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The lip transfer trial
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One thing I never tire of with beauty is the amount of new inventions and innovations that spring up out of nowhere. Forever pushing the boundaries, whether it's stem cell super-ingredients, dip-dye hair colour trends or original nail art, there’s always something new to try. And this week has been no different!
So we’re all up to speed on nail wraps – the easy to apply stickers that make nail art accessible to all and last for up to a week. Well get ready for temporary lip tattoos! A similar concept – you stick the transfers onto your lips like a fake tattoo (remember the ones you used to get free with Shout magazine) and then, as if by magic, this ready-made pout will stay put for up to eight hours...apparently!
Called Violent Lips, sources tell me they’re all the rage in the US and are therefore destined to be snapped up over here too when they launch into Boots this December. However, with Glitterati, coral giraffe, red leopard and coral polka dot designs to choose from, these certainly aren’t for shrinking violets! In fact, I advise a few days wearing red lipstick first to ease you into these look-at-me lips!
Now I know what you’re all thinking – how do they fit and how do you apply them? Well working on the upper lip first you cut the transfer to size (there’s guidelines on the back just like a shoe insole)! Then, once you’ve trimmed them, you place the sticky side of the pattern onto your lip, make sure they’re sitting correctly and then dab a wet cotton wool ball over them to fix into place. Peel off the back, smooth out any creases and keep your mouth relaxed for 5 minutes. Once dry, your printed pout will be ready to rock ‘n’ roll for hours, depending on how well you look after your lips!
Always up for a challenge, I experimented with the lip tattoos immediately and I have to say they didn’t work out as well as I’d hoped. BUT I do think it’s a case of practice makes perfect. Take the trimming-to-size step – I don’t believe anybody has the blunt ended lip shape like the transfer suggests, however I also think I cut them too short which caused them to flake a little at the ends. Oh and I placed the top one on slightly skew-whiff so my lip profile looked like a panto dame’s pout who was merry-on-sherry – not exactly the effect I was striving for!
In all fairness, the bottom transfer definitely worked out better which is why I think that with a bit more prep-work it might coax me round to them. As for what they feel like – you don’t really notice them - it was only really my pesky upper lip that kept reminding me I had them on and the sensation was just like a bit of rice paper stuck to your lips – nothing unpleasant!
I still think you have to be brave to pull off this bold look – and that’s coming from yours truly - but they are a fun way to update your look for the festive season! Removed with baby oil and wipes, at least try them for your Christmas party - I’m not sure how well they’d hold up under the mistletoe but you’ll certainly get heads turning either way!
And if you’re still confused, check out the ‘here’s one we did earlier’ step-by-step tutorial on youtube.com/violentlip – it guided me through the stages a treat!
£7.99 per pack (each pack contains three sets), available in Boots from December
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