How to Apply Lipstick
By Lamyaa Aissi · Professional Makeup Artist, Casablanca
A precisely applied lip pulls an entire face together — it reads as intention. A bleeding, uneven lip does the opposite, no matter how good the rest of the makeup is.
Great lipstick is 70% preparation and 30% application. Here is the professional sequence, from bare lips to a finish that survives dinner.
What you'll need
- Lip balm and a gentle scrub (or a damp cloth)
- Lip liner matched to your lipstick or lip tone
- Lipstick and a lip brush for precision
Step 1: Prep the canvas
Exfoliate gently, then apply balm while you do the rest of your makeup. Blot the balm away completely before colour — lipstick over slippery balm is what causes feathering.
Step 2: Line with intention
Start at the cupid's bow, define the peaks, then line the outer corners inward. Rest your little finger on your chin for stability. The line should sit exactly on the natural lip edge.
Step 3: Fill the liner in lightly
Shading the whole lip with liner gives lipstick something to grip and means the colour survives even when the top layer wears off.
Step 4: Apply lipstick from the centre out
Colour from the bullet or a brush, starting at the centre and working toward the lined edges. A brush gives the sharpest finish at the corners.
Step 5: Blot, then re-apply
Press a tissue between your lips, then apply a second thin layer. Two thin layers outlast one thick one by hours.
Step 6: Sharpen the edges
Clean any wobble with a flat concealer brush and a tiny amount of concealer traced around the lip line — this is what makes lips look professionally done in photos.
Pro tips from the chair
- Matte formulas last longest; satin formulas flatter drier lips. There is no shame in a satin lip topped with powder through a tissue for a DIY matte.
- For deeper skin tones, brown-based reds and berries are almost universally flattering; blue-based reds brighten fair and olive skin.
- Overline only in the centre of the top and bottom lip — never at the corners, where it always shows.
Frequently asked questions
Why does my lipstick bleed into fine lines?
Usually leftover balm or a missing liner. Blot the balm, line the full edge, and dust a little translucent powder just outside the lip line as a barrier.
How do brides keep lipstick on all night?
Liner all over, two blotted layers, powder through a tissue, and the bride carries the bullet for touch-ups after dinner. That's the exact kit I hand my Casablanca brides.
Learn it hands-on in Casablanca
Reading only gets you so far — technique clicks when someone corrects your hand in real time. I teach one-on-one makeup lessons in Casablanca tailored to your face, your kit, and your skill level, from 600 MAD. Or if you'd rather have it done for you, book a session for your next event.
More guides: all tutorials · the full smokey eye masterclass · bridal makeup tutorial.