Even if you've found the perfect long-wear lipstick or liquid lipstick in the most gorgeous shade, applying lipstick perfectly can seem downright impossible. One side might go on thicker than the other, making lips appear lopsided, or you could over-line your lips too much, making them appear unnatural.

But it is possible to always apply lipstick like a pro. We reached out to Joy Fennell, makeup artist and founder of the Joy in Beauty and the All Black Everything Summit, for her best tips and tricks for applying lipstick. These insider secrets will leave you with a perfect pout, every single time

1. Exfoliate and hydrate lips

Never put lipstick on without properly prepping beforehand, or your lips may end up looking uneven, flakey, or patchy. Exfoliate your lips first and then moisturize them with lip balm or lip primer, says Fennell, who suggests letting the balm sit for a few minutes to soak in. These steps ensure that your lips don't have any dry spots that may flake off, and create the perfect canvas for lipstick with all-day staying power.

2. Color correct as needed

It may seem impossible for colors to come through on dark lips, but Fennell has a simple solution. For dark lips, start with adding a lighter foundation powder to mute out the color of your lips, she says. Once the color is muted, you can then apply any lipstick shade in a much more true-to-color way.

3. Trace and fill lips with liner

Fennell says you can apply lip liner around your lips before you apply lipstick, and if you put lip liner all over your lips before lipstick (not just around the edges!) you can turn virtually any lipstick into a longwear formula. You can also finish with lip liner after lipstick to clean up the edges at the end and make the finish even more precise.

BDST: 1425HRS, FEB 17, 2021
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