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This will get rid of all the dead skin sitting on top of your lips that prevents the lipstick sinking in. It will also create a smooth, blank canvas for the lipstick to ensure even application. Use a lip scrub. Many brands offer these types of product. You can also make your own with sugar, honey, and olive or coconut oil. Gently scrub your lips with a soft toothbrush. Don't go too hard, you just want to remove loose dead skin. Use a damp washcloth on your lips, moving it in soft, circular motions to lift the dead skin. This ensures that the lips are moisturized. Applying lipstick to dry, cracked lips, especially a matte formula, can make lips look patchy and flaky. Use a balm with waxy consistency not a slippery or oily one which will cause the lipstick to move around. Allow some time for the lip balm to absorb before going on to the next step. Make this the first step in your makeup routine and do the rest of your face while the balm is absorbing. Lip liner typically has a drier consistency than lipstick, so it serves as a layer for the lipstick to grip onto. Get a sharp cupid's bow by drawing an x in the center of your top lip. Draw around the outline of your lips. Use the point of the lip liner pencil for this. Fill in the whole lip. This step is important because if the top layer of lip color wears off it won't reveal a sharp line. Use the side of the lip pencil to fill in the whole lip area. You can do this either straight from the tube or with a lip brush. Using a folded tissue, open your mouth and place it between your upper and lower lips, then press down on the tissue. This removes any excess product and keeps lipstick from transferring onto your teeth or clothing. Professional makeup artists use this trick to set the lipstick without moving any of the color. Get a tissue and separate the layers out. Place just one thin sheet over your lips and apply loose, translucent powder with a big fluffy powder brush on top of the tissue. You can apply powder directly to the lips to set if you don't have any tissues on hand, but be aware that overdoing it could result in a dry or discolored result. Repeat the previous steps of blotting and setting with powder. This should give your lipstick real staying power. Finally, you can use a setting spray if you have one.
Prep your lips by gently exfoliating. Apply a hydrating lip balm. Apply lip liner as a base. Apply a thin layer of lipstick. Blot the lipstick with a tissue. Apply a light dusting of powder to set. Apply another thin layer of lipstick.