So once you've found the right shade of red lipstick, how do you successfully WEAR it???

[JohnSnowsTie]

I love red lips, and have a couple of shades which suit me.

However, I feel uncomfortable wearing it. Not so much feeling unable to pull off the actual red - but constantly worrying about it's maintenance - is it on my teeth? Are my lips starting to look dry? Has it bled onto my skin? Has it started to fade along the inside line? Do I need a trip to yet ANOTHER public loo to touch it up?

Is there a way of wearing red lipstick without having it at the front back of your mind, a fairly foolproof way to keep it intact?

You can do the lip liner, press it on, blot, re-apply, stick finger in mouth to get excess off inner lips/teeth trick, but ultimately it will still wear off/smear a bit/get on your teeth. But part of the joy of lipstick is getting your mirror out to check every now and then and reapply! That or get a really good long-wearing one like YSL's glossy stain.

I use lip liner to line my lips but also use the flatter side to colour in my whole lips, before lipstick, blot, lipstick.

Tends to stay on a lot longer - I wear to work and only have to re-apply after lunch, despite several drinks!

I often wear lipstick as a stain, it lasts very well and is lower maintenance than a full red lip.

Just pat a thin layer onto the lip with a finger.

Lisa Eldridge has a video about different ways of wearing red lipstick. It's worth a watch imo.

Lipcote is your friend. If you use a Matt lipstick and cover with Lipcote, you'll never have a problem!

Agree with Singaporesling. Prep is key. I use MAC Prep & Prime first, wait a few minutes then use Body Shop Lip line fix (an invisible liner) just outside lip line as it stops colour bleeding. Then colour entire lip with red lip pencil then a coat of lippy, blot and then another coat. I find it stays put for a good 4-6 hours this way and only needs touching up in the middle if I've eaten. I normally use MAC lippies and they do stain the lips which helps with longevity (I like the Satin finish best)

However I tend to avoid wearing strong colours if I know I'm going for a meal as its not worth worrying about how my lippy looks with pasta sauce all around it tend to wear heavy eye make up then!

I swear by Limecrime Velvetines in red for non smudge and long lasting matte red, and maybelline 18hour superstay in passionate red for glossy lips. Both last all day on me and have to be scrubbed off with a flannel at night.