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Lipstick is only as beautiful as the lips beneath. Apply a plumping treatment as the first step in your routine then use a nourishing balm or oil to drench lips in moisture (a device like the JeNu Infuser will dramatically increase product absorption). Massage a damp muslin cloth over lips to remove flakes or dry patches.
 

Forget tailoring your lipstick to your skin tone — any makeup artist will want to match your red to your outfit: think true scarlet with a crisp white shirt and saturated tomato reds with warm tones like bronze and gold. Can’t choose just one tube? Make like a pro and pick a palette to custom blend your reds. 

 

Apply a lip primer to prevent feathering, then line with a true-red lip pencil and lightly fill in. For major staying power, layer a liquid lipstick stain underneath (you can apply one coat of lip color, blot, then dust on a translucent powder for the same effect). Finish with a coat of lipstick and perfect edges with a concealing pen.