How To Get The Perfect Ombré Lipstick Effect

So what do you do when you can't decide between lipstick colors? Layer them, of course! One of the most fun ways to layer your lipstick is to do an ombré effect. This allows you to rock multiple colors at the same time, with the added bonus of giving you the effect of a fuller pout by highlighting the center of your lips. If you ever wanted to get on the ombré trend without any of the commitment, lipstick is the best medium to try.

There are two different ways to do an ombré lip, depending on the effect you're going for, but they both lead to equally awesome end results. You can go from your lip line to the center and dark to light, or from the center to the corners and light to dark. It works best, in my experience, to use a liner and an opaque gloss, but you can also play around with different types of lipstick, especially for the second method. The most important thing to remember is to blend both of the colors together at the end by dabbing your lips — otherwise, you end up with a severely demarcated mess. Ready? Here we go.

The Tools

NYX Soft Matte Lip Cream, $6, Amazon; MAC Lip Liner, $18, Nordstrom

For this tutorial, I used NYX Soft Matte Lip Cream and a MAC liner. I love the way both these formulas blend together, but your favorite lip products will do the trick.

Method 1

Step 1: Line your lips and gently fill in the outer half with the darker color of your choice.

Step 2: Apply the lighter color of your choice to the center of your lips.

Step 3: Pat your lips together to blend the colors.

Method 2

Step 1: Apply the lighter color of your choice to the center of your lips.

Step 2: Apply the darker color to the corners of your lips, bringing them a little farther in along the border.

Step 3: Pat your lips together to blend the colors.

Here are some color combination ideas to get you started:

Nude

For an everyday ombré, apply a nude that is lighter than your lip color to the center of your lips, and a nude that is darker than your lip color to the corners.

Purple

For a more dramatic ombré, pair a pale color with a much darker one.

Berry

Of course, you can go a little more subtle by picking two colors that are only a few shades different. This will give you the effect of an ombré without being so obvious.

Blue?

And remember: ombré is fun! Don't be afraid to go bold.

Images: Miki Hayes (5)