Should your lip liner be darker than your lipstick?

Author: Vickie Hettinger  |  Last update: Tuesday, August 19, 2025

Typically, you'll want to use a lip liner a shade darker than your lipstick—the slight contrast will help create definition. If you prefer a more dramatic look, you can opt for a slightly darker lip liner and use it to contour your lips for a subtle gradient effect.

What shade of lip liner should I use compared to lipstick?

The Golden Rule: Match or go slightly darker than your lipstick shade. When you want a seamless and polished pout, go for your exact shade or go slightly darker than your lipstick shade.

What color lip liner goes with all lipstick?

Nude lip liner is a makeup staple for a reason—it's incredibly versatile and can effortlessly complement a wide range of lipstick colours.

Should your lip liner match the color of your what color?

It is essential to to match the lip liner shade with your lipstick. If you don't find the lip liner exactly match with your lipstick. You can go with 1 or 2 shades lighter than your lipstick. Or, pick lip liner that match with your lips color.

What color lip liner makes lips look fuller?

Nude and Soft Shades: Light nude shades can create an illusion of fullness. They reflect light and can give the appearance of plumper lips.

HOW TO FAKE BIG LIPS IN 3 EASY STEPS! (OMG)

Does lip liner have to be darker than lipstick?

Typically, you'll want to use a lip liner a shade darker than your lipstick—the slight contrast will help create definition. If you prefer a more dramatic look, you can opt for a slightly darker lip liner and use it to contour your lips for a subtle gradient effect.

What is the most flattering lip color?

Bold oranges, brick reds, and terracotta browns can also be especially flattering. If you're going for a nude shade, a good rule of thumb is to correspond your skin tone with the lipstick shade. For instance, if your skin is light, go for a paler nude, while if your skin is deeper, go for a richer nude.

Do you put lip liner first or lipstick?

To get a flawless blend, I suggest lining and filling in your lips with lip liner, then applying a lipstick or lip gloss inside the lines to create a diffused, soft-focused finish.

How do I know my exact lip shade?

Determine Your Skin Tone

If they appear blue or purple, you have a cool undertone. If they appear green, you have a warm undertone. If you can't tell if your veins are blue or green, you likely have a neutral undertone. For warm undertones, go for lipstick shades with golden, orange, and red undertones.

What lip liner goes with pillow talk?

I use this with Pillow talk matte and just love it. LIP CHEAT is a rich, velvety lip liner that glides effortlessly over the lips and has the power to completely re-shape, re-size and balance lips.

Why is everyone wearing brown lip liner?

“I always have several shades of brown liner in my makeup kit to sculpt the perfect pout for everyone. It creates definition, balance, fullness and contours the lips.”

What is the best drugstore lip liner?

The Best Drugstore Lip Liners at a Glance
  • Best Overall: Nyx Professional Makeup Slim Lip Pencil.
  • Best for Creating Definition: e.l.f. cosmetics Love Triangle Lip Filler Liner.
  • Best Long-Lasting Formula: Revlon Colorstay Lip Liner.
  • Best for Overlining Lips: Maybelline Lifter Liner Lip Liner Pencil.

Which lipstick shade is more attractive?

Classic Red

When in doubt, go red because the Classic Red is the most sexy lip of all time!

How do you match lip liner to skin?

Firstly, you need to think about your skin tone. If you have a fair complexion, you'll want to steer clear of anything too dark or dramatic. Instead, go for a light pink or nude shade. If you have a medium complexion, you can afford to be a little more adventurous with your lip liner shade.

How do I find my perfect lip liner shade?

Match with lip liner

As a rule, I like to pair lip liners and lipsticks that are in the same colour family, and I choose a lip liner that is a fraction darker than my lipstick to give the lips a contour effect.

Which lipstick brand is best for daily use?

Top Lipstick Brands

Some of the brands that sell lipsticks in different shades online are Maybelline New York, Lakmé, Mars, Swiss Beauty, SUGAR Cosmetics, and others.

Should the top or bottom lip be darker?

Basic structure of the mouth

The mouth is not flat, but protrudes slightly from the face. There are some natural shadows that will occur with the contours and shapes that make up the lips. The upper lip will generally be darker than the lower lip because it angles slightly inward (see illustration below).

How to line your lips to look natural?

Always line your lips by starting at the top center and going out to the edges. Then, start at the bottom center and connect the lines at the outer corners. After creating the shape, buff or blend the liner to create a more natural contour.

Do you really need a lip liner?

If you're someone looking for a more defined, cleaned-up look, lip liner is a must. It's basically essential for a polished lip look and helps truly define the edges of your lips in a way a bigger bullet can't, creating a sharp, clean outline that can really elevate your overall look.

Which is better lip liner or lipstick?

If you're looking for some colour that has a creamy matte finish and will last long, then a lip liner is for you. If you want a super pigmented hue that screams high shine, then lipstick is your best bet. However, looking for the best of both worlds? Then try a combination of both –– you won't regret it!

What lip color makes you look younger?

She recommended opting for pink, rose and "pinky nude" shades. She said: "You don't want to go with a nude that really just looks like your lips because that's not adding anything. You want to add some of that youthful colour back to your lips."

What lip color attracts guys?

An experiment from the International Journal of Psychological Studies placed women with red lipstick in a bar alongside women with pink, brown, and no lipstick. The women wearing red lipstick received a higher number of male solicitations.

What is the most popular lipstick of all time?

4 best-selling iconic lipsticks that define generations
  • The Rouge Dior 999. Rouge Dior is a legendary product in both the fashion and make-up worlds. ...
  • Guerlain's Rouge G 214 Flame Red. ...
  • L'Allure Chanel Pirate. ...
  • Ruby Woo by MAC.

Previous article
Is it bad to pluck ear hairs?
Next article
Why does white ink hurt more?