makeup

A LIP LINER STUDY

TUTORIAL + PHOTOGRAPHY BY AMY NADINE, GRAPHIC DESIGN BY EUNICE CHUN

By now you know after four years of my makeup tutorials, I LIVE for a good experiment. I’ve always wondered how much of a difference there is if you line the lips first then apply lipstick or apply lipstick first then apply lip liner. Am I the only one? Maybe LOL! But I had to shoot the experiment to see for myself. Here are my findings albeit subtle:

TOOLS:

• Your Favorite Lip Liner: I used this favorite lip pencil ($$) (in Waimea) because it’s insanely rich in color and doesn’t skip or drag. This is my favorite drug store lip pencil ($).
• Your Favorite Lipstick: My favorite lipstick of all time is hands down this one ($$) (in Mocha) because its formula and pigment-level are unmatched. This is my favorite drug store lipstick ($).

(ABOVE) LINER BEFORE LIPSTICK:

1. First line the perimeter of your lip area with the pencil.
2. Then fill in the inside area with the lipstick.

(ABOVE) LIPSTICK BEFORE LINER:

1. This is the exact reverse. First apply the lipstick over your entire lip area as you typically would.
2. Now go back over the perimeter with the lip pencil.

So which look do you like better? It seems that lining it after leads to the tendency to go a little exaggerated and slightly above the natural lip line. But looking at them side by side, not so much. Applying the liner first is much cleaner because the line is mostly blended away, while applying it second is more dramatic. Would love to hear your thoughts below!