Do you ever buy a lipstick that you are just so excited to swipe on and show off because it will look totally perfect on your skin tone or with your favorite dress? Nothing is worse, however, than rocking that perfect lip only to find that within an hour it’s on your teeth, on your coffee mug or worse — it’s gone kindergarten and has smudged down to your chin (how does that happen anyway?).
If you are a lover of a bold, bright lip or wear lipstick on the regular, read on for our tips for making your lipstick, well, stick. If you have yet to be converted, then this step-by-step may do the trick. It’s a commitment and applying it properly takes a bit of patience, but trust us, the end look will be totally worth it. Read on for our tips on how to make lipstick last all day long.
how to apply lipstick
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Prep
In order to perfect the canvas you're about to paint, you must prep the surface. Make it a habit to buff lips with an exfoliator to avoid peeling or dryness and keep a lip balm on hand to keep the smoothness at all times.
Fresh Lip Polish, $22.50 at Fresh; Aquaphor Lip Repair, $4.29 at Drugstore.com
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Prime
This step is a must for ensuring long-lasting color — primer is essential! In order to make your lip color stick, swipe on the adhesive primer first. Then follow it up with a lip liner. Yes, a lip liner exists for a reason — it was not just a thing of the 90s! No need for the brownish or flesh-tone coloring, though. Use a clear pencil or a pencil that is close to the shade of lipstick you are using as a barrier to keep lipstick in place and to avoid feathering.
Too Faced Lip Insurance Lip Primer, $19 at Too Faced; Urban Decay 24/7 Glide-On Lip Pencil, $20 at Sephora
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Apply
Now, the fun part. But wait — don't just swipe it on and ruin all your hard work. Use a lip brush for precise application and use thin swipes to layer on desired intensity. Also, blot in between each swipe, so when the following layer goes on, it sticks on properly. Lipsticks with high pigment, creamy texture and a matte finish tend to last longer.
Sonia Kashuk Retractable Tools Lip Brush, $7.99 at Target; Bite Beauty Luminous Crème Lipstick, $24 at Sephora
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Final Touch
You're in the home stretch. Finally, set your lipstick with a small amount of setting powder to lock and keep color in place past lunchtime.
Make Up For Ever HD Microfinish Powder, $34 at Make Up For Ever
