Prime your lips by smoothing them with foundation, using a make-up sponge so you reach every tiny crevice on the surface.

Dust over the top of the foundation  with a light dusting of your usual face powder, to help your lipstick stay put for longer.

Rest your elbow on a firm surface and carefully draw an outline using a lip pencil. So it doesn't drag your skin, it may help to warm it slightly in your palm. Start by defining the Cupid's bow on the upper lip, then draw a neat outline on your lower lip. Finish by completing the edges of the outline to your upper lip.

Use a lip brush to fill in the outline with lipstick, ensuring you reach into every tiny crevice on the surface. Open your mouth to brush the colour into the corners of your lips.

You'll help your lipstick last longer if you blot over the surface with a tissue. It'll also give an attractive, semi-matte finish to your lips. Reapply to help a longer lasting finish.

Application of lipstick is an art in itself. You can achieve different kinds of look with different techniques of applying lip colour. You can create a sexy pout and make thin lips look full.

To plump a punny pout

Avoid dark burgundy, red or plum lip hues-they’ll make lips look skinnier. Create the illusion of fuller lips with dark nude liner and lighter nude lipstick. Line all the way around the outside of your natural lip line. Next, apply your lipstick.

To shrink a seismic smacker

Steer close of glosses, shimmers or light lipsticks, which inflate lip size. Dark matte plum and burgundies paired with matching liners are a better bet.

Use the liner tracing all the way around the inside of your lip line. Fill in your mouth with matching lipstick.

To Even out lopsided lips

To fix one lip that’s larger than the other