Overlined lips have been trending in full force, which means lip liners have become staples when it comes to creating an arresting pout.
Look to celebrities like actress Madelyn Cline or singer Madison Beer and you’ll spot gorgeous lip liner and lipstick combos, used to achieve full, overlined lip looks. Users on TikTok are also sharing their favourite lip liners, swept along the outer line of their lips to create an alluring look.
Madelyn Cline wearing a honey-hued lip liner. Photo source: @ash_kholm/Instagram
Besides overlining, lip liners can also be used to simply clean up the edges of your lipstick for a pout that’s more polished, or to draw soft contours for lips that pop even more.
Since finding the perfect lip liner and lipstick combination is often trickier than it looks, we’re here to help you get started. Ahead, we share our best tips on how to match your lip liners with lipsticks, plus the seven best combos to try!
Get your lip liner and lipstick from the same colour family
The golden rule of thumb when it comes to pairing a lip liner with your lipstick is to choose from the same colour family.
That means picking a lip liner that has the same undertones as your lippie. A lip liner with cool undertones would go well with a lipstick that also has cool undertones. If you’re in the range of warm undertones, a lighter peachy pink lipstick would pair perfectly with a darker poppy-hued lip liner.
Photo source: Pinterest
Other good colour matches include pairing a light beige lipstick with a brown or chocolate-coloured lip liner, or mauve lipsticks with a lip liner that has deeper purple hues. Wine or crimson lipsticks can also go with darker brick red lip liners.
Get a darker lip liner
Choosing a lip liner that’s the same shade as your lipstick will never go wrong, but look to beauty influencers and the runways and you’ll find that most are rocking lip liners that have a darker hue than their lipsticks.
Kim Kardashian wearing graphic eyeliner and ’90s style lip liner. Photo source: @ash_kholm/Instagram
For bolder and more dynamic looks, you can get a lip liner that’s a much deeper hue than your lipstick. Take your cue from makeup artist Ash K Holm who uses a deep brown lip liner to create a striking ’90s supermodel lip on Kim Kardashian.
Find your perfect nude shade
If picking a different lip liner every time you use another lipstick is too much trouble for you, then you can also get a lip liner that’s versatile and will go with any lipstick – yes, one in your perfect nude.
Photo source: newchic/Pinterest
The perfect nude shade is one that’s close to your natural lip colour and matches your skin’s undertones. If you have warm skin, then look for a shade that also has warm undertones. Or, if you have cool skin, then go for a shade that has cool undertones too.
Not sure what your skin’s undertone is? Take this quiz to find out.
Match finish to finish
The lip liner you use should match your lipstick’s finish. Whether mattes or metallics, your lipstick will be best complemented with a lip liner that has the same finish.
@makeup This lip combo…yes plz! Would you wear this lippy?! @ohmyzy_ #foryou #fyp #makeup #lipcombo #lips #lipliner #lipstick #lipgloss
You also always have the option of dialling up the shine on your lips, even if you’ve swept on your lip liner and lipstick, by running a clear or tinted gloss over the top.
7 gorgeous lip liner and lipstick combos
NYX Professional Makeup Slim Lip Pencil in Natural + Peripera Ink Mood Matte Tint in Soft Cedarwood
For a soft, natural overlined lip look, go for the NYX Professional Makeup Slim Lip Pencil in the shade 810 Natural, combined with the Peripera Ink Mood Matte Tint in 04 Soft Cedarwood.
The lip liner is a neutral undertone, deep pinkish-beige that allows you to create a natural outline that’s subtle against the colour of your lips. It’s also paired easily with most warm lipsticks, like the brick-red Soft Cedarwood shade from Peripera.
https://www.tiktok.com/@anna.kimj/video/7022088489449622789
Shop:
- NYX Professional Makeup Slim Lip Pencil in 810 Natural for S$8.21 on Amazon
- Peripera Ink Mood Matte Tint in 04 Soft Cedarwood for S$13.23 on Watsons
Charlotte Tilbury Lip Cheat Lip Liner in Iconic Nude + K.I.S.S.I.N.G Lipstick in Nude Kate
For a dimensional nude lip, consider pairing the Charlotte Tilbury Lip Cheat Lip Liner in Iconic Nude with the brand’s K.I.S.S.I.N.G Lipstick in Nude Kate – yes, it’s Charlotte Tilbury through and through.
Since the Iconic Nude lip liner is a deep, warm-toned brown, it gives a poppin’ 90s supermodel lip look when worn with the pinkish-beige Nude Kate lipstick shade. Or, blend the lip liner with your lipstick for a more understated nude style.
@madisonbeer.mp5 Reply to @_reveuse #madisonbeer #madisonbeeredit #lipcombo #favlipcombo #lipliner #lipoil #ulta #liptutorial #charlottetilbury
Pssst! Madison Beer always reaches for the Charlotte Tilbury Lip Cheat Lip Liner in Iconic Nude to add more volume to her lips.
Shop:
- Charlotte Tilbury Lip Cheat Lip Liner in Iconic Nude for S$37 on Sephora
- Charlotte Tilbury K.I.S.S.I.N.G Lipstick in Nude Kate for S$50 on Sephora
MAC Lip Pencil in Chesnut + Pat McGrath Lip Fetish Balm Divinyl Lip Shine in Nude Venus
Creamy lip liners and glossy lipsticks go gorgeously together, which is why the MAC Lip Pencil in Chesnut and Pat McGrath Fetish Balm Divinyl Lip Shine in Nude Venus are a match made in heaven.
A balm-lipstick hybrid formula, Pat McGrath’s lippie gives a decadent glossy finish on the lips. Simply tap the intense brown lip liner in with the silky-smooth lipstick formula to get the perfect pout. This looks especially flattering on those with olive or darker skin.
Shop:
- MAC Lip Pencil in Chesnut for S$37.94 on Amazon
- Pat McGrath Lip Fetish Balm Divinyl Lip Shine in Nude Venus for S$50 on Pat McGrath
Anastasia Beverly Hills Lip Liner in Malt + Matte Lipstick in Toffee
Looking to pair your lipstick with a lip liner that’s much darker for a bolder, ’90s-inspired style? Then you’ve got to snag this lipstick and lip liner combo from Anastasia Beverly Hills. Malt is a brown that’s about three shades deeper than the warm Toffee hues of the lipstick, which helps create a plump, contoured effect on the lips.
You can even take some tips from @jahanara.makeup on TikTok and go for a stained, gradient lip look by combining the Anastasia Beverly Hills Lip Liner in Malt with the brand’s matte and satin lipsticks in Toffee, Tease, as well as Blackberry.
@jahanara.makeup Lipliner: @anastasiabeverlyhills Malt. Lipsticks: toffee, tease & blackberry
She first lines her lips and fills in the edges with the shade of Toffee. Then, she sweeps the satin lipstick in Tease over the entire middle of the lips, finishing the look with the shade Blackberry only over the inner middle section of the lips. It’s a tantalising pout that’s perfect for your date nights.
Shop:
- Anastasia Beverly Hills Lip Liner in Malt for S$30 on Sephora
- Anastasia Beverly Hills Matte Lipstick in Toffee for S$34 on Sephora
- Anastasia Beverly Hills Satin Lipstick in Tease for S$34 on Sephora
- Anastasia Beverly Hills Matte Lipstick in Blackberry for S$34 on Sephora
Haus Laboratories RIP Lip Liner in Rule + Le Monster Matte Lip Crayon in Dust
A combination that’s from Lady Gaga’s makeup line Haus Laboratories, the RIP Lip Liner in Rule and Le Monster Matte Lip Crayon in Influencer has been worn by the singer herself.
However, as we can’t find the shade Influencer in Singapore, we’re recommending the lip crayon colour, Dust. It’s a natural, dusty pink that’s similar to the nude-pink hues of Influencer, which works to soften the stronger, burnt terracotta shade of the lip liner in Rule.
Shop:
- Haus Laboratories RIP Lip Liner in Rule for S$21.90 on Amazon
- Haus Laboratories Le Monster Matte Lip Crayon in Dust for S$24.82 on Amazon
Huda Beauty Lip Contour in Muse + Power Bullet Matte Lipstick in Girls Trip
Lips that are in a soft, muted pinkish hue – that’s what you’ll flaunt with the Huda Beauty Lip Contour in Muse and Power Bullet Matte Lipstick in Girls Trip.
Muse is a muted pink colour, and when paired with the creamy pinky-nude tones of Girls Trip, gives a lovely pinkish lip. You’ll create a gentle flush on your lips.
@zohral New favourite pinky lip combo – @hudabeauty lipliner in MUSE & power bullet in GIRLS TRIP #hudabeauty #makeup #beauty #hijabimakeup
Shop:
- Huda Beauty Lip Contour in Muse for S$35 on Shopee
- Huda Beauty Matte Lipstick in Girls Trip for S$40 on Sephora
Revlon ColorStay Lip Liner in Chocolate + Colourpop Ultra Matte Lip in Avenue
There’s just something about a red lip that boasts powerful confidence, but this particular lip liner and lipstick combination also brings ‘sensual’ into the mix with its deep red wine hues.
Create a sultry red lip with the Revlon ColourStay Lip Liner in Chocolate, a warm brown shade that contours and preps the lips for dark hues. Follow up on the chocolate-tone lip liner with a rich, deep red from the Colourpop Ultra Matte Lip liquid lipstick in Avenue.
@taniateyacapan Red Lip Combo #redlips #ROMWEnextgen #redlipstick #pinup #nativeamerican #chicana #fyp #redlipstick #makeup #colourpop #indigenous #biglips
If lip liners for red lips were difficult to choose, you’ll adore this surefire combination that’ll let you wear a gorgeous pout with absolute ease.
Shop:
- Revlon ColorStay Lip Liner in Chocolate for S$12.43 on Amazon
- Colourpop Ultra Matte Lip in Avenue for S$15.90 on Lazada
Related read: The best tried-and-true TikTok lip liner hacks for a flawless lip application every time
Featured image credit: Revlon (left) and @cyragwynth on TikTok
