There’s undeniably nothing like the ease of a one-swipe lipstick when you want to get out the door.
Lately though, there’s been a significant shift in popularity to more relaxed-looking lip finishes – lip stains, balms and glossy colours are now among the most sought-after makeup products.
They are perfect for a more uncontrived look, but they can lack a bit of impact and structure on the face.
The solution? Applying a lip liner first to define the lips and add a touch more depth of colour, before putting the glossy-texture product over the top.
This combination has been a winner on social media, where there are plenty of posts detailing the perfect product pairings to get a fresh, modern lip look. The best part is, this is an approach that has an abundance of wallet-friendly options to dive into. It means even if you’re not convinced a more daring colour or combo is for you, it’s easier to have a play around with the trend.
Brands have certainly been catching on to our love for wearing our lips this way, because over the past few months there has been a glut of great new liners in appealing shades, as well as feel-good glosses that are smooth, not sticky.
What colour liner you choose depends on the look you’re going for. The most subtle way is to choose a colour similar to, or a touch deeper than your own lip shade. Tawny browns, nudes and deeper chocolate hues are also popular right now.
If you want to create the illusion of volume, try contouring your lips by carefully lining the edges and bringing the colour slightly inwards (a lip brush helps blend the colour) leaving the center of lips bare. Then, apply the sheer gloss colour over the top to finish the look.
One downside of the liner + gloss look is that it doesn’t have the best longevity. It’s a good idea to make sure you carry the products with you, and check whether it needs reapplying throughout the day or night, particularly after eating.
These are out favourite combos right now:
Plum pout
Try this:Revlon Colorstay Multi-Liner in Dallying and Revlon Super Lustrous Glimmer Lip Oil in Candy Hearts
A plummy- mauve liner that lasts well and has a brush tip for blending the colour. It works perfectly with smooth feel of the Revlon lip oil gloss that has light reflecting properties but no glittery particles. There are a number of rich neutral shades designed to meet the needs of a wide number of skin tones.
Mocha mousse
Try this: Maybelline Lifter Liner in On It and Maybelline Lifter Gloss in Topaz
Maybelline’s Lifter Liners are perhaps our favourite liners of the lot. They are smooth to use, come in great colours and last well, not to mention are an almost unbeatable price. This looks brownish on some, pinky or nude on others. Put the shimmering gloss over the top and you’ve got another stunning look that gently amplifies the shape of your mouth. We’re obsessed!
Coffee Kiss
Try this: Charlotte Tilbury Lip Cheat Contour Duo in Deep and Charlotte Tilbury Big Lip Plumpgasm
Charlotte Tilbury has a simple guide to lip contouring and has released this lip duo pencil in four shades (fair, medium, tan and deep) based on your skin and lip tone to make achieving the look effortless. The sculpting end gives a sharp, defined shape, while the fill end is slightly lighter and blends well easily creating that contoured look. The gloss is highly-reflective and has a gentle shimmer that beautifully catches the light and is pretty on its own or over other lipsticks, too.
Nude dream
Try this: Fenty Beauty Trace’D Out Lip Liner in Pnut Butta and Fenty Beauty Gloss Bomb Cream Color Drip Lip Cream in Fenty Glow
Another brownish-nude shade that looks different (but great) on everyone. We love all of Fenty’s glosses but this one is more opaque and adds a good amount of colour on top, with no shimmer.
Cool contour
Try these: MAC Lip Pencil in Cool Spice and MAC Lipglass Air in Behaved
The shade ‘Cool Spice’ is an update on MAC’s 90s hit liner ‘Spice’. It’s a more modern, cooler take on the original which is a warm tone. We also love the feel of the brand’s new Lipglass Air gloss which feels much more comfortable on the lips than MAC’s Lipglass of earlier times. Behaved is a milky pink hue that is quite neutral, so it works well over a lot of different liner colours, adding shine.
