I always apply the center first and work my way out. Doesn't matter whether you do the top or bottom first, it's personal preference. One thing you don't wanna do is press your lips together. As you apply it to one lip, let it dry while you apply it to the other lip. Pressing or rubbing your lips together can effect the colour payoff, wearability, and how even the lipstick applies. It also helps to apply a lipliner beforehand as well, lining and filling the entire lip. This will help if you don't get an exact even application with just the lipstick. The edge of the liner will tranfer if you don't completely cover it with the lipstick, but the lipstick won't. And as with all lipstick, a lipbalm prep is key. Apply balm before all your makeup, and them completely remove it before you do your liner and lipstick :wink: