Certain elements of your makeup look, like perfectly filled-in brows or seamless contour, can take your appearance to the next level. Another one to add to that list is expertly lined and filled lips. When your lipstick looks just right, it brings your entire makeup look together and the results are captivating.
The trick to perfecting your lipstick application is to match your lip liner and lipstick combo. That means using similar shades and finishes so the two products can work together to create smooth application and endure your lipstick lasts. Below, we’re sharing how to match your lipstick and lip liner like a pro, plus offering lip liner and lipstick duos to try and tips for improving your overall lipstick application.
While you could argue that makeup has no rules, matching your lip liner to your lipstick is a fantastic way to ensure seamless application and a near-perfect lip look. If you're wearing matte lipstick, it’s going to perform best and last the longest with a matte lip liner. The whole point of lining your lips is to create definition and a base for your lipstick in order to prevent feathering and smudging, so when the shades and formulas match, the outcome is pristine and long-wearing.
Here are two things to consider when trying to match your lip liner and lipstick.
Always match the finish of your lipstick to your lip liner. This means you should pair matte lip liner with matte lipstick, satin lip liner with satin lipstick and so on. Doing so will help your lipstick wear better and last longer.
You’ll want to use a lip liner that’s one to two shades darker than your lipstick while keeping it in the same color family with the same undertones. The reason is because lip liner is meant to define your lips while preventing feathering and smudging so if you choose a lighter shade, you won’t get definition. Depending on what your makeup goals are, it may be beneficial to choose a shade of lip liner that is two shades darker than your lipstick because it can subtly contour your lips, making them appear bigger.
To take out the guesswork, here are seven (matching) lip liner and lipstick combos to try for a dazzling lip look.
To rock a true red lipstick with a velvety finish, use the L’Oréal Paris Colour Riche Intense Volume Matte Lipstick in Le Rouge Avant Garde and the L’Oréal Paris Colour Riche Matte Lip Liner in In-Matte-uated With You.
For a punchy red lip with a satin sheen, try the L’Oréal Paris Colour Riche Reds Of Worth Satin Lipstick With Saturated Color in Lovely Red and the L’Oréal Paris Colour Riche Lip Liner in Always Red.
This purple-meets nude-hue looks especially pretty on medium skin tones. Pair the L’Oréal Paris Colour Riche Satin Lipstick in Saucy Mauve with the L’Oréal Paris Color Riche Lip Liner in Eternal Mauve to get the look.
Hot pink is the perfect way to add a pop of color to your night-out makeup look. Pair the L’Oréal Paris Colour Riche Matte Lipstick in Matte-Moiselle Pink with the L’Oréal Paris Colour Riche Matte Lip Liner in Best Mattes.
Chocolate brown lipstick makes a stunning statement on medium to deep skin tones. Pick up the L’Oréal Paris Colour Riche Satin Lipstick in Spice and the L’Oréal Paris Colour Riche Lip Liner in More Chocolate to get the look.
Orchid is another bright hue that’s ideal for a night on the town. Try matching the L’Oréal Paris Colour Riche Matte Lipstick in At the Drop of a Matte with the L’Oréal Paris Colour Riche Matte Riche Lip Liner in Strike a Matte-ch for a lively purple look.
This pink-meets-orange hue is a fun pick for summer makeup. To get coral lips, use the L’Oréal Paris Age Perfect Makeup Satin Lipstick with Precious Oils in Spring Coral and the L’Oréal Paris Colour Riche Lip Liner in Forever Rose.
Thanks to color theory, a certain shade of lipstick may look ultra-flattering on your pale skin tone with cool undertones, but completely different and not-so-complementary on your friend with medium skin and warm undertones. In short, undertones matter when you’re picking a shade. Here are two things to consider when deciding on a lipstick shade.
A good trick to finding the right shade of lipstick for your skin tone is to look at your undertones. If you have cool undertones, reach for lipsticks with cool undertones like blue-red or baby pink shades. If you have warm undertones, reach for lipsticks with warm undertones like red-orange or burgundy shades. If you have neutral undertones, you can take your pick of either.
If you have a pale skin tone, reach for baby pinks, corals and softer shades of lipstick to balance out your complexion. If you have a medium to deep or dark skin tone, try out darker shades like berry pink, chocolate and vampy red so your complexion doesn’t appear washed out. Orange also looks really stunning on medium to deep skin.
Once you’ve found a matching lip liner and lipstick duo, here’s how to apply the two for a smooth look.
While coordinated lipstick and lip liner are great for creating a striking lip look, how you prep your pout can make all the difference in how your product pairing looks in the end. Before applying anything, use a lip scrub to exfoliate dead skin cells from the surface of your lips. If you don’t have a lip scrub, use the corner of a damp towel or washcloth to lightly exfoliate your lips. The terry texture is ideal for removing flakes and dead skin without causing irritation.
After exfoliating, dab on a lip primer to create a smooth base for your lip liner and lipstick. If you don’t have a lip primer on hand, you can use a tiny bit of foundation or concealer to blur your natural lip line.
Use your lip liner of choice to define the shape of your lips and fill them in to create a base for your lipstick. Lip liner prevents your lipstick from feathering or migrating outside the lines so this isn’t a step you want to skip. Start in the center of your top lip and line your Cupid’s bow accordingly. Then, move from the center, outwards to line both corners and repeat on your bottom lip. Finally, use your lip liner to color in the unfilled area of your lips.
If you happened to color a little outside the lines at any point, no worries, just use the L’Oréal Paris Ideal All Skin Types Makeup Removing Towelettes to erase any errors. You can also use concealer and an angled brush.
The final step is to apply your lipstick. Start in the center of your lips and move outward towards the corners. If you chose a darker lip liner, use a lip brush to blend the liner with your lipstick for a consistent blend.
Next: How to Make Purple Lipstick Work for You
Photo Design: Sarah Duvivier
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