I love all lip products from lipsticks, to lip oils, glosses and lacquers. But the one lip product that I’ve never used consistently are lip liners. It felt like an unnecessary extra step most of the time……until I reached my mid-40’s. My lip line has slowly been disappearing so I have been using lip liners nearly every day to give some definition and dimension to my lips. It’s made such a difference and now I never do my makeup without lip liner. It’s been the best addition to my everyday makeup routine but can be intimidating to know exactly how to apply it in order to get the best results. There are several different ways to apply lip liners depending on the look you want to achieve. Today’s post will walk you through basic steps that everyone can use in order to properly apply their lip liner to define and ultimately brighten your lips.
How To Apply Lip Liner to Brighten Your Lips
If you have never used lip liner before, I’ll be going through what it does and how best to use it in today’s post. It’s not an essential part of daily makeup but it does make a HUGE difference especially as we age.
What Is Lip Liner?
Lip liners are makeup pencils used to line and create definition around the lips. There are tons of different textures and formulations but most of them serve the same purpose.
What is the Purpose of Lip Liner?
- Create a fuller look to the lips
- Add definition to the edge of the lips
- Help your lipstick or lip products last longer
- Fill in uneven areas on the lips if the lipstick is patchy
- Prevents lipstick from bleeding
- Shape correcting to make the lips look more symmetrical
How To Use Lip Liner to Brighten Lips?
Prep Your Lips
Be sure to moisturize your lips prior to applying lip liner. The liner will glide on better if your lips are well prepped. Even a gentle exfoliation with a warm cloth could help with the longevity of the lip liner. I like to prep my lips with a nourishing lip mask but wipe off the excess before actually applying liner. I also like to add a tiny bit of concealer all over the lips which really helps create a blank canvas to work from.
Sharpen Your Lip Pencil
Unless your pencil is unable to be sharpened or meant to be a slightly smudgy in application, always sharpen your lip liner before using. You will have better control with a freshly sharpened pencil.
Outline the Cupid’s Bow
Start with outlining the cupid’s bow which the middle portion of the top lip. It’s better to be more precise when lining that so it’s best to start first. Then finish lining the entire top lip.
Define the Bottom Lip
Line the bottom lip starting in the middle of the lip and working your way out.
Line Slightly Outside the Natural Lip Line
If you want to enhance your lip shape and make it look more full, it’s best to draw just outside your natural lip line. The key is not to overdo it or else it will look too unnatural.
Line on the Outer Edge of the Natural Lip Line
If your desire is simply to define your lip shape and focus on longevity, line on the very outer edge of the lip but don’t go over it. This will still give a defined look but one that is not as full. Personally I find it too hard to line outside my natural lip line because I always go overboard so I usually just stick to applying lip liner to outer edge of my lip but no further than that.
Don’t Go All the Way to the Corners
Many people will suggest applying lip liner to the very outer corners of the lips but unless you are really skilled in doing so, it can look too unnatural and clown-like. I usually stop just before I hit the corner of my lip which gives a more natural and less harsh look.
Use Short Swift Strokes
It’s best to use short strokes when applying lip liner rather than one long line of application. I struggle with even drawing a straight line on a piece of paper so this tip saved me when I was struggling to figure out how to make my lip liner application better. Using those short quick strokes gave me more control and the end result was more natural looking.
Fill In
It’s best to fill in at least a portion of the lips with the liner so there isn’t a distinct line of demarcation between your lip liner and lip color. Lip liner should be undetectable or at least look like a soft ombre effect rather than a harsh line and lipstick.
Blend and Soften the Line
Either use a lip brush or your finger to blend and soften the lip liner after it’s applied.
Choose a Color Close to Your Natural Lip Shade
I have tons of lip liner shades but the ones I get the most use out of all the colors closest to my natural lip. It can take some time to find the best nude lip liners or even the best neutral lip liners, but once you do it will make all the difference. My favorite “my lip color but better” liner shade is Rhode Peptide Lip Shape Liner in Lift. It is absolute perfection.
My Most Used Lip Liners
Rhode Peptide Lip Shape Liners
The Rhode Peptide Lip Shape liners are designed to be a soft-focus blurring formula that enhances the lip shape while also delivering skincare benefits. They are meant to give the lips definition and dimension without any harsh lines. It gives the lips a more contoured appearance. And enhances the shape of the lip in a soft and subtle way. I’ve truly never tried something like this before so I didn’t even realize what I was missing! The blurred finish of these lip liners is so flattering without looking messy. I also can use them a bit outside my natural lip line without looking like I’ve over lined my lips. The soft focus formula creates a contour that looks natural and subtle. Hands down my holy grail lip liner formula and the one that I recommend to everyone.
Westman Atelier Lip Shape Lip Liner
As someone who rarely ever wore lip liner and now wears it every single day because my lip line is slowly disappearing (ugh, aging!), I really enjoy these liners. They are a traditional pencil formula with a creamy smooth texture that doesn’t skip as you apply.
Merit Beauty Signature Sheer Lip Liner
These lip liners are a creamy gel-like texture with a sheer color payoff. I do like using these as a base color because they have a beautiful moisturizing feel to them though they are not as long-wearing as the other formulas in this list. But if you really don’t like a traditional dry pencil formulation, definitely give these a try.
Too Faced Lip Injection Plumping Lip Liner
Not everyone will like this formula but I have been using it for so many years and still love it. It definitely tingles on the lips after applying and stays that way for awhile after. But the formula is fantastic, long-wearing, easy to apply and does make the lips look a tad fuller because of the plumping aspect.
Jones Road Beauty The Lip Pencil
A tried and true staple for me. A traditional pencil liner but still creamy and easy to apply. I LOVE all the shades. The two shades I have been wearing the most are Nudist and Mauve though I honestly love them all. These are a MUST TRY!
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