A lip substrate applicator kit includes upper and lower applicators adapted to facilitate the application of lip substrates onto the upper and lower lips of a wearer. The lip substrates typically includes an image layer featuring one or more of a variety of colors, graphic designs and text elements. Edges of the applicators may be pre-cut to ensure that the applied substrate presents a symmetrical and clean appearance at the vermillion borders of the wearer's lips. Each applicator includes an adhesive layer, a peel layer and a guide layer. The guide layer has a guide pattern configured to aid a user in trimming excess portions from the applicator generally along a curved pathway, so that the substrate may be customized to fit the lips of the wearer. The kit may include a die cut applicator sheet from which the upper and lower applicators are die cut, suspended and detachable.