How to Apply Lipstick

Lipstick is a fun way to enhance your look and express your personal style, but applying it can be tricky. When applied wrong, lipstick may look uneven, might bleed onto your skin, and could fade too soon. Fortunately, there’s a simple yet effective way to apply your lipstick and keep it in place. You’ll be looking your best in no time!

Method 1

Method 1 of 4:

Application

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1
Apply a thin layer of lip balm to moisturize and even out your lips. Lip balm nourishes your lips so they’re less likely to get dry and flaky. Additionally, lip balm can smooth out your lips by filling in uneven spots. Swipe the lip balm over your upper lip from your Cupid’s bow to the corner of your lips on each side. Then, apply the lip balm to your bottom lip from the center out to the corners.^{[1]
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- The lip balm should soak in soon after you apply it. If your lips feel gunky, gently wipe off the excess lip balm with a tissue before you apply your lipstick.
2
Trace your lips with a lip pencil to prevent bleeding if you like. You don’t have to line your lips, but it can keep your lipstick in place and define the shape of your lips. To apply the lip pencil, position the tip at the center of your Cupid’s bow and slowly trace your lips out to the corner of your mouth on each side. Then, place your pencil at the center of your bottom lip and trace along your lip out to the corners on each side.^{[2]
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- Pick a clear lip liner or a shade that's close to your lip color for every day use. These shades can go with any lip color.
- If you prefer, use a lip liner that’s the same color as your lipstick.
Variation: To make your lips look plumper, line along the outside of your lips using a lip liner that matches your lipstick. If you want your lips to look thinner, try lining just inside your lip line. Then, cover the edge of your lips with concealer.

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3
Smile so your application will be even. As you talk and move your mouth, your skin naturally stretches out, which can make your lipstick appear uneven. To make sure it’s layered evenly, smile slightly while you’re applying the lipstick.^{[3]
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- Try thinking of something that makes you happy.
4
Start applying lipstick in the center of your lips. For the easiest application, apply it directly from the tube. To begin, position your lipstick at your Cupid’s bow on your top lip. Carefully dot the lip color onto your Cupid’s bow and the plump part of your lower lip.^{[4]
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- If you don’t want to apply your lipstick straight from the tube, use a lipstick brush or your clean middle finger to apply the lipstick. Wipe the top of the lipstick using the lipstick brush or the tip of your finger, then dab the lipstick onto your lips. Work from the center of your lips out to the corners of your mouth.
5
Drag the lipstick from the center to the corner of your mouth. Swipe the lipstick from the center of your Cupid’s bow out to the corner of your upper lip. Repeat on the other side of your upper lip. Then, position your lipstick in the center of your bottom lip and spread it out to the corner of your bottom lip on each side.^{[5]
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- You can swipe the lipstick from center to corner in 1 quick motion or you can dot it onto your lips using small dashes. Do what’s easiest for you.
6
Use your finger to fill in patchy areas with a second layer. Check your lips to see if the color looks even. If you have patchy spots, swipe a clean finger over the tip of the lipstick, then dab the color onto the patchy area. Repeat as needed to fill in your lips.^{[6]
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- It’s generally best to not apply more than 1 coat over your lips because the lipstick can look cakey and could crease. Instead, slowly build up color by dabbing on extra lipstick with your finger as needed.
7
Blot the inside of your lips with a tissue to remove excess. Fold a clean tissue in half, then hold it between your lips with the fold facing your mouth. Press your lips together around the tissue and release.^{[7]
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- Blotting your lipstick may help prevent your lipstick from getting on your teeth. Plus, it may help set your lipstick.

Method 2

Method 2 of 4:

Making It Last

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1
Prime your lips with foundation before applying lipstick for an easy option. Foundation can give your lipstick lasting power and may prevent your lipstick from bleeding. Additionally, foundation may even out the surface of your lips. Use a foundation that’s the same color as what you use on the rest of your face. Dab it onto your lips using clean fingers or a makeup sponge.^{[8]
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- A mineral foundation works great because the minerals may help the pigments stay on your lips.
2
Apply a makeup primer to your lips as another option. Primer is a product that helps keep your makeup in place longer. Additionally, it can even out the surface of your skin, including the skin on your lips. Put a tiny drop of primer on the tip of a clean finger and dot it onto your lips. Then, let it soak in for 1-2 minutes before you apply your lipstick.^{[9]
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- You can add more primer to your fingertip if necessary to cover your entire lips.
3
Dust setting powder over your lipstick to prevent smudging. If you use translucent powder to set your makeup, you might also use it to give your lipstick staying power. Dip a clean lip brush or eye shadow brush into your translucent powder, then shake off the excess. Lightly dust the powder over your lipstick to set it.^{[10]
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- You don’t need a lot of powder, as too much powder could look cakey. Less is more when it comes to setting powder.

Method 3

Method 3 of 4:

Different Techniques

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1
Dab a lighter shade over darker lipstick to make your lips look plumper. First, apply a layer of the lipstick you’ve chosen to wear. Then, use your middle finger to dab a slightly lighter shade of lipstick on the center of your upper and lower lips. Blend the color out so it looks natural. This will create the look of plumper lips.^{[11]
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- Your base color doesn’t have to be dark. As long as the top shade is lighter, you’ll get the plumping effect.
2
Create ombre lips using 2 shades of the same color. Start by applying your lighter shade to your lips. Then, line the outside of your lips using a lip pencil in a darker shade. Finally, use a clean lip brush or your finger to blend the pencil and lip color where they meet, which will create an ombre effect.^{[12]
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- For instance, you might use a dark red and a lighter red.
3
Dab powder blush over your lipstick to make it look matte. Choose a matte, powder blush that is the same color as your lipstick. After you have applied your lipstick and lip liner, sweep your finger across the blush and press it against your lips. Keep applying the blush this way until it is completely covering your lips, and your lipstick is matte.
- Do not use shimmery blush.
- This will not work for all lipstick colors since you may not be able to find blush in every color. Try it with peach, pink, and bronze colors, as they’re easiest to find.
- If you cannot find blush in the right color, you can try using matte eye shadow in a matching color instead.

Method 4

Method 4 of 4:

Choosing Color

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1
Pick shades with blue or purple undertones for a cool complexion. You likely have a cool complexion if your veins appear blue under your skin and silver jewelry looks best on you. Cooler shades like winter colors will look great on you. You can wear a variety of colors, but make sure the shade you choose has a blue or purple undertone. This will flatter your skin’s natural undertones, which helps you look your best.^{[13]
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- For instance, a bluish red or a purple berry shade will look best against your skin. You can also stick to a nude color, like a pale mauve.
2
Look for orange or yellow undertones if you have a warm complexion. Your complexion is probably warm if your veins appear green under your skin and gold jewelry is most flattering. Warmer shades like autumn colors will look most flattering on you. You can still pick any color, but pick a shade that has an orange or yellow tint.^{[14]
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- For instance, look for an orange-red lipstick or coral shades. You can also go with a nude color that has a yellow or orange undertone.
3
Play around with different shades if you have neutral undertones. You may have a neutral complexion if your veins appear both green and blue and if silver and gold are both flattering on you. In this case, you will look great in most colors. Pick a lipstick that makes you feel fabulous.^{[15]
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- If you like a bold lip, you might try reds or bright shades. If you prefer something more muted, you might stick to nudes or berry shades.
4
Skip red or dark lipsticks if you have thin lips. Darker shades, including red, can make thin lips look even thinner. This is because darker colors are minimized. Instead, opt for a light or glossy shade that can make your lips look plumper.^{[16]
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- Instead of a red, you might wear a glossy pink shade. Similarly, you might switch out a brown for a nude lipstick.
5
Avoid glossy or glittery lipstick if you have plump lips. Glossy colors and glitter can both make your lips look larger. If you want to minimize your lips, try a matte shade instead. Your lips will still look luscious but won’t be exaggerated.^{[17]
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- Play around with different colors, but check that the formula you’re using is matte.
- Don’t add a layer of lip gloss over your lipstick, as it’ll add more shine.
6
Apply a lighter shade to your bottom lip if your top lip is bigger. Lighter colors can give the illusion of a plumper lip, especially if they’re combined with a darker color. If you have a plump top lip and a thin bottom lip, you can use this effect to balance out your lips. Choose 2 colors that are similar. Apply the darker shade to your top lip and the lighter shade to your bottom lip to make your lips look more even.^{[18]
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- For instance, you might pick 2 berry or nude shades that are almost the same color.
7
Dab nude lipstick under your Cupid’s bow to balance a plump bottom lip. You might have a plump bottom lip and a thin upper lip, which you can balance out. First, apply your lipstick as you normally would. Then, use your finger to lightly dab a bit of nude lipstick in the center of your upper lip right under your Cupid’s bow. The lighter shade will give the illusioin of a thicker upper lip.^{[19]
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- Pick a nude shade that’s similar to your natural lip color.
- Blend the nude lipstick into your lip color using your finger tip.

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Question

What are warm-toned lipstick colors?

Xochitl Martinez

Community Answer

Anything red-based: pinks, orange creams, etc.

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I want my mouth to look small. How can I do it?

Community Answer

Use lipsticks in colors that are closer to your skin tone. For example, if you have very light skin, I would recommend a light pink or nude. For a medium skin tone, a deeper nude color would work, and if your skin is dark, use a brown or brown-pink color. If you want, you can apply concealer to the edges of your lips to make them appear smaller.

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Why did you play a video of a woman who has yellow bottom teeth? It was really gross!

Community Answer

It is absolutely disgusting that you had to address it. If you don't like it, simply go and watch a different tutorial. Not every woman has pearly white teeth. Be more open minded, you should just be happy that woman made that video to be used.

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Tips

Lip stains work very well if you are going somewhere where you will drink, so it won't get on the glass.

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Carry your lipstick, lip liner, and lip gloss with you in case you need to do a touch-up.

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Primers will add some moisture and create a barrier between your lips and the lipstick. With this barrier you can prolong the wear of your lipstick and it helps keep the lips from drying out.

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The advice in this section is based on the lived experiences of wikiHow readers like you. If you have a helpful tip you’d like to share on wikiHow, please submit it in the field below.

Try contouring your lips with natural colors (like nude tones) to make them appear fuller. Just don't forget to blend when you contour!
Apply Vaseline 10–15 minutes before applying lipstick. This is a great way to moisturize your lips and keep them happy and healthy!

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Warnings

If you plan on doing any lip-locking, always check that you haven't smeared it or left any traces on your partner afterward!

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