How to apply lip liner might be a question you have had for a while and might be why you haven’t even bought one yet. But you’re still going back and forth about getting one, don’t you?
Let me explain everything in detail so that you know exactly what a lip liner is used for, why you should use one, how to apply lip liners for beginners, and how to apply them for a fuller and neat-looking pout. After that, you’re a lip liner pro ready to line those lips!
What Is Lip Liner For
Lip liners can be used for many reasons, the most common being to help define the lips. On top of that, using a lip liner can also help prevent your lipstick from bleeding and help make your lipstick last longer. Lip liner is applied before lipstick and is typically used to line the lips or on the entire lip.
Why Should You Use A Lip Liner
A lip liner isn’t necessary, but I think it adds depth and volume to your lips when you use one. They can help you achieve the perfect pout by creating a more defined and symmetrical shape.
Moreover, lip liners can be used to create the illusion of fuller lips. If you weren’t born with full lips but aren’t into the whole filler hype, a simple lip liner can help you.
In my recent review of the Clinique Black Honey Lipstick, I talked about how a lip liner and a gloss made the lipstick look ten times better.
So a lip liner also plays a part in how lipstick and/or lip gloss look, and you can also play around with different lip liners and lipsticks to create your favorite new combination. Hello, unique nude lip!
So, to summarize, the benefits of using a lip liner are:
- It helps define and give more depth to the lips
- It can be used to make the lips look fuller and to get a symmetrical shape
- It prevents lipsticks from bleeding, which is especially helpful when using bright lipstick shades
- It helps lipsticks to last longer and look even better
Can You Use Lip Liner As Eyeliner
There are Lip Liners on the market that are branded as “multi-use liners”– such as the Make Up For Ever Artist Color Pencil – and theoretically speaking, based on the ingredients, pencil eyeliners, and lip liners are almost identical; I still wouldn’t use the same pencil for both.
Why? Because Allure shared that cosmetics chemist Joseph Cincotta said, “I would not interchange these two products since the one made specifically for eyes was formulated with pigments suitable for the eye area.” On top of that, he added that “You need to be careful around eyes; take no chances.”
Moreover, I don’t think it’s hygienic at all. Rubbing a product on your lips, then on your eyes, and back on your lips? That sounds like bacteria spreading and potential infections to me.
Uhm, I’ll pass. It sounds smart to buy a multi-usable product, but I’d rather have a lip liner and an eye pencil than one pencil for both and a gross infected eye. Just be smart, I guess. 🙂
How To Apply Lip Liner For Beginners
If you don’t know how to apply lip liner and feel slightly insecure, start practicing with a nude lip liner. Pick one close to your lip color so it’s barely visible if you make some mistakes. Once you get the hang of it, it’s less scary to go for a bright red lip liner, for example.
On top of that, make sure your lip liner is sharpened. This makes the application easier because it’s more precise to work with.
You can also use a lip brush if you want to, which can help diffuse the line and make it look more natural. It’s also lovely to smooth the line onto your lips for an ombre effect if you’d like or to mix the lip liner with the lipstick. However, this is optional though.
Here’s how to apply lip liner properly:
- Apply a lip balm before the lip liner, so you have hydrated lips, and the lip liner will glide onto the lips;
- Choose a lip liner that matches your lip color or your lipstick/lip gloss;
- Outline your lips with the lip liner, starting at the outer edges of your upper lip and working your way to the center;
- Then do the same thing but with your bottom lip; start at the outer edges and work your way to the center;
- If you want a long-lasting and natural effect, fill in your lips with the lip liner;
- Finally, apply your lipstick or lip gloss or leave it like this.
How To Apply Lip Liner For Fuller Lips
This little tutorial is perfect if you want to learn how to apply lip liner for fuller lips without it looking like they’re fake. And lucky you, it’s actually not so hard!
Overlining your lips is possible with every type and color of lip liner, but just like I said before, if you’re unsure about your techniques, play it safe with a nude lip liner.
Pick one the closest to your natural lip color; for some of us, this is more pinkish. For others, it’s more beige nude or brownish.
Just get yourself a close lip match and follow these steps on how to apply lip liner:
- Exfoliate your lips before applying the lip liner; this will already help your lips look a bit more plumped;
- If you want to, use a hydrating lip balm for a smooth and soft base;
- Start with lining the outer edges of the upper lip, following your natural lip lines (not overlining just yet);
- When you’re at the middle part of the lips, you’re going to draw the line a little above your cupids bow;
- Start lining the outer edges of the bottom lip, again following your natural lip lines;
- In the center of your bottom lip is where you’re going to overline your lips just a tiny bit;
- Now drag the lip liner onto the lips to make it all look as natural as you can;
- Apply lipstick or lip gloss on top, or fill the complete lips with lip liner and leave it like that.
How To Match Lip Liner To Lipstick
When applying lipstick, you should make sure that the color of the lip liner and lipstick are in the same shade family.
This means that If the lipstick has red undertones, the lip liner should, too – a red lip liner won’t look great with a purple-based lipstick, for example. This goes for every color; if you make sure you’re in the same shade family, it doesn’t have to be an exact match.
As far as the shade intensity goes, there shouldn’t be too much of a contrast between the two – For example, a very dark lip liner and a very light nude lipstick.
This used to be a trend, ask your mom, and it’s making a coming back as of late, so if you want to go a little bolder, do it!
If you’re looking for the most natural look, opt for the closest match or only one or two shades deeper than your lipstick.
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