Pretty Pointers: Prime Your Pucker

Step 1: Start Fresh

Lip balm is important and Kiehl's Lip Balm #1 (they have one with SPF for summer days) is great. Apply it every night before bed. It works while you sleep. And, you can exfoliate your lips! Smashbox Emulsion Lip Exfoliant and Benefit Lipscription are great for shedding the dead skin off your lips. Don't go exfoliator crazy, once a week is enough.

Step Two: Line It Up

Lip liner does two things, it blends and helps the color stay. Pick a liner that matches your natural lip color or your lipstick. Trace your lips right on the border where pink meets the skin. A little bit of liner should end up just outside your lip line. Next, fill in your lips with the liner. This creates a nice base and will make the color last longer.

Step Three: Fill It In

Start with the middle of your top lip and spread the color out to each side. Make sure you stay within your lip liner. Next do the bottom lip the same way. If you want to make your lips seem more full, apply a little extra color right in the middle of each lip. Adding gloss, we love MAC Lipglass, to lipstick adds shine to normally flat color.

Step Four: Blot!

You're just about done. You have what could be the perfect pout, but you still need to do a couple things. First of all, be sure to rub your lips together to ensure a perfect blend. Then, blot! Take a tissue or piece of paper and kiss it, this will make your color seem more natural. Lastly, SMILE. No one will notice your pretty pucker if it's scouling.