How to Apply Lip Liner

Lip liner is one of those makeup accessories that some women love and other women fear, but it doesn't have to be that way. Lip liner, when applied correctly, can be used by anyone to help define the shape of lips, help lip color last longer and add color without the use of lipstick.

Difficulty: Moderately Easy

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

• Lip liner
• Mirror
• Lip gloss or lipstick

1. Select a neutral color lip liner to start with. Later you can work to match lip liner shades to those of lipsticks or your favorite outfits.

2. Use a mirror in a well lit area where you can balance your elbow on a counter if needed.

3. Begin at the indent in the center of your top lip and use short strokes of the lip liner to trace along the edge of your top lip line all the way to the corners. Do not push hard, just enough to see the color.

4. Start in one corner along the bottom lip and trace the entire edge of the bottom lip with the lip liner.

5. Color in the entire lip. Try to do this evenly, but since lip liner is a bit drying on your lips do not worry if you can't make it perfect.

6. Apply lip gloss right on top of the liner if you prefer a lighter feel on your lips or apply lipstick over the lip liner if you prefer the more matte look.

Tips & Warnings

• Lip liners in plastic containers that twist are better because you do not need to sharpen the pencil, which can be wasteful, and liners in wood casing often dry out since the wood takes the moisture out of the liner.
• Lip liners can be used to create the look of fuller lips.