How To Apply Lipstick

If you don’t want to be forever reapplying your lipstick, it is essential to learn the right way to put it on. These techniques will create lips that stay put.

Basic Lipstick Application

1. Apply vaseline, then use a soft toothbrush to remove dead skin cells, brushing gently.
2. Apply your foundation as you normally would, making sure you lightly cover your lips too.
3. Apply lip liner that matches either your lips or your lipstick exactly. To apply it straight, rest your little finger on your chin and press the flattest side of the liner point on the middle of your Cupid’s bow. Draw to the corner, sticking just inside the natural line of your lips. Once completed, colour the rest of the lips with the pencil.
4. Apply your lipstick with a lipbrush, blending again from the middle down to the corners of the mouth. if you’re using a very bright colour make sure you go right into the corners.
5. Blot with tissue. Now reapply another coat of your lip colour. Blot again. Add lip sealant or lip gloss if required.

Make Lips Look Bigger

Draw your liner along the outside of your lip line ­but never lose contact with that line or things will look exceptionally artificial. Use a shimmery lip colour which makes lips look bigger or dab a little gold eyeshadow in the centre of your lips and blend outwards.

For Sheer Natural Lips

Skip the liner and apply your lipstick direct to the lips with a brush - or for a longer-lasting look. Choose a liner the same shade as your lips and apply this all over. Top with a little sheer lip gloss.

To Even Up Lips

Don’t try and create a totally fake lip line - it will probably go wonky. Instead use foundation over the lips as before, then draw along the outer edge of the lip line on the smaller lip and either just under or along the lip line of the bigger (depending on which will even up the difference more). Fill in the whole lip with liner so you’re not left with tell-tale lines if your lipstick wears away.