#2. No more bleeding edges
If you're going for a bold colour you're going to want to make the edges of your lips extra sharp to complete the look.
 
Create a barrier between the skin around your mouth and your lips with a concealer stick to prevent bleeding and keep your edges clean and crisp. Trace the skin just around your mouth with a stick in the same shade as your skin, and then blend well. Try the ones from Palladio and Yardley. Many pros also use a clear or invisible lipliner to outline the perfect pout and keep lipstick in place.
 
Pro tip: A touch up tip for after you've applied your lipstick. Use a thin brush and your liquid foundation or concealer to clean up around the edges of your mouth (also a great way to fix those little overlining mistakes!).

#3. Make any lipstick long-wear
Having to reapply throughout the day is tedious but not all 'long wear' lipsticks come in our favourite shades. Make any lipstick last all day by setting it in place with your make up bag's multi-use secret weapon: translucent powder.
 
Apply a layer of your lippie then place a 1ply tissue over your lips. Use a thick brush to dab some Yardley translucent powder onto your lips through the tissue, which will distribute just the right amount of product to set the lipstick formula in place without altering the colour. Add another layer of lipstick if you don’t like your lips to look matte and your shade should stay in place for a good few hours.
 
Related: Finding the Most Awesome Red Lipstick for You Is Actually Easy

#4. Don’t forget to prime
You already know the benefits of applying primer to your face before applying your foundation so start doing the same for your lips.
 
Use either your foundation or your concealer to make your lips truly nude before you get started: this will help product stay put and be less likely to melt off throughout the day. Your lips tend to be a few shades darker than your skin tone and this can alter the colour you apply to them.
 
By painting them the same colour as your skin tone you set a great blank canvas upon which your colour will really pop and be more true to the colour on the label.

#5. Perfect your Cupid's bow
If you apply your lipstick straight from the tube starting at the outer corner of your top lip and going all the way to the other outer corner, stop: you're doing it wrong!
 
The Cupid's bow (that’s the two points in the middle of your top lip) is the area that should be most defined when it comes to lipstick and you just need to pay it a little more care and attention to give you a super professional look.
 
Use the sharpest point of your lipstick, a lip liner pencil or a lipstick brush to draw an 'X' in the centre of your upper lip (with the top bits of the X meeting the top most points of your Cupid’s bow). Next, draw a small line from the inner corners of your top and bottom lips. Then finish the line from each top point to join the outer points of your lip corners, fill the rest of your lip in and you should have a lip shape Kylie Jenner would be envious of. Both Essence and LA Girl have a wide range of lipliner shades.

#6. Fix unflattering tones by mixing your colours
We've all made the mistake of spending money on a colour that looked fab when you tried it on the back of your hand in the shop but just doesn't suit you in the light of day, and you can't return it! It's not too late to get your money's worth; you just need to get a bit creative.
 
Combine lip-glosses, lipsticks or even eye shadows and blushes in other shades on top of your unflattering shade to create a whole new colour.  You can transform a totally OTT red into an on-trend deep berry by popping a brown tone on top, or turn a too-bright pink into a cute magenta shade by combining a berry tone with it. The possibilities are endless; just take the time to try out a few combinations until you find the shade that works best for you.

#7. How to make any lipstick matte
Matte lipsticks are still having a moment but colour choices tend to be limited.
 
There are a number of ways to turn your regular lipstick into a matte version of itself, including translucent powder and a tissue as mentioned before. You can also try dabbing your lips with Palladio Rice Papers blotting paper after application; blotting papers are designed to soak up oil and reduce shine, making them ideal for mattifying!
 
If you find a blush or an eye shadow in the same shade as your lip colour use a small, flat brush to apply it on top of your lipstick (just make sure it's not a shimmery or shiny shade) and it should instantly mattify. Palladio has a great range of matte blushes.
 
Related: A How to Guide on The Brushes You Need for Super Easy Flawless Makeup

#8. Combine powders with lip balm for a custom colour
Who said eye shadow could only be used on your eyes? Just like lipstick can be used as a cream blush, the tones you use on your eyes and cheeks can be tweaked into lip colours too.
 
Use a flat brush to combine a clear lip balm or gloss with your eye shadow or powder blush and paint it onto your lips, super easy!
 
Our product picks: Eucerin lip balm and Essence All about Roses Eyeshadow palette for a wide shade of pinks to play with.

#9. Reapply with care
No matter what it says on the label you're going to have to reapply your lipstick at some stage during the day. But the mistake we all make is to just slap on another layer when we notice our colour fading.
 
Your lips pick up moisture and oil during the day so you need to blot your lips lightly with blotting papers first: this will make your next layer stick better. If your lips are flaking take the time to totally remove your colour with a wet wipe, apply a coat of lip balm and start again. Layering on top of dry skin will only look worse.
 
Try Garnier Micellar Extra Gentle Cleansing Wipes which are great for sensitive skins and yet still effectively remove stubborn waterproof and long lasting makeup.

#10. Change your shape
Use the power of colour to get your dream lip shape. If you'd like your lips to look a little bigger apply lipstick in the middle of your mouth in a shade lighter than the rest of your lips to add dimension. You could also try sweeping a bit of highlighter in the centre of your Cupid's bow. Go for products with a shiny and glossy finish in more neutral shades like L'Oreal Infallible Mega Gloss in Smoke Me Up and LA Girl's Glazed Lip Paint in Whisper.
 
If you want your luscious lips to appear a bit smaller then skip the lip liner to give your lips softer edges. Stick to neutral colours to draw attention away from your mouth but if you love colour then try using a shade slightly darker in the centre of your mouth and a lighter tone on your outer corners, remembering to blend well!
 
Related: The Surprising Lipstick Trends You Will Soon See Everywhere