Consider This Low-Maintenance Lip-Liner Technique Your Shortcut to Fuller-Looking Lips
Here’s everything you need to know about the "blurred" lip liner trend and how to re-create it at home.
Paying attention to beauty trends on the red carpet is part and parcel of my job as a beauty editor, and it’s obvious that all of the chicest celebrity looks over awards season have had one thing in common: "blurred" lip liner. Yes, whilst you might think of lip liner as there only to sharply outline your pout and add crisp definition, this season, it’s all about taking a softer-focus approach to your makeup.
Slightly diffused and gently smudged, makeup artist Nina Park has undoubtedly been leading the charge with this blurred lip look. Known for painting the faces of everyone from Zoë Kravitz to Lily-Rose Depp, her approach to effortlessly cool "no makeup" makeup that never looks too try-hard is her trademark. And blurred lips are the epitome of walking that line of makeup that looks polished without being overly precise.
Even better, unlike with a lot of makeup trends, I feel like I actually have a shot at re-creating the look for myself at home. As someone who isn’t particularly skilled in the makeup department, the fact that blurred lips look actually wearable (and doable) and don’t require a steady hand means this is one trend I can see transitioning from the red carpet into real life with absolute ease. After all, it would look just as good with bare skin and a slick of mascara as it clearly does with a full face of glam.
Article continues belowAhead, all the blurred lip-liner inspiration you need, along with tips from a makeup artist on how to do it yourself.
Blurred Lip-Liner Looks
I'll be rushing to re-create Mia Goth's juicy berry-bitten lip look for spring.
Emma Stone's softly blurred liner looks so chic and polished.
The combination of honey hues and a balm-finish top coat makes Zoë Kravitz's lip look the perfect everyday option.
Gracie Abrams' diffused nude lip feels oh-so '90s.
Sadie Sink's dewy rose lip suits this pretty makeup look perfectly.
What Is Blurred Lip Liner?
Characterised by a slightly fuzzy lip line, the blurred lip look is so popular right now because of how it creates the appearance of a full, volumised pout whilst still looking effortless. "It’s flattering because it works with how light naturally hits the face," explains makeup artist Emily Wood. "Instead of pushing colour inward, which can make lips look smaller, a blurred lip is all about adding depth around the lips and keeping the centre of the lips lighter, which means lips look fuller, rounder and more balanced." Wood points out that it’s not the same as overlining, either. "It’s more about following but slightly enhancing the lip line," she says.
How to Get the Look
Thankfully, the look is fairly easy to achieve, as the beauty of a blurred lip is that there's no need for total precision—in fact, we want the opposite. Wood suggests a lip liner that’s slightly deeper than your natural lip colour, a lipstick close to your lip shade and a gloss or balm if you like a sheenier finish.
"Start by lining the lips following your natural shape, and you can slightly enhance this past your natural lip line if you want more volume," Wood explains. "Then blur the liner inward using your finger or a brush so that there are no harsh lines at all." Finish by applying your chosen lip colour on the outer parts of your lips, leaving the centre quite light, then add a gloss or balm to finish. "The key to this look really is blending," says Wood.
The Best Blurred Lip Liners
Ahead, we’ve picked out the best blur-effect lip liners to help you re-create this trend. Wood suggests lighter skin tones will suit "pinky nudes, peaches and soft mauves" best, whilst deeper skin tones will look amazing in "rich browns, chocolates and caramels." Keep scrolling for our favourites.
If you like a matte lip look, then this Refy liner is brilliant. It delivers a really fuzzy, modern finish and comes in six natural-looking shades catered to a diverse range of skin tones.
Rhode's viral contouring lip shaper makes light work of creating a plump, volumised-looking lip in mere moments.
An underrated gem comes courtesy of this blurring lip liner from L'Oréal Paris. It feels like more of a traditional liner than some of the others on the list, but it boasts impressive staying power and still gives that lovely diffused finish.
Merit's buildable lip liner makes for a versatile option, thanks to the way you can use it to softly define the edges of your lips and for all-over colour without drying them out.
Wood rates this affordable lip liner for achieving that softly blurred look with ease. Enriched with peptides, hyaluronic acid and vitamin E, it has a really creamy texture and comes in eight wearable shades.
