Updated March 5, 2019
Disclosure: This shop has been compensated by Collective Bias, Inc. and its advertiser, Colgate-Palmolive. All opinions are mine alone. #OpticSmiles #CollectiveBias.
One way to instantly add drama and glamor to your beauty look is to rock a bold lip. Bold lips are beautiful, but sometimes they take a little more effort to make them look just right. Slapping the lipstick on and running out the door isn’t the best approach to take, because you don’t want to look like you got into a fight with a clown and lost. Believe me, I’ve been there and done that. Not fight with a clown, but apply bold lipstick too fast and end up looking like a hot mess.
Have no fear, friends. It’s not that hard. I have some tips that will help you achieve that perfect bold lip, and the most important one is often overlooked, so pay attention! (That’s my teacher voice coming out at you right there. It happens.)
1. EXFOLIATE
Nothing is worse than having the flakies under a bold lipstick. It really ruins the look. Exfoliating is extremely important before putting on a bold lip color, especially if it is a matte finish. You don’t need anything special or fancy to exfoliate, just a little sugar scrubbed over the lips will do! Or you can be fancy and make your own DIY lip scrub, like this cocoa sugar scrub I made at Blog Elevated. It looks like I’m rubbing Oreo crumbs on my lips, and it also tastes that way. Totally not mad about it. What? You don’t eat your DIY lip scrub?
2. MOISTURIZE
After exfoliating, I make sure to apply a thick, moisturizing lip balm while I do the rest of my makeup. I then will wipe most of it off before the next step. This really helps plump the lips and keeps them hydrated, especially after exfoliation.
3. LINE
Using a lip liner really helps achieve that chiseled, perfected look. It’s especially crucial when you’re doing a red lip. Can we also talk about what awkward faces I’m making while doing all of these things? Ah, for the love of blogging.
4. CLEAN UP
After you’ve applied your lippie of choice, put a little concealer on a small concealer brush and use it to carve out the edges of the lips. Then take the same brush to blend out the lines. This makes a huge impact!
5. WHITEN
I’ve saved the best and most important tip for last. Having white teeth is the most overlooked trick for bold lips. It makes a big impact, makes you look younger, and really helps those lips pop. Teeth whitening should be a part of your beauty regimen. As a busy mom, I don’t have tons of time to spend on this, so I am always looking for fast and effective ways to get my pearly whites.
I recently had the opportunity to try out the brand new Colgate® Optic White® Express White toothpaste. I picked it up at my nearest Walmart and was so excited to get it a whirl.
Colgate® Optic White® Express White toothpaste can give you whiter teeth in three days, just by brushing. It also has 2 times more hydrogen peroxide (the professionally recommended whitening ingredient) versus Optic White Sparkling Mint Toothpaste. I can say with confidence this is, hands down, the best whitening toothpaste I’ve ever tried. I’m not just saying that because of the nature of this post… I really mean it! It’s refreshing, tastes great, and I am a believer of those 3 day whitening claims*.
Sorry, had to throw in another pearly white selfie. And this lip color gets me every time.
If you want to give Colgate® Optic White® Express White toothpaste a try, there will also be a roaming demo in 550 Walmart stores on February 28, 2015 to promote the new product. You’ll be able to grab a $1 off coupon for the toothpaste. Check to see if your store is on the list!
Let’s all promise to make whiter teeth a part of our beauty regimen. It doesn’t have to be laborious. It only takes three days. Capiche?
*For best results, use as directed for 4 weeks
Justina says
I’ve never tried this brand! I’m going to have to give this a shot. I love toothpaste that whitens.
Meg O. says
This stuff is legit! Seriously the best whitening toothpaste I’ve ever tried!
Anne says
So this is the post that got in the way of extra talk time! You’ll be happy to hear I had a bold lip on yesterday while talking to you. Candy Yum Yum wasn’t quite my shade, but its sister shade, Lickable, makes me feel like awesome when I wear it.
Are you happy with the longevity of the W&W lipsticks? I haven’t tried.
Meg O. says
hahaha yep! I kinda had a looooot left to do on it. Candy Yum Yum is seriously my JAMMMMMM. I haven’t tried Lickable… I need to! I am absolutely in love with the WnW Megalast lipsticks. This one is Stoplight Red and it’s a perfect cool-toned red.
Amy says
Beautiful!!
Great tips!! I really suck at keeping lipstick on. That’s my issue… I think I lick my lips too much or something. I end up rubbing it off within an hour because I touch my face too much.
Also, side note: For the most part I really hate sponsored posts… but you really bring an art to it. Somehow you manage to keep the sponsorships interesting and you bring a real/honest opinion! So props to you! 🙂
Meg O. says
First of all, thank you so much for your sweet comment!! I try really hard only to pick sponsors that I truly love and know that is relevant!! I really appreciate that you see that!!!
I think as far as longevity, you may try a matte finish paired with a lip liner. They tend to stay on a heck of a lot longer and they are so flattering!
Jessica DImas says
I DID NOT know about the concealer trick – genius! And you have the most gorgeous teeth. I’m gonna have to try that toothpaste since your teeth look that good. At first I didn’t notice it was a new product from them because I just saw the red tube, but now I have to try with these 3 day claims!!! Haha! Colgate is already my favorite toothpaste because of the taste (I’m so weird) so I can’t wait to try this.
Meg O. says
The concealer trick is a game changer when really getting the color to pop! Give it a try! And I seriously do love this toothpaste… best whitening one I’ve tried (and I’ve tried a TON)! Lol I totally understand the whole taste thing when it comes to toothpaste. I’m super picky about that, too!
Katie says
Can I just say that I love the way you do sponsored posts?? Yours are probably the only ones I read because you give us real content that makes me want to read, but it’s also relevant to whatever it is you are promoting too. I love it. And I love this lip look! You’re totally right– the white teeth are a must for a red lip.
Meg O. says
That means a lot to me!!! I really, really try to pick the sponsorships I know that will fit, be relevant and ones that I LOVE!
Britt | Southern Mama + Child says
This is what I use and LOVE it! Love that scrub, need to check it out 🙂
Meg O. says
It really gives me those pearly whites!! And yes, the scrub is awesome – all it is is sugar, cocoa powder, coconut oil and grapeseed oil. It’s divine!
Meg Scholz says
Great tips! I love me a bold lip… and a white smile!!
Meg O. says
Thank you, love!!!! You can sure rock a bold lip, too 🙂 xoxo
Jodi says
Your teeth look amazing!!!
Meg O. says
Thank you, friend!! I appreciate it!!
Kristy says
Totally didn’t know about #4! Thanks for being so fabulous. And yes, I’ll definitely be trying that instead of my 3D White toothpaste I’m currently using. Sweet!
Meg O. says
You gotta check it out! This toothpaste is the bomb.com! And yes, the concealer trick is a game changer with bold lips!!
Alycia @ Crazily Normal says
I am not a huge makeup person and am scared to do the whole bold lip thing. Seems pretty straight forward though! Maybe I’ll give it a try!
Meg O. says
It’s definitely scary when you’re not used to it, but I suggest starting with something like a bright pink (maybe not as bright as what I’m wearing in the post) that’s easy to wear and then go from there!
Whitney says
I’ve just started wearing a bold lip and this is exactly what I needed. I definitely need to exfoliate my lips!
Meg O. says
Yay!! Girl, get you some of those Wet n Wild Megalast lipsticks. I know you are a fan of the WnW, and they are cheap and amazing!
Ailee | Snapshots & My Thoughts says
How can I look at your teeth or lips when I can only focus on your INCREDIBLE skin??? My gosh!!! I’m so envious. But your teeth are also perfectly white and your lips look beautiful in a bold red!! You can do no wrong lady! xo
Chas @ Haute Mommy Blog says
Aha, I’m missing the concealer step!
Tawnya Faust says
You are always rocking the bold lip so well!! Love that pink colour, I may have to pick it up 🙂 I am always looking for a new whitening system too… random fact about me, I fainted and knocked my two front teeth (almost) out when I was 12, they both have root canals and I need them crowned (but don’t want to spend the $$)…. so they’re always a little darker than the rest of my teeth and I hate it!
I’m going to try out this new system 🙂 xo
Nora Gouma says
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danielle says
good tips & those lip colors look great on you!
xx danielle // shades of danielle
Samantha K says
I cannot wait to try the Express White toothpaste! You look stunning!! #client
Molly says
What a great post! Coming here from the SoFab Facebook group. I love your blog! New follower <3
Adelina Priddis says
You are so gorgeous!! I don’t do a lot of makeup (ok like none), but I totally want to rock some bold lips now. I should probably slowly work up to that though, huh?
Katie says
I have totally seen you fight a clown, and win.