I'm always asked about my long-lasting makeup tips, particularly lipstick. Although there are lots of great, long-wearing formulas around claiming 12 or 14 hour wear, for me when it comes to making makeup last, application techniques make the biggest difference.

Here are my #FlawlessFriday pro tips - just in time for the weekend ; )

START WITH GOOD PREP
Lipstick will always sit better on well-hydrated lips, so start by applying a good layer of balm and let it get to work while you're doing base etc. If your lips are flaky, roll a Q-tip along them (apply a bit of pressure as you go) and this will gently remove any dry bits. I also like Kiko's Scrub & Peel wipes - personally, I find them too harsh to use on your face, but they're absolutely fantastic lip exfoliators. I always carry a couple of packs in my kit as a lot of my A-list clients love them.

CREATE A STAIN
You can either do this with the lipstick you're going to wear, or a lip liner that's a similar shade. Apply as a base colour all over (don't worry if it's not perfect, just follow your natural lip shape) then use a lip brush to really work and rub it into your lips. Take your time doing this - the idea is to create an intense, indelible stain. Once you're done, blot with a tissue - you should find that not much of the colour comes off.

APPLY IN THIN LAYERS
Thin layers, really well blended and blotted, are key to making lipstick last. I often use a lip brush (as I find it's easier to keep the layers thin and make sure they're well worked in), then dab some colour on straight from the bullet for my final layer.

TIDY UP SHAPE
Once you've got the base stain of colour on you can start working on finessing shape. If you need to cheat shape to give yourself a fuller, more balanced pout (who doesn't!), now is the best time to use a lip pencil to even out where necessary. Then, taking your lip brush (which still has a bit of product left on), smooth the edges so there are no harsh lines.

ADD SOME BALM
The downside of long-lasting formulas is that they can often feel drying on lips. To counteract that, you can add a little bit of balm again at the end. I like Melvita 3 Honeys Nectar because it's got a very low level sheen - good for using on top of matte lipsticks.

3 CURRENT FAVOURITES...

Pink - Rimmel The Only 1 in Pink a Punch
This is the colour I was wearing in my 'Fresh in a Flash' film - it's such a great pop of pink that really brightens up your face (and your mood!). I tend to wear it the way I do in the film - with fresh skin and subtly defined eyes. The formula is very moisturising for a long-lasting lipstick. If you like your lipsticks fragrance-free, Smashbox Be Legendary Lipstick in Pink Petal is a similar colour without the intense, fruity scent of the Rimmel one.

Red - Lancôme L'Asbolu Rouge in 165
I'm wearing this colour in the image at the top of this post. I was doing some filming for a major TV channel in the UK and wanted a shot of confidence, which red lipstick always gives me ; ) It's a gorgeous pinky red (the filter on this image has made it a tiny bit bluer), which would look beautiful on lots of different skintones.

Nude - Hourglass Femme Nude Lip Stylo in Nude No 6
I love this colour, it's a gorgeous neutral-nude, not too beige and not too brown (there are six in the range, so you should be able to find the best nude for your skin tone). Because it's a pencil, it's also good to use to cheat shape - you can go quite pouty with it. The coverage is pretty opaque, which some people might find a bit drying, so use my balm tip above if you need to.

Watch my Long-Lasting Makeup for a Night Out film below, and let me know if you have any long-lasting makeup tips of your own in the comments. X

Model picture photographed by Liz Collins #makeupbylisaeldridge