How do you get a perfect lip line?

Once you learn how to use lip liner to your advantage, it finally makes sense why your grandmother always had one hiding away in her purse all those years. No matter if you're applying lipstick or just a tinted balm, lip liner can make a big difference in both the finished look and stayability. Not only does it prime your lips for a more long-lasting finish that doesn't smudge or feather into fine lines, but it also feigns a fuller pout overall, making it the easiest way to instantly flatter and boost your natural lips.

However, how you apply it is just as important. Beyond the common lip liner mistakes to avoid, there's a trick to applying lip liner that will change your routine forever once you try it. Plus, it's easy to do even if you have no experience. Coined by makeup artist and founder of Makeup by Mario, Mario Dedivanovic, this lip liner technique instantly gives your pout a lifted look, instead of dragging your lips down.

While it's always been typical to over-line your entire lip line, top and bottom, to achieve a full look, lip liner is actually better when you are particular about placement. In fact, Dedivanovic recommends using a lighter hand and only over-lining one key area: the Cupid's bow. Here's how to master his technique at home.

Courtesy Makeup by Mario

Step 1: The Top Lip

Using your lip liner of choice (Dedivanovic recommends his Ultra Suede Sculpting Lip Pencil that comes with a built-in blending brush), you'll want to start by slightly over-lining the upper lip line only on the Cupid's bow area. From there, extend the lip liner towards the outer corners on the edge of your natural lip line. These outer sections shouldn't be over-lined. Over-lining only the Cupid's bow makes lips appear fuller and more enhanced.

Step 2: The Bottom Lip

Next, slightly over-line the center of the bottom lip line, and then extend the liner upwards towards the outer corners of the mouth, moving the liner back inside the lip line. You're mirroring the same technique as used on the top lip. On the bottom, this creates the illusion of a lifted lip.

Step 3: Blend

For a more natural look, softly diffuse and blend the lip liner from the corners inward with the custom brush on the aforementioned lip pencil or by using a clean eye shadow brush.

Step 4: Complete the Look

Finally, finish with the lipstick of your choice.

As a result, you get fuller-looking lips without pulling them down with too much over-lining throughout. It's less work, less room for error, more subtle, and incredibly youthful and flattering. Just remember to always only go on the outer edge of the lip line around the Cupid's bow and to stay right on the lip line everywhere else, and you'll be set up for success.

Now, how about a fresh lipstick shade to pair with it?

Step 1: Prep Your Lips.

Use a lip scrub to gently brush off any dead skin and follow it with a lip balm to create a smooth canvas. You'll want to give the balm a couple of minutes to soak in before going in with color. (Tip: In a pinch, you can use a dry toothbrush or damp washcloth to manually exfoliate. Just remember to be extra delicate to avoid causing irritation or microtears in your skin.)

Step 2: Reverse Line with Concealer.

Dot concealer onto the skin just outside your lip line, working your way all around your top and bottom lips. Blend it into your foundation (or bare skin) with your fingertips or a damp sponge until it meets the borders of your lips.

Step 3: Line Your Upper Lip.

If you're using a traditional lip pencil, make sure the tip is sharp and fresh. You can draw some squiggles on the back of your hand to soften a too-sharp tip and warm up the product so it blends more easily. Start by making an "X" shape to define the highest points of your cupid's bow. Then, work your way out from the high points in short strokes until you reach the outer corners of your lips. 

Step 4: Line Your Bottom Lip.

Once again, you're going to start at the centermost point of your lower lip and work your way out toward the corners of your mouth, staying just inside the line of your natural shape. (For a slightly fuller look, reverse it and line your way from the outer corners into the center.)

Step 5: Fill 'Em In.

Run some lipstick across your bottom and top lips and lightly smudge them together to blend the color out. Then, take a closer look at your lip line and use your lip brush or fingertip to blend the lip liner into the lipstick. Once you're satisfied with the coverage and blend, blot your lips on a tissue, then dab a bit more lipstick onto just the center of your lips and rub them together again. Done!

Bonus Tips: 

• If your color bleeds or smudges in the process, use a cotton bud to clean up the lines and reapply any concealer you may have wiped off. 

• If you're worried about your color slipping off while you eat dinner or give bae a kiss, use lip liner to fill in your lips completely before going over them with lipstick. Lip liner is stickier (and often drier) than lipstick, so you won't see as much fading or feathering when you use it all over.