When I was younger, I had a friend whose signature look was nude lip liner with a bit of Vaseline every day. It was fantastic—subtle and chic—and she’s still wearing the exact same thing 30 years later.
I, on the other hand, always thought lip liner wasn’t for me. I prefer just a little balm or gloss on my lips. But recently, lip liner has become trendy, so for the sake of journalism, I decided to give it a try. A makeup artist applied a soft pink shade to my lips, and I was shocked by how much it changed my look.
Now, I totally get my friend’s obsession—and dedication—to lip liner. Here’s how I’ve started using it every day.
The benefits of using lip liner
“Lip liner is a must-have because it lets you define, correct, and shape your lips in a very subtle but effective way,” says Sergio Antón De Las Nieves, a YSL Beauty makeup artist. “It not only makes your lips look better, but it also transforms your whole face.”
Shaping lips to look bigger with lip liner is a trick that celebrity makeup artist and KJH.Brand founder Katie Jane Hughes uses on high-profile clients like Dua Lipa. She suggests using a liner one shade darker than your skin tone to add small marks just outside the lip line at the corners of your mouth, your cupid’s bow, and the middle of your bottom lip. Then, blend with a fluffy brush. “This creates a soft, blurred finish without removing the product,” she said, noting that less blending gives more definition, while more blending creates an even softer look.
The secret to natural-looking lips
For people like me who’ve avoided lip liner because they’re afraid it won’t look natural, De Las Nieves says the key is to use shades that are very close to your natural lip color.
Application matters too. “Don’t draw a too-stiff line, and blend the edge a little,” he adds. “It also helps to lightly fill in your lips with the liner itself, because it makes everything look more cohesive, more natural, and it lasts longer.”
I almost always apply my lip liner, blend it, fill in my lips, and add a touch of gloss to the center—kind of reinventing my teenage friend’s go-to look.
What lip liner should I use?
De Las Nieves suggests looking for a product that’s long-lasting and creamy (his favorite is YSL Beauty’s Kiss Shaper Sculpting Lip Liner, which comes in 10 different shades).
Vogue’s favorites, which all fit the bill, are below.
– Yves Saint Laurent Kiss Shaper Sculpting Lip Liner, $29 at Nordstrom
– Wonderskin 360 Contour Lip Liner, $18 at Amazon
– Merit Signature Lip Liner, $24 at Merit or Sephora
– MAC Cosmetics Lip Liner, $25 at Nordstrom
– NYX Lip Lingerie Liner Stain, $12 at Amazon
– Victoria Beckham Beauty Lip Definer Waterproof Lip Liner, $32 (now $26, 19% off) at Victoria Beckham Beauty
– Rhode Peptide Lip Shape, $24 at Rhode
– Westman Atelier Lip Shape Lip Liner, $34 at Nordstrom or Westman Atelier
Have a beauty or wellness trend you’re curious about? We want to know! Send Vogue’s senior beauty & wellness editor an email at beauty@vogue.com.
Frequently Asked Questions
Here is a list of FAQs about starting to use lip liner at 44 and why it becomes a musthave
BeginnerLevel Questions
1 Why would someone start using lip liner at 44
As we age our lip lines can blur and lose definition Lip liner helps restore a crisp shape making lips look fuller and more youthful It also prevents lipstick from bleeding into those fine lines around the mouth
2 Isnt lip liner just for drawing a hard line around the lips
Not anymore Modern lip liners are creamy and blendable You can use them to outline softly fill in the entire lip for a longlasting base or even create a subtle ombré effect
3 Do I have to match the liner exactly to my lipstick
No A nude or neutral liner that matches your natural lip color is the most versatile You can wear it alone under gloss or with any lipstick shade For a more defined look match the liner to your lipstick
4 Will a dark lip liner make me look older
Only if you leave a harsh line without blending The key is to soften the line by smudging it inward with your finger or a brush A slightly darker liner can actually add volume if blended well
5 Whats the best way to apply lip liner so it looks natural
Start at the center of your upper lip and trace outward toward the corners Do the same on the bottom lip Then lightly fill in the rest of the lip Avoid drawing outside your natural lip line unless you want a very dramatic enlarged look
Advanced Practical Questions
6 How do I keep lip liner from looking dry or cakey
Exfoliate your lips gently first Then apply a thin layer of balm and let it absorb for a minute Choose a creamy hydrating liner formula If your liner feels dry warm it on the back of your hand before applying
7 Can lip liner actually make my lips look fuller without fillers
Yes Slightly overdraw your lip linebut only by a millimeter or twofocusing on the center of the upper lip and the middle of the bottom lip Keep the corners of your mouth natural Then fill in with the same liner and top with a gloss