How to Use Lip Liner, According to a Makeup Artist
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Loading... - Angela De Witte
- 23 Jun 2022
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Every so often we find ourselves reaching for makeup products that are staples in our routine, yet we may need a refresher course on the best way to use them. The perfect example of this? Lip liner.
Surely you've seen several lip liner trends over the years (let's be honest, they've had their ups and downs), yet you might find yourself stumped on the best ways to use lip liner now. Whether you desire more fullness, definition, or structure to your lips, lip liner is really the way to go when you want control over creating your ideal lip shape.
Ahead, we've compiled some key tips on the right way to use lip liner, along with some fun tricks to make the application process more enjoyable.
01
Prep Your Lips
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First things first, don't neglect your lips. It's common to have chapped lips from time to time and experience dry, flaky skin. Yet focusing on keeping your lips smooth and hydrated will go a long way. There are some simple ways to ensure your lips look and feel hydrated. Start by exfoliating lips to rid yourself of any excess dead skin, and follow up with a hydrating lip balm (we love Sun Bum's Lip Balm SPF 30 ($9)). If you're in need of a gentle lip exfoliant that still gets the job done, check out this one from Fresh Beauty.
Prepping your lips at nighttime is also an incredibly easy way to ensure your lips are on point 24/7. Slather on a lip mask before bed so you wake in the morning to a super-soft pout. I'm applying this lip mask from Milk Makeup, which is great for instant hydration. And the great thing about lip masks is you can wear them at any time of day to give yourself a nice hydrating treatment. If you apply too much, just blot away the excess with a tissue or your finger.
Lastly, you'll need lip liner, lipstick, and possibly a lip brush, lip gloss, and concealer on hand.
02
Assess Your Lip Shape
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Everyone has different lip shapes, and the best thing you can do is to assess your own and really understand the shape before applying lip liner. Look in the mirror and ask yourself a few questions. "What do I love about my lips?" and "What would I like to change about them?" are two great places to start. You might have a fuller bottom lip and want to enhance the top lip shape, or you might want to create more fullness all around. Identifying what you already like, and what you'd like to tweak, is key when understanding how to get the most out of your liner.
In my case, I'd like to add some fullness to the top and bottom of my lips, so I am marking where I can line them to help them appear fuller with my pencil.
03
Trace Your Shape
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Once you've figured out what lip liner formula fits you best, it's time to subtly trace the areas around the lips that you want to focus on. For instance, if a fuller top lip is what you want, lightly trace around the top lip, exaggerating the lips ever so slightly to create a fullness that looks realistic.
A great general rule of thumb is that nude lip liner goes with any lipstick color you're going to wear and can be a great base to kick off enhancing your lip shape. If a nude liner isn't your thing, be sure to match the liner as close as you can to the lipstick you'll be wearing to ensure there are no obvious lines. I am using Victoria Beckham Beauty's Lip Definer in shade 2 ($24) to get my shape just right. Read More...
