How to Create a Lived-in Lip Look

If you’ve stayed on top of beauty trends over the past few years, you’re surely familiar with liquid lipsticks and the look they suit—a super-defined pout. Well, after multiple years of precisely applied lipstick being the only thing to grace our social media feeds, there’s a new trend that’s catching on. A lived-in lip look is the latest makeup look you’ll want to try. A lived-in lip appears as if you’ve been rocking it for a few hours already—straight after applying. Not only does it appear perfectly effortless, but it’s just as easy to achieve as it would seem! Here’s how to create a lived-in lip look—with one of our lipsticks.

How to Create a Lived-in Lip Look

Ready to make your lipstick look worn in? Follow these simple steps:

Step 1: Exfoliate your lips

Dry flakes are a major no-no when it comes to applying liquid lipstick but they aren’t any better suited to a lived-in lip. Before applying your lip color, use a lip scrub or a face scrub that’s safe to use on lips too, like the L’Oréal Paris Pure-Sugar Nourish & Soften Face Scrub, to slough away dead skin cells.

Step 2: Use a lip balm

After exfoliating, moisture is a must. Smooth on a layer of conditioning lip balm.

Step 3: Apply color to the center of lips

With the lipstick of your choosing—try the L’Oréal Paris Colour Riche Shine Lipstick for a glossy finish or the L’Oréal Paris Colour Riche Matte Lipstick for a matte finish—press the color into the center of your lips. When the middle of your lips is painted pink (or red, or peach, or plum, etc. etc.), stop! Don’t extend the lipstick to the edges of your lips, just hold tight until the next step.

Step 4: Blend out with your finger

With the pad of your finger, gently blend the lipstick outwards. This way, the lip color should be more concentrated at the center of your lips, fading out towards the edges—just as if you had been sipping on a drink or sharing a couple of kisses. Wipe off your finger and you’re pretty much done! No need to clean up with concealer or micellar water, the messier the better.

Step 5: Lock in your lip look

A lived-in lip look is unlikely to have the same lasting power as a liquid lipstick, but you can try this (optional) step to help your lipstick stay in place. Place a tissue over top your lips, then press a setting powder—like the L’Oréal Paris Infallible Pro Sweep & lock Loose Setting Face Powder—overtop. Pull the tissue away and you’re good to go.

How to Complete Your Makeup Look

If you want to pair your lived-in lip with a bare face, go for it! But if you’d rather round out your look with a few other products, follow these simple steps:

Step 1: Apply BB cream

With a lived-in lip look, a heavy foundation isn’t necessary. Opt for a light BB cream instead, which will provide just enough coverage—while still looking natural. Try the L’Oréal Paris Magic by Studio Secrets Magic Skin Beautifier BB Cream.

Step 2: Use cream eye shadow

Keep it simple and swipe a cream eye shadow across your lids. It doesn’t get much easier than that!

Step 3: Tightline your eyes

Take a break from crazy cat eyes and colorful eyeliners and use this “invisible” eyeliner technique to make your lashes look thicker. With the L’Oréal Paris Infallible Pro-Last Waterproof Pencil Eyeliner in Black, fill in the space right at the base of your upper lashes.

Step 4: Swipe on mascara

A coat or two of mascara is the perfect way to complete almost any look—and that includes a lived-in lip look. Apply the L’Oréal Paris Voluminous Lash Paradise Washable Mascara to punch up the volume on your lashes.

Are you feeling the “lived-in” trend? In that case, try matching your lips to your locks. Check out our article, Embrace Your Roots! Here’s How to Get a Lived-In Hair Color.