There are few things more frustrating than painstakingly applying the perfect bold lip, only to look in the mirror and find that you now resemble The Joker. There are a number of reasons why lip colour can feather and bleed outside of the lines, from natural changes to the structure of our lips to formulas that can’t withstand even the most delicate sip of coffee…

Lines on and around our lips are a natural part of the ageing process. They tell our life’s story, forming through the natural decline in collagen and elastin, as well as repeated facial movements, and are a small price to pay for a lifetime of laughter. The downside though, is that lip colour has a frustrating habit of nestling into these little lines and making itself at home.

To put a stop to feathering and keep your colour firmly within the lines, the key is to prep the lips first and choose a liner that’s water, smudge and budge-proof. Then, follow our makeup artist-approved, fuss-free lip hack…

How to stop lipstick settling in fine lines and wrinkles around your mouth

Step one: Start by pressing Miracle Blur line filler over lip lines above your lips, not on them.

Step two: Line your lips by drawing straight across your Cupid’s bow and the centre of your bottom lip before working outwards towards the corners.

Step three: Fill your whole lips with Line2Define liner and top with Sheer Joy lip oil in the centre of the lip for a 24-hour moisture boost.