The solution is simple. Just pat on a very thin layer of matte and long-wearing foundation (or concealer) on your lips to "neutralise" your natural lip colour. Think of it as wearing a primer on your lips.
Whatever foundation that remains on your brush or sponge after you have applied it on your face, would be enough for the lips. Then slick on your favourite lipstick.
Due to the neutral shade of the foundation, the lip colour will also look brighter on your pout.
Alternatively, colour your lips in with a complementary lip liner, before applying the lipstick. The lip liner will intensify its colour.
The matte finish of the foundation/lip liner will help your lipstick to last longer too.
But remember to exfoliate and hydrate your lips first. The foundation and lip liner can be drying, and will highlight lines and flaky skin.
My favourite matte foundations and concealers include Urban Decay's Naked Skin Weightless Ultra Definition Liquid Makeup foundation ($62, from Sephora stores); Lancome's Mat Miracle 24H Long Wear & Comfort Satin Light Creator foundation ($66, from Lancome counters); Laura Mercier's Secret Camouflage concealer ($50, from Laura Mercier counters); and Amazing Cosmetics' Amazing Concealer ($63, from Sephora stores).
To further disguise the uneven and dark tone of your lips, pick lipstick shades that are bright and bold.
If you prefer lip colours that are sheer and more natural-looking, choose brighter pink-based solid lipsticks. Stay away from the beige and barely there hues as they may further highlight the uneven colour of your lips, while gloss will only cause the foundation to smudge.
For a more intense colour and to prevent the foundation on the lips from smudging, press the colour onto your pout with your fingertips, or apply it with a lip brush.
This article was first run in The Straits Times newspaper on May 9, 2014. For similar stories, go to sph.straitstimes.com/premium/singapore. You will not be able to access the Premium section of The Straits Times website unless you are already a subscriber.