How to Help Prevent Your Lipstick from Bleeding

Ah, lipstick. Let us count the ways we love you. From jazzing up the most basic outfit to pulling an entire makeup look together, lipstick is hands down one of our favorite items in our makeup bag. With such an array of lipstick hues out there—from burgundy to fuchsia to tangerine to everywhere in between—it’s certainly possible to rock a different shade every day of the week. But lipstick application can be tricky—sometimes, you may notice that your color doesn’t stay in place all day long. And unless you want to have to check your mirror every two seconds to see if your color has migrated, then we can probably agree that this is a super-annoying makeup issue. So, what can you? Help prevent your lipstick from bleeding outside your lips by following these seven steps.

Lipstick Application Tip #1: Exfoliate and Moisturize Your Pout

As the first step in your lipstick routine, you may want to consider exfoliating your lips before applying any color. Dead skin cells can build up on the surface of your lips, so slough them off by scrubbing your lips, the follow up with a moisturizing lip balm to help keep your pout hydrated. This can help ensure that you have a smooth, even canvas on which to work.

Lipstick Application Tip #2: Use an Invisible Lip Liner

Invisible lip liner just might be the makeup product you didn’t know you needed—until now, that is. That’s because invisible lip liner can help stop feathering. Start by lining the outside of your lips with the invisible lip liner to help fill in any fine lines. Then, fill in the rest of your lips with a lip liner in a shade that matches your lipstick, like the L’Oréal Paris Colour Riche Lip Liner, before actually applying your lipstick.

Lipstick Application Tip #3: Or Prime Your Lips with Concealer

You already use concealer on your face to help create a smooth base—and it turns out you can do the same for your lips, too! If you don’t have a lip primer handy, just reach for your go-to concealer and apply a tiny bit to your lips using a makeup sponge. Then, take a lip brush and apply your lip color of choice on top.

Lipstick Application Tip #4: Choose a Longwear Lipstick

This may seem like a no-brainer, but it’s worth repeating! If you want to help ensure your lip look stays in place for as long as possible, opt for a longwear formula.

Lipstick Application Tip #5: Blot and Set Your Lipstick with Translucent Powder

After you’re done priming your lips with either lip liner or concealer, apply one coat of lipstick using a brush (this allows for more precision than applying directly from the tube), then gently blot your lips with a tissue. Repeat the process again. After applying a second, final coat of lipstick, blot again with your tissue. Then, using a powder brush, apply a translucent powder onto your lips through the tissue to help set your lips.

Lipstick Application Tip #6: Pat and Smudge Your Lipstick

Want a natural look? If just a hint of color is what you’re after, the “pat-smudge” technique is an easy way to apply your lipstick and get a more natural look that won’t move all over your face. Use your ring finger to gently pat on your lip color on and smudge it slightly. (The reason why you should use your ring finger is because it has a more delicate touch compared to your other fingers, FYI.) This method can also give you more control over how much color you actually put on our lips. Try the L’Oréal Paris Colour Riche Lipcolour.

Lipstick Application Tip #7: Drink from a Straw

As our departing gift to you, we’re letting you in on a lipstick hack that you should definitely consider using as part of your daily routine. We know how funny this is going to sound, but trust us it really works! Whenever you wear lipstick, always drink your beverages through a straw—that way your color will stay where it’s supposed to be—your lips!