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\u2019t mean it\u2019s not worth using. On the contrary, lip liner can be a tremendous asset in your makeup routine\u2014if you know how to apply it properly. Here, we\u2019ll 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.<\/p>\n
What is the purpose of lip liner?<\/strong><\/p>\n The main purpose of lip liner is to prevent lipstick from smudging\u2014it 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.<\/p>\n The best way to apply lip liner<\/strong><\/p>\n Before you start applying lip liner, it\u2019s essential to prepare a few things. Here\u2019s what you\u2019ll need:<\/p>\n Once you\u2019ve gathered your tools, you can begin creating your lip look. Here\u2019s how to apply lip liner, step by step:<\/p>\n Step 1: Plan your look<\/strong><\/p>\n 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.<\/p>\n Step 2: Prepare your lips<\/strong><\/p>\n Lip products apply best on smooth and soft lips, and this applies to liner as well\u2014pigment 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\u2014and for the best results, make sure the balm has fully absorbed before applying liner.<\/p>\n Step 3: Draw the lip line<\/strong><\/p>\n Next, use the lip liner, and if necessary, sharpen it. Place the tip at the center of your Cupid\u2019s bow and start tracing your lip line. Work slowly and carefully\u2014the more precise you are, the less likely you\u2019ll need to fix mistakes later.<\/p>\n Pro Tip:<\/strong>\u00a0If you want a more natural look, you can lightly blur the edges of the liner with your finger for a softer, diffused effect.<\/p>\n Step 4: Apply lip color<\/strong><\/p>\n 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\u2014these products are designed to go together and give you a natural, cohesive lip look.<\/p>\n Step 5: Correct the edges<\/strong><\/p>\n Even if you follow our step-by-step guide, it\u2019s possible the lines won\u2019t be as even or sharp as you\u2019d like. That\u2019s perfectly fine\u2014you 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\u2019ve done this, blend the concealer well with the rest of your makeup for a flawless finish.<\/p>\n How to make your lips look fuller with lip liner<\/strong><\/p>\n 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 \u201coverlining,\u201d which involves drawing outside your natural lip line. Here\u2019s how to make your lips look fuller in four steps.<\/p>\n Step 1: Overline your lips<\/strong><\/p>\n 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\u2019s important to note that you don\u2019t 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.<\/p>\n Pro Tip:<\/strong>\u00a0Want a well-defined Cupid\u2019s bow? Try drawing an \u201cX\u201d on it before overlining your lips (this will also make them appear slightly fuller).<\/p>\n Step 2: Add a lipstick that\u2019s a shade lighter<\/strong><\/p>\n After applying liner, apply a lipstick two to three shades lighter than your chosen liner\u2014the contrast will further enhance the illusion of fullness.<\/p>\n Step 3: Finish with lip gloss<\/strong><\/p>\n 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.<\/p>\n Step 4: Contour and highlight<\/strong><\/p>\n 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\u2014if done correctly, it will look like your lip casts a shadow, making it appear fuller.<\/p>\n Once satisfied with the contouring, take your favorite shade of liquid highlighter to outline the top of the Cupid\u2019s bow. While contour creates a \u201cshadow,\u201d highlighter draws attention to the upper lip.<\/p>\n How to keep your lip liner in place<\/strong><\/p>\n Lip liners are usually made to be smudge-resistant, but that doesn\u2019t mean they\u2019re completely transfer-proof. Here are a few tricks to keep your lip liner in place.<\/p>\n Fill in your lips with liner<\/strong><\/p>\n 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.<\/p>\n Set with translucent powder<\/strong><\/p>\n Setting powder isn\u2019t 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\u2019t overdo the powder and reduces the chance of creating an unwanted texture on your lips.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":" 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\u2019t mean it\u2019s not worth using. On the contrary, lip liner can be a tremendous asset […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":8468,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[237],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-9228","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-pierre-cardin-cosmetics"],"yoast_head":"\n\n