How to learn to wear lipstick? I always look like a child who has drank cherryade

[DollyMixtureLulus]

I so badly want to wear lipstick but I always look smudgy.

I always wear a red lippy as I feel naked without it! I use a lip brush and apply several layers whilst blotting with tissue between. This seems to build the colour better than a single thick layer straight from the tube. My lips are my best feature so I feel a bit invisible wearing a mask right now.