The key to making sure your lipstick lasts all day is layering mustardingly; whether that means starting with smooth, smooth lips, the use of a long-wear formula, and locking in with some delicate setting techniques. If your color fades by lunch – or even worse, feathers you might have problems with your prep.

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Long-lasting lipstick is more than just a product. It’s about the way you apply it; lips have a much different texture, and they move more than other parts of your face. Therefore, anything that is too creamy or unanchored will wear off quickly. The trick is to provide something to hold, without drying them out.

A brief overview

1 Prepping your lips is crucial
2 The order in which you apply is important

Prepping your lips is crucial

You will want to begin with a gentle lip scrub or a soft toothbrush to gently exfoliate any flakes. Then follow with a lightweight lip balm, but blot the balm before applying lipstick. Too much moisture will create slippage. If you are using a matte formulation, prep with a hydrating base and allow to absorb completely first.

The order in which you apply is important

Apply lip liner first, but not only around the ‘edging’, fill in the entire lip, that way you create a grippy base.

Then apply lipstick using a brush; you can create more precision and layer it evenly.

Blot and reapply a second layer; this method of layering will lock it in.

Optional: take translucent powder lightly dusted through a tissue over your lips as a set-without-set method.

There is nothing ‘long-lasting’ about wearing harsh formulations or consistently having to retouch your lip-lock; you just have to understand some layering, supported by most other make-up staples in our stay-put self-care collection.