Celebrity Makeup Artists Reveal the Only Lipstick Hacks You'll Ever Need - E! Online (2024)

How to apply lipstick like a pro

No matter if you decide to wear a lip stain, lip balm or liquid lipstick,the key is to first createthe right foundation before layering it on.

Donni, thehead makeup artist forEuphoria, uses a lip liner "to fill in the lips and lay down a nice base of color," she said, "and then, I top it off with a lip cream or gloss likeHalf Magic's Magic Drip Lip Gloss. This is also a really fun way to customize your lip color, shift undertones, and experiment with color!"

As for which tools to turn to? Sometimes the lipstick applicator isn't the most effective. Sofia, who doesSalma Hayek,Bella HadidandLily James' glam, will grab an eyeshadow brush or use her fingertips "to create a soft, blurred finish along the lip line," she shared. "It always looks so effortless and sexy, especially with a matte formula."

Another helpful application tip,Sebastien offered, is to dilute your lipstick with amixing baseto get rid of any stickiness. Andwith the new consistency, it also makes for a great cream blush.

"I have a wider range of blush possibilities," the makeup artist—who frequently works withNaomi Campbell,Paris HiltonandJane Fonda—explained of his technique, "and my lip and cheek combo always remains in the same color family to avoid any clash of color."

What is a hack to make your lipsticklast longer?

It turns out that lipprep is not only an essential skincare step, but the secret to smooch-proof lipstick.

Sofia stressed the importance of removing dry, dead skin from one's pout before going in with a lippie. "Use a gentle sugar scrub to buff the lips," she noted, "then roll on Magic Lip Oil Crystal Elixir. By the time you get to lipstick, your lips will have absorbed all of that gorgeous hydration."

Jocelyn echoed similar sentiments, adding, "Smooth and moisturized lips are the first step to long-wear and perfect lipstick application." The makeup artist for Nicole Scherzinger and Tia Mowry swears by MAC Cosmetics' Lip Scrubtious, but explains that a disposable mascara wand orlip brush will also do the trick "to remove any dead skin."

Sebastien's suggestion further proves that old-school methods aretried and truefor a reason. The Veil Cosmetics founder's trick for long-wearing lipstick is to powder it.

"After applying a generous coating of lipstick," he detailed, "I always follow with a tissue that I place over the lips. Then, with a fluffy powder brush dipped in powder, I gently tap the brush all over the lips to remove any excess, which prevents bleeding while keeping a nice color intensity."

And if there's one piece of advice thatall of the beauty pros can agree on, it's that lip lineris a must-have. Yes, it allows you to create a kiss-worthyshape but it alsoacts as the perfect seal. AsLizzo's makeup artist, Alexx, explained, "Clinique's Quickliner For Lipskeeps lipstick in place, without any feathering or bleeding to extend lipstick wear time."

What is the best technique to clean up smudged lipstick?

We've all been there, having to deal with lipstick that's smeared or feathered. But luckily, the cleanup is quite simple. "Dip a Q-Tip in an oil-free makeup remover," Alexx suggested, "and blot the area where the lipstick smudged."

If the smudge is much worse and significantly more noticeable, there are two potential fixes. "I always keep a small flat concealer brush on hand and I'll apply a little concealer to soften out the smudge or crisp up a lip line," Donni said. As for Sebastien's method, well, there's no harm in starting over and re-applying.

How can you find the right lipstick formula?

With a variety of formulas to choose from—matte, creams, satins, stains, glosses, you name it—it can be dauntingto selectthe type of finish you want. However, there are a fewfactors to keep in mind, which will make the process less of a headache.

The biggest element to consider, according to Sofia, is to figure out what kind of look you're going for. "For my everyday look," theGlobal Brand Muse and Artistry Director of Charlotte Tilbury described, "I like to apply a small dot of Airbrush Flawless Lip Blur in Pillow Talk to the center of my lips, then press in using my fingertip for a blurred effect."

For a femme fatale vibe, she added, "I love Charlotte's Matte Revolution texture because itcreates a beautiful luminosity while still looking matte."

And if you aren't sure what style you want to rock, Jocelyn reminded us that you can never go wrong witha liquid matte lipstick. Not only is it a long-lasting option, but it's transfer-proof.

"You'll need fewer touch-ups during the day,"she explained. "The color payoff is rich and intense. The feathering is minimal compared to other formulas. I also love that the liquid matte formula allows a precise and defined application."

But ifa matte finish isn'tup your alley, Alexx recommendsaTikTok-favorite: Clinique's Almost Lipstick in Black Honey, "because it combines the benefits of both lipstick and a gloss."

Commonlipstick mistakes to avoid

While it's trendy to overline the lips, there's a difference betweencreatingthe illusion ofa plump pout throughstrategic makeup placements and overdoing it.

"Overlining the lips is great for a full-lip look," Alexx shared, "but there is such thing as going overboard. You want to ensure you're using liner just outside of the lips and hitting the corners of the mouth for a more natural full-lip look."

Finding the right shade for this style is also key, with the makeup artist noting, "I recommend going one shade darker than your current lip tone and, for a more dramatic look, match your lip liner to your lipstick color."

And when in doubt, theless-is-more approachnever fails.

"An excessive amount of lipstick can lead to a heavy look," Jocelyn added, "and may cause it to smudge or transfer easily.When layering different formulas, you will lose the longevity benefit."