My first "How do I do it?" is going to be on long lasting lip color. I rarely wear lip color during the day, but I never go out without it at night. I'm in love with bright lips and I've been asked how I get my lip color to last all night even when I'm eating or drinking. 
Firstly: I try my very best to take good care of my lips. I exfoliate with a toothbrush every now and then, but I've found that keeping a really good moisture barrier on my lips at night really prevents peeling, chapping, and other reasons you may need to exfoliate. I am a HUGE fan of Smith's Minted Rose Lip Balm!!! To me it has the best smell on the planet and it works amazingly. I don't like to carry it with me because dipping my finger into a lip balm pot while in public and not having ample opportunity to make sure my hands are freshly cleaned really grosses me out. But since it's my favorite, I had to find another use for it and nighttime is the best time for me since I know my hands are clean after my nightly skin routine (more to come on that later). I slather some on before going to sleep and wake up to moisturized smooth lips. If you do not like mint you can try the rose version, or you can use Original Badger balm. Just be sure to try to use something all natural since what you put on your skin absorbs into your body. Also, I recommend using something in a scent that is soothing to you since you will be falling asleep with it on your face. It may be hard to fall asleep with an unpleasant smell near your nose.
Second: Choose the right prep! Your lips must be smooth and moist for any long lasting lip routine to work, however, if they are too oily, your lip color will either not go on as concentrated as you like, or it will slide right off. My favorite option for this is the Avon Lip Plumping Conditioner. I apply it when I apply my moisturizer to my face before I start my makeup routine so that it can sit and soak in and my lips are prepped by the time I get to them, which is always last for me. The conditioner is not like a balm in that it is not greasy or oily at all, it almost feels like applying a cream lipstick that has no color and actually sinks into your lips.
Lastly: Matte lasts longer. I know some seasons super shiny is in and gloss is where it's at, but keep in mind that oils soak in and slide off, and some petroleum based glosses can even chap your lips more. Now, don't get me wrong, there are some long lasting glosses out there, but I have never experienced anything more long lasting than a classic matte lip color. I personally use lip liner alone, which shocks some people, but it works great for me. It's the best way to get bold, bright color concentration that lasts all evening. Sometimes I use an eye shadow with shimmer in it to dab on the middle of my lip and create some dimension, but mostly just plain pencil is what does it. I really like the Tarte lipsurgence Lip Crayon in the matte collection, but my less costly go-to is NYX lip liner in any color you can get your hands on! It's wonderful!
If you enjoy reading my how-tos feel free to leave a comment below so that I know what you like and continue writing them. Also feel free to make suggestions for posts you'd like to see in the future.
