India, July 31 -- Humidity, sweat and excess moisture make lipstick smudge and fade faster during the monsoon, especially creamy formulas. Makeup artists Deepika Thapar and Richa Agarwal share six steps to improve wear time. Exfoliate with a damp washcloth or gentle sugar scrub, then apply lip balm and let it absorb. Smooth lips help colour apply evenly and last longer. Both experts recommend exfoliating only once or twice a week to avoid damaging the skin. Blot off excess balm before applying lipstick, as leftover oils prevent the formula from adhering properly. For longer wear, choose lip stains, followed by liquid mattes, bullet lipsticks and tinted balms. Lip stains last the longest but need an oil-based remover. Liquid mattes wear well but can feel drying, while bullet and tinted ones are more comfortable but require frequent touch-ups. Instead of only outlining, fill the entire lip with liner. Thapar calls it "a long-lasting base coat" because it keeps colour looking even as lipstick fades. Agarwal recommends a firmer pencil liner over a creamy one for better grip. Apply one thin coat, blot, then apply a second. Avoid rubbing your lips together until the lipstick sets. Thin layers last longer than one thick coat. Apply a small amount of gloss only at the centre of the lips if desired. Oily food breaks down lipstick the fastest, say the experts. Thapar suggests choosing finger foods that minimise lip contact, drinking through a straw and avoiding biting or picking at the lips. For touch-ups, Thapar says, "Wipe away faded product and the white film that builds along the inner rim, dab fresh lipstick only where it's worn off, and seal with balm or gloss at the centre." Agarwal recommends preventing fading by using lightweight, transfer-resistant formulas applied in two thin layers instead of one thick coat....