The moist, glossy look is a popular trend with plenty of balmy new arrivals, but they’re not the one if you’re looking for staying power.
It’s fine if you’re happy whipping out a compact to touch up, but if you want serious staying power a classic lipstick is indispensable.
Even more indelible? The modern incarnations of liquid lipstick that feel silky on and give a clean edge and chic, matte finish. However there’s now a good range of long-wear lipsticks in every category.
Makeup artist Kiekie Stanners is as much a fan of the classics as she is creating artistic, boundary-pushing editorial looks.
Her tips for creating a lip look that lasts?
“Lip pencil always!” Stanners insists. “We have obviously seen a massive drive in lip-liner-love thanks to an over-drawing trend but by using a pencil all over the lips first, prior to adding lipstick will give a base that provides long wear colour even after a cream has worn away.”
She loves Charlotte Tilbury’s range of lip pencils – including the iconic Pillow Talk shade, something Tilbury herself loves to cheat the look of fuller lips.
“They are incredible. Creamy to apply, comfortable to wear and stay in place beautifully!”
L-R: NARS Powermatte High-Intensity Lip Pencil in Kiss Me Deadly; Make Up Forever Rouge Artist For Ever Matte Lipstick in Everlasting Scarlett; MAC Locked Kiss 24-Hour Lipstick in Vicious; L’Oreal Paris Infaillible Matte Resistance 16H Liquid Lipstick in Major Crush; Yves Saint Laurent Rouge Pur Couture Lipstick in Pink Tuxedo
How to make lipstick last:
Exfoliate your lips
Smooth, exfoliated lips provide a better base for lipstick application. Use a gentle lip scrub like MAC’s Lip Scrubtious and gentle massage over your lips with your finger. This helps rid your lips of flakes that can catch colour and leave lipstick looking patchy. It may also temporarily increase blood flow for plumper-looking lips.
Use a lip balm
Moisturised lips prevent your lipstick from settling into fine lines, provide a smooth base for lipstick and help your mouth appear plump and healthy. Apply lip balm, lip oil or a lip treatment serum at least 20 minutes before you need to apply lipstick. If any residue remains when you’re ready for liner and lipstick, blot gently with a tissue so the colour doesn’t slide around.
A lip primer, often a waxy balm that creates a smooth surface, can also be useful, particularly if your lips are dry.
Apply lipliner
Outline your lips with a lip liner to create a barrier and prevent colour feathering into any fine lines around the perimeter of your lips. Then, fill in your lips completely with the liner for added longevity and to give lipstick a base to cling to.
Use a lip brush
If you are applying a classic cream lipstick from a bullet, using a lip brush allows you to create a smooth, thin even application with a nice sharp, defined edge. If you are using a liquid lipstick, apply directly from the wand and leave your mouth open slightly until the colour is set before you close it again.
For cream lipstick, don’t put too much colour on at once. Build it up in thin layers.
Blot the colour
If you really want staying power, after applying a classic cream lipstick, blot with a tissue and lightly dust translucent powder over your lips. Place the tissue between your upper and lower lips and gently press to blot any excess lipstick. If this causes your lipstick to fade or appear uneven, just dab on another layer and repeat until you have your desired colour pay-off.
Re-apply strategically
Carry your lipstick for touch-ups, focusing on the center of your lips rather than reapplying everywhere.
