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Who’d it be if not makeup mogul Kylie Jenner shining the spotlight on the versatility of a lip liner? The reality TV star and businesswoman owes her picture-perfect pout to this marvellous multitasker that lends you luscious, fuller lips in just a few strokes. Although, wearing a lip liner may not be as straightforward as you’d think – it involves discerning your lip shape, discovering the right shade match, and prepping your pucker for application. So, before making your pick, go through our step-by-step guide on applying a lip liner the right way. After which, choose your favourite one from our exhaustive edit of the best lip liners in the biz.
A 5-Step Guide to Apply Lip Liner Perfectly
• Prep Your Pucker
Just as indulging in skincare to lend a clear canvas for makeup application, prep your pout before applying lip liner and lipstick. Pamper your pucker with a lip scrub to slough off dead cells and moisturise with an ultra-hydrating lip balm or oil. You could also throw on an overnight lip mask to maximise hydration. To increase the longevity of your lipstick and liner, apply a primer afterwards. Try the Estée Lauder Pure Color Envy Smoothing Sugar Scrub, Dr Barbara Sturm Lip Balm, Yensa Beauty Super 8 Lip Oil, Sigma Beauty Conditioning Lip Mask, and Anastasia Beverly Hills Lip Primer.
• Choose the Right Lip Liner Shade
Understand your undertones and identify a lip liner best suited to your skin tone. Ideally, pick a product one or two shades darker than your natural lip colour to accentuate your pout and add dimension, but not too dark, as it may look jarring.
• Line Your Lips
Study your lips to create a balanced, proportionate look. Begin by lining – or overlining – your lips at the top centre and make your way towards the corners, following the natural contours of your lip. Repeat this process on your bottom lip to create the illusion of volume and dimension. Feel free to buff or blend the liner for a more effortless, natural look.
• Amp Up Dimension
Consider pairing a darker lip liner with a bright lipstick to amplify the gradient. You can also apply a lip liner before and after your lipstick to accentuate the lip contours, enhance the natural shape of your lips, and add more depth. Consider filling your lips with the same lip liner for extended wearability and intensity.
• Wear Lipstick or Lip Gloss
After your lips are well-defined with a lip liner, fill them in with a lipstick of your choice. It goes without saying that your lip liner and lipstick should be from the same shade family. However, they needn’t be identical, as that won’t lend any contrast to your look. Top up your lipstick with another round of lining for more dimension. For an unmistakable sheen, finish up with a coat of lip gloss. Scroll on – the Nykaa Army shows you how to master lip lining via a quick, two-minute tutorial.
Lip Liners That Are Worth the Splurge
What We Love: Waterproof, smudge-proof, highly-pigmented, non-feathering, long-lasting, hydrating
What We Love: Velvety texture, glides on like butter, no-nasties formula
What We Love: Satin-matte finish, non-feathering, long-lasting, Retractable and accompanied with a pencil sharpener, available in eight shades
What We Love: Easy glide-on, long-wearing, waterproof, non-smudging, non-feathering, non-bleeding, conditioning, convenient click-pen packaging
What We Love: Vegan, cruelty-free, includes Smashbox's signature Primer Oil Complex for easy glide-on
What We Love: Non-smudging, transfer-resistant, vegan, waterproof, long-lasting
What We Love: Waterproof, 6-hour wear, vegan, highly-pigmented, transfer-resistant
What We Love: Creamy texture, moisturising, available in six shades
What We Love: Available in over 15 shades, velvety texture, allows for precise application
Determining Your Lip Shape
Since all lips are unique, you must be able to determine your lip shape to ensure you’re applying a liner correctly. Different lip shapes warrant different application techniques to create the illusion of fuller, luscious lips.
• Heart-Shaped Lips
Heart-shaped lips have a distinct and well-defined cupid’s bow, which makes it easier to create the illusion of fullness. Use a dark-hued lip liner to line the contour of your lips and fill in and highlight your cupid’s bow with a lighter lipstick or gloss. The colour contrast will help draw attention to the shape of your lips, making them appear fuller.
• Thin Lips
If you have thin lips, pick a lip liner just a shade darker than your skin tone to discreetly overline your lips. Draw outside your natural lip line, along the cupid’s bow or the curve of your lower lip, and buff it with your fingertips to give a more natural look. If you pick a few shades too dark, overlining will become apparent and stark.
• Top-Heavy or Bottom-Heavy Lips
If your lip shape is uneven – your upper lip is fuller, your lower lip is thin, and vice versa – turn to a lip liner for more proportion. If you have a fuller upper lip, use a lip liner closest to your complexion and overline at the bottom. Meanwhile, if your lower lip is fuller, overline along your upper lip and shape your cupid’s bow for more definition, volume, and proportion.
• Wide Mouth
If you have a wider mouth and smile, use a lip liner to create a more structured look. Apply it along the corners by overlining your lips with a darker lip liner. The colour contrast will shift the focus to your smile, adding definition and playing with proportion.
How to Apply Lip Liner: FAQs
• Should you apply a lip liner or lipstick first?
Ideally, a lip liner is applied before lipstick to help create a more defined, voluptuous look. It also helps increase the longevity of your lipstick and gives the illusion of fuller-looking lips. However, you can apply a lip liner after lipstick to accentuate your cupid’s bow and contours.
• How to identify the right lip liner shade for your skin?
As a rule of thumb, your lip liner needn’t be an identical match to your lipstick but from the same colour family. Pick a product one or two shades darker than your skin tone to line or overline your pucker for more depth and volume – it should mimic the natural shadows on the outline of your lips.
• How to apply lip liner?
Begin lining the centre of your top lip and make your way to the edges. Mirror this process on the bottom lip as well. Accentuate the shape of your cupid’s bow and connect it with the outer corners of your mouth for more dimension and fullness. Overline or overdraw your lips by applying lip liner slightly beyond your natural lip line for an enhanced appearance. For a more effortless, subtle look, buff or blend your lip liner. Alternatively, leave it sharp and unblended for a well-defined look.
• Can you wear a lip liner alone?
Yes, you can fill in your lips or enhance their shape by outlining the contours with a shade closest to your natural lip shade. If you don’t have lipstick handy, top up your look with a bold lip liner or pencil that’ll glide on seamlessly.
• Which lip liner shade gives the illusion of fuller lips?
Deeper shades, including mauves and browns, can help make your lips appear more voluptuous by mimicking a natural shadow. Meanwhile, beige nudes and pinks will give your lips a more subtle, understated look.
