How to make your lipstick last

Fading lipstick is something that most of us have to deal with, but what can you do to make your lipstick last?

Start off by lining your lips with lip liner that matches your chosen lipstick colour. If you don’t have one that matches, use a nude lip liner (one that matches your natural lip colour). When lining your lips, stick to the natural lip line unless you have uneven or thin lips (read more about how to make your lips look fuller or more even in “Thin or uneven lips”).

Once you’ve outlined both your lips, fill in the entire lip area using the same lip liner. This will act like a base coat and will give the lipstick something to stick to, as well as prevent the lipstick from feathering or bleeding into any fine lines around the mouth.

Apply your chosen lipstick to your lips with a lip brush. Using a lip brush allows you to get a neat and tidy application without wasting too much product. It also works the lipstick into your lips instead of just gliding it on top of the skin. Rub your lips together thoroughly by moving them sideways, backwards and forwards, really work the colour in as much as possible before blotting any excess lipstick off with a tissue (toilet paper will also work if you don’t have any tissues handy).

To blot, fold a tissue in half, curl your lips over your teeth and place the tissue between your lips. Clamp down onto the tissue with your lips. Do this a few times, moving the tissue across so that you’re using a clean section each time.

Reapply a second coat of lipstick with a lip brush, rub your lips together and blot lightly. Get a clean tissue (or piece of toilet paper) and separate the layers of tissue paper. Using one single layer, close your mouth and place this over your lips, holding it in place with an index finger under your nose and your thumb on your chin. Apply a light dusting of translucent powder to your lips (over the tissue) with a powder brush. This will set the lipstick in the same way that powder sets foundation.

Lightly outline your lips again with lip liner for a crisp, clean outline (this is optional) and apply another light layer of lipstick, using your lip brush once more, on top of the recently powdered layer. Blot once on a tissue to remove any excess and you’re done!

Your lipstick should last a lot longer than when you simply apply it straight from the tube and you’ve probably used about the same amount (or even less) than with a single straight-from-the-tube application.