Beauty boss: Want luscious lips? A few simple steps and you’ll have them licked

Whether bright and bold or subtle and glossy, lipstick is one of the best ways to highlight your pout and bring a pop of colour to your look.

If you struggle with application it’s easy for your lips to look less luscious and more lopsided but, don’t worry, help is on hand.

Here, Saffron Hughes, make-up artist at FalseEyelashes.co.uk, shares her step-by-step guide to achieving the perfect pout.

Time to scrub up

Before applying any lip product, Hughes says it’s important to exfoliate, scrubbing away any flaky, dead skin from the surface.

She explained: “Exfoliation is a vital step most people miss out, usually because they are in a rush doing their everyday make-up. If you want a flawless finish that lasts all day – and, therefore, saves you both time and money in top-ups – then it’s worth doing a quick scrub.

“Ideally, you should use a lip scrub, however, if you don’t have one, you can use a damp cloth, buffing in circular motions across the lips. This will leave you with a soft, smooth canvas for colour.”

Soak and soothe

Hughes continued: “After exfoliating and drying, add a layer of lip balm. Let it soak in for five to 10 minutes like you would with a face mask. To save time, carry on with the other stages of your make-up during this time.”

Long-lasting colour

Want your colour, whether red, purple, nude or pink, to last all day? Start with a base layer, says Hughes.

“Blot your lips with a tissue before applying a creamy concealer directly onto your lips,” she said. “Not only does this give you the best colour pay-off but it will make your lipstick last longer as it acts as a primer. Just make sure to only apply a small dot and that it’s the same shade as your skin! After applying, blend out across the lips.”

X marks the spot

For perfect lines and no bleeding into the skin, don’t skip lip liner.

Hughes said: “Lip liner prevents smudging, makes your lipstick stick longer, and can make your lips look fuller, too. With the lip liner, mark an X on your cupid’s bow to create definition then join to your natural lips in the outer corners.

“Overline the bottom lip slightly, beginning at the centre and slowly working your way out, tracing the natural edges.”

Subtle chic

Hughes said: “If you want a less intense look, apply a small amount of lipstick to your fingertips. Warm it up, before using your finger to lightly press the colour into your lips. This leaves a soft, blurred summer-y effect.”