“The ChapStick Trick”

There was a time when it was my eyes that showed my age the worst.  Then my lips fell apart.  Now they hold that honor.

My lips are telling my age, and I don’t even have to say a word.

Loss of volume is an issue, and then there are the lip lines.  Many primers are too heavy to fill the lines, and using a highlighter around lips to add the illusion of volume can make wrinkles look worse.  Reverse lip liner can help, but it can be tricky finding the right one.

So I tried lip balm, ChapStick specifically works best I think.  The regular, original ChapStick with the black wrapper.

HERE’S WHAT I DO

1. Apply foundation to my face, blend it all out.
2. Dab a little Chapstick on THE OUTSIDE of my upper lip.  Just directly above the lip line, like I’m drawing a thin line around the outside of my top lip.  Limit application to just a line around the top lip, use too much and you’ll look like you have a sweaty upper lip.
3. Pat and smudge with my fingertip, like I’m trying to pat it into the cracks and fill the lines with the ChapStick.
4. Apply lipstick or stain as usual, then my lip liner.

HERE’S WHAT IT DOES

• The ChapStick fills lip lines and keeps lipstick out of them, because the lines are already filled with the “invisible” ChapStick.
• It hydrates those lines, so they are less noticeable.
• It adds a hint of shine, making lips look fuller.  It’s like highlighting, but no glittery makeup to get stuck in wrinkles.
• It won’t cake or dry like makeup, which can actually accentuate lip lines.

I think this trick is best for when fine lines start to show up around your lips.  So for now, it’s helpful for me.  How much longer will I be able to use ChapStick to help handle these lip lines?  I don’t know.
If fillers are in my future, I’ll fill you in.