Bolder is better when it comes to lips in 2023. But really, when wasn’t a generously painted pout in style? Find out how easy lip contouring can be to suit your makeup style. Check out the 90’s trend that’s back, says editor Trudi Brewer.
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“We have been enhancing our lips with and without fillers for years, especially now masks are off”, says makeup artist Talia Cich. Who adds, "Lips have always been a feature that anyone can easily play up or be part of their signature look, so now that we are wearing makeup again, it's all about lips.” Thanks to social media, viral lip trends are everywhere, making new looks or techniques easy to achieve. Here’s that 90s-inspired trend with a modern twist.
How to contour your lips
Prep
First, exfoliate and hydrate your lips with a balm to create a smooth base for a long-wearing finish. Next, create a blank canvas by applying a thin layer of concealer in a colour that matches your skin tone. Next, create fullness. Cich says. "Lip contouring can also help to correct lip shape (like unbalanced or downturned) or create a specific look (like round or sharp)."
Makeup artist tips
Makeup artists swear by cream bronzer; it glides on easily, blends seamlessly, and has the perfect shade range for lip contouring.
Choose a shade two to three shades deeper than your skin tone. "The use of light and dark shades create a fuller-looking effect," says Cich.
Apply around the perimeter of the lips using a small flat brush. For a fuller-looking pout, apply bronzer or highlighting concealer above the cupid's bow and across the centre of the bottom lip.
"This accentuates the centre of the lips for a pouty look," Cich says. "Keep the corners closer to your natural lip line. Don't worry about being perfect. It's a cream product that easily blends and has buildable intensity."
Finally, gently blend the edges of the contour to remove any tell-tale signs of bronzer with a beauty sponge or brush.
Makeup artist tips
Next, line and define lips using a nude or taupe-coloured lip liner. Slightly line above your natural lip line to create volume or focus precisely where you want more fullness. Use the side of the pencil to shade inward from the corners.
Draw an "X" with the liner for a more pronounced cupid's bow. You can use a deeper lip liner shade in the corners for next-level contouring. Or try a deeper shade of lip liner and a lighter shade of nude lipstick.
Next, apply lipstick to the centre of the lip and blend the edges. "For even more pout, highlight the centre of the lip. I also like to add a highlighter to the cupid's bow to accentuate the shape of the lips even more. Finish by applying lipgloss to the centre of the lip for a high shine that is the perfect finishing touch for creating fuller-looking lips," says Cich.
Mistakes to Avoid
Blend, blend, blend. You want the contour to look natural like it blends into the skin. "Also, blend the lip liner, so it doesn't look too intense in contrast to the lipstick," Cich says. "Another mistake is nailing the right shade that is most flattering on you. Choose a shade that best compliments your skin tone (not too cool or warm) and a colour that is your ideal depth of shade (light to dark). If you like a more natural look, opt for a pink nude that matches your natural lip colour.
Don't go too shiny or matte on the lipstick; a cream or satin finish lipstick over a nude lip liner works best.
Editor Trudi Brewer shares her usual sheer gloss lip look, verses a lip contour with nude pencil and a nude lipstick.
We ask the experts.