Pretty lips are:

• Youthful
• Sexy
• Feminine
• Round
• Plump
• Follow the natural curves of the lip line

Make the most of what nature gave you by keeping your lips primed and smooth, so fine lines around the edges are diminished, and color stays put. Lips thin out, lose their pretty pink color, and begin to disappear right before your eyes, if you're not careful.

Lip glosses and glazes are all fine and good, but they only look great if your lips are in peak condition from the start. The older your lips are, the more infusion of moisture they crave. The best way to look after your pout is with exfoliation and pure hydration.

• Chapping is due to dehydration and leaves lips looking thinner.
  
  
• You need emollients to rehydrate the parched areas. A wax-based balm can be protective.
  
  
• Simple emollients should be applied throughout the day - the more frequently you use them, the faster you see results.
  
  
• Try not to lick your lips or pick at any dead skin, as this will make the problem worse.
  
  
• Don't forget to stay hydrated with water throughout the day. Lips are moisturized from the inside out too.

Lip tips

1. Start with a primer to perfectly plump the lips so fine lines and wrinkles soften. It also stops lipstick from feathering and bleeding.
   
   
2. To give lips staying power, blot on a bit of your foundation before applying color.
   
   
3. Always use a liner that matches your lip color, definitely not darker. Play up the sensuous curves of your mouth by drawing slightly over the natural lip line. If you want your lipstick to last, use pencil first as a base, then outline and color in your lips with pencil and then apply lipstick or gloss.
   
   
4. Use a lip brush for more precision to fill inside the lines. Apply lip color evenly in a gentle sweep with minimal pressure.
   
   
5. Add a touch of shimmery gloss to reflect light and give a fuller appearance of the top lip. Use more gloss on the middle of the bottom lip to accentuate your sultry pout.
   
   
6. If your lipstick tends to creep outside the line, go for matte lipsticks that usually stay in place longer than creamier formulas. Darker pigments like deep red bleed the most. Moist, creamy and glossy formulas don't always last well. After applying, blot, and then brush translucent powder lightly over lips to set the color.
   
   
7. An uneven lip line may be corrected with a little artistry. Try lining the fuller side of the mouth first, and then use the pencil to build up the lip line on the other side. After lining the entire lip, fill in with lipstick using a lip brush. Gently embellish the areas that need to be evened out.
   
   
8. Lighter shades will make the mouth look bigger; darker shades make it recede.
   
   
9. To avoid the faux pas of having lipstick on your teeth, run your index finger or your tongue through the middle of your lips before you dazzle them with your smile.