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My Experience Part I LipSense
- Jacci Stephan
- Dec 17, 2017
- 9 min read
My Senegence Journey Part I; Introduction to LipSense
LipSense is a pharmaceutical-grade cosmetic product with pure pigments and natural botanicals. It is the best blend of science and nature. LipSense is gluten-free, vegan, kosher, non-GMO, contains no lead and no animal by-products. SeneGence uses the highest quality ingredients and is made in the USA.
Okay, so that’s the official marketing description. What’s the interpretation?
This is my take!
Bottom Line? Proven, Undeniable FACT: LipSense is waterproof. It does not kiss-off, smear-off, rub-off or budge-off! One application can last anywhere from 4-18 hours, without touch ups. Yup, that’s right, you read it right!
I had never heard of LipSense when for my birthday this past year, my mother sent me a gift certificate for a starter kit of LipSense. I was curious and googled it. What was it and what is a “Kit”? I assumed it was a collection like those boxes you see in ULTA and Sephora that you get to “Start” you out or something similar. I was surprised that I couldn’t find too much information on it but now know it’s because I didn’t know enough about it to ask the right questions. Senegence products aren’t sold in retail stores or online. You can get the products from independent distributors, like me (more on that way later).
I figured out pretty quickly that I had to order through the girl who provided the gift certificate . Honestly, I was turned off by the fact that I had to contact someone to order. I’m an immediate gratification, type A person. I purchase 90% of my livelihood online and was hesitant, why can't I just fill my cart and go? I know that probably sounds horrible to some of you, where others may relate.
I’ll tell you though; this company is on to something by setting up its distribution channel through independent distributors. The products are unlike any others and YES, you do need to follow instructions with lip color application.
Instructions? CRAZY? No, and you’ll see why. It is so awesome when you do it right and even more so when you perfect it and learn really cool tricks like ombre lips and more! In working with a distributor, you get the ability to have one-on-one assistance tailored to your needs.
So I pushed past my social anxiety and crawled out of my hermit shell just enough to send an IM. Bold, right!?
I'm happy to say that when I reached out, she responded super fast and provided me with so much information, in response to my so many questions. She was upbeat and as excited as I was. What she provided me, I never would have found in my google searches and she customized the info to my questions and needs. She educated me on the product and also assisted with color matching based on my preferences and personal attributes. All of this was done with instant messenger on Facebook. I was swimming in attachments of lip color collages and tip sheets. It was a great experience and so exciting! HUGE SHOUTOUT to Jamie! Best distributor ever and a great mentor.
I learned that a starter kit is necessary when introduced to Lipsense because of the unique technology used to attain long wear without budging or fading. It’s not an upsell, it’s not a gimmick, the products go together and without each of the elements, you will not get the most out of the entire experience. A kit includes a color of your choice, a gloss and remover (fittingly named Oops for those accidental slips of the hand). After your kit, you can then build your collection 1,5,7 or 10 colors at a time... that’s how I did it, anyhow!
By the end of my IM storm with Jamie (about just 20 minutes), I was hooked, I cashed in on my gift certificate and got two more additional colors to go with it! I was already asking about other products in the line too, flipping from page to page in the Beauty Book.
So, if you’re new to LIpSense and the Senegence product line, I’m sure you have questions too. Let me help bridge that gap by telling you what I learned!
My Experience Part I
LipSense
I truly get 10-12 hours of wear from these products on average. I apply the color in the morning as my last touch around 6 a.m. I apply the gloss and I am good to go. I keep applying gloss as needed throughout the day, especially right before and after eating. This ensures that I got the longest wear possible. With my products came instructions and a tip sheet. I had talked with my mom and she explained it to me and shared her experiences. I also watched a few (ok, I went down a rabbit hole) how to videos on You Tube, because I obsess that way and can’t help it! So, I had a pretty good idea of how to apply the product. Watch the below video and have no fear, I always include instructions, tips, other thank you goodies and surprises with all my packages.
How to Apply
Prepare you lips. Cleanse and make sure you have clean and dry lips.
This is critical! The color bonds to your skin so if you’ve got any residue from gloss, balm, foundation etc, it will have an impact on the lasting affect of the color. I always wipe my lips from corner to corner after doing my make up because foundation can end up there during blending.
Shake Lipsense Color well (for at least 20 seconds).
There is a metallic ball in the color tube to help combine the elements as you shake and you’ll hear it rattling. Before long, this becomes second nature and you’ll realize you’re shaking your tube without even thinking about it.
Apply 3 THIN layers of Lipsense color to each lip.
A lot of color comes out on the wand. You don’t want to paint your lips like you immediately think you should. 3 very thin layers is all you need and is more than enough. The first layer with some colors can even be hard to see.
Allow about 10 seconds for the product to dry after each layer.
Applying a new coat over a wet layer can streak the color. Patience and an additional couple seconds adds hours of lasting color wear!
Only go in one direction with one continual stroke of LipSense per lip.
DO NOT go back and forth like traditional lipstick. Just as above, swiping over wet isn’t good.
I go from right corner to left corner on my bottom lip twice per layer. Once on the outside/line of my lip and again on the inner/waterline side of my lips.
On the top lip, I start at the middle (cupid’s bow) and swipe down right and then from middle and swipe down right.
Keep your lips spread open & tight.
The color will go into all the little lines in your lips much easier.
This gives you full coverage and a natural look.
Don't touch lips together until Lipsense gloss is applied. Keep your lips parted.
This is tough until you get used to it. No need to rub your lips together.
Smacking or smearing lips does nothing for the color. Keep your lips parted, and blow and waive hand to dry ;)
Wait about 30 seconds after the 3rd layer.
Finish with a topcoat gloss to seal in the color and to hydrate the lips.
NOW you can smack them lips!
Clean up any mistakes with the Ooops! Remover.
LipSense Liquid Lip Color
LipSense is a pharmaceutical-grade cosmetic product with pure pigments and natural botanicals. It is the best blend of science and nature. LipSense is gluten-free, vegan, kosher, non-GMO, contains no lead and no animal by-products. SeneGence uses the highest quality ingredients and is made in the USA.
LipSense is NOT a stain; it doesn't penetrate the skin and go into the blood stream. LipSense is a patented molecular bond, meaning it sticks to your skin and that is why you have to have clean and dry lips.
LipSense is an amazing departure from conventional lipsticks and lip colors. LipSense is versatile in that you can mix shades to create a number of effects.
This is a unique product that actually bonds to your lips. It does not dry out your lips – it works to restore the moisture content.
LipSense Gloss
Dehydrated, cracked, chapped and damaged lips are no match for the moisturizing ability of Shea Butter of LipSense Glosses. Glosses come in a variety of finishes similar to the color choices. Choose from glossy, pearl, matte or shimmering finishes. Glosses improve the longevity of LipSense Liquid Lip Color.
Glosses are the final touch in the LipSense application. Gloss seals the color and moisturizes your lips. It should be reapplied throughout the day at any time that the lips tend to feel dry or you want to add a refreshed look and feel. Reapplying gloss increases the longevity of your color by protecting that third layer. I also suggest applying to lips before bed to continue moisturizing around the clock.
There are 11 glosses to choose from in the standard line and a current limited edition Diamond Kiss gloss which provides all the benefits of standard glosses with a unique glitz and shimmer of genuine crushed diamonds.
It is important that only LipSense glosses are used over LipSense colors. Other products are not formulated to protect the color and will break it down and make it feel gritty and you'll need to remove the color with your remover.
Some people look at the lip collages and say I don't like the shiny gloss, give me a matte gloss. It's important to know that when first applied, the gloss is rather shiny and polished, though after around 30 minutes, it's soaked into the color. The look at that time is fairly matte like. You most certainly can still use a matte gloss but because it is the least hydrating it is a best practice to apply a small amount of glossy gloss first to seal your color. Shortly after you can then apply your Matte gloss.
Tips
Your lips WILL go through a peeling/exfoliating process. For me it lasted about a week. This is just your lips exfoliating themselves of waxy build up from other products you have used, including lipsticks and chapsticks.
Sugar scrubs are included from me as my personal thank you to help with the exfoliation
Ooops! Remover, included in your kit, can be used to clean up any mistakes or to remove your color entirely.
There is a slight tingly feeling when you first start using LipSense. That is from the cosmetic grade denatured alcohol that is in the color.
The denatured alcohol also keeps bacteria from growing inside the tubes.
Reapply the gloss throughout the day to keep your lip color on as long as possible, I can't say this enough. Especially before and after eating.
Once you start wearing LipSense DON'T go back and forth between regular lipsticks and lip balms, your lips will start the exfoliating process all over again.
One tube of lip color will last approximately 5-6 months when worn every day, a HUGE bang for your buck!
Wear
Many products in the past that were "long wear" often felt flakey and began to peel from my lips. I was always aware of the color because of how it felt when I wore it. Lipsense is light and not thick in texture which also helps making drying time between coats minimal. On busy days at the office, I often forget I'm wearing it and it's out of mind. When the gloss soaks in and is due for reapplying, I'll notice it, but that's the only time.
The color doesn't flake away like I mentioned with other brands. It doesn't fade either. It simply slowly wears off, typically starting around the waterline of your lower lip. This is most noticeable in bold colors. There's a simple fix though. With lips dry and not glossed, add a think layer over the area that's worn off, wait and apply a second layer. Apply a third layer to the entire lip and you're set for a few more hours.
Personally, as mentioned earlier, I average wear time typically anywhere from 10-12 hours. This tends to vary based on a few factors, including:
How often I eat and drink throughout the day (and also the type of food I eat – greasy/oily foods have an effect on the life of your color)
How often I re-apply the gloss top coat. I don't have a set schedule, rather I go with how my lips feel but always apply it right before meals.
How much wax, dry skin, and build-up is on my lips (which is why it’s important to apply LipSense to clean, exfoliated lips)
There is a doe-foot applicator in Lipsense and that makes it easy to line your lips as well.
The gloss is amazing! It's pure moisture on your lips and feels like silk to wear. It’s not just there to add shine and re-hydrate – it really does help to coat and protect the base layers of color for longer wear.
Cost
Good makeup isn’t cheap and cheap makeup isn’t good!
Lip color is $25. Gloss is $20. Ooops! Remover is $10. All three are your starter kit for $55.
One tube is the equivalent of approximately 4 sticks of lipstick and can last for 6 months! What’s even more fun is the infinite possibilities by combining colors with either a color palette or simply layering one color over the other, as show in the above section.
Because you're not constantly reapplying your color, the value goes a long way. The below comparison sheet was a huge eye opener to me on the benefits. If you're anything like me, you've found yourself in the make up, often, staring and scanning and adding to your basket to find you just dropped around $75.00 with no guarantee of satisfaction.
Because of distributors like me, you have a one on one consultation and if used properly (Lipsense color and gloss), there's a 100% satisfaction guarantee. I have yet to have anyone dissatisfied with the lip colors we've chosen for them because I aim to help you experience the best and even more satisfying experience than I had, which is a pretty tall order.
Thank you for stopping by, I welcome comments and feedback. Keep an eye out for upcoming continuations to my journey. Thank you!
Jacci
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