How To Keep Red Lipstick From Smudging, Smearing And Fading

These secrets will save your sanity.
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Like nailing a smudge-free cat eye or making false eyelashes stick on your first try, applying a red lip is a major beauty challenge. Even more difficult is getting your lipstick to stay on all day long. Sigh. 

Luckily, there are a few things you can do to make the aggravating process way easier. In the video above, you'll learn the right steps to take for clean color application that really lasts even through eating, drinking and maybe a kiss or two. 

With a little help from a good scrub, concealer and lip liner, you'll be well on your way to achieving a bold red lip that doesn't smear or fade. Press play and master this beauty trick once and for all.

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Editors' Picks: The 12 Best Long-Wear Lipsticks
MAC Lipstick(01 of12)
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You simply can't go wrong with a MAC lipstick. Highly pigmented, creamy and oh-so-resilient, a stick of MAC lipstick is a good thing to carry in your clutch on a night out.

MAC Lipstick, $17
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Obsessive Compulsive Cosmetics Lip Tar(02 of12)
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OCC's culty-cool lip color has caught the attention of beauty editors everywhere. Available in both matte and shimmery shades, this lip tar feels smooth as it seeps into your lips. To avoid a messy application, try using a brush to transfer the color from the tube to your lips.

Obsessive Compulsive Cosmetics Lip Tar, $6
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Dolce & Gabbana Classic Cream Lipstick(03 of12)
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If you're looking to splurge at the department store, D&G's silky cream lipstick is your best bet. The formula is as hydrating as it is color-rich, so your lips won't feel cracked and dry when you wear it all day.

Dolce & Gabbana Classic Cream Lipstick, $34.50
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Kat Von D Everlasting Liquid Lipstick(04 of12)
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Kat Von D is famous for her tattoo artistry, so it comes as no surprise that her lipstick is built to really, really last. The Everlasting Liquid Lipstick is known for its longevity of color and shimmer, so you don't have to worry about constant reapplication to keep your lips looking fresh. If you prefer a matte lip, the line's Studded Kiss Lipstick is also a fan favorite.

Kat Von D Everlasting Liquid Lipstick, $20
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Maybelline Color Sensational The Mattes(05 of12)
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This stick of pure matte magic comes straight from the drugstore. Maybelline's affordable lipstick goes on smooth and stays on even after eating. And when it inevitably fades after hours of wear, it still looks polished -- no blotchy patches in sight.

Maybelline Color Sensational The Mattes, $5.49
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NYX Soft Matte Lip Cream(06 of12)
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NYX's Lip Cream is convenient like lipgloss and bold like lipstick. Plus, all of the shades are super fun and unique. At $6, you won't feel guilty buying more than one.

NYX Soft Matte Lip Cream, $6
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Bite Beauty Matte Crème Lip Crayon(07 of12)
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Bite Beauty is known for its incredibly clean, high-performing formulas. Free of parabens, sulfates, phthalates and even gluten, this long-wear lip crayon is perfect for the conscious beauty maven.

Bite Beauty Matte Crème Lip Crayon, $24
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Tom Ford Lip Color Matte(08 of12)
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Tom Ford lip color is luxury at its best. The formulas are soft to the touch and pack a big punch when it comes to color. We've never encountered a shade we didn't like. This is certainly a worthwhile splurge.

Tom Ford Lip Color Matte, $52
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Stila Stay All Day Liquid Lipstick(09 of12)
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If you're a fan of opaque color with a touch of shine, Stila's Stay All Day Liquid Lipstick should be your new go-to. The formula is light, too, so you don't have to worry about that gross sticky feeling some glosses have.

Stila Stay All Day Liquid Lipstick, $24
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L'Oréal Colour Riche Collection Exclusive Red Lipcolor(10 of12)
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L'Oréal's red lip collection was designed with every skin tone in mind. Each color glides on smoothly, lasts all day and makes your lips look full with hyper-pigmented color that really complements your complexion.

L'Oréal Colour Riche Collection Exclusive Red Lipcolor, $8.99
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NARS Velvet Matte Lip Pencil(11 of12)
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This lip pencil is a like a grown-up crayon. It's fun and easy to play with and offers lots and lots of color. We are fans of the collection's dark reds and dimensional nudes.

NARS Velvet Matte Lip Pencil, $26
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Charlotte Tilbury Matte Revolution Lipstick(12 of12)
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Celeb makeup artist and fashion favorite Charlotte Tilbury knows her stuff when it comes to lipstick. The Matte Revolution collection is optimized to deliver bold color that's not in the least bit drying. The uniquely shaped stick is also great for coloring inside the lines.

Charlotte Tilbury Matte Revolution Lipstick, $32
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