Top 6 Tips On How To Choose The Right Lip Liner Shade

Ever applied your favourite lipstick only to find it bleeding, fading, or looking anything but decent? We all have been there. Luckily, a creamy and long-lasting lip liner can solve most of your makeup problems. It defines your lips, enhances the natural lip shape, and can even help achieve a beautiful and fuller look. But all these benefits come at the cost of finding the right shade. One shade mismatch can make the colours clash and ruin the whole look. Thus, in this blog, you will read simple tips on how to find the right lip liner shade for every lipstick and look. 

Finding the right lip liner shade can prevent the lipstick from feathering; Photo Credit: Pexels

6 Tips On How To Find The Right Lip Liner Shade

1. Understand The Purpose Of Lip Liner

Before choosing the right shade, first understand the purpose of using a lip liner. A lip liner acts as a barrier to prevent feathering or lipstick bleeding. It enhances the natural shape of your lips, can make them appear fuller, and creates an outlined canvas for you to fill in the lipstick.

So, this means that your lip liner shade should either blend seamlessly or contrast strategically. It all depends on the look you are going for. 

2. Consider Your Skin Tone And Lip Pigmentation

Have you ever noticed how the same lipstick looks bright on some people and dull on others? This can be because of factors such as skin tone and lip pigmentation. In other words, your natural skin tone and lip colour can affect how lip liners show up. 

For lighter skin tones, colours such as peach, pink, and soft brown are ideal. On the other hand, deeper skin tones can pull off colours like dark brown, brick, and rich berry. Since my lips are naturally pigmented, I like to use a deeper maroon or wine shade to neutralise the colour and make the lipstick appear vibrant. 

3. Match Tone For A Seamless Look

For a natural, everyday look, pick a lip liner shade that matches your lipstick completely. This shade should either be identical or just one tone deeper for extra depth. Using the same shade of liner makes the lip liner appear soft. Moreover, it also helps the lipstick blend in smoothly. 

Match the colour of your lip liner to that of the lipstick for a seamless and polished look; Photo Credit: Pexels

4. Use Darker Shade For Fuller Lips

If you want to create bolder and fuller lips, your lip liner shade should be slightly darker than your lipstick. Gently overline the natural shape of your lips and blend the liner inwards before applying the lipstick. This gives a gradient effect. 

Next, you can top your lip combo with a lip gloss to achieve maximum plumpness. This tip works wonderfully for nude and brown tones. 

Also Read: Best Lip Liners In India With Perfect Precision And No Bleed

5. Use Neutral Or Red Liner For Red Lipsticks

Many of us often avoid using darker shades, such as maroon and red, on our lips. They require the right technique and precision to appear elegant and not tacky. 
 For a red lipstick, use a lip liner in the same or slightly darker red shade. If you don't have one, go ahead with a neutral liner as this prevents the lipstick from bleeding. However, if you use colours like pink or orange with a red lipstick, it can clash and make you overall look tacky.

6. Keep A Nude Liner Handy

Whether you have a fair or deep complexion, a nude liner works as the perfect universal backup. This lip liner shade needs to be the closest shade to the natural colour of your lips. This helps complement any lipstick, enhance the natural shape of your lips, and blend well. It is definitely a must-have in every makeup kit. 

A nude lip liner which is closer to your natural lip shade acts as a backup option; Photo Credit: Pexels

Products Related To This Article

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2. FAE BEAUTY Re:Define Long Lasting Smudgeproof Matte Lip Liner 0.3g - Hardline

3. SUGAR Lipping On The Edge Hydrating Lip Liner with Sharpner 1.2 g - Wooed By Nude 02

4. LOVE EARTH Set Of 6 Everyday Lip Liner-1.5g Each-Pluto -Nix- Orcus- Vesta- Hydra-Make Make

5. Renee Draw 4 4-In-1 Lip Liner Pen - Merlot+Grape+Mocha+Peony

6. FACES CANADA Ultime Pro Waterproof Lip Definer - Maroon 06

7. Seven Seas Set Of 12 HD Sharp Line Lip Liner - Shade 01 02 03 04 05 06 07 08 09 10 11 12

8. FAE BEAUTY Re Define Matte Long Lasting Lip Liner - Topline 002

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10. Renee Outline Lip Liner 0.35g - OT 01 Victoria

With tons of lip products launching every season, lip liners have maintained their importance in every makeup kit. They don't change your lips but enhance their natural shape and definition. With practice, you can slightly overfill your lips and give them a fuller look. However, all this is possible only when you know the right lip liner shade. With the above-mentioned tips, you can pick a lip liner shade that complements and not contradicts your beauty. And you can also buy lip liners online. 

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

1. How do I find the right lip liner for me?

To find the right lip liner shade, consider tHow to get a perfect lip linehe look you are going for. For instance, if you want a natural look, choose a liner that matches your lip colour. Similarly, go for a shade darker for bolder looks, 

2. What lip liner do I need?

You need a lip liner that is easy to apply and has a creamy consistency with a long-lasting formula. Match the shade with your skin tone or your desired lipstick for neutral or bold looks. 

3. Should lip liner match the lipstick?

The general rule of using a lip liner is that it should either match the colour of your lipstick or be slightly darker from the same family. You can also match it to the natural colour of your lips for a seamless look. 

4. How to get a perfect lip line?

To achieve a perfect lip line, first ensure that the lip liner is sharp and pointy. Next, start tracing the cupid's bow, following the natural line of your lips. For a fuller look, you can also overline slightly and then fill in using your 

5. Which lip liner suits every lipstick?

A nude lip liner that matches the natural colour of your lips or is slightly darker is the best option to work with. It gives a good base and enhances the boldness of the lipstick without changing its colour.

Disclaimer: The images used in this article are for illustration purpose only. They may not be an exact representation of the products, categories and brands listed in this article.