Truth be told, lip liner is an underrated product. It needs more love, not just because it makes applying lipstick so much easier, but also because it can do some serious makeup magic with minimal effort. It can basically change your lip shape in a few strokes, whether it's a fuller or more pared down look you're going for. Check out the chart below for an easy to follow guide!
According to the chart, you can create the look of either a larger upper or lower lip by overlining the area you want to enhance and lining the opposite side normally. Meanwhile, lining the inside of your natural lip line will give the illusion of smaller lips. The same goes for creating the illusion of a wider or narrower mouth—you either go a little beyond or within your natural lip line for your desired effect.
Makeup artist Lala Flores confirms that she and fellow makeup artists use these tips, and they actually make a difference! "We call this corrective makeup to create balance and harmony in the face," she says. It works a bit like contouring, since it uses lines and shading to create or remove shadows.
According to Lala, trying the techniques listed above on your own lips will look more natural if you use a shade that matches your own lip color. But if you're using both a liner and a lipstick, Laura Mercier's Mark Qua recommends pairing two colors that are not too different from each other. That way, your lip contouring will look more natural—like a soft gradient, if you will!
Try these tricks with the liners below!
IMAGE MUFE, Zalora
MAKE UP FOR EVER Aqua Lip Waterproof Pencil in Rosewood, P1350, SM Megamall; BEYU Soft Liner in Red Anemona, P495, Zalora
Hey, Preview readers! Follow us on Facebook, Instagram, YouTube, Tiktok, and Twitter to stay up to speed on all things trendy and creative. We’ll curate the most stylish feed for you!
