Beauty

A night out? Here's how to apply your lip liner like a pro

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Okay, girls, I need to confess something. I've been wearing makeup for five years, but a month ago I still needed a YouTube tutorial to discover that I was applying my lip liner completely wrong. Yep, I had been applying my lip liner incorrectly all this time. But hey, since I've been doing it right now, I've received more compliments than ever. That tutorial really worked. And because I don't believe in gatekeeping, I want to share my new little secret with you: this is how you apply your lip liner like a pro makeup artist.

Finding the right color

Okay, confession time: choosing a lip liner isn't as hard as you think, but finding your right color is really important. The most important thing: your lip liner should be in the same tone as your lipstick/gloss, otherwise you'll have one of those “oh, that's not what I wanted” moments. So, what do you do? Simple: choose a lip liner that is exactly the same color as your lipstick. Do you never wear lipstick and prefer to keep it natural? Then choose a color that is almost the same color as your lips. If you want to create fuller lips (you know, the Kardashian look), go for a lip liner that is one shade darker than your own lips.

And then, the trick for that ultimate match: pay attention to your undertone. Do you have a warm undertone? Then you want lip liners with orange or yellowish tones (think: peach or warm brown). Are you cool-toned? Then pink, burgundy, or purple shades are your new best friends. It can't get easier than that, right?

And then there's skin tone, because you can match a color to that too. Do you have a light skin tone? Rosewood, pink, or beige nudes work well. Do you have a dark skin tone? Then go for those deep browns, burgundy, or chocolate shades.

Prep your lips for the liner

Step 2: It's all about that good preparation. Before you start your makeup, it's important to exfoliate your lips and remove those dead skin cells. You can do this with a lip scrub or a toothbrush (haha, yep, it really works).

So, you've done that, now it's time to do your makeup. Lip liner comes as the last step and that means your lips are probably still full of foundation residue. Clean your lips with a makeup wipe and apply a thin layer of primer on your lips – it provides a smooth base that helps your lip liner adhere better and prevents it from fading. Here you will find the best lip primer.

Oh yes, our favorite brand Skins also has a handy tip: after applying the lip liner, you can apply a bit of setting powder along your lip contour with a fine brush. This ensures that your lip liner stays in place all day without you having to worry about it smudging.

How to apply it perfectly

Yes, the moment of truth, because how do you apply your liner perfectly? Grab your powder, uuuhh? powder? weren't we supposed to line our lips? Yup, grab your powder. With a small brush, apply powder around your lip, ensuring sharp lines. This helps you know exactly where you're going to apply your liner.

Then you move on to drawing a sort of ‘X’ on your cupid's bow. It may sound weird, but it creates that perfect symmetry and helps you create a beautiful, balanced upper lip. Oh yes, make sure your pencil is sharp (mega important). Then it's time to outline the corners of your lips. This gives your lips that defined look, as if you've just come from the salon. Now comes the next step: your lower lip. Draw a tight line along the bottom of your lips to round them off nicely, but keep it subtle – you don't want harsh lines. It's time to connect everything: the X, the corners, and the lower lip. Once you've done that, you'll see that your lips suddenly take shape, as if they were always meant to be that way. But wait, we're not done yet: grab your lip liner and blend the lines well. This makes your lips nice and soft and ensures a smoother transition.

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Finish off the lips with a lip gloss or a lipstick. A lip gloss with the same undertone as your lip liner? That's often my go-to, and it makes your lips look plumper than ever. I love it. My favorite lip gloss is from KIKO, wallet-friendly, but always with perfect results and looks great in your makeup bag.