Line Drive

Put your best pout forward with lustrous, shape-defining lip liner

Lipstick lovers, it's time to think beyond the tube. For long-lasting color and an infinitely more defined kisser, say hello to lip liner.

"It makes your lipstick stay on longer and shapes the lips," says professional makeup artist Cynthia Sally. "There was a trend in the early '90s to use dark liner and light lipstick, but today this is a big no. Now it's all about embracing what's natural."

It's a Draw
Lip liner application should start at the cupid's bow (the "m"-shaped curve of your lips right under your nose). "You can choose to make your bow more pointed or rounded. A rounded one gives a softer look and is more on trend," says Sally.

After shaping the bow, draw the line of your bottom lip (for a more generous pucker, draw along the outer edge). Then finish your upper lip line, connecting it distinctly with the bottom lip line.

One application is all you need, after which you should fill in your entire lip with the lip pencil, advises Sally. "It's easier if you tighten your lips into a bit of a smile. You get good, nonjumpy strokes."

Choose Your Hue
Select your lip liner color based on your skin type; berry shades complement fair skin, and deeper burgundy or

purple colors look great on darker skin. And keep in mind the golden rule: Lip liner should be the same color as the lipstick you're pairing it with.

If you're a risk taker, there are exceptions, says Sally. Pull a runway-esque move by using red lip liner, such as Rimmel London Lasting Finish 1000 Kisses Stay On Lip Liner in Red Dynamite. Then, paint your lips with light pink lipstick. To finish, take a lip brush and blend both shades together for two-tone glamour.

You actually don't need lipstick to paint an alluring pucker. Just use lip liner, filling in the entire lip area with the pencil, then swipe clear gloss over your lips. The result is easy, lustrous chic. Achieve that look with Urban Decay 24/7 Glide-On Lip Pencil in Illegal or Urban Decay Super-Saturated High Gloss Lip Color in Adrenaline and cover it with a shimmery wash of your favorite gloss.

Sally's secret weapon is skin-toned lip liner, specifically Cargo Reverse Lip Liner. With the flesh-toned pencil, draw just around the outside of your lips. It acts as concealer, locking color where it needs to be.

With looks this exciting and fresh, you'll want to be the first in line.