How to Use Concealer for Defined Lips

By now, we’re all familiar with the shape-shifting makeup technique that is known as contouring your face. Whether it be the jawline, the lips or the cheekbones, contour can really slim and chisel your features. Lip contour is a great way to fake a plumper pout; it typically includes slightly overlining your lips, applying bronzer just below the center of your bottom lip and using concealer to carve out the shape of your lip. The concealer technique will help define your lips for a more prominent pout, and if you haven’t tried it out before, it’s worth a try. Ahead, find a step-by-step tutorial on how to use concealer for defined, full lips.

How to Use Concealer for Defined Lips 

Grab some concealer and your favorite lipstick. Here’s how to use the two for a selfie-worthy pout.

1. Pick Your Concealer

Choosing the right concealer for your skin tone is the first step when it comes to using it for a defined pout. You’ll want to use one with a finish that matches your foundation so it blends seamlessly with the rest of your makeup. We recommend using one with a matte formula, like L’Oréal Paris Infallible Full Wear Concealer Waterproof, Full Coverage. If you use foundation with a more luminous finish, try L’Oréal Paris True Match Radiant Serum Concealer with Hyaluronic Acid, Caffeine. 

2. Add Some Highlights

To properly define your lips, you’ll need two shades of concealer, one that is a shade lighter than your skin tone and one that is a shade darker — aka a highlighting shade and a contouring shade. 

For this step, start with the lighter shade. Use a lip brush to take a small amount of product from the tube of your concealer to outline your cupid’s bow and the outer thirds of both your upper and lower lips. If you want your lips to appear fuller, outline just slightly outside of your natural lip line.

3. …and Some Shadows

Wipe off your lip brush and dip it into the tube of your darker shade of concealer, picking up the littlest dot of product. Use this to line the outer corners of your lips, as well as the center of your bottom lip. Again, outline just outside of your natural lip shape for a fuller appearance.

4. Blend, Blend, Blend

Next, blend all your lip concealers together for a seamless look. We recommend using a makeup sponge and light bouncing motion for this. If you get concealer on your lips, don’t worry about it — the next step is applying lipstick.

5. Grab Your Lip Liner

Reach for a lip liner like L’Oréal Paris Colour Riche Lip Liner in a shade that’s two colors darker than your lipstick. With light pressure, drag the pencil across your lip line and trace the shape.

6. Color Your Pout

Reach for your lipstick of choice and fill in your lips. We recommend something that stands out with a long-wearing finish like L’Oréal Paris Infallible Matte Resistance Liquid Lipstick or L’Oréal Paris Colour Riche Intense Volume Matte Lipstick. Both formulas are infused with hyaluronic acid for a comfortable lip look.  

7. Perfect Your Shape

To fine tune your lip shape or fix any lip color mistakes, reach for those two shades of concealer again. Follow the same process of applying the lighter shade to your cupid’s bow and outer thirds, as well as the darker shade to the outer corners and middle of the bottom lip. This time, use your pinky to carefully blend the edges so as not to mess up your lipstick, but still blur where your concealer meets your foundation.

Next: The Best Nude Lipstick for Every Skin Tone

Photographer: Stephanie Price, Photo Assistant: Thomas Miller, Digi Tech: Sergio Colon, Art Director: Hannah Packer, Creative Producer: Becca Solovay, Content Director: Shalwah Evans, Visual Designer: Sarah Duvivier, Makeup Artist: Kelly Bellevue, Hair Stylist: Akihisa Yamaguchi, Wardrobe Stylist: Rika Watanabe, Wardrobe Assistant: Fausti, Model: Anastasia Offutt