Lip Liner 101
Lip liner is an enhancer, but that doesn’t mean it’s an enlarger.
Think of lip liner like eyeliner – it’s a great tool that helps to define. Don’t use liner to make lips appear fuller or smaller, but rather to enhance their natural color and shape.
Start by making sure that lips are hydrated. One of my favorite tricks is to smooth eye cream on lips, then use a toothbrush or a washcloth to gently exfoliate them and get rid of dry skin.
Use lip liner in a color that either matches the exact shade of your lips or of your lipstick. This will create the most natural, even look. If you can’t find an exact match, use a lip liner in a shade lighter. Avoid darker lip liners – they’ll appear too harsh.
Begin by filling in the lips with lip liner first, and then apply lipstick on top. The liner creates a waxy base that your lip color will adhere to. This will help extend the wear of your lipstick, and keep it from feathering.
Make sure the lip pencil is well sharpened, as this will allow for more precision. Then, apply liner in short, even strokes. This creates a softer, more natural effect.
Follow your natural lip line when applying liner. Don’t use lip liner to change the shape of lips by drawing outside the lines. If you want to make lips appear fuller, opt for lip-gloss.
If you’ve gone outside of the lines of your lips, use a Q-tip with a small amount of makeup remover to clean it up and use a lip brush to soften and blend any noticeably hard edges so you’re not left with that dated, overly-lined look.
Related:
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