Unlike the bold red lipstick or that smokey eyeliner you bought to make your eyes pop, lip liner rarely takes center stage in your makeup routine. In fact, if applied correctly, you might not even notice it. But that doesn’t mean it’s not worth using. On the contrary, lip liner can be a tremendous asset in your makeup routine—if you know how to apply it properly. Here, we’ll give you an overview of lip liner, explaining its (surprisingly versatile) benefits and how to use it properly. Whether you love bold or subtle, natural makeup, learn how to apply lip liner like a pro.
What is the purpose of lip liner?
The main purpose of lip liner is to prevent lipstick from smudging—it acts almost like a barrier between your skin and lips, helping the color stay in place. When you apply lip liner precisely along your lip line, it can help emphasize the natural shape of your lips. However, lip liner can be used in other ways as well. You can draw a line slightly outside the natural edge of your lips to create the appearance of fuller lips or use the liner as lipstick (it looks great on its own or combined with lip gloss!) for long-lasting color.
The best way to apply lip liner
Before you start applying lip liner, it’s essential to prepare a few things. Here’s what you’ll need:
- Lip scrub
- Lip balm or oil
- Chosen lip liner
- Lip gloss or lipstick
- Concealer and an angled brush to fix mistakes
- Sharpener
Once you’ve gathered your tools, you can begin creating your lip look. Here’s how to apply lip liner, step by step:
Step 1: Plan your look
First of all, mentally plan your desired look. For example, do you want to emphasize the shape of your lips? Are you aiming for a natural lip look or something bolder? The answers to these questions will help you define what you want to achieve, making the whole process easier.
Step 2: Prepare your lips
Lip products apply best on smooth and soft lips, and this applies to liner as well—pigment can cling to dead skin, leading to an uneven look. We recommend starting with a lip scrub, which you can even make at home using honey and sugar. Gently rub the scrub on your lips, then rinse it off with lukewarm water. Afterward, apply a lip balm for extra hydration—and for the best results, make sure the balm has fully absorbed before applying liner.
Step 3: Draw the lip line
Next, use the lip liner, and if necessary, sharpen it. Place the tip at the center of your Cupid’s bow and start tracing your lip line. Work slowly and carefully—the more precise you are, the less likely you’ll need to fix mistakes later.
Pro Tip: If you want a more natural look, you can lightly blur the edges of the liner with your finger for a softer, diffused effect.
Step 4: Apply lip color
Then, apply your desired lip color. If using a long-wear lip liner, we recommend pairing it with a matching shade of long-lasting liquid lipstick—these products are designed to go together and give you a natural, cohesive lip look.
Step 5: Correct the edges
Even if you follow our step-by-step guide, it’s possible the lines won’t be as even or sharp as you’d like. That’s perfectly fine—you can easily fix minor mistakes with concealer. Take a small angled brush, dip it in your favorite concealer, and slowly go along the edges of your lips to correct any imperfections. Once you’ve done this, blend the concealer well with the rest of your makeup for a flawless finish.
How to make your lips look fuller with lip liner
As we mentioned earlier, one of the benefits of lip liner is that it can be used to create the appearance of fuller lips. This is achieved with a technique known as “overlining,” which involves drawing outside your natural lip line. Here’s how to make your lips look fuller in four steps.
Step 1: Overline your lips
First, start tracing your lips as explained in the previous guide. Then, using the tip of the liner, extend the line slightly outside your natural lip line where you want to add volume. It’s important to note that you don’t want to extend the overlined look to the very corners of your lips, as this can look unnatural. Instead, work slowly and find the natural point where the overline merges with your natural lip line.
Pro Tip: Want a well-defined Cupid’s bow? Try drawing an “X” on it before overlining your lips (this will also make them appear slightly fuller).
Step 2: Add a lipstick that’s a shade lighter
After applying liner, apply a lipstick two to three shades lighter than your chosen liner—the contrast will further enhance the illusion of fullness.
Step 3: Finish with lip gloss
To truly emphasize a full-lip look, we recommend applying gloss to the center of both the upper and lower lips. The reflective, creamy gloss can help your lips look fuller and more voluminous.
Step 4: Contour and highlight
You may not think about contouring your lips, but trust us: This technique can make them look extra plump. First, use your favorite contour shade to draw a small line just below the center of your bottom lip, on the top of your chin. Blend it well—if done correctly, it will look like your lip casts a shadow, making it appear fuller.
Once satisfied with the contouring, take your favorite shade of liquid highlighter to outline the top of the Cupid’s bow. While contour creates a “shadow,” highlighter draws attention to the upper lip.
How to keep your lip liner in place
Lip liners are usually made to be smudge-resistant, but that doesn’t mean they’re completely transfer-proof. Here are a few tricks to keep your lip liner in place.
Fill in your lips with liner
For an ultra-long-lasting look, try filling in your entire lip area with liner instead of just tracing the lip line. For the longest-lasting appearance, we recommend a waterproof lip liner, which applies smoothly thanks to its creamy texture.
Set with translucent powder
Setting powder isn’t just for your face. Adding a bit of powder to your lips after applying color can help prevent smudging, fading, or transferring. Instead of applying powder directly to your lips, place a tissue over your lips and then use a brush to apply powder over the tissue. This trick ensures you don’t overdo the powder and reduces the chance of creating an unwanted texture on your lips.
