These tricks will completely change the way you apply makeup around piercings.

There are a lot of tutorials out there on the internet — from how to perfect a soft cut crease to contouring with everything from a hard-boiled egg to scissors and plungers — so needless to say, it’s pretty clear that the makeup community can get pretty crafty. But what about applying makeup normally — but around eyebrow, lip, face or nose piercings? It may seem straightforward enough, but as it turns out, there are a lot of tips and tricks that makeup artists have gathered over the years to keep makeup application safe and hygienic around these areas. We reached out to NYC makeup artist Katie Hughes and Lancôme makeup artist Alex Sanchez to get to the bottom of all of our piercing-queries, and here’s what we learned.

Hygiene is Key

For all types of face piercings, Hughes suggests to use a super fine pencil or brush to fill in areas around your brow and face piercings, and to — most importantly — go around the piercing, not over it. Sanchez shares the same sentiment, noting that “you want to avoid getting makeup in your piercing.” He says, “you need flat, small brushes to work around the jewelry. I also recommend synthetic brushes, because they can easily be cleaned and dried rapidly for daily use around these open areas to help avoid infections.”

Lip Piercing Hacks

Applying a matte liquid lipstick or lip gloss can get super tricky if you have a piercing or ring on your upper or lower lip — that’s why Hughes says to use a dove foot applicator or the pointy tip of the liner to get around the piercing or ring as closely as possible. It’s also important to pick a lip color that will last all day — Sanchez says that the Lancôme Matte Shaker is his go-to for this type of application.

How to Avoid Makeup Transfer Throughout the Day

Makeup transfer is frustrating enough in general, but it’s especially cumbersome if pigment gets onto your face jewelry. “Precision is key on your application,” Hughes says, “but if there is any transfer, use a Q-tip to wipe off.” And if you need to reapply makeup around your piercing throughout your day, Hughes suggests blotting the area with a tissue and reapplying with a fine tip applicator. Sanchez also believes the trick is in the application here. “I recommend using long wear formulas for concealer, brow and lipstick to prevent transfer and retouching throughout the day,” he says.

How to Remove Makeup Around Piercings