A dramatic swipe of red lipstick is the perfect way to finish off your Saturday night outfit, but it doesn't look so dramatic two hours later when it's faded and smudged.

Next time you're working a bold lip, make sure it stays in place as long as you want it to by following these steps…

1. Take care of your lips first
Applying lipstick onto dry, chapped lips is a recipe for disaster, so keep them in good condition by exfoliating and applying a non-greasy balm a few minutes before using your lipstick. This will prime your lips to ensure the colour doesn't wipe right off.

2. Choose your products wisely
Matte lipsticks have much better staying power than glossy ones, and if you use a lip liner beforehand you'll notice a huge difference. For a colour that won't budge, go for a lip stain, but be sure to apply it with precision as lip stains can be tough to remove in a pinch.

Revlon Colorstay Moisture Lip Stain, RRP €10.99

3. Use the right tools
Rather than applying lipstick directly, use a lip brush to gently blot the colour on. As we get older, small crevasses form in the surface of our lips, and using a brush ensures the colour doesn't just sit on top.

Seventeen Lip Brush, €3.49, Boots

4. Blot and reapply
After your first application, gently blot off excess colour with a tissue or cotton pad and reapply. Layering up makes for a bolder pop of colour and also means the lipstick won't fade as fast.

5. Clean up the edges
Using a clean lip brush, tidy up the edges of your lips with concealer, to give a really clean line and to prevent the colour feathering outwards.