The Style and Beauty Doctor reader Eléonora writes in asking, “I wanted to know different techniques to make lipstick stay longer. I tried puting a lip liner before putting the lipstick on, but I wanted to know if there were other techniques and I think it will be a good post for your blog. Thank you and sorry for my English.”

Hey Eléonora!

Your English is actually better than mine ;) This WOULD definitely make a good post, so thanks for inquiring!

So here’s the scoop…

In makeup, when you want something to last longer, you either prime it or layer it. But for lipstick in particular, here are my favorite ways to get color to last longer…

1. Switch to bolder hues. There’s a reason why you’ll almost always see me in some variation of the classic red lip: bolder, deeper colors from just about any brand tend to last longer since they’re richer in pigment. And even when they do fade, you still have a hint of color that can tide you over until you can reapply.

2. Prime it. This is especially important for anyone with fine lines or wrinkles on their pucker—a good primer will help smooth over the lines and prep the lips for color PLUS it gives the lip color another layer to hang onto. My current favorite lip primer is 3 Lab’s Perfect Lips, but on most days regular Chapstick will do.

3. Layer it. Right after you prime/prep the lips, use a lip pencil in a coordinating color as your lipstick to line and fill in the lips, apply your lip color, and optionally add gloss on top. You’ll have three layers to break down instead of just one so as each one fades, the next layer will be there to give you a kick of color.

4. Switch to longer lasting formulas. I’m pretty much ALL for the long-lasting lipstick. Some of my favorites include Yves Saint Laurent Rouge Pur Couture (I get over eight hours of wear with my fave shade #8 Belle de Rose), Stila Long Wear Liquid Lip Color (goes on like a gloss, dries matte), and MAC Amplified Creme or Matte Lipstick.

Quick Lip Tip: This is a little weird, but if you’re tired of your lipstick rubbing off on your coffee mugs and wine glasses, right before you take your first sip, discretely lick or otherwise moisten the area where you’ll be drinking from on the glass. This will create a barrier between your lip color and your glass helping to keep more of your color on your lips and OFF your cup.

So there you have it, Eléonora and anyone out there looking for longer wearing lip color! Go forth and paint those lips ;)

****
Have a style or beauty question? contact me! Your question could appear on this site (or not if you prefer to keep it private…lol).