Prep your lips. Do your lips appear flaky and crusty after you apply lipstick? Gently exfoliating before you put on lipstick can help. Dab some lip cream onto a clean and unused toothbrush and gently rub the cream onto your lips in circles, and then rinse well.

Build a base. If you want any lip color to last, it’s best to avoid putting lipstick directly onto bare lips. Before applying any lip color, dab cold cream, lip balm, moisturizer or a thin layer of primer on your lips. This will moisturize the lips, ensure an even application and prevent bleeding and feathering throughout the day. If your lipstick doesn’t already have SPF, you’ll want to choose a lip conditioner that does, such as NeoStrata Lip Conditioner SPF 15 to prevent sun damage and premature aging.

Color matching. When it comes to choosing the color of your lipstick, consider your complexion and the natural color of your lips. Your lip color should also complement your eye makeup. Warm skin tones should apply earthy golden browns or peach shades, while pastels and dusty hues work well with cool skin tones. If you want your lips to appear smaller, go for darker colors like burgundy or plum; if you prefer a fuller-looking pout, use warmer colors like pinks or caramel to enhance the size and shape of your lips.

Paint the town red. Many women think they can’t wear red lipstick, but with a wide array of red shades, you can easily find the perfect hue for your skin tone. Keep in mind that while fire engine red only looks good on select individuals, you can find reds with hints of plum or brown.

If you’re naturally fair-skinned, stick with a sheer red; darker-skinned girls can glam it up with bolder, brighter reds. However, if your face is bumpy, red or irritated, avoid wearing any red lipstick until your complexion heals and returns to its normal color. Wearing red lipstick with red, irritated skin will only draw more attention to the redness of your face.

Stay within the lines. No matter how desperately you want to plump up your pout, never line your lips outside of your natural pout, or you’ll end up looking more tacky than tasteful. When applying lip liner, choose a color that’s similar to either your natural lip color or the lipstick you’ll be using. Lip liner should be invisible, so make sure to blend it in well. When applying, start at the natural "V" of your upper lip and follow it down to the corners. Then start at the middle of your bottom lip and continue in the same way up to the corners. Finally, fill in with lipstick.

Getting glossy. If you want to update your look, push aside your old tube of lipstick and use a lip brush to sweep on a shimmery, glossy color. Lip brushes provide better coverage than tube lipstick and a cleaner look overall. You can also use a clear or neutral gloss like Philosophy Supernatural Lip Gloss to add a hint of shine to your regular lipstick. For a sexy look, finish with a small amount of gold gloss, like Stila Lip Glaze—Cinnamon to the middle of your bottom lip. This will add dimension and make your lips appear bigger.

See also:

When to Pitch Beauty Products

Using Foundation the Right Way

The Key to Younger-Looking Lips