I realized that one of the reasons lip color shows up so well on me is the things that I do to prep my lips.

1. I use lip balm every day (Aromaleigh's Minty Cocoa Chip). I use it before bed, and when I wake up in the morning, after I brush my teeth.
2. I exfoliate my lips with a brown sugar scrub and wash cloth in the shower.

So by the time I'm ready to put on lip color, my lips are pretty smooth and moisturized.

Color sits well on top of that. Also, my lips aren't too pigmented, either.

However, you can buy a nude lipstick if you want to use that as a base to help show off lip color. I know a lot of people recommend a MAC shade called Myth.

And of course, another thing to do is to line your lips and fill them in, as that helps any color to look more vibrant.

Good tips!

I almost feel like I have the opposite problem -- I'm so used to seeing my light-colored lips that anything more than a MLBB color seems too bold to me! lol

I've also found that many of the Color Cremes are perfect -- they add just enough color for me while being very moisturizing. If I just wear a Color Creme during the day and a lip balm at night (currently Italian Blood Orange but I'll probably try a new flavor when this one runs out), my lips are perfect -- I don't need any exfoliation or other moisturizing treatments!

I've also heard that filling in your lips with a nude lip liner is a good way to get certain colors to show up (particularly lighter colors).

Yeah, the gothic lolita color creams are great for a little bit of color Though you can intensify the color with liners.

I like bold color, but I've come to appreciate softer colors too

I think your tip with the nude liner sounds good! Myth is a nude lip color that is used for that purpose as well, so that those baby pinks will show up on pigmented lips.

I have very pale lips and I like to use Heather lipliner as a nude-pink base. If I want more intensity I use Terra Mauve... but lately I'm finding that dark colors are just making me too haggard... so I've been wearing lots of natural or slightly tinted colors, especially Melancholia, and I also really like the new color, Cakewalk!

Yeah, Cakewalk is really pretty
I was surprised by how much I love Creampuff, too.

I have been wearing either Wallflower or Candy Cane pretty much every day lately (I hope you bring Candy Cane back again this Christmas!!), but for a change I also like Melancholia, Rosebud, Notorious, and Noreservations. Hmm, I was on a Notorious kick a while back, I should start wearing it more often again!

I also think I'll like Cakewalk best out of the new colors -- we'll see when I get my samples!

Oh dear I have medium pigmented lips and nude lipsticks look terribly odd on me hahaha. One looked like I was wearing whitish pink lipstick (and it was such a shame because I have seen others wear it and it look fabulous), but I use the color to lighten lippies or just as a base and it works delightlfully well.

My lips are prone to becoming dry so I put on rose salve before bed and apply AL lip balm throughout the day. Keeps my lips looking lush!

I'll have to look out for a nude lip liner. It seems like a "lighter" option when compared to the lipstick base idea!

Good points!

I wrote up a lot of tricks/hints on my blog a while ago. Here's a link: http://savvythinker.com/2009/0...-general-about-lips/

Heather sounds like a good color for me. I have many of the AL lips/balms.

I don't know what liners to use with anything! I have no idea how to do make up stuff, other than eyes and blush.

What's this brown sugar scrub? How do you make it/do it?
I've heard of something like it... Only, it was vaseline or some sort of oil with... cinnamon?

<3

I'm a lip liner fanatic. In fact, I rarely see a pair of lips that wouldn't benefit from the use of a lip liner. Even if you prefer a subtle, natural or pale pout, a lip liner will give you a cleaner, more polished and more sophisticated look.

Nude is a personal favorite of mine - and everyone has a different nude! Match the pencil to the spot just inside your lower lip. Don't go too beige or too pink or too yellow. Your own nude might be baby pink or buff or amber or plum - you want it nude to you!

Use this color to line and fill in your lips - then top with clear gloss or any color lippie. This will soften a too sharp red or purple, too, making it more wearable.

I like a red liner if I'm doing a very precise red lip. I often choose a slightly warmer red pencil than my lipstick, as I feel it makes a complimentary base to just about any red lipstick. If you are cool toned, go with a bluer based red.

I also love a pale shimmery oyster, white or pink for highlighting the cupid's bow and the philtrum - instantly makes the whole mouth look fuller and younger! Also use at the outer corners to lift them up a bit, too.

Lip liners can intensify a lipstick or gloss, or tone it down - and yes, you can also give yourself Pam Anderson Porn Star lips if you want...make sure that is your intent, though. No rules, just intention.

Ah, I love lip liners!

-b.