Tips on Using a Lip Liner

Line Up: Make a Lip Liner Work For You

July 22, 2010

Here's an excerpt from OnSugar blog Beauty & The Blog:

Lip liners: love 'em or hate 'em? I've never been a huge fan, as alongside eyebrows (help is here), lip liner can be another grand faux pas. But sometimes, a little liner is necessary. The important thing to remember with liner is to be aware of the need to touch up. A ring around your mouth looking like you just ate a fudgesicle is never a pretty sight.

When applying your liner, anchor your pinkie to your chin and work the liner upwards as if tracing a slight smile.
If you find the liner looks too harsh, soften edges with a Q-tip or apply liner after your lipstick.
Applying liner after your lipstick will have your liner fade off with your lipstick.
If you're not a fan, then why use lip liner? Liner defines a fading lip, adds drama to a femme fatale color, and can prevent lipstick from bleeding. Not convinced? You can never go wrong au naturel and a smoky eye.

Want to see more of this post? Discover which lip liners were used in the picture above, and while you're at it, why not start a blog of your own?

8 Comments

summer210 2 years 42 weeks

I wear lipliner daily and one big tip is to draw it on in short connecting strokes, rather than one long line. It looks more natural and doesn't tug at the skin as much.

Andrea Claire 2 years 43 weeks

KeLynns - Good tip! And clear lip liner is also great for sealing eye make up under your eyes; prevents bleeding even with eye make up! Anon - Another great tip: filling in the lip liner all over the lip - you're right! The only thing to consider when basing your entire lip with lip liner is that it may intensify your lipstick (which can be a desired effect) or change the lipstick colour if the lip liner is only 'close' in colour. Thanks for your comments and sharing your tips!

2 years 43 weeks

Oh a great way to do lipliner without getting the gross ring around your lips is to also fill your lips in with the liner, lighter on the lip than the line. It looks much more natural than just having a ring.

KeLynns 2 years 43 weeks

I like liner just because it helps lipstick stick, so I just got a clear liner that I use with everything.

Andrea Claire 2 years 43 weeks

Thanks for your comments! Marian55 - you look fantastic! I hope I do when I'm a 'mature' woman too! And you're right about that disappearing lip line - these are my lips in the post... *sigh*

Marian55 2 years 43 weeks

I love it. As a "mature" woman, I find it a necessity. As we age, the outline of our lips becomes lighter and our lips aren't very defined. Liners really help.

2 years 43 weeks

I have used it for years. Draw it on, smudge it so it covers the lip, add some Burt's Bees chapstick and I have the perfect nude mouth that lasts.

2 years 43 weeks

Its a tedious work for me, using lip liner by myself.. I'll try out your tips. Thanks..