Why Lip Liner is an Essential Makeup Item
When you think of your daily makeup essentials, you probably go through a very specific checklist. Most of us consider our foundation, mascara, eyeliner, blush, and maybe lipstick the essentials to a good look. Maybe you add eyeshadow for special occasions, or maybe you need some powder to control shine and oil.
What you may not think of is lip liner. If you haven’t been well-acquainted with this magical simple product, you’re probably unaware of its benefits and variety of uses and shades. Here are a few reasons why you should recognize lip liner as an essential makeup item.
It Makes Your Lipstick Pop
Lip liner is best known for its super tight relationship with lipstick, and rightfully so. Here are a few reasons lip liner can take your favorite lipstick to the next level.
Matching Lip Liner for A Cleaner Look
Using a regular lipstick can require a certain level of skill to make sure your lip color goes on, and stays on, only your lips. With the wide variety of colors you can purchase your lip liner in, there’s sure to be one out there that perfectly matches your favorite shade of lipstick.
For a clean, precise lip color, start by outlining your lips in your lip liner. For your cupid’s bow (the dip in the middle of your top lip) just draw an x where the dip is. Then, blend it a bit inwards and layer your lipstick on top of it as normal. Lining before using the lipstick step makes for a more intense look. For a lighter look, you can reverse this process and use your lipstick before your liner.
Contrasting Lip Liner to Create Dimension
You can also use a lip liner in a slightly darker shade than your lipstick or lip gloss. To add some contouring and dimension, use a slightly darker lip liner on your cupid’s bow and middle of your bottom lip, then blend out the corners in a slightly lighter shade. This adds fullness to the center of your lips, making your pout appear plumper.
It Can Be Used By Itself
This may be news to you, but lip liner can actually be used without lipstick at all. If you pick a shade you really love, you can outline your lips precisely and then fill them in completely, all using the same single tool. This is great news for those of us who need a makeup routine that is as simple and quick as possible.
After you fill out your lips, you can give them a nice sheen by layering some lacquer on top of this look.
Lip Liner Also Comes in Nude and Clear Options
Okay, so when you hear “clear liner,” it may seem like “what’s the point?” But clear liner can be a good option for people who don’t vibe with the idea of a traditional lip liner. Apply your clear liner on your lips before layering on your lipstick or lip gloss to ensure a longer-lasting look. It’s sort of like a primer for your lips.
Or, use a nude liner to create a plumpifying look. All you have to do to achieve an easily augmented appearance, overdraw the border of your lip slightly with a nice, neutral lip liner.
Add Lip Liner to Your Daily Makeup Routine
With all of the versatile ways you can utilize a new lip liner, it’s an easy, fun, and inexpensive way to ramp up your daily makeup routine. We’re sure it will become a staple in your makeup bag because once you start using lip liner, you’re not going to want to stop.
