A professional makeup artist shares her #1 lipstick trick.
Great lipstick can lift your mood, help you appear younger and even look more awake. But getting lipstick application just right is difficult. And if you do manage to get it just right, it often fades away as soon as you drink your coffee.
So how do you get your lipstick to last all day? We spoke to professional makeup artist Saffron Hughes for advice on how to make lipstick last longer (AKA how to get any lipstick to be long-wearing!) and she gave Parade tons of great advice.
But before we get to her genius two-minute hack for long-lasting lipstick, she wants to stress the importance of choosing a shade that works with your skin’s undertone. Do you have a golden tone or more of a cool tone to your skin? Lipstick shades will often be described as warm, neutral or cool, especially if you shop online, so choose one that matches your skin tone, Hughes says, adding, “Knowing your undertone helps you choose a color that enhances your natural features.”
To find your undertone, check the veins inside your wrist. A green color suggests a warm undertone, blue or purple points to cool, and a mix means you’re neutral.
- Cool undertones: Blue-based reds, berry pinks and deep purples are the most flattering.
- Warm undertones: Orange-reds, warm pinks and rich browns suit golden or olive-toned skin.
- Neutral undertones: Most colors will complement you. Soft pinks suit fair skin, mauves and nudes work well for medium tones, and deeper berries flatter darker complexions.
How To Make Lipstick Last Longer: Simple 2-Minute Hack, According to a Professional Makeup Artist
Once you have your perfect shade, you want to show it off all day! To get it to last, Hughes recommends this genius trick after applying one layer of lipstick: “To lock everything in, blot with tissue, reapply your lipstick, then hold a clean tissue over your lips and dust translucent powder through it with a brush,” she says. “It sets the color without dulling the finish and makes it last far longer.”
The powder will still reach your lips, but the tissue will prevent you from over-powdering and ruining your look.
3 Additional Ways To Help Your Lipstick Last All Day
1. Exfoliate
Hughes also recommends exfoliating your lips before you begin the application process.
“Lipstick clings to any dryness or texture, so smooth lips make all the difference,” she says. “Use a gentle scrub or a damp washcloth in small circles before applying any product.”
2. Hydrate
Then, hydrate with lip balm and let it absorb fully. She says to give it “5 to 10 minutes to sink in.”
3. Use Concealer
You can also use concealer to prime your lips, which also helps to make it last longer. “Blot your lips, then dab on a creamy concealer that matches your skin tone,” she says. “It acts as a base to help lipstick last longer.”
