Why your lipstick doesn’t last is the million dollar make-up question that is literally on everyone's lips! The truth is, there is sadly not only one answer. Thankfully, we are able to limit it down to a couple of options.

Get rid of 'em flakes on dry lips

If you have dry lips that are on the border of flaking, be sure to use a special lip exfoliator to remove the dry cells without damaging the tender, new cells underneath.  Alternatively, take a baby's toothbrush and gently rub over the lips, removing the dead cells.  Be sure to apply lip balm afterwards to keep the new cells moist.  Never 'bite' the dry skin on your lips, as you can pull the skin and cause your lips to bleed, which will only make applying lipstick even harder!

Prepping those lips before applying lipstick

As much as lip balm is lovely and soothing, it actually 'smoothes' away lipstick too.  If you need to apply lip balm each morning during your make-up routine, apply it right at the beginning, giving it time to soak in, and then blot off any excess with a tissue, before applying lipstick.

Colour within the lines

Where have you heard your Mother tell you that before?  Except, now it is true in relation to lipstick, rather than your colouring-in book from childhood.  First outline the lips with either a matching lipliner (matching to your lipstick, not your lips), or a translucent lipliner.  This gives form to the lips which helps define the shape you wish to create, and also gives a more sophisticated look.

Alternatively, colour the entire lip in with your matching lip pencil.  That way, if you lipstick wears off during the day, at least you have a 'base' colour to carry on with until you can do a quick touch-up.

Matte is your 'new best friend' when it comes to lipstick

We all love the sheer look of a lipstick, which seems less 'high maintenance' than a matte one, but in reality, sheer lipsticks are very high maintenance.  Choosing a matte lipstick has many advantages, like containing more pigment for instant impact, and because it contains no moisturisers, it lasts longer too.

There are a variety of lipsticks on the market, some of which are classified as:

High impact – very similar to 'matte', and great for instant colour and longevity
Crème formula – very smooth to apply (again and again), but not long lasting
Frosted – has a shimmer added to it to give it dimension.  Choose these carefully though, as the wrong colour can easily age you (think of the famous pale-pink frosted lipstick on a tanned older woman).
Micro-bubble – this has added 'bubbles' of conditioner that burst once you press the lipstick against the lips to apply it.  This is not the same as a crème formula, as the micro-bubbles of moisture don't stay in the lipstick, but rather penetrate the lips themselves to give moisture and comfort.  If you have dry lips, this is a great option, and best of all, it lasts!

Other than that, apply your lipstick, blot onto a tissue and then apply the lipstick again.  That way you have a 'stain' undercoat, which will hold your lipstick for longer!