The Tamesis
When I was younger, I had a friend whose signature beauty look was nude lip liner and a little Vaseline every day. It’s so cool – subtle and chic – that she’s still wearing the same outfit 30 years later.
On the other hand, I’ve always thought lip liner wasn’t for me. I like to put a little lip balm or gloss on my lips. But lip liner is all the rage lately, so for the sake of news, I decided to give it a try. The makeup artist applied a soft pink color to my lips and I was shocked at the immediate change in my appearance.
Now, I totally understand my friend’s obsession and dedication to lip liner. Here’s how I start using it every day.
Benefits of using lip liner
“Lip liner is a must-have tool because it allows you to define, correct and shape your lip lines in a very subtle yet effective way,” says Sergio Antón De Las Nieves, YSL Beauty makeup artist. “Not only does it make the lips look better, but it transforms the entire face.”
Using lip liner to make your lips appear larger is a trick celebrity makeup artist and KJH.Brand founder Katie Jane Hughes uses for high-profile clients like Dua Lipa. She recommends using eyeliner one shade darker than your skin tone and adding small marks just outside the lip line at the corners of the mouth, cupid’s bow, and midway down the base of the lip. From there, blend with a fluffy brush. “This creates a soft, blurry finish without removing product,” she says, noting that less blending creates more definition, while more blending creates a softer finish.
Tips for Natural-Looking Lips
For people like me who avoid lip liner for fear of looking unnatural, De Las Nieves says the key is to use a shade that’s very close to your natural lip color.
Application is also important. “Don’t draw too stiff lines and blend the edges a little,” he adds. “It also helps to lightly fill in the lips with the liner itself, as it makes everything look fuller and more natural, and lasts longer.”
I almost always apply lip liner, blend, then fill in my lips and add a hint of gloss in the middle, sort of reinventing my teenage friend’s staple.
What lip liner should I use?
De Las Nieves recommends looking for a product that’s long-lasting and smooth (his favorite is YSL Beauty’s Kiss Shaper Sculpting Lip Liner, which comes in 10 different shades).
Vogue magazine’s favorites, all of which fit the bill, are below.
