Lip liners: The unsung heroes of makeup

I think it’s a canon event, for lots of people who start wearing makeup, to at some point realise just how much of a lifesaver lip liner is. I can definitely speak on my own behalf in that discovering lip liner helped elevate my simple makeup looks into something more cohesive and classier with minimal added effort. Where lip gloss contributes in terms of sheer and sparkle, lip liner assists in providing definition and sharpness, which contrasts beautifully with the softer elements of a makeup look. It’s now a step that cannot be skipped, and my lip liner has a permanent home in my pocket wherever I go.

It really is a trial-and-error process before you find something that looks right for you

The trick with applying lip liner is making sure to follow the natural contours and outlines of your lips. This will be different for everyone, so it really is a trial-and-error process before you find something that looks right for you. Over the years, the trends have oscillated between keeping it natural and confined and over-lining the lips to make them appear fuller. Whilst it’s less of a hot topic these days, it’s fair to say that over-lining is not in fashion and is generally deemed as perhaps too much or rather obvious. People prefer to follow the existing shape of their lips and perhaps only slightly and subtly colour outside the lines for a bit of a plumper look.

Now, once you have established how to apply your lip liner, the next step is incorporating it into your makeup looks. There are some things to think about when choosing a lip liner to create a perfect lip combo.

Boldness
It’s important to take into consideration the natural colour of your lips. For most, it makes sense to pick something a bit darker or brighter than your natural colour – this is so it stands out and adds some dimension and illusive shadow.

Warmth
There are so many different shades available on the market that it is also important to think about the warmth or coolness of the lip liner shade too. Some prefer to alternate between a warm tone for summer and a cool tone for winter, whilst others opt for purplish berry tones for summer and bright vermillion to stand out boldly with winter outfits.

Makeup style
I’d also advise taking not only your skin tone but also your normal makeup style into account when choosing a lip liner. As a south Asian, I find that going for darker and warmer lip liners elevate the existing two-tone lips I have. Having a more natural but defining lip liner allows me to wear a wider range of lipstick shades such as light pinks and dark reds without risking a garish, messy, or incohesive look, as the lip liner keeps it looking harmonious with the rest of my more natural, subtle makeup.

Once you find a lip liner that works for you, consider your lip combo sorted

Budget/Other requirements
Most will agree that drugstore makeup often performs just as well – if not better – than expensive, branded makeup. Nevertheless, there are plenty of options on the market for all needs: the NYX plumping lip liner is a personal favourite as I dislike having to sharpen a pencil every so often and much prefer the push out system it uses. It also has the same quality as reputable makeup brands such as MAC, but with significantly more affordable prices. Some lip liners are more sensitive to dry lips, like the Rare Beauty liners that have a balmy texture. There have also been raving reviews for e.l.f. lip liners remain a standout for being both budget-friendly and impressively high quality.

There is plenty to consider when experimenting with any new makeup, but once you find a lip liner that works for you, consider your lip combo sorted! I used to think some lip sticks just look ugly on me and there is nothing to be done about it, until I found out that all I needed was a lip liner that allowed the lip combo to work more harmoniously with my face, and I could expand my lip combo palette as much as I want.