The Definitive Guide To Lined Lips

Lip liners are your secret beauty weapons. Why? Because they can pull double- and even triple-duty. Whether you use them for some delicate detailing, to create a bold statement with a thicker outline, or to fill in with deep, saturated colour, liners can help create full, rich lips that will give your pucker a lot of pizzazz. Here are three ways to use lip liner and our picks for creating your most desired effects. —Jennifer Cox

A Light Liner

Sometimes all you need for punctuated lips is a soft outline of colour. Start the middle point of your upper lip and gently follow the curves of your lip. Do the same with your lower lip, this time corner to corner. Apply just enough pressure so that you can see a faint line but not so lightly that the tip of liner pen jumps or skips. Blend the line ever-so-softly with your finger.

Our pick: MAC Cosmetics’ Lip Pencil ($27). This pencil is multifunctional and is designed for shaping, lining, or filling in lips. It has a smooth, creamy texture that is super easy to apply. And with so many colours to choose from, you can match it to any skin tone.

Lines That Pop

Let lip liners do what they do best: Give our lips shape and texture! Lining your lips for a natural look is all about symmetry. For perfectly lined lips, trace the natural curves of your lips, starting with the upper and finishing with the lower. Experiment with other effects, such as accentuating your lips, by starting with a nude-coloured lip liner and adding some lift to the peaks of your upper lip or on the bottom of your lower lip.

Our pick: The Urban Decay 24/7 Glide-On Lip Pencil ($32). With so many shades to choose from, this liner goes on easily and has long-lasting stayability. Swipe it on in the morning and enjoy perfectly outlined lips till nighttime.

Fill Them In

Forgo the lipstick all together and use a lip liner to colour in your entire mouth. You want to look for a product that has a smooth application, so it fills in evenly and fully. Colour in your upper and bottom lips, and then use your finger to gently spread the product out and even its finish.

Our pick: Le Monster Lip Crayon from Haus Labs By Lady Gaga, available at Sephora Canada ($29). This is a clean, comfortable, creamy lip crayon for a lot of coloration. It wraps lips in moisturizing mango seed oil and lip-boosting peptides too.