What Is Lip Contouring?
Lip contouring is basically using a mix of makeup techniques—like shading and highlighting—to shape and define your lips. You’re creating depth and illusion, which can make your lips look fuller or more symmetrical.
By using slightly darker and lighter tones strategically, you can tweak the appearance of your lip shape—emphasize your Cupid’s bow, make your bottom lip pop, or even subtly reshape your entire pout. Think of it like face-tuning, but IRL.
Is Lip Contour the Same As Lip Liner?
Lip liner is typically used just around the edges of your lips to define the shape and prevent your lipstick from feathering and bleeding. Lip contouring is a little more advanced—uou’re using liner plus other products (like highlighter, bronzer, and even eyeshadow) to actually create depth, highlight certain areas, and shadow others.
You can absolutely do one without the other, but when you combine the two of them together? You get a lip look that’s chef’s kiss.
How to Contour Your Lips in 6 Easy Steps
We totally get this might sound a bit confusing for a makeup newbie or even a seasoned beauty lover, so we created a step-by-step guide to help you get that perfectly contoured pout. Trust us—once you’ve tried these tips and tricks, you’ll wonder how you ever did your lips without them.
1. Exfoliate and Moisturize
Start with a gentle lip scrub to smooth out your lips and get rid of any dead skin (we love the LUCKY CHICK Lip Scrub). Then, swipe on a nourishing lip balm for a hydrated pout—something like has our vote.
2. Outline Your Lips
Choose a lip liner that matches your lip color or one that is just a few shades deeper to mimic the natural shadows around your lips. Start by outlining your natural lip line, and then slightly overline for that plump effect—focusing on the Cupid’s bow and the center of your bottom lip. Try HUDA BEAUTY Lip Contour 2.0 for a creamy, precise line.
3. Create a Shadow Under Your Bottom Lip
For extra dimension, grab a brush and dip it into a matte bronzer or eyeshadow. Gently sweep it right underneath the center of your bottom lip—this creates a soft shadow that makes lips look fuller and more even. Just make sure to really blend the contour out to get rid of any harsh lines!
4. Add Lipstick to the Center of Your Lips
Use a shade of lipstick that’s one or two shades lighter than your lip liner and apply it to the center of your lips. Blend it gently into the liner using a lip brush or your finger to make your lips look even fuller.
5. Highlight the Cupid’s Bow and Center Lips
Take a tiny bit of highlighter and tap it on your Cupid’s bow and the center of your top and bottom lip. This small detail will help catch the light and give your lips that plump and juicy effect. Our fave highlighter for this technique is the OFRA Highlighter in Rodeo Drive.
6. Gloss It Up
Top everything off with a clear or slightly tinted lip gloss. This step will blend everything together seamlessly and give your lips that luscious, full look. We love the LAWLESS Forget The Filler Lip Plumping Line Smoothing Gloss for this step because of the formula’s plumping properties.
