How to Put On Lip Liner?

Alright, babes. Let’s talk about lip liner—it’s that one product that’s like the unsung hero of the lip game. We all have that one friend who shows up with perfectly lined lips (no smudge line in sight) and you’re like “HOWW?” Well, by the end of this post, that’s gonna be you! Lip liners have been around forever but thanks to TikTok and Insta, everyone’s obsessed again.

So, let’s get straight into it: throwing on lip liner might seem tricky, but trust me, it’s ~SO not~. Whether you’re going for a soft, natural ‘your lips but better’ look or you’re trying to contour those lips like Angelina Jolie, I’m about to break it dowwwn for you. ✨

Step 1: Get the right lip liner shade, bae.

Okay, before we even think about putting anything on, let’s talk about the shade. Do you have that one memaw who still rocks her 90s brown lip liner with pale pink lipstick? Yeah… let’s not do that 😅. The shade of your liner can make or break your whole lewk.

Here’s a quick lil’ cheat sheet:

Pro Tip: You don’t have to follow the rules though! If you feel like going all Kylie Jenner with a darker liner and lighter lipstick for that exaggerated pout, do it. Just blend the two colors seamlessly… we’re here for the drama, not the disaster, ya feel me? 😘

Step 2: Start with clean lips.

This part is clutch!!! You can’t throw on a bomb-looking lip liner when your lips are dry, cracked, or covered in remnants of yesterday’s mac n’ cheese. 🙊 The last thing you need is crumby lips while trying to serve face on your Insta stories.

Here’s what you gotta do:

1. Gently exfoliate your lips—I love using a DIY sugar scrub or you can snag a shop-bought option like the e.l.f. cosmetics lip scrub (total lifesaver for under 5 bucks).
2. Use a hydrating lip balm. Wait a few minutes, though: if you line your lips when they’re super slick, your liner will slip like it’s at a 90s roller disco.

Step 3: Find your natural lip shape.

So, you know how some days your brows just seem to have a different vibe? Well, lips are kinda like that too. They come in all shapes and sizes and the trick is enhancing them.

Now, let me spill some tea real quick: you DO NOT have to overline your lips to make them look FLAWLESS. Overlining is fun for drama, but some days we just wanna flex the natural look. If you’re into discovering your real lip vibes, here’s how:

1. Smile softly (serving just a lil’ bit of Tyra Banks “smizing” energy).
2. Look closely at the natural edge of your lips—this is what we call the vermillion border. It’s like the lip’s outline. THAT’S what we follow when we want natural-looking lips. Hit different angles on a mirror to make sure you understand your shape.

Step 4: Outline your lips—here comes the fun part!

Alright, squad, this is where the magic HAPPENS. Once your lips are clean, smooth, and you’ve locked eyes with your lip shape, it’s time to sketch that juicy pout. Grab your liner and let’s get snatched:

Method 1: For the NATURAL everyday look

If you’re like “I just want my lips to look put together without all the drama,” this method is your new BFF:

1. Start in the middle of your top lip (Cupid’s Bow). Draw an X shape at the bow of your lip. This will help you get that extra sharp precision!
2. Now, outline from the middle of your bottom lip down to each corner. (Don’t overthink it; just follow that natural shape).
3. Finish by connecting the corners on both lips softly—you don’t want to be pressing too hard on the corners because it can look kinda harsh, ya know?

Soft, light strokes for natural vibes at the corners of your lips are key!

Boom, there you have it—those naturally snatched lips!

Method 2: For the DRAMATIC pout

If you wanna be out here showing off lips that make people go “How did she do that?” then it’s time for a lil’ overlining action:

1. Same as before, start at the Cupid’s Bow and X your life.
2. When you get to the top edges, go a teeeny-tiny bit outside of where your real lip-line is. Girl, we’re talking Millimetres—Don’t go super cray with this or you’ll end up serving less Kylie and more Mrs. Potato Head (not cute).
3. Do the same for the bottom lip but only over-draw on the center of your lip! This is how you get that plump-in-the-middle softness.

Step 5: Fill it in like you’re coloring in a coloring book.

Yessss, we love a DIY that makes us feel like a lil’ kid! Once you’ve outlined your lips to their best shape, it’s time to fill them in. This step helps keep that lipstick or gloss that you rock later locked in for days (okay, not days, but like WAY longer than usual).

You’ve got two options here:

• Option 1: Use the same lip liner to fill in your whole lip. This is perfect for those matte girls who want a long-lasting, all-day slay.
• Option 2: Fill the lips partially with the liner, then layer your fave lipstick or gloss over top to create a blended wow-factor.

Quick Tip: This stage is also when you can contour for extra poppin’ lips—take a darker lip liner and use it just at the edges of the lips, and then lightly blend towards the center. It’s giving lip art.

Step 6: Blend it out, boo.

We’re not about those harsh lines in 2023. The Kardashians taught us that LESS IS MORE (kinda). So, grab your favorite lip brush or even your finger and blend the liner softly towards the center of your lips. The goal here is to make the liner look like part of the lip, not as if it’s just floating on top of it.

Blending your lip liner towards the center adds that ~*effortless*~ vibe we all crave.

If you’re feeling artsy, you can go ahead and add your lipstick or gloss at this point too. You’ll see how everything just meshes together like pure makeup heaven. Lip liner is seriously the foundation for that smooth gradient we’re all chasing.

Step 7: Time to pop off with some lipstick or gloss!

At this point, you’ve lined and blended beautifully. So, now you’ve got to decide: are you gonna go with a classic matte lipstick, or are you feeling yourself enough to throw on a juicy gloss?

For that totally popping look, consider pairing your lip liner with a gloss.

Suggestions:
– NYX Butter Gloss is ICONIC. It’s non-sticky, super affordable, and gives you that wet-lip look you see in every TikTok transition.
– Fenty Beauty Gloss Bomb—I’m honestly obsessed. Rihanna knew what she was doing because this gives that glass-shine effect that makes your lips look super juicy in selfies.

Step 8: Finish it off—and don’t forget a quick check!

You didn’t spend all this time lining those lips for them to run off before you even finish your TikTok dance! To lock it all in:

1. Blot your lips with a tissue—don’t press too hard, just enough to remove any extra layers.
2. For my babes who want extra extra staying power, a touch of translucent powder over your lips can lock everything in place. Literally bulletproof!

Quick mirror check: turn your head left, then right, and make sure those edges are clean. If you see any liner that’s playing rogue, fix it with a clean Q-tip or a tiny bit of concealer around the lip borders for that ultra-clean and crisp line.

Pssst: Don’t forget to wink at yourself, queen—you did that! 👑

And there you go, love! Now you KNOW how to rock that lip liner like the baddie you are. Lip liner isn’t just a step in your routine—it’s a whole VIBE. So try it out, experiment, and don’t be scared to get a lil’ fierce with those looks.

Drop a comment below and tell me your lip-liner hacks, or tag me in your lewks on Insta (you know I wanna see!).

Keep shining and slaying those lips! 💄🌟 #linerlife