I can not even start to depend the variety of lip-enhancing hacks on the market within the wild, wild West of my TikTok algorithm. There’s the “siren lips” hack, the cinnamon oil trick (that one’s questionable), Mario Dedivanovic’s viral lip-lift methodology… I may go on. Nonetheless, nothing beats a easy overlining approach—assuming you are able to do it appropriately. With only a flick of liner and your tinted balm of alternative, you can also make your lips look twice their measurement, sans filler. Simply ask Etienne Ortega, the celeb make-up artist/magician liable for the plump, shiny pouts of Lana Del Rey, Christina Aguilera, Becky G, and Kris Jenner.
The trick? Placing the appropriate steadiness of sunshine and shadow utilizing liner and gloss. Discover Ortega’s step-by-step course of beneath (plus the reference photographs I took in actual time) for a fuller look that by no means seems too apparent.
The way to Overline Lips: A Step-by-Step Tutorial
Earlier than overlining my lips.
1. Prep Your Lips
As a common rule, wholesome, moisturized lips naturally look fuller. Earlier than you even take into consideration choosing up the liner, you will wish to exfoliate and hydrate the fragile pores and skin. For the previous, I usually attain for lip scrubs for the reason that bodily exfoliation briefly boosts circulation, lending a refined plumping impact. Typically, I am going to even rub a clear, dry toothbrush throughout my lips to stimulate blood circulation—a useful tip in a pinch!
Simply do not forget to observe up with a moisturizing lip balm, or all that additional blood circulation can be for naught. I like globbing on this hydrating masks from YSE Magnificence, however you’ll find extra editor favorites right here. Say it with me: Exfoliation with out moisture is a recipe for withered lips.
Go away it on for a beat because it absorbs, then wipe off the surplus product if you’re prepared to start out your make-up routine. “You wish to have a easy, rejuvenated, and hydrated floor to start out off with, however you additionally wish to make certain there may be nothing in your lips that can trigger the liner to wipe off simply,” instructs Ortega.
2. Select Your Liner
Okay, now for the make-up bits! In fact, you will want a “my lips however higher” liner to create a natural-looking define. “For a pure lip, you have to be selecting a liner that’s near your pure lip coloration however two shades deeper. That method, that deeper shade offers that plumper lip look,” says Ortega. I like Ortega’s Gentle Contour Lip Liner within the shade Euphoric, however you will remember to discover one you’re keen on from our record of 16 editor-approved choices.
3. Begin on the Cupid’s Bow
Upon getting your liner du jour, Ortega recommends beginning with the Cupid’s bow, which requires probably the most consideration to element. Draw a line down the center of your high lip to separate the Cupid’s bow into two sections. “From there, you can begin to attract slightly coronary heart form on the Cupid’s bow, taking this chance to overline the lips in a pure method! That is the way you get that desired pouty look,” he provides.
4. Define the Backside
“As soon as the guts is completed, you’ll be able to then begin to underline the underside lip, once more, beginning on the center,” Ortega explains. Draw a line on the middle of your backside lip, then hint the underbelly of your pure lip line and barely go over—barely being the operative phrase right here. Mannequin Georgia Could Jagger additionally advised holding a small mirror beneath your backside lip so you’ll be able to higher see the road. (It is a tip she realized from legendary make-up artist Val Garland.)
5. Join the Dots
“As soon as these markers are in place, you can begin to ‘join the dots’ by lining the whole mouth,” Ortega provides. Join your backside lip line to the highest, then fill within the corners along with your liner for an ombré, pouty look. It could look slightly undone within the photograph beneath, however belief the method!
My lips after lining the highest and backside and filling within the corners.
6. Mix the Edges
Subsequent, diffuse the sides so the strains do not seem too harsh. “My favourite option to mix within the liner is with a brush, but additionally, in a pinch, utilizing your finger can work too,” Ortega says. Some lip liners include a brush attachment for this very objective (like Kosas’s Hotliner), or you would seize this tapered quantity from Sephora.
7. Add Your Shade
Subsequent, seize the same shade of lipstick or tinted balm to press into your expertly lined lips. I prefer to blot my lipstick for a blurred “simply kissed” impact, however you can too swipe it on for exact payoff.
You might additionally go together with Ortega’s ombré lip approach. “I like so as to add a lighter—virtually nude—coloration to the highest/center of the lip; that offers you a poutier, fuller-looking lip,” he suggests. “From there, you will return with a brush and begin to mix out the sides and mix it into the liner.”
8. End With Gloss
Lastly, end off your look with a gloss. “Typically, a super-glossy lip can add to that fuller impact,” Ortega provides. Simply make certain to pop it in the course of your lips, as holding the eye on the middle creates the phantasm of fullness.
There you’ve got it! A fuller pout in seconds with simply three make-up merchandise—liner, lip coloration, and gloss. I have been following this routine day by day since studying Ortega’s routine, and it has but to fail me. I’ve even been requested about my lip combo a number of instances since committing to the step-by-step tutorial, so make certain to buy it beneath!
Additional Ideas and Methods
- Clear up the sides: “I like to wash up across the lip with a tiny little bit of concealer on a brush to verify all of the strains are clear and pure,” says Ortega.
- Use lip plumper: As a substitute of a daily gloss, you would at all times apply a dab of lip plumper onto the middle of your lips to additional prop up your lips. I like Maybelline’s Lifter Plump Lip Plumping Gloss and Well mannered Society’s B.I.G. Mouth Lip Plumping Oil Gloss. Each are fairly spicy however present noticeable quantity.
- Add additional highlighter: “You may also at all times spotlight your Cupid’s bow with an Ethereal Glow Balm to emphasise pure excessive factors of your lips!” Ortega provides.
Store the Story
Ortega
Gentle Contour Lip Liner
I have been loving the mauve-brown Euphoric. It is what I am utilizing within the photographs above!
The Kosas Hotliner additionally has my coronary heart. I particularly love the connected lip brush for straightforward mixing.
Sephora Assortment
Professional Lip Brush #85
You might completely use your finger to mix (I do that always!), however this lip brush from Sephora positively is available in clutch.
Eadem
Le Chouchou Exfoliating + Softening Peptide Lip Balm
I cannot relaxation till everybody has this Eadem lip tint of their assortment. I am keen on the shade Fig Sauce, which is what I am carrying within the reference photograph.
Ortega
Agave Glow Shade Stick
Ortega likes to high a darker liner with a lighter lip coloration for a pouty ombré impact. His personal system is very delicate and creamy, which makes mixing a breeze.
Ortega
Liquid Icon Hyper Gloss
A pop of gloss actually makes a distinction for fuller lips. Ortega’s clear system is—no lie—among the best I’ve tried. It is moisturizing, light-weight, and non-sticky. Actually, I might take into account it extra of a lip oil than a gloss. It is that hydrating.
Saie
Glossybounce Excessive-Shine Hydrating Lip Gloss Oil
For those who’re in search of a tinted gloss-oil hybrid, this one from Saie additionally has a non-sticky end. Once I put on it, I can barely even inform I’ve it on—the marker of a excellent lip oil.
I am at the moment flying by this lip masks at breakneck velocity. I take advantage of it as an in a single day therapy, to prep and hydrate my lips earlier than make-up, and at the same time as a gloss to high off my lip appears to be like. This shine-enhancing balm is a real multitasker!
Maybelline
Lifter Plump Lip Plumping Gloss in Sizzling Chili
Whereas this gloss shouldn’t be for the faint of coronary heart (it’s spicy, y’all), it helps my lips double in measurement.
Well mannered Society
B.i.g. Mouth Lip Plumping Oil Gloss in The O.G.
I additionally love this tingly plumper, particularly the petal-pink shade. It has probably the most attractive, refined tint.
Ortega
Ethereal Glow Balm
Faucet Ortega’s pearly highlighter in your Cupid’s bow to create the phantasm of additional quantity. The balmy system would additionally look fairly placing on the collarbones, I might wager.
Dior
Backstage Glow Face Palette
This highlighting palette is simply so fairly. That pearly pink is virtually begging to be worn on the middle of my lips for a pop of shimmer.
