Makeup artist Katie Jane Hughes knows her stuff about lips. She's been doing makeup for stars like Hailey Bieber, Lily Allen, and Dua Lipa for years (she created the latter's looks for her Radical Optimism tour). In addition to working with clients, Hughes also shoots detailed tutorial videos for social media so that anyone can replicate her beauty secrets.
Microcontouring technique that instantly visually enlarges lips
Her latest tutorial is a simple way to line your lips, creating the popular soft-blurred effect. “This trick is a minimalist approach that gives the illusion of fuller lips without too much makeup,” explains Hughes. It requires just four small strokes of lip liner and a soft brush for blending.
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“This method visually enlarges the lips just like classic liner, but without the overpowering effect,” she adds. First, you need to choose the right shade of pencil to create a soft blur effect and instant volume. In the tutorial, Hughes uses the darkest shade of her own KJH.brand line, Prism Lite Lip Crayon, to achieve maximum effect.
Secrets of microcontouring for every day
However, for everyday makeup, she recommends a more natural option. “The ideal shade is one shade darker than your natural skin tone,” says the makeup artist. For herself, she recommends the shade Enigma. Next, you need to make four dot strokes: in the corners of the lips, which are visually “pushed back,” as well as in the area called “Cupid's bow” and in the center of the lower lip to give them volume. At each of these points, a small line is applied slightly beyond the natural contour, after which everything is gently blended with a fluffy brush.
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“This creates a soft, blurred effect without losing pigment,” explains Hughes. “The amount of blending depends on the desired result: less blending gives a more defined contour, more for a soft and natural effect.” The final step is a layer of lip gloss. The illusion of fuller lips is complete.
Based on material from: Vogue.com