Good lipstick can take bored lips to a more exciting and lively atmosphere. With the right shade, every word is emphasized and gives your lips the power to enthrall your audience. Here are some tips for the perfect application that can take you from subtle to striking.

Take care of that kisser
While you’re exfoliating your skin don’t forget your lips. It’s best to exfoliate every couple of weeks to keep them looking their best. One way to do this is by gently rubbing a soft toothbrush against your lips. You can also rub your lips with a damp washcloth to get rid of the dead skin cells that may be hanging out on this sensitive area of your skin. It is also helpful to use a lip balm in order to seal in moisture your lips may lose throughout the day.

The Coat Below Your Coat
Like when doing your nails, your lips and your lipstick will benefit from a base coat. Find a lip pencil that matches the natural shade of your lips and trace the line between the color of your lips and the skin. After this, use the side of that same pencil to color in your lips. This not only encourages your lipstick to stay on longer but it also prevents an outline of color as your lipstick wears off. Bozo the Clown can kiss your lips goodbye!
 
Turn Into Picasso
When applying lipstick, the professionals all encourage a stiff, synthetic lip brush to offer more precision. When using straight from the tube, dab the stick onto your lips and blot with a tissue to acquire the excess. Work from the center of the lips outward, stopping just prior to hitting the corners or the mouth.

Helpful Insights
Putting on lipstick always reminds me of a paint-by-number kit. To steady your hand and successfully color inside the lines, rest your elbow on a steady surface such as the counter or a table.

Less is more. Applying more, thinner layers will give you a better, fuller look than using one thick layer.

A pencil lip liner with a hard tip has the tendency to tug on your lips as well as leave a grainy deposit. Soften the tip by warming it between your fingers for a few seconds.

Another tip for keeping lipstick on longer is to apply clear powder between the layers of your lipstick. Now when you take time out to powder your nose, you can powder your lips as well.