1. Exfoliate - lipstick won't stick to skin that's dry or flaky. So use an exfoliating scrub on dry lips to reveal a smooth, soft canvas to work with.

2. Moisturise - hydrate lips with a dab of eye cream as, unlike lip balm, this won't act as a barrier to your lipstick. We're fans of the Origins New Youthtopia Firming Eye Cream With Rhodiola, $70.

3. Conceal - before applying colour, dab concealer around the outside of your lips. This will give your lipstick a crisp border, stop it seeping out and make the contrast of your lipstick even stronger.

4. Prepare - a red mouth is most flattering on a fully made-up complexion. Even out your skin tone with concealer and foundation before applying lipstick.

5. Erase - to get the dense, pigment-rich red you see in the tube, you need to start with a perfectly neutral base - which means erasing the natural pink of your lips. Try Kevyn Aucoin The Flesh Tone Lip Pencil, $50.

6. Line - Sharpe recommends filling your lips with a long-lasting lip liner as "this allows the lipstick to 'grab' the surface better, guaranteeing longer wear!"

7. Apply - while brushes can help with precision, for intense colour apply your lipstick straight from the tube. Start at the centre of the lips first and blend to the outer edges. When it comes to colour, Strawberry Suede, $21.95, from the new Revlon Matte collectionis one of the best we've seen.

8. Line (again) - sharpen your lip liner and tidy the edges of your lipstick. As a pencil is drier and easier to control than a tube, this will give you a precise, modern finish - just be sure to make sure it's in the same colour! We love Lipstick Queen Exact Match Liner, $33.95.

9. Blot - to lock your lipstick in place and prevent smudges, put a tissue between your lips and gently press down.

10. Highlight - finish with a subtle cream or ivory highlighter along the edge of your Cupid's bow to emphasise a full pout.