Step 1: Exfoliate
Exfoliation is not only for your skin, but very important for your lips as well. If there is excess dead skin on your lips, your lipstick will only dry your lips out further and cause the skin to flake off. There are specific lip exfoliation products, like Tarte’s Maracuja Lip Exfoliant that runs for $16. You can also make your own lip exfoliator at home—all you need is some granulated sugar and Vaseline petroleum jelly. Combine the mixture in a small container until the consistency seems rather thick. With that, you can take a soft toothbrush and gently scrub the concoction onto your lips.
Step 2: Lip liner
Lip liner is often overlooked in its criticalness to the perfect lip. Whether you are using a normal lipstick or a liquid matte, lip liner will assist you. Contrary to popular belief spread by Kylie Jenner herself, you do not need the exact match of lip liner to your lipstick. Personally, I have four lip liners—a light nude, a dark nude, a deep red and a bright red. These four colors all work great with over thirty lipstick shades that I use. Since the liner is ultimately just being covered by the lipstick, there is no reason for the match to be precise enough to spend $10 or more on each. With the liner, trace the outer edges of your lips and fill in the rest of your lips to get a good base.
Step 3: The Magic
Apply your lipstick. Traditional twist-up lipstick is great, but if you want your look to last all night, you need to go with a liquid matte. I’m not kidding when I say liquid matte lipsticks DO NOT move. Although, Kylie’s liquid matte products are great, I prefer Colourpop for their wide variety of color choices, low prices and best of all—extreme durability. That stuff lasts through just about anything you can imagine. Also, MAC just released their Retro Matte Liquid Lipcolor collection. Personally, I don’t even bring my liquid matte lipsticks out with me because I do not need to reapply at any point.
Step 4: Translucent Powder
This step is totally optional, I only do it about half the time. It’s really not necessary to put powder over a liquid matte color, but for a traditional lipstick, it will set it and enhance the matte effect. You can use a high end brand, or anything from a drugstore. I find that they can both work just as effectively, depending on the brand. Just dip a fluffy eye shadow brush in the powder and lightly dust it over your lipstick.
Step 5: Setting Spray
Yes, this stuff does wonders with setting your foundation, but it also works well with lipstick. It will help prevent smudging, creasing or fading. The most popular choice is Urban Decay’s All Nighter, which goes for $31. I prefer the less expensive option that is much more affordable, NYX’s Matte Finish Makeup Setting Spray, for $7.99 at Ulta.