5 Lipstick Hacks Every Pierced Person Needs to Know.

Lipstick and piercings can both make for some serious style statements. When paired together, they can add to your overall look, making it unforgettable. However, people who wear lipstick and piercings know that this doesn't always run smoothly. Blots, bad angles of application, or lipstick getting stuck to your jewelry can really ruin an otherwise perfect finish.

Regardless of whether you have a labret, a Monroe, or you are a fan of multiple stacked lip rings, these 5 lipstick hacks are going to revolutionize your look.

Photo credit: Marcelo Chagas on Pexels.

Apply A Piercing-Friendly Primer First

If your piercing is located close to your mouth, there is a good chance that your lipstick is going to migrate to your jewelry by the time you've finished applying. To prevent this from happening, create a slick surface (without causing irritation) so the lipstick won't move once applied. Use a lightweight, wax-based lip primer, or even a small amount of matte eyeshadow around the perimeter of your mouth. This will help the color stick to the surface of your lips and stop it from spreading to your jewelry.

Note: If you are currently healing a new piercing, try to avoid products containing alcohol or peppermint oil. These can cause irritation to the surrounding skin and potentially slow down the healing process.

Brush On – Don't Rub On

Sharp lines can prove difficult to achieve with a philtrum piercing, but that perfect cupid's bow is still achievable, and not all hope is lost. At that point, a lip brush can become your best friend. Replace your lipstick bullet with a precision brush and slowly work around your piercings. This allows you to closely follow the shape of your lips without spreading color onto your jewelry. If you have a vertical labret or a very high-placed piercing, try tilting your mirror slightly upward or downward to get a closer view of the difficult areas and reduce overlap.

Better yet, try using a pencil eyeliner to draw the outline of your lips first. Once you've done this, your lipstick will have defined boundaries, and you'll be much less likely to accidentally get color bleeding into your piercing.

Photo credit: Cottonbro Studio on Pexels.

Choose Transfer-Resistant Products

Not all lipsticks are made equally. While creamy lipstick tubes and sheer tint may look fabulous in the bottle, they can be a smudge-fest for pierced lips. Choose matte liquid lipsticks or long-wear lip crayons. These types of formulas typically set and stay in place, limiting the likelihood of the color transferring to your jewelry. Many makeup artists recommend formulas with flexible film-forming agents, as these move with your lips while staying put. It's not just about being matte, it's about intelligent wear that adapts to real life. If you are concerned about drying out, layer a thin layer of balm underneath your lipstick, allow a couple of minutes to pass, gently blot, and then apply your lipstick.

You should avoid lip gloss at all costs if your jewelry comes into contact with your lips. Lip gloss can collect on metal surfaces and leave behind a sticky film that is hard to clean.

Wash Your Jewelry Before Applying Makeup

This tip seems simple enough; however, it is one of the most commonly missed tips. If your jewelry has remnants of makeup, skin oils, or dust remaining, your lipstick is going to cling to it like crazy. Clean your jewelry with a saline solution or a safe-for-the-face jewelry cleaner before applying any type of makeup. Cleaning your jewelry will keep it appearing shiny and prevent debris build-up, which could discolor or dull it over time.

This tip can also be used for other facial jewelry, such as a nose stud that is close to your upper lip. Cleaning your jewelry will keep stray lip liner or setting powder from collecting around your nostrils.

Photo credit: Karola G on Pexels.

Seal It All In

Now that your lipstick is on and looking great, complete your look with two final tips. After you've applied your lipstick, use a single-ply tissue to gently blot any excess color that may still exist and travel to your jewelry. Next, grab a small eyeshadow brush and lightly pat translucent powder around the outer rim of your lips. This creates a protective barrier that limits the transfer of color and reduces smudges throughout the day.

For maximum staying power, try the blot and powder technique after each layer of lipstick. For example, apply one layer of lipstick, blot, powder, and then apply another layer. Yes, it takes a little extra effort; however, for pierced individuals, the constant rubbing of metal can be frustrating. So, taking the time to properly seal your lipstick can greatly enhance your experience.

9 Best Seller Tony Moly Lip Products to Try.

Tony Moly is a highly popular Korean skincare and cosmetics brand. It aims to be a source of high-quality beauty products packed with natural ingredients. With over 400 stores in South Korea alone, it prides itself on its trendy and unique packaging aesthetic and collaboration with high-profile brand spokespersons, such as the K-Pop group JYJ and actress Min Hyo Rin. Click here to check out their wide range of products from lippies to face masks.

JYJ (Junsu, Yoochun, Jaejoong) for Tony Moly.

Here are some of the brand's best selling lip products: 

1. Perfect Lips Shocking Lip

The Perfect Lips Shocking Lip highly-innovative lip color has been enriched with vibrant pigments and moisturizing oils that provide a high-impact, and long-lasting color. This highly-pigmented lip tint puts vivid colors on your lips minus the sticky finish. Vitamin E keeps your lips moisturized, while Safflower, Jojoba, and Argan Oil plus Shea Butter locks in moisture, keeping your lips soft for hours and vibrant color that stays all day.

Tony Moly Perfect Lips Shocking Lip.

2. Liptone Get It Tint S #06 Chili Pepper

A K-beauty collaboration with MONSTA X, this special lip tint offers a smooth, spicy color on your lips that MONSTA X fans will surely love. Its oil-based formula also keeps your lips soft and glossy all day long. This highly pigmented lip tint produces a deep red shade that doesn't quickly lose color, and its buildable texture enables you to adjust color intensity and application easily.

Using the applicator, apply to your lips' inner part for a gradient look or fill the entire area for a bold look.

Wonho of Monsta X wears Tony Moly.

3. Perfect Lips Lip Cashmere

Tony Moly Perfect Lips Lip Cashmere is a velvet matte lipstick that smoothly glides on your lips; it feels like wearing cashmere on your lips. Comfortable to wear and long-lasting, this velvety lipstick contains Jojoba Esters and Sunflower Seed Oil to moisturize your lips with a good color payoff without getting dry. Smoothly glides on your lips upon application.

Tony Moly Perfect Lips Lip Cashmere.

4. Delight Tony Tint

With its sweet-smelling, fruity scent, this lightweight tint gives lips a sheer hint of color and its Rosehip, Jojoba, Argan Oil, and Shea Butter infusions create a moisturizing luster on your lips. With Rose Flower Extracts, Cranberry Extract, Pomegranate Extract, Acai Extract, and Cacao Extract, this lip tint gives a yummy scent and makes for pleasing lip makeup. Apply a moderate amount from the inside to the outside lip for a polished look.

Tony Moly Delight Tony Tint.

5. Perfect Lips Curving Lipstick

Thanks to its ergonomic applicator, this unique lipstick is designed to match your lips' curve to deliver a smooth, long-lasting vivid color. It is enriched with Rose Extract, Rosehip Oil, and Avocado Oil to moisturize your lips deeply. Because of its curved design, it easily creates gorgeous and vivid lips without lumping. Apply moderate amounts from the inside to outside lips gently.

Tony Moly Perfect Lips Curving Lipstick.

6. Perfect Lips Rouge Gloss

Achieve smackingly sexy lips with this lip gloss! Formulated with Lavender Extract, Tea Tree Leaf Extract, Rosemary Leaf Extract, and Fermented Yeast Filtrate, this lip gloss offers moisture and added nutrition to your lips. Perfect Lips Rouge Gloss is also designed with a unique oil film that locks in moisture within your lips to maintain the vibrant color and keep it plump for hours.

Tony Moly Perfect Lips Rouge Gloss.

7. Spoiler Sheer Matte Lip Pencil

Enriched with Shea Butter, Vitamin A, and Vitamin B, this matte lip pencil adds moisture and nourishment to your lips and leaves a soft, velvety finish and vibrant color that lasts for hours. This creamy, textured lip pencil is also very easy to apply for a smooth focus. Apply the lip pencil from your inside to outside lips, carefully following along your natural lip contour.

Tony Moly Spoiler Sheer Matte Lip Pencil.

8. Easy Touch Auto Lip Liner

This creamy, extremely easy to use auto lip liner contains Argan Oil for an extra moisturization boost. Forego manually sharpening your lip liners with this smudge-resistant lip liner that applies smoothly on your lips. Simply outline the natural edge of your lips, then fill or layer with a lipstick or lip gloss. This creamy lip liner is blendable and can easily match into your lipstick or lip gloss.

Tony Moly Easy Touch Auto Lip Liner.

9. Perfect Lips Rouge Intense

Create a glamorous, HD-like lip finish with this highly-pigmented lipstick with bold, dramatic color in one swipe. This lipstick is also infused with botanical extracts, Collagen, Glycerin, and Sodium Hyaluronate for a unique, super boosted hydration. Enriched with Rose Flower Extracts and Calendula Flower Extract, Perfect Lips Rouge Intense keeps your lips soothed and moisturized. At the same time, the added Glycerin and Sodium Hyaluronate delivers intense hydration to your lips. As a final treat, its added Collagen helps keep your lips firm and a must-try for lipstick enthusiasts.

Tony Moly Perfect Lips Rouge Intense.

Final Thoughts

Whether you're going for a sassy, sophisticated, or natural look, you should purchase cosmetics from trusted makeup brands like Tony Moly. Lip products can complete or ruin your face makeup, so it's important to buy those that suit your skin tone best.

Pucker Up! | Mamonde Creamy Tint Color Balm Intense.

If you're an avid fan of Korean dramas, then you probably know what 'PPL' or 'product placement' is. It's a marketing technique which strategically features brand logos in a particular scene, or shows the characters in the drama using the product. Sometimes subtle, but oftentimes not, PPL has become a norm in Korean dramas; the more popular the drama is, the more PPLs are inserted in it.

I fell for these PPLs several times in the past, and thanks to these Korean dramas, I've bought all sort of stuff - lipsticks, cushions, sheet masks, perfume, plush dolls... Heck, I would even have pizza or fried chicken delivered to our flat (in Seoul) because my favorite Hallyu stars were endorsing them, lol!

The latest PPLs that I fell prey to were the ones shown in Memories of the Alhambra. You see, I've come across these Creamy Tint Color Balms countless of times in Myeongdong and Sinsadong, but never really paid much attention to them. I did swatch a few shades, but purchase them I did not. Then came Memories of the Alhambra with scenes of Park Shin Hye gliding them color balms on her lips, and I was like, "Freeeaaaak! Why did I not buy those while I was in Seoul???" 

Mamonde Creamy Tint Color Balm Intense, Php 390 each on Althea.

Thankfully, these lippies are sold in Althea, and I bought two out of the seven shades that were listed on their site. That's just a fraction of the entire Creamy Tint Color Balm Intense line, which has a whopping selection of 27 shades!

Mamonde Creamy Tint Color Balm Intense.

A crayon-type lip product, the Mamonde Creamy Tint Color Balm Intense has the vivid color of lipstick and the creamy texture of a lip balm. It's formulated with jojoba extract to moisturize and smoothen the lips, and green tea seed oil to protect the lips from external pollutants and free radical damage. It also contains a special powder ingredient which provides this product with a soft, smooth, glide-on texture.

Twist-up lip crayon.

The shades that I got were #21 Red Soul and #22 Dandy Coral. The former is a muted brown-red shade, while the latter is a coral-based peach.

Shade reference on the top flap of the box.

Mamonde Creamy Tint Color Balm Intense #21 Red Soul.

Mamonde Creamy Tint Color Balm Intense #22 Dandy Coral.

Both shades are nicely pigmented, have a smooth, velvety texture, and a true matte finish. Although these Creamy Tint Color Balms do not have that slick, buttery feel when you glide them on the lips, they're very easy to apply, and you only need to swipe them once or twice for the color to pop.

Crayon-type lip product.

Twist the bottom part to expose the tip of the product.

They're non-drying, and your lips won't feel parched even after hours of wear. They don't accentuate fine lines either, despite settling down to a flat matte finish. Do note, however, that I have a regimen which keeps my lips from looking or feeling dry. If you have dry, flaky lips, I suggest you exfoliate and moisturize properly before and after using matte lip products.

#22 Dandy Coral on top, #21 Red Soul on the bottom.

Swatched: #21 Red Soul on the left, #22 Dandy Coral on the right.

For a 'lip balm', these products are surprisingly long-wearing. The colors stay put for hours (especially if you wear them full lip), and can survive a light, non-greasy meal.

Wearing shade #22 Dandy Coral.

Wearing shade #21 Red Soul.

Most of my PPL buys have never failed me, and I'm so glad that the Mamonde Creamy Tint Color Balm Intense exceeded my expectations. I have a feeling I'll be buying more of these in the (very) near future because why not? They give value for money, plus I have a few more Althea Rewards Points to spare, anyways. :)

Have you been influenced by Korean dramas (or any other TV show, for that matter) in buying something? Share your PPL story in the comments! :)

Pucker Up! | Human Heart Nature Made to Bloom Lipstick.

Human Heart Nature has just launched a bunch of new products, and I'm super stoked because they've also released a new line of lip colors! I wasn't able to attend the launch party at Human Heart Nature Laguna last Saturday, but I did drop by the store the other day so I could check out the new lippies.

Human Heart Nature Made to Bloom Lipstick.

Introducing the Human Heart Nature Made to Bloom collection - the brand's first-ever line of matte lipsticks.

Human Heart Nature's first line of matte lippies.

Formulated with the goodness of cocoa butter and passionfruit oil, these Made to Bloom lipsticks give your lips a gorgeous wash of color without the drying feel. They go on creamy and stay on feeling soft and comfortable on your lips.

All five shades of the Human Heart Nature Made to Bloom collection.

The collection features five flattering nude shades, each designed to suit any skin tone. These beautifully-pigmented MLBB (that's 'My Lips But Better' in case you haven't heard of this trend yet) colors can be worn sheer for a more natural effect, but you can add a few more coats for more intensity.

Lovely shade names - Grace, Wisdom, Strength, Warmth, and Joy.

With its non-drying, nourishing formula, the Made to Bloom lipsticks do not cling to dry patches or accentuate the fine lines on your lips. However, the color does fade after a few hours and you need to touch-up after a meal or a cup of coffee.

Product info and ingredients list on the box.

Adhering with the brand's sustainability campaign, the lipstick tubes are made with paper and less plastic, each designed with dainty floral illustrations. The lipsticks are made with natural ingredients (but of course, it's Human Heart Nature after all), and are not tested on animals.

Here's how the shades look like when swatched.

From L-R: Grace, Wisdom, Strength, Warmth, Joy.

Grace is a pink-based nude; Wisdom is a soft, peachy tan; Strength is a rich shade of chestnut brown; Warmth is a muted shade of brick red (more like terracotta to me); and Joy is a rosy peach nude.

From L-R: Grace, Wisdom, Strength, Warmth, Joy.

According to my friends at Human Heart Nature Laguna, their best-selling shade by far is Strength. The color is gorgeous when swatched, but it kinda washes out my face when worn. I look even more pale with Wisdom - like I'm down with the flu or something.

Strength, when worn.

The three remaining shades are the ones more suitable for my skin tone.

Grace, when worn.

Grace looks very natural on me, while Warmth adds depth to my natural lip tone. 

Warmth, when worn.

Joy, as my namesake suggests, is such a joy to wear as it enhances the color of my lips and brightens up my face. Among the five shades, this one is my favorite.

Joy, when worn.

If you're still on the hunt for that perfect MLBB lipstick, I suggest you check out these Made to Bloom lipsticks from Human Heart Nature. They're now available online and at Human Heart Nature branches nationwide, and they retail for Php 495 a pop. You can even get them at a discounted price if you're a registered Human Heart Nature member. :)

Pucker Up! | Missha Wish Stone Tint Velvet.

New year, lippie!
Well, not-so-new, actually. I bought these lippies while I was in Korea last spring but never had the chance to use them, let alone open the sealed boxes. I only remembered that I had them in my stash when I saw these lippies listed on the Althea website, lol.

Missha Wish Stone Tint Velvet.

Mostly Hangul text at the back of the box.

Meet the Missha Wish Stone Tint Velvet - by far, one of the prettiest lip products that I brought home from Korea. I mean, just look at the packaging. And you all know I'm a sucker for products with cute and quirky packaging.

Lovely, crystalline-shaped packaging.

Its crystalline shape and sparkly appearance resembles that of a sunstone, one of the lesser-known yet relatively affordable gemstones in the world of jewelry.

They're glittery, too!

Its applicator is quite unique, too. The wand is long and the applicator itself is shaped like a pentagon.

Shade #15736 aka Chic Red.

Shade # 15738 aka Pretty Brown Pink.

There are five different shades in the Missha Wish Stone Tint Velvet line, and the ones that I have are shades #15736 Chic Red and #15738 Pretty Brown Pink. The former is a bold, classic red while the latter is a dusty rose with brown undertones. Both shades are nicely pigmented and can be worn full-lip or gradient-style.

Swatched - Pretty Brown Pink on the left, Chic Red on the right.

Aside from the packaging and pigmentation, I also love the velvety, meringue texture of these tints. They glide smoothly on the lips and leave your kisser with a soft, matte finish. And because the Missha Wish Stone Tint Velvet is formulated with nourishing ingredients such as plum seed oil, calendula, and avocado extracts, your lips won't feel dry even after hours of wear. 

Swatched - Pretty Brown Pink on the left, Chic Red on the right.

Speaking of wear time, these tints stay solid for six hours at the most. The color will last through a coffee break, but you'll need to do a touch-up after a complete meal.

Swatches, about three hours later.

Personally, I'm okay with the retouching part. That way, I get to take these beauties out of my purse and take a whiff of their yummy, cotton candy scent. If you're not a fan of scented lip products, this might be a bit of a turn-off for you. 

After doing the dishes and taking a bath, there's still a hint of color from the swatches.

But overall, these lippies are definitely worth-trying - all the more because they're pretty affordable. They're priced at 6500 won each (around Php 300 or US$6), but I was able to buy both tints for the price of one, thanks to Missha's 1+1 Sale Event during that time. Althea currently sells them at Php 260 each - still a budget-friendly price.

Chic Red on my lips, gradient style.

Pretty Brown Pink, worn full-lip.

Shopping at Althea? Don't forget to use my referral code to get 20% off your first order! 

Offer is valid for new customers, with a maximum discount of Php 200.