Although I’m a usually a lip gloss kind of girl, there are moments in life when I choose to wear lipstick. Those moments typically consist of holiday parties, wedding receptions, and any other time I want a perfectly done-up pout for picture-taking.

Few girls can get away with finger-painting on their lip color and not paying attention to precision lipstick application. In pictures, especially close-up, it will look like you messed up unintentionally or are just being lazy about putting on makeup!

If you do not have a lip brush, you may want to consider investing in one as it allows for neater application. I also always use a lip pencil when applying lipstick, but this is optional. Lip liner helps tremendously to keep color from bleeding around your mouth.

A lipstick look can be pulled off being mindful of some useful application tips for staying in the lines when applying color (and keeping it there)...

How to Put On Lipstick

1. Start by gently buffing your lips with a warm, wet washcloth to get rid of dead skin.
2. Apply your favorite lip balm to soothe and soften your lips. Not too much, just dab some on.
3. Use 1-ply tissue (you can peel plies apart as well) to lie over your lips. The lip balm should make it stick but if it does not, hold the tissue on your lips. Dip a makeup brush into a little loose translucent face powder. Tap brush to get rid of excess powder. Begin lightly powdering your lips through the tissue. Just one layer of fine powder should improve the staying power of your lipstick.
4. After removing the tissue, trace lip liner around your lips (optional) while relaxing your lips in a “0” formation. Not “O”, but “0”. I find that tracing lightly, starting from your cupid’s bow down is easiest. I also line the just the outer sides of my bottom lip without lining the bottom. This can keep lip liner from looking too “drawn on.” Be sure that you lip liner is a shade very close to your lipstick for the most natural look.
5. Use a lip brush to apply lipstick from the tube or pot, or apply directly from the tube. The best way I’ve found to apply lipstick is to start at my cupid’s bow and dab downward in light strokes. Then, start in the middle of the bottom lip and then do the outer edges. Apply more lipstick if you wish to build up intensity. Though, less is really more.
6. Blot your lips together to distribute your lip color evenly. Use a tissue between the lips to blot away excess color. Every girl has their own “blotting” technique, so use as needed until you are satisfied with your lips.

Voila! If you’d like to share your own lipstick photos, upload them to the photo section in your profile and come back to let us know!