1. Invest in Proper Products
When it comes to choosing your shade, look for waterproof and long-wear formulas. These products are specifically created to have staying power through wine and dinner conversations without smearing or repeat touch-ups.2. Prime
Hall-Scarmana says to think of your lips as a blank wall – before you paint, you should always prime. Dehydrated lips can cause your lip color to crack or feather beyond your lip line – two major pitfalls when it comes to making your lip color last all day. Using a lip primer will hydrate your lips and provide a smooth, polished surface for your lipstick to adhere to. Another way to keep your lips moisturized? A nourishing lip treatment like Skinceuticals Antioxidant Lip Repair.
“Choose a similar or neutral [lip liner] shade to fill in your lips,” says Hall-Scarmana. (Can’t find a perfect match? Thank goodness for invisible lip liner). “Filling in your lips first will create a strong base for your lip color to stick to and even out your natural lip pigment so it doesn’t interfere with your lip color.” Noted.4. Layer
To truly lock in your lip color, your favorite stain might be the one to save the day: “Lip stains last longer than traditional lipstick, allowing for fewer touch-ups throughout the day,” says Hall-Scarmana. She recommends applying a light layer of lip stain like Stila Lip & Cheek Stain before using lipstick to help prolong your color (we’re fans of YSL Rouge Pur Couture Vernis À Lévres Glossy Stain for all-day wear).5. Blot away
Use this technique next time you’re using a super-pigmented lip color: apply, blot, repeat. Hall-Scarman says that blotting between applying layers of lipstick will not only remove excess product, but also help the first layer of product sink into your lips and “stick”. Apply a layer of your favorite lip color, place a tissue between your lips and press your lips together gently, then apply another coat – touchups are so yesterday.
