How do you keep lipstick from wearing off?

There is nothing more frustrating than taking the time to look nice only to see it all fade away so quickly! What's a girl to do? First, let's start with the basics. If your lips are dry, lipstick will not stay on for long. Try gentle exfoliation on your lips with your toothbrush when you brush your teeth. This will remove any dead skin on your lips (those of you who have it know who you are -- the dry, cracked peeling lip syndrome). This can be done as often as necessary but don't overdue it -- ouch! Make sure you moisturize your lips with a lip balm or you can moisturize your lips every night with Vaseline. Now let's go on to the actual lipstick. Two things to consider are lipstick texture and lipstick application. Lipstick texture can generally be categorized as sheer, creamy or matte. Sheer is very lightweight and will not last long. Creamy tends to be moisturizing and will stay on longer. Matte lipstick will stay on the longest. There really isn't one lipstick that is going to stay on all day but there are lipstick applications that can make a big difference. One trick used you can use is to extend your foundation over your lips. It will help the lipstick adhere to the lip. This is a lot of gals' favorite trick. Another tip is to apply your lipstick and then blot with a tissue to remove excess lipstick. This should leave a stain on your lip. Now reapply your lipstick. Another great tool is powder. Pressed powder is preferred over loose powder. After you have applied your lipstick use your powder puff and dust your lips with powder. Not too much! Reapply lipstick. Make sure you have a separate powder for this as your puff will get lipstick all over it. An inexpensive one is fine. Experiment with these different applications and find the one or combination of all of them that works best for you. It may take longer but in the long run you'll be happy to see that your lipstick can stay on longer with a little help.

Permanent makeup: Is it an option for you?

Permanent makeup can be a great way for many people -- including those who are allergic to makeup, athletes who perspire a lot and people with limited mobility or who need assistance applying makeup - to achieve a beautiful look each day. Permanent makeup is a newer beauty procedure that is rapidly gaining popularity in the United States. It is a medically developed procedure in which all-natural pigments are implanted into the skin. The most common permanent makeup procedures are done on the eyebrows, around the eyes and lips. Another option is areola restoration in breast reconstruction. Joanne O'Donnell, owner of Bloomfield Esthetics Face and Body Care in West Bloomfield, Mich., uses a professional tattoo machine to apply permanent makeup. It is a one-process technique that is quick and involves little discomfort. This is the only technique she recommends. "There are other options, but they all require many applications to achieve the final look," she said.

What you should know Get a consultation first. "During the consultation, you should get a test patch to see if you have an allergic reaction to the metals in the pigment," O'Donnell said. The pigments will either be iron oxide-based or titanium dioxide-based. Use a qualified professional. Get a referral from a friend or doctor because many states do not have regulations in place for permanent makeup application. The technician should have taken classes and/or be certified with a couple of years of experience. Make sure all equipment is sterilized. A new needle should be used on each patient. Permanent makeup does fade over time. Ten years later, most permanent makeup still looks good. The pigment fades faster on people with a high acidic balance. Fading can be fixed with a touchup treatment for around $50. What's not recommended: O'Donnell suggests staying away from shading. "I've never seen blush or eye shadow shading that looks natural," she said. She also recommends against a lip liner-only look. "It's nice with lipstick, but without lipstick, you end up with a ring around your mouth," she said. Instead, opt for a feathering approach, where the color is feathered from the lip liner into the lip pad for a more natural look. Disadvantages of permanent makeup: Putting pigment too far into the lip pad can cause cracking and bleeding during the winter months. The reversal process: Permanent makeup in many cases can be reversed with a laser. The laser works best with blacks, blues and browns, which means lip colors are difficult to remove. Cost for reversal is approximately $300. Fashion changes: Finally, if you are considering permanent makeup, keep in mind that trends change over time. Make sure to go with more neutral colors, especially lip color, because what looks fashionable today may not be fashionable tomorrow. Red lips may look great with a sharp black outfit, but what about when you want to wear that purple and pink shirt? Average cost for application Eyebrows: $500-800 Eyeliner: $200-600 Lips: $500 Areola: $500 Weigh your options carefully and ask your technician lots of questions to achieve the look that is best for you and your lifestyle. The end result will be a beautiful, self-confident you.

Ready to shop? Before you buy, read these tips

• Look in mail order catalogs and magazines prior to shopping to get style ideas.
• Go shopping in clothes that are easy to remove.
• Pull on pants and tops are best.
• Use a personal shopper. They are a free service at some of the larger department stores.
• If you have difficulty trying on clothes, take someone with you who has a similar body shape and size and have her model the clothes for you.
• Be familiar with the store's layout to cut down on search time and maneuvering around clothing racks.
• Know the return policy prior to purchasing, especially if you are trying the items on at home and may need to return or exchange.
• Have fun, and shop 'til you drop!