You line your lips. It looks perfect.

Then an hour later? It’s faded, patchy, or completely gone.

It’s frustrating - especially when you feel like you’ve done everything right.

The truth is, most lip liner issues aren’t just about the product.

They come down to prep, application, and formula working together.

Here’s what’s actually going wrong - and how to fix it properly.

1. Your lips aren’t a stable base

Lip liner doesn’t sit on skin the way foundation does.

Your lips are constantly moving, exposed to moisture, and shedding dry skin - which means product has nothing consistent to hold onto.

If your lips are:

• Dry
• Flaky
• Or overly balmy

…your liner will break down faster. Every time.

The fix

You need a balanced base - not dry, not slippery.

• Lightly exfoliate (nothing aggressive)
• Apply balm
• Let it absorb for a minute
• Wipe most of it off before lining

This step alone changes wear time dramatically.

A lot of people focus purely on pigment, but if the surface isn’t right, nothing will last properly.

Why formula matters more than you think

Even with the best prep, not all liners are built to last.

Some formulas are:

• Too dry = they drag, crack, and fade unevenly
• Too creamy = they feel nice but slip and disappear

The balance is what makes a liner actually wearable.

That’s where the By Babes Longwear Lip Liners come in.

They’re designed to give you that hold without sacrificing comfort, thanks to:

• Hyaluronic Acid - helps keep lips feeling hydrated and smooth
• Vitamin E - supports the lip barrier for a more even surface

So instead of sitting on top of dry or uneven lips, the liner applies smoothly and wears more consistently throughout the day.

A foolproof way to prep and apply lip liner

If you want your lip liner to actually last, this is the routine to follow:

Step 1: Start with clean lips

Remove any leftover gloss, oil, or heavy balm.

Step 2: Gently smooth the surface

If needed, lightly exfoliate to remove dry or flaky skin. Keep it gentle - over-exfoliating can make things worse.

Step 3: Apply balm, then blot

Use a small amount of balm to soften the lips, then blot away the excess.

You want hydration, not slip.

Step 4: Apply your lip liner

Outline the lips starting at the cupid’s bow and outer corners, then work inward using light, controlled strokes.

The By Babes Longwear Lip Liners glide on smoothly here without dragging, which makes precision easier - especially on prepped lips.

Step 5: Lightly fill in for hold

Don’t just trace the edges.

Softly fill in the outer corners or lightly shade the full lip to create a base that helps anchor the colour.

Step 6: Set with a light layer of powder

This is the step most people skip - and it makes a noticeable difference.

• Take a small amount of translucent powder
• Lightly press it over the edges (or blot with a tissue first, then powder)

This helps absorb excess moisture and locks the liner into place, improving wear time.

Step 7: Finish your look

Wear the liner alone for a soft matte finish, or layer your lipstick, gloss, or lip oil on top.

The takeaway

If your lip liner isn’t lasting, it usually comes down to:

• Too much slip from balm or gloss
• No proper base
• Or skipping the step that actually sets it

Once you fix those - and use a formula that supports your lips rather than drying them out - the difference is immediate.

The easiest routine that actually works

• Light exfoliation
• Balm then blot
• Apply liner
• Lightly fill
• Set with powder

Simple, but effective.

And when your liner is built with ingredients like Hyaluronic Acid and Vitamin E, you’re not just getting colour - you’re getting a formula that helps it last comfortably, too.