What Your Lipstick’s Missing Is Brown Liner

M.A.C Lip Pencil Whirl

Swiping on a few coats of your favorite lip color before heading out the door is par for the course for many of us. But what if I told you there’s a step you may be missing that could kick things up a notch?
You’ve likely seen celebs (like Nicki Minaj) with gorgeous, multidimensional color on their lips. And if you’re wondering how they’re able to achieve it, well, the answer is simple: brown lip liner.

“The history of a perfect brown lip liner goes back to a time when not all cosmetics were suited for all skin tones — but a great solid brown lip liner was always tried and true,” says Chanel makeup artist Tasha Reiko Brown. “On lighter tones, it creates definition around the mouth by using it as a blurred drop shadow. On deeper skin tones, the same is true, but you can also use it to balance uneven lip color by filling in your entire lip.” In short, it’s a versatile product that works for everyone.

When it comers beauty, anything that multi-tasks is a boon for both your bank account and your vanity. For the who are always on the move, these double-duty makeup products become beauty essentials, offering more than one function and simplifying your makeup routine. From versatile lip and cheek stains to foundation with skincare benefits, and even a brown lip liner - the gems save time and space in your beauty arsenal.

A brown lip liner proves its versatility in makeup by defining, shaping, and enhancing lips, coordinating seamlessly with various lip colours, and ensuring a refined, enduring lip finish. It's a valuable asset for any makeup collection, particularly for those who enjoy experimenting with diverse lip makeup styles. 

Ahead, makeup artists share how to find the right shade of brown liner and the best way to apply it, plus seven of my favorite product combinations to get the look.

How to Find the Right Brown Lip Liner 
“A great place to begin is by finding a shade that matches your lip color, but is a few shades deeper,” says Donni Davy, Euphoria's head makeup artist. “Depending on your complexion, these shades [of brown] might range from a medium pink-peach to mauve-taupe, or espresso-black.”

However, don’t get too hung up on trying to find a “correct combo.” Brown is not only a universal shade, but is also ultra-forgiving. “You don’t have to match the tone of your liner to your overall lip color, lipstick, or gloss,” says Davy.

Why You Need A Brown Lip Liner
They define and shape the lips
Lip liners, including brown ones, are commonly used to define and shape the lips. They can help create clean, well-defined lip lines and prevent lipstick or lip gloss from featuring or bleeding outside the natural lip contours.

Create fuller-looking lips
Brown lip liners ca Abe used to slightly overline the lips, giving the illusion of fuller, plumper lips. By carefully lining just outside the natural lip line, you can achieve a more voluminous appearance.

Match different lip colours
Brown lip liners are often chosen because they can work well with a variety of lip shades. They can compliment nude, pink, coral, or even deeper lip colours, making the ma versatile choice for many makeup looks. The latte makeup trend is proof of the same. 

Blend and mix lip colours
Brown lip liners can also be used to blend and mix lip colours. By applying a brown liner under your lipstick or lipgloss, you can create unique, customized shades and add depth to your lip look.

Correct lip shape and symmetry
Lip liners can help correct any unevenness or asymmetry in your lips. You can use them to balance out the same and make your lips appear more symmetrical.

Long-lasting lip colour
By outlining and filling in your lips with a lip liner, you can provide a base for your lip colour, which can make it last longer and remain more vibrant throughout the day.

You can even layer two or more colors to create a unique look. For example, mixing Chanel’s Longwear Lip Pencil in Brun Carmin and Prune Noire gives me the perfect red-brown that I love pairing with a rose-colored lipstick. But on other days, I may also try it with a chocolate brown liner if I want a deeper finish.

The Many Ways to Use Brown Lip Liner
Use it as a bronzer or for contouring
​Begin with a clean, moisturized face and apply the lip-liner sparingly using a makeup brush. Using a light hand, apply the lip liner to the areas where you'd normally apply a bronzer, such as  the hollows of your cheeks, along your jawline, and on your temples. Blend the product thoroughly, using gentle circular or sweeping motions to create a sun-kissed effect.

Eventually, build the pigmentation gradually. Since lip liners are typically more pigmented than traditional bronzers, it's crucial to build up the colour slowly. You can always add more if needed.

Use it as an eyeliner
A brown lip liner is amazing to get a soft brown smokey eye that helps you transition your makeup easily from day to night. Make sure your brown lip liner is clean and sharpened to avoid any product contamination or irritation. Close one eye and gently pull your eyelid taut with your fingertip to create a smooth canvas. Use the brown lip liner to draw a thin line along your upper lash line, starting form the inner corner and moving towards the outer corner. If you want to create a winged eyeliner look, extend the line slightly upward and outward at the outer corner of your eye. Keep it subtle for a daytime look or more dramatic for evening wear.

To soften the line and create a smudged smoky effect, you can use a small eyeshadow brush or a cotton swab to gently smudge and blend the brown lip liner.

How to Apply Brown Lip Liner
Pairing a brown liner with a vibrant coral or electric Barbie pink lipstick may seem outrageous, but the result proves otherwise. Here’s how to do it.

Step 1: Reach for a dull lip pencil.
Both Brown and Davy agree that when it comes to lip pencils, the duller, the better. If a lip liner is too sharp, the finish may look harsh — or the line may be too fine. “I love soft diffusion on the edges of lips,” Brown shares. “When I’m using just a brown lip liner as sort of a drop shadow that will sit behind the lip color, [a diffused line] helps make lips authentically look fuller.”

Step 2: Line the lips.
Hold off on applying lip balm. “For staying power, I like to line on drier lips,” Brown says. “If lips are too hydrated or have too much slip to them, it prevents the waxy liner from creating a bond with the lip. It will sort of float on top of the emollient lip balm.”

Follow along the perimeter of your lips. “Then, on the sides of the lip, top, and bottom, sketch the liner inwards towards the [center] of your lips,” Brown shares. This helps to blend the color versus creating a distinct border.

Step 3 (optional): Diffuse the color.
If you used a liner that was too sharp, or applied too much product, grab a small, angled makeup brush, like MAC’s 263 Synthetic Angle Brush, to soften the liner color towards the center of the lips. This is a great tip to follow when pairing a brown liner with a sheer gloss to achieve a blended finish. “I think it looks more artful, glam, and a tiny bit lived in,” says Davy. “Your lips will look luscious and full.”

You can also follow this step to ensure a smooth base before applying your lip color over top. “When I’m doing a bold lip look, this helps get a [consistent] color across the entire lip,” says Brown.

Step 4: Layer a lipstick or gloss on top. 
“I apply the lipstick or gloss to the center of the lips and blend outward,” says Brown. “This ensures that all the beautiful shadowing I’ve done with the brown lip liner doesn’t soften too much.” And voilà — you’ll be left with a gorgeous ombré finish. For a little extra oomph, “pop a lighter shade in the center of your lips for a little more dimension,” says Davy.