Lip Liners Are Us!

Back in the 70s  lip liner became a makeup must-do and made our day... for decades. We learned any gloss or lipstick would stay put within a crispy pencil outline.

Makeup trends change but  lip liner is a keeper. We love its power to restore definition and shape for aging  lips that have thinned, flattened and faded  in tone. Unfortunately with our natural enthusiasm as DIY-ers we sometimes we go overboard and change the shape or size of our kissers with a dark or one-shade-fits all tan pencil. Big mistake ! Love lip liners but do this instead:

BUY A NUDE LINER THAT MATCHES YOUR NATURAL LIP COLOR OR IS ONE SHADE DEEPER. Use  it to correct the upper lip line where shape is lacking or asymmetrical. Instead of trying to recreate two sharp points on thin lips,  lightly round the bow to add subtle  realistic fullness at the top where you need it most. Then  fill in the entire mouth top and bottom with the same pencil  as a base for neutral tinted gloss, balm or lipstick. Don't go lighter than your natural lip tone  and choose brands with a range of  lippy-toned nudes. Can't decide ? A rosy nude gives a youthful look.Try : Smashbox The Nude Lip Liner ($17, sephora.com) and Urban Decay 24/7 Glide-On Lip Pencil ($19, sephora.com)

USE A SHEER INVISIBLE PENCIL FOR VIBRANT RED OR BERRY LIPSTICKS. You can still wear strong lip colors (and may want to if whitening your teeth with strips or at the dentist) but there's a trick to it. Clear waxy lip pencils provide an invisible frame for strong hued lipsticks and are undetectable. You don't want a phony cookie-cutter outline but need to control placement of color and this works! Try : Make Up For Ever Lip Line Perfector ($18, sephora.com) and Dior Universal Contour Lipliner ($30, sephora.com)

SPEED  UP WITH A FAT LIP PENCIL.  Now more sophisticated in shape and in a variety of textures like mattes, glossy creams and colorful balms  chunky liners improve shape and color in one quick swoop. They work best for grown-up lips that have kept some youthful volume, for travel and anyone who wants a quick cosmetic fix without fuss. Try Clinique Chubby Stick Moisturizing Lip Color Balm ($16, sephora.com) and Nars Velvet Matte Lip Pencil ($24,  sephora.com). Smile because you just made-over your mouth!

Photo credits: Sephora, Sephora, Sephora