you through your busy days, because even on the craziest days you deserve to feel beautiful!

Whether it’s a rainy day, a global pandemic, or you just want to spend the day at home inside, there are plenty of fun activities you can use to keep your kids entertained. We know sometimes it can be overwhelming to come up with family activities, but trust us...you don’t have to be Martha Stewart with intricate crafts and organized activities to create a fun, memorable day for your kids! You’re perfectly enough with everything you’ve already got on-hand. 

Here is a collection of some really fun ideas for activities you can do with your family! (Did we mention these will help you keep your sanity??)

Cardboard Box Crafts

Woohoo! All of those leftover boxes from your recent Amazon Prime shipment can be put to good use! Pull out the scissors, heavy tape, and markers and then let your kids get creative! Maybe they want to build a fort, make a robot costume, or a runway stage for their dolls. Let them go wild! 

They’ll be having so much fun, you might even be able to sneak a few minutes in for yourself while they’re busy (winning!) 

Build a fort and tell stories

Grab some blankets and pillows, and set up a fort like you used to as a kid! (Or if you’re really adventurous, pull out the camping tent!) Kids love when their normal environment becomes a little extra special, and they especially love when mom is playing there with them! 

Once you’ve got your fort, grab some snacks and sit together to tell stories. You can read some of your favorite books, take turns telling spooky tales, or even make a game where each person tells part of the story, then the next person continues the story, and so on. This is an especially good activity for slightly older kids to help their creative minds!

DIY Lip Scrubs

Trust us, your kids will LOVE this one (and your lips will too!) You can make an easy homemade lip scrub using equal parts sugar and olive oil (you can substitute the oil if you want with almost any other kind!) Have fun mixing up the ingredients, and experiment adding things like food coloring or essential oils to make your own, personal scrub! 

Just for mama tip: When you're done, swipe on your favorite lip gloss to seal in softness and tell yourself you look gorgeous. You do! 

Make homemade play dough

We love store bought play dough, but sometimes it is just fun to make your own! If you’ve got busy bodies that love to play with their hands, this activity is perfect for them and you can do it with the ingredients you probably already have in your cupboard! 

All you need is flour, salt, cream of tartar, water, and olive oil. (tip: food coloring will make it more fun!) You can find the full recipe here. 

Create a galaxy cake (or cupcakes!)

Is anything more fun than baking with mom when you’re a kid? Put a fun twist on a simple cake that’ll make your kids think you’re out of this world! (see what we did there?) 

To make a galaxy cake, just grab a light-colored cake mix (like yellow or white cake), or whip up your own if you want, then split your batter into several bowls. In each bowl, add a few drops of food coloring to create different colors of batter in shades of blue, dark blue, purple, black, or green. You can get creative with your colors! 

Take turns scooping batter from each of the different colors and placing it into a greased pan, and it’s important that you do not mix the colors with each other! Just spoon them in and let them be! Then bake as instructed. Voila! Galaxy cake!

Pro tip: Wear Liplast when eating cake, and no one will have any idea how many slices you’ve had because your lip color will. not. budge. (You’re welcome!)

Break Out The Card Games

Card games are a classic fun activity to break out when you’ve got some time at home! They’re mentally stimulating for little minds and there are so many different games, you can find something suited for all levels. 

Learn About Animals

There are tons of resources to help your kids learn about animals out there, but here are some of our favorite activities to keep your kids entertained!

• Check out the Livecam footage of animals at the San Diego Zoo on their site (many other zoos have this as well!) 
• Google a favorite popular animal, and if it has the option, click “view in 3d” and a 3d model of the animal will appear right in your home on your phone screen for your kids to check out.
• Turn on an animal documentary and ask your kids to give a report about their favorite animal from the show. We recommend Born in China, Great Migrations, and Wild Yellowstone if you’re looking for a program to start!

Create a Scavenger Hunt

This activity is perfect for when you want to help them bust out some energy while keeping them busy so you can take a breather for yourself! Write a list of random items for them to find around the house or the yard, and send them on their way. This is even a great activity for toddlers that can’t read yet, just draw out pictures or have older siblings help them. 

Remember, YOU ARE A COOL, FUN MOM. No matter what your day looks like, you are the best mom for your kids, and they love you. You don’t have to be perfect to be perfect for them. Now go have some fun!

With so many different options for foundation, pressed powder, BB Cream, or even CC and DD Creams, it can leave your head spinning trying to find the right option for you! They all have different strengths, but we’re just going to cut to the chase really quick and tell you that BB cream is the GOLD MEDAL WINNER. Hear us out!

What exactly is a BB Cream? 

The BB in BB cream stands for beauty balm (although you can find other variations around the internet!) and it is intended to elevate the look of your natural skin. BB creams are lighter than traditional foundation, but still provide coverage that helps even out the appearance of your skin and gives you a natural glow.

What makes a good BB Cream?

BB cream should be light and easy to apply! It shouldn’t feel thick or gunky on your face. You want it to melt right in so it feels like you’re wearing nothing, while still giving you light coverage and evening out your skin. You shouldn’t need a million different steps with primer and foundation and setting sprays to achieve this look, all you need is the perfect BB cream!

Of course, what good is having BB cream on your face if it isn’t meant to last for a while? A great BB cream will give you long-lasting coverage that doesn’t wipe off on your phone when you call your mom.

How to Shop for BB Cream 

BB cream is truly the magic sauce when it comes to makeup, but with so many options out there you need to know how to find the right one! Choose a BB cream that is not only easy to apply in one step and long-lasting, but provides protection for your skin without drying it out. Shine Cosmetics BB Cream provides SPF 15 coverage and is ultra-lightweight so your skin can breathe. It is easy to apply using your fingertips, or you can use a brush or blender. (And did we mention it’s also hypoallergenic, paraben-free, and cruelty free?)

With Shine BB Cream, it’s also buildable! So on the days your skin needs a little extra coverage, you can build it up a little to get the perfect look to make your skin SHINE. But don’t just take our word for it, here’s what some Shine Cosmetics BB Cream wearers are saying:

“Ok, this stuff is pure magic! I cannot say enough good things about Shine Cosmetics and their BB Cream! I love how it doesn’t transfer onto my clothes and the shades are so good! You gotta try it! If you’re unsure about your shade, get a trial pack of the shades or if you’re local, go to the store and they will help you!”

-Heather

“Seriously the best!! I live in hot humid Texas and this stuff lasts the day. Makes my skin look perfect without being too heavy or cakey. Evens my skintone and with a pretty glow but you can still see my freckles. And I never break out when wearing this. Did I mention it lasts ALL day?!”

-Meghan

“So I have tried a lot of foundations and couldn’t find any that I liked, they all made me look like I was wearing too much makeup. I was hesitant to try Shine’s BB Cream  because I didn’t know what color to get. But I sent them a picture of my face with no makeup and they recommended a color and I got it and it was dead on! Best foundation I have found! It gives me even coverage without looking like I have  a bunch of makeup on, I love it!”

-Niki

Still not convinced? Read more reviews from hundreds of customers in love!

If you haven’t tried a BB cream, we promise the Shine Cosmetics BB Cream is about to be your new makeup BFF! Find your color now!

In a perfect world, we’d all have glowing goddess skin all the time! Instead, you’ve got work to balance, schedules for three kids to manage, and a never-ending pile of laundry that needs to be done (don’t forget to go put that last load in the dryer)! 

Who has time to think about glowing skin when you’re rocking a full time schedule as a queen?

Luckily, we’ve rounded up some super easy  tips for you that will slide right into your routine effortlessly- so your skin will be glowing no matter what task you’re conquering next! Trust us, your skin will thank you. 

1) Drink more water! 

We know it’s kind of an obvious one, but when was the last time you actually had the time to drink your full recommendation of water in a day? Hydrated skin is happy skin, and it starts on the inside! Fill up a bottle of water so you can drink up on the go. 

Pro tip: If you need extra hydrating power, fruits and veggies like watermelon, cucumber, and celery are all great ways to soak in some extra fluids! For those days when you just can’t drink one more glass, grab an apple and stay hydrated. 

2) Protect your skin from sun damage

Who has time for a sunburn? Not you! Even small amounts of exposure to the sun can not only dry your skin out, but can cause long term damage. 

Use foundation with SPF in it and avoid having to put on sunscreen AND makeup, because you do it all in one go! Our BB Cream will help your skin look flawless and protect it from the sun, all at once, so you can feel confident and glow at the same time!

3) Get in more vitamin C.

Vitamin C has a ton of health benefits, but one that shines extra bright in our books is that it results in healthier skin! You can take a daily vitamin, use a serum or cream with vitamin C, or our personal favorite, drink a tall glass of fresh squeezed orange juice. Adding vitamin C to your routine will help your skin glow from the inside out!

4) Wash your face!

But not with a bunch of different steps and products that could actually be drying your skin out more (aka removing the glow!) Instead, check out these ONE STEP (yep, just one step!) makeup removing cloths! Wipe off all of the extra makeup and grease from your skin with just the cloth and water to get clean skin that glows, without the use of a bunch of products to dry it out. 

We know, a one-step makeup remover sounds a little too good to be true but we promise, it is! And it’s going to rock your world! Find out how it works in this post here.

5) Fake it til you make it!

Just like the weather outside, our skin goes through seasons. For those days when it’s feeling a little dull or dry, we’ve got a secret weapon for you: BRONZER. 

With just a couple of swipes of your favorite bronzer you can give yourself a natural-looking, beautiful glow! It’s your secret weapon for those skin days that need a little glow-up. 

You GLOW girl, right to your soul! You deserve skin that radiates! We hope these tips help you find your shine! If you found them helpful, be sure to share them with your favorite women so they can start glowing, too! 

But exactly how do they work? How does a wet cloth, with no soaps or cleaners, wipe the makeup from your face as easily as the sleeve of Mulan’s dress when she’s singing “Reflection”? Despite what it might seem, it’s not exactly witchcraft. In fact, it’s a pretty simple secret, and we’re going to tell it to you.

It’s All in the Fibers

The thing that makes these cloths different from a standard washcloth is the density of the fabric’s pile. The fleece-like fabric used to make our makeup remover cloths has an incredibly high fiber density. That doesn’t just make it feel luxuriously soft—though that is definitely a perk. This high density of fibers gives the cloth more surface area to clean your skin. So, instead of just having 5 larger fibers going over an area of your skin, you have 50, which gives the cloth a lot more scrubbing power, removing more makeup with less irritation.

Those smaller fibers can also get into the fine lines and creases in your skin, as well as picking up finer particles of makeup. And, because there are so many fibers in these cloths, they are much more effective at binding the dirt and makeup that they lift off your skin, so you’re not just smearing it back on as you rub.

How Effective Are They Really?

If you haven’t tried these cloths yet, you’re probably a bit skeptical. It’s okay, we understand. But, despite how incredible it might sound, our makeup remover cloths can actually be more effective at removing your makeup than washing your face with water and a standard facial scrub.

In fact, we had someone who had never tried this kind of product before test ours out. Her usual end-of-day facial routine included washing her face twice with a face wash, then using eye makeup remover and an astringent to get all of the makeup off. With the makeup removing cloths, she used only the cloth and it completely removed her makeup! She even used a cotton ball with astringent to see what was left, and there was barely a trace of foundation color on the cotton. Now that’s a pretty impressive result, if we say so ourselves.

In Case You’re Not Convinced…

Still not convinced to try these makeup remover cloths yourself? Consider these advantages:

1. Less waste. No more tossing out several cotton balls or pads every day. No more lineup of several products that you have to replace every few months. Just these three little cloths that you can use again and again.
2. Gentler on your skin. No harsh chemicals that dry out and irritate your skin. Just a gentle, luxurious cloth to softly cleanse your face.
3. Save time. Say goodbye to that six-step facial cleansing routine. While you might still want to use your lotions and toners, these facial cloths will still cut your nighttime routine down significantly.
4. Healthy, glowing skin. Even on your laziest days, you can remove your makeup before falling into bed. That means no more sleeping in your makeup, just because you’re too tired to run the gambit of washing it off. And that means your skin will be healthier every day. Plus, those microfibers gently exfoliate to give your skin a natural, beautiful glow.

While it may be science that makes our makeup remover cloths so effective, we still think they’re pretty magical. So what are you waiting for? Hop over to our store and try some for yourself today! We’re confident that you’ll love them as much as we do.

You put so much effort into perfecting your makeup every morning, and when you leave the house, you look your very best. But by midday, you might not feel as fresh-faced as you did when you first walked into the office. The products we carry at Shine are designed for all-day wear, so you can look your best from sunup to sundown. But even the best of products can benefit from a midday touchup. Here are 3 products we recommend having at work (either in your desk or in your purse) for just such an occasion.

Pressed Powder

For most women, midday shine (not the good kind, of course) is the bane of your makeup. The oils in your face slowly make their way to the surface, and you’re left with an unflattering sheen on your face that really seems to pop under the fluorescent office lights. Keeping your pressed powder on hand allows for fast and easy touchups to your makeup to fight that shine.

Obviously, you don’t want to wash your face and reapply midday, but you do need to do something with that oil buildup. We recommend finding a brand of oil-removing sheets that you like, but if you don’t have those on hand, even a tissue will help. Just blot the oiliest parts of your face, then apply the pressed powder, focusing on your T-zone. Our pressed powder comes in a convenient compact with an application pad and a mirror, so you can touch up your makeup wherever you are.

Lipstick or LipLast

The colors of our lipstick and LipLast products are designed for all-day wear. But if you’re wearing an especially bright and bold color, it’s natural to still see a little bit of fading. Most days, the color will still be vibrant enough that you can walk out of the office with confidence. But if you have a big presentation, or you’re going out for drinks after work, it’s a good idea to touch up your lip color a little.

Bring along whatever shade of lip color you’re currently wearing, or keep a favorite in your desk at work. When you’re ready to touch up your color, start by gently wiping your lips with a damp paper towel to even out the remaining color. Then just swipe on a new layer for a fresh, kissable look.

Makeup Remover

You’re probably thinking, “Wait a second. I thought this was about touching up my makeup, not taking it off!” And you’re right. But how many times have you accidentally smudged your eyeliner or mascara while at work? How often have you gone into the restroom around 3:00 in the afternoon, only to realize that your eyeshadow has begun to smear due to facial oils?

Sometimes, the best way to touch up your makeup is to just clean it up a little bit. So get an empty travel bottle from the store, and fill it with Shine’s makeup remover, and keep it in your desk with some cotton balls and swabs. Whenever you need it, just use a small amount of the makeup remover to clean up the edges of your makeup and keep things looking as sleek and fresh as possible until the very end of your workday.

With Shine’s products, a midday touchup is more of a bonus than a necessity. So, if you’re pressed on a deadline and don’t have time to touch up your makeup, don’t sweat it; our long-lasting products have your back. But when you have the time, these 3 products will help you weather those afternoon meetings and the post-lunch slump looking as fresh-faced as you did when you first clocked in.

So much of the cosmetics industry is focused on making us feel like we should remain forever young. And while it would be amazing to never develop wrinkles and keep our 20-something skin forever, that’s just not realistic. Besides, here at Shine, we believe that true beauty isn’t limited to your 20s. Rather than trying to apply a newer, younger face with your makeup, here are 6 ways you can use your makeup to help your natural, sophisticated beauty shine through every day.

Ditch Heavy Foundations

As your skin ages, you might feel tempted to hide those fine lines behind a layer of heavy makeup. But rather than giving you a fresh, youthful face, that heavy foundation sinks into those fine lines and emphasizes them. A heavy, cakey foundation is not your friend, so ditch it right away in favor of a lighter, creamier formula, like our BB Cream. Shine’s BB Cream dries to a soft, velvety texture that diminishes imperfections while providing a natural-looking finish for your skin.

Choose the Right Blush

Dark, heavy, or shimmery blush doesn’t usually work well for women over the age of 50. But that doesn’t mean you should be skipping the rouge altogether. In fact, a pop of color on your cheeks can be the perfect ticket to bright, healthy glow—if you pick the right color. Generally, a softer, peachy tone works best, as it gives a soft glow without being overwhelming. Our Invincible blush is a great shade for most women, and the buildable color allows you to get just the right amount of rouge for your skin tone.

Don’t Overdo the Powder

Powder is a great way to set your makeup, but once you’re out of your 20s, it’s important to use powder sparingly. Face powder can quickly become your greatest enemy, settling into the fine lines of your skin and instantly making you look older. Rather than brushing it all over your face, just dust a small amount down the T-zone to eliminate shine, and over the eyelids to prevent eyeshadow creasing. As long as you’re using the right foundation (see above), this should be more than enough.

Change Your Eye Makeup

If you’re applying the same eye makeup now as you did 10 years ago, then you need to rethink your makeup regimen. As you age, your eyes change shape, which means they need a different kind of makeup application to really shine. Think of it this way: Your body is probably a completely different shape now than it was in high school. And while your new body shape is still beautiful, it’s not going to look its best when you try to put on your high school jeans, now is it? You want to emphasize your new, womanly figure in all the right ways. The same concept applies to your eyes.

It’s best to avoid dark, heavy colors, as this can make your eyes look smaller and deeper set. Rather, use a soft layer of light, natural shadow on the eyelid—and yes, it’s totally acceptable to have a bit of shimmer in your eyeshadow if you want it! You should also make sure to apply more eyeliner on the top lash line than on the bottom to help open up your eyes and make them look instantly brighter.

A quick word on mascara: Black is always the best option, as it helps the eyes appear wider, makes lashes look thicker, and gives an overall more open, alert appearance.

Fill in Your Brows

It’s important that you not neglect your brow grooming. As we age, our eyebrows will naturally get thinner, so take the time to fill them in a little bit. Use a brow shadow instead of a pencil to achieve a softer, more natural look that emphasizes the true shape of your brows, rather than trying to draw yourself new ones.

Use the Right Lip Color

Finally, let’s talk about lip color. For most occasions, the best lip color is one that is just a shade darker than your own. This helps to keep things looking natural, and gives your lips an extra bit of plumpness and healthful color without detracting from your natural beauty. Starting with a good lip balm can also help to add a bit of volume to your lips while protecting them from drying out.

That being said, don’t let anyone tell you that you’re “too old” for a bold lip color. If you feel the occasion calls for a bright red lipstick, go for it! Just be sure to balance it out with a more understated eyeshadow color. And, on a related note, lip gloss is not just for teenagers either. A touch of gloss on your lips can really help to plump them up, and give you a nice bit of shimmer as well.

Ultimately, our message is this: Our makeup isn’t here to make you look 25 again. Our makeup is here to make you look stunning at any age, and to emphasize your incredible, natural beauty. No matter what your age, we don’t want to give you a new face—we just want to help you to truly shine.

If you want deep color, you use lipstick. When you want staying power, you put on lip stain. If you want easy application, you use lip gloss. But what if you want all three? That’s when you bring out Shine’s amazing LipLast product. Keep reading to learn more about this incredible lip product, and to get a few tips for adding it to your makeup routine.

Features and Benefits

LipLast has everything you’ve ever wanted in a lip color:

• Easy, one-swipe application
• Comfortable, conditioning formula for softer lips
• Highly pigmented for rich and vibrant color
• Long-lasting formula to stay on all day
• No chemical taste

This product applies like a lip gloss, colors like a lipstick, and stays like a lip stain! We currently carry LipLast in 13 beautiful colors, so you’re sure to find one—or several!—that you love.

Tips for Use

There’s really no secret to putting on LipLast. Like we said, it goes on as easily as a lip gloss! Just use the application wand to swipe the product evenly over your lips, given them a smack, and you’re ready to go. But if you want to step up your game a bit, here are a few extra tips:

• Apply a lip liner in a complimentary color first. This will frame out your lips, and help the LipLast to stay within the natural borders of your lips.
• If you feel like you applied a little too much, smack your lips on a tissue, just as you would to blot lipstick.
• Not sure which of our 13 colors will work best for you? Take our Perfect Lip Color Quiz! It will help you find the best shade of LipLast or lipstick for your complexion and style.
• For a smoother application, exfoliate your lips first. You can use a lip scrub, a soft-bristled toothbrush, or a damp washcloth.
• The application wand included with our LipLast product is great. But if you feel like you need a little extra precision during application, try using a small lip brush to apply the product.

This incredible product is sure to become a staple in your makeup bag. Head on over to our shop and check out our LipLast colors to find one that is perfect for you!

In a perfect world, life would be put on hold when you get sick. But as too many of us know, sick days at work are limited, and some things just can’t be postponed because of a cold. So when you’re feeling a little under the weather, but have to soldier on with your day, here are a few tips to help you still look your best—and hopefully, feel a little better.

Head Cold

When you have a cold, the skin around your nose is red and dried out from constant blowing. And while you may feel tempted to hide that red nose under a layer of foundation, this could actually have the opposite effect. After just a few encounters with a tissue, the foundation on and around your nose is going to start rubbing off. And, while the rest of your face remains smooth and flawless, your sore nose will stand out like even more of a beacon to your illness.

So, avoid heavy foundation and concealer. Instead, opt for a light powder that you can carry with you for post-tissue touch-ups. Shine’s pressed powder comes in a convenient compact with a makeup sponge and a mirror for just such occasions.

Additionally, you can draw the attention away from your sore nose by emphasizing your eyes. Go with a bold cat eye, a smoky effect, or something metallic—anything that will draw people’s attention to your gaze and away from your nose. Our Focus eyeliner is perfect for a dark, dramatic cat eye, and our Be Captivating Eyeshadow Palette is perfect for creating a smoky eye that isn’t too overpowering.

Stomach Bug

When you have a bit of a stomach bug, your face tends to get a little bit pale and ashen. You may even have a bit of a green tint. And while, ideally, you should be staying home with a stomach bug, if you have to step out, you can take away some of that sickly pallor with a touch of bronzer or blush. Add a bit of extra color to your cheeks, but don’t feel like you have to do full contouring; you should still be taking it easy.

If your lips are also looking a little lackluster, add a warm pink or neutral-toned lip stain. Odds are, your face will still look a little washed out, even with some extra blush, to don’t try to go too bold with your lip color today. Keep it as natural as possible, while still adding a bit of color back to those lips.

Allergies

Spring and summer might give most people relief from colds and flus, but they bring their own kind of sickness—allergies. If you suffer from seasonal allergies, you definitely can’t use them as an excuse to skip work or miss out on life. Instead, you have to find the best way to press on. As far as your makeup goes, this is the time of year to really focus on a bold lip.

Odds are, your eyes are a bit bloodshot and a little puffy. So when those bad allergy does hit, you don’t want to draw attention to your eyes with bold eye makeup. Pull the gaze to your lips instead, with a bolder lip color, like our Devoted or Intent shades from our LipLast line, or our lipstick in Fortunate.

Cold Sore

Cold sores are extremely common, but getting one can still make you feel like a leper, and you’ll likely find yourself trying to subtly cover your mouth with your hand all day. (Sorry to say it, but none of us are as subtle at this as we think we are.) This is another chance to use your makeup to draw attention away from the mouth and to the eyes.

Try using our Fiber Mascara to pump up the volume on your eyelashes and really catch people’s attention. You may also want to try a dramatic eyeshadow color look with our Be Cheerful Eyeshadow Palette. Keep your lips very neutral, with just a lip balm or a natural-looking gloss, and people will definitely be keeping their eyes on your gaze, and will never notice a little cold sore.

So if you’re feeling under the weather, but you can’t phone it in today, you can still look your best. Try these simple tips to help you shine, no matter what bug may befall you. And, hopefully, looking your best will help you feel just a little bit better too.

If you’re a bit of a makeup novice, you might think that lip liner has only one purpose—outlining your lips. And while this is definitely its primary use, there are many different ways that you can use lip liner to define, plump, and color your lips. Ready to learn all of the ways you’ve been under-utilizing your lip liner? Keep reading to learn more about Shine’s silky smooth liner, and how you can better apply your lip liner every day.

Features and Benefits

If you’ve ever scraped your lips with the jagged edges of your lip liner, you know just how irritating that can be. But Shine’s lip liner uses a creamy, soft formula that goes on smoothly and gently, and the easy-to-sharpen tip guarantees a perfect point for precise lining. Here are a few other features of our lip liner:

• Highly pigmented color
• Long-lasting for all-day wear
• Sharpens for precise application
• 5 beautiful colors
• Creamy, soft formula

With Shine’s lip liner, you get a precise, smooth line with every application, and all-day color that is sure to impress. Plus, as with all our products, our lip liner is hypoallergenic, paraben free, gluten free, and Leaping Bunny approved.

Tips for Use

Now for the fun part. Here’s a quick look at all the ways that you can use our luscious lip liners to amp up your makeup routine:

• Always exfoliate first. You can’t get a smooth, clean line if your lips are chapped or cracked, so gently exfoliate your lips using a soft-bristled toothbrush or damp washcloth. You may also want to apply a moisturizing lip balm before you use your lip liner.
• Sharpen your liner before every application. Then will ensure you get a cleaner, more precise line.
• Even the creamiest of lip liners can get a little tough in cold weather. If the tip of your lip liner is a bit too hard, warm it up by rolling it between your thumb and index finger, or by briefly drawing on the back of your hand with it. (Pro tip: If your lip liner tugs on your lips at all when you’re applying it, then it needs to be softened a little.)
• When applying lip liner, part your lips slightly to ensure your lips are maintaining their natural shape. This will make your line more precise.
• Start by lining your cupid’s bow, then the corners and bottom of your mouth, before outlining the rest of your lips. This helps achieve a more even shape.
• Use light, short strokes, rather than trying to trace in one smooth movement.
• Want to emphasize your lips a little, but keep a natural look? Use a nude liner that’s close to your natural lip color, then blend it into your lips, and you’re ready for your day!
• Try filling in your lips with lip liner, then top it with a gloss or tinted lip balm in a similar color. It’s a great substitute for lipstick!
• You can also fill in your lips with liner to provide an even base for your lipstick. This prevents any subtle changes in lip color, where the lipstick might bleed over the lip liner.
• Wearing a dramatic color? After you’ve applied your liner and lipstick, use a small brush to apply some concealer around your mouth, and ensure a strong, clean line all around.
• Want to make your lips look a little larger? Apply a concealer over your lips to blur your natural lip line. Then, apply your lip liner just outside your natural lip line to make them look slightly fuller. Be sure to come back to your natural lip shape at the corners of your mouth, so you don’t give yourself clown lips! Fill in the outline you’ve made with a complementary color. Use a thick application so you can blend the color into your lip line. Use your finger to smooth it all out, and you have plump, luscious lips!

Bet you never thought lip liner could do so much for your lips! So break out that liner, and try out some of the tips mentioned above. You can turn that one-trick pony into a total showstopper in no time at all!