How to Use Lip Liner In The Most Flattering Way

Lip liner can enhance a look, but it can also be applied incorrectly, in a way that announces to the world: “Look! I am wearing lip liner!” Read this article for tips about how to use lip liner in subtle, flattering and appealing ways.

Difficulty: Moderately Challenging

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

• Lip liner

1. As you know, lip liner comes in a wide variety of shades. Try not to choose lip liner that is way too dark for your skin tone, or for the shades of lipstick you like to use, or even for the natural shade of your lips. If you use very dark lip liner and apply several layers of it, then when your lipstick or lip gloss starts to fade over the course of the day, all that will remain is a dark and unnatural looking outline of your lips.

2. Do not apply lip liner way past the natural lines of your lip in an effort to make your lips look larger or poutier. Of course large, pouty lips like those belonging to Angelina Jolie are all the rage. But when you draw a lip outline that goes way outside of your own natural lip line, it can look quite odd, especially as your lipstick fades during the day.

3. Speaking of your natural lip line, when you apply lip liner, simply follow along your natural lip line with the lip liner to create the most natural looking effect, but don’t press too hard when applying the lip liner, as an overly forceful application style is what can create a line that is too dark and too harsh looking. If the line comes out crooked, simply rub off the lip liner gently with warm water and start again. You also don’t have to draw over the same line countless times. Remember, you are going for subtlety and softness in your look, not harshness or excess. Less is more, as the old saying goes, perhaps especially when it comes to applying lip liner.

4. Consider experimenting with a few different shades of lip liner until you find the one (or a few) that seem to enhance your complexion and lip color the best. However, if you are going to buy more than one lip liner, note that there is no need to spend an excessive amount of money on department store lip liner when the lip liners available at your local pharmacy or discount store also come in name brands and work just as well as the costlier department store versions.

Tips & Warnings

• If you have any concerns about how you are currently applying lip liner, you can always ask your mom, sister, and/or a trusted good friend for their input, but be ready at least to listen to their advice, even if you don’t ultimately follow it.

[slphilbrick]

on 3/26/2009 Great tips on using lip liner most effectively !